To Idalina

Chapter 1

The first time I saw you, I was at the library. I was holding a stack of books when you caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

I whipped my head around to get a better look at you and you just hit me like a vision. With your perfect golden, wavy hair that fell across your face your dark blue eyes that reminded me of the deep sea, you were without question the most gorgeous thing I ever laid eyes on. "Hot" didn't even begin to describe you; you were beautiful. Being petite and all would have made you look vulnerable except for the fact that you exuded this sense of strength and self-confidence.

Suddenly, as if you could feel me gaping at you, you turned your head to look at me. Your striking eyes penetrated me and I was so startled that I dropped my books. Cheeks burning with embarrassment, I hastily gathered my books and scuffled away. But as I glanced back one last time, I saw your mysterious eyes twinkling with laughter.

I have always wondered whether you ever thought about that day. Did you think about it as a day when you met someone whose life would never be the same because of you? Or was I just some nerdy-looking guy you saw drop his books at the library? To me, it was the day that completely changed my life.

The next few days, I was in a complete daze.

My friends would talk about video games, fantasy football, and whatever else they did to waste time living their miserable lives and I wouldn't even try to pretend to listen like I usually did. I still sat with them at lunch though because who wants to sit all alone in a high school cafeteria?

The thing is, I am a complete nerd. I was getting straight A's, was in 6 AP classes as a junior, and wanted to go to Stanford and be an accountant. See? I had my whole life planned out perfectly and nothing, NOTHING, could have messed me up.

Until you. Even though I had only seen you for those few, precious seconds, you had already completely taken over my mind. I could think of nothing else. It was as if I was under some magical spell you had on me. I just couldn't stand it. I had to see you again. I had to meet you, if only for half a minute. I just needed to know who you were.

I found out 13 days later.

That day, I had gotten to school 30 minutes early, as usual, and I was walking past the front office. By this point in time, I had almost completely given up on ever seeing you again.

But as I walked by the office that morning, I heard Mr. Stafford, our vice principal, say, "And here's your schedule if you have any questions feel free to ask any of the staff." Mildly curious about who the new kid was and why he/she would change schools when there was only a month and a half left, I glanced into the window and saw you with your perfect hair in all its beauty.

I stood there. And gaped.

Even though it was your first day, you looked completely comfortable, as if you had gone here your whole life.

Mr. Stafford spotted me and exclaimed, "Marcus! Perfect! This is our new student Idalina. Idalina, this is Marcus. Marcus, why don't you help her find her way to her first class? Ok great! Idalina, have a nice first day!" I was stupefied. I just stood there. You glanced at me warily.

"Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?" you asked, perking up. I tried to reply but my voice cracked. Finally I was able to mumble out a quick "No."

"Oh well," you smiled. This was the first time I saw you smile and it was perfection. You had two little dimples on your cheeks and your blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "No need for you to show me around; I would really rather get lost." On that note, you ran off down the hallway and disappeared.

I continued to stand there, starstruck. You were like a tornado tearing its way into my life and wreaking havoc on my until-recently nondescript life.

Even after all this time, I still remember every moment I had spent with you as if it was only yesterday. I still remember that first day you started at my school, how every guy in the school had stared in awe, how you miraculously decided to eat lunch with my group of friends, how even the legendary, most popular nice guy in school Mark Newman approached you and introduced himself. After that happened, I knew all hope was gone. Of course, you would ditch us and go for him right?

But then you didn't. Instead, you stayed. You stayed and the more time I spent with you, the more I knew I could never live without you.