From the Beginning

Chapter 1

Leah's POV

I was just getting the last book I needed from my locker when I felt a tap on my left shoulder. I looked over, but there was no one there. I shrugged and closed my locker, and there with his usual smile in place was my best friend Kevin.

He was smiling at me the same way he does every day, and I smiled back even though I was exhausted. No matter if my day was good or bad, Kevin would always try and make me feel better. It might have to do with the fact that I've known him practically my entire life, what with him living two houses down from me.

I know what you're thinking, do I secretly have feelings for Kevin? The answer is no. Don't get me wrong, Kevin wasn't bad in any way, especially not in his looks. He had his brown hair styled into a high and tight haircut, he was 6' 1'', had emerald green eyes, and was captain of the football team so he had a very nice body. He wasn't a complete moron though, since he'd been on the honor roll for as long as I can remember. He was popular with all the girls in school because of his looks and personality, but to me he'll always be dopey kid who peed his pants when we watched a scary movie together in fifth grade. He's like the older brother I've never had, ever since his family moved in down the street from mine when we were in kindergarten.

He smiled wider when he saw me smile at him and took my books for me, the way he always does after school. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed my cheek, which always made me feel uncomfortable, but I never complained about it. He'd been getting really touchy-feely with me over the last few months and I didn't know why, but I just saw it as a "known-each-other-almost-our-entire-lives-so-we're-comfortable-with-each-other" sort of thing.

He squeezed my shoulder and smiled, and I automatically smiled back. "Hey Princess Leah," using the nickname he always called me. "How was your day today?"

I shrugged as we walked towards his car. He was the same age as me, so he had his license and of course his own car, being a spoiled little rich kid, but thankfully he didn't always act like one.

"It was ok, I guess," I said quietly as we climbed into his car. "I found out my chemistry class is getting a new student from some private school in New York on Monday." I could feel a small smile forming on my lips as I remember my teacher giving us the news earlier today. Everyone in our graduating class has been together since we were all in diapers, so a new student coming in was a big deal.

Kevin's eyes widened. "Oh no," he said quietly, sounding worried about something. "A private school snob? You might have to worry about someone finally being smarter than you." I punched his arm as hard as I could, but he didn't even flinch. Him and his stupid muscles.

"Har de har har," I laughed sarcastically, looking out the window. Then I started thinking about it, what if this new kid was smarter than me? It'd always been my dream to come out at the end of each year at the top of my class, and at the end of my high school career I'd graduate as valedictorian. I didn't really have to worry about that right now, seeing as school only started about a month ago, but I always made sure I did my work from the very beginning so there wasn't a chance of anyone else getting the advantage.

Wow, maybe I have neurosis or something.

"Let's get off the topic of school, are you going to Lindsay's party tonight," he averted his eyes from the road for a split second to look at me before returning them back to the road. "I hear it's supposed to be better than last time." I groaned internally, Lindsay was having yet another I'm-better-than-everyone-else-because-my-parents-are-rich party. Lindsay's parties were unpredictable, mostly because there were always a couple of people that ended up being drugged and the cops were called at least every other party.

"No, I don't think so. I think I'll just stay home and watch a movie." We were turning onto our street when I saw that there was a moving truck at the Abram's old house. They were a very nice elderly couple that decided to move down to Florida after Mrs. Abram finally retired from her job. I guess someone finally purchased the house since it's been on the market for more than eight months.

"Do you want me to stay with you," he said pulling into my driveway. "I don't really want to go to this party if you're not there."

I rolled my eyes, immediately thinking of how clingy he would sound if he was a girl talking to her boyfriend. He needed to get out and find someone else to hang out with. Usually it didn't bother me that he wanted to spend so much time with me, but nowadays it was just too much. I was seriously about to kill him if he didn't find a new friend soon.

"No Kevin," I sternly said as I looked him in the eye. "You need to go out with some of your other friends, or maybe try bringing a date to the party. Weren't you trying to go out with Kat Summers last weekend?"

Kevin just laughed. "Yeah but the reason I cancelled was because I heard she gave one of my running back's mono, so I don't feel like sitting out for the rest of the season just so I can try and get laid."

"Whatever, I don't care Kevin," I rolled my eyes, feeling a headache coming on. "You just can't spend all your time with me. I know we're best friends and best friends hang out a lot, but I'm actually going to head-butt you soon if we don't get some time apart."

"Ok! Ok Leah, fine. I'll go to the party," he said holding his hands up in surrender, "but you owe me for bailing. We'll hang out on Saturday, ok?"

I nodded, glad that he finally decided to drop it. I climbed out of the car, waving goodbye as he pulled out of the driveway slowly, probably to make sure I got inside okay, just like he does every day. I turned the key and unlocked the door, hearing Kevin's car driving away, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.