Reckless

Book One: Part One: Chapter One

     Almost like the perfect dream, everything fell into place. There was something about that smile, the way that he held her close, nothing mattered in that one moment as the two moved together in sync, in the perfect dance, like no one else existed in the world, not a care as every set of eyes in the room watched them with envy, pride and joy. She'd been waiting for this moment, to finally feel not just wanted, but feel him hold her once more as he once had, and now she'd gotten her wish, but he'd been waiting for her as a whole, to be able to have her wholly, without the threat of someone taking her away, and finally, at last, they could be at peace.

     "Jacie, are you even listening?"

     I blinked in confusion then I shook my head as my eyes widened a bit, realizing I'd just been zoning out, as I always tended to do. I looked over at my friend Rachel, who was driving, and she glanced at me with an annoyed expression, her pink lips pressed together in a thin line of frustration. I gave a small apologetic smile as I looked at her.
Rachel Strothers, an energetic, outgoing brunette with sparkling gray eyes, and no filter. The girl who was fun and crazy, and even brutally honest but a good-hearted person, was and is, my best friend since childhood. The person I couldn't live without and a true soul sister, someone who had always been there for me, and I was grateful for that.
     "Sorry, Rache. I heard part of what you said but I've got a lot on my mind. Sorry. Repeat and this time I'll listen, promise." I said as I gave a reassuring smile, which she only sighed and shook her head at me as she turned into the Sonic drive-in which was on the way to our school, Amoris High.
     "It's fine. I know you zone out a lot so no offense taken, but seriously Jace... Tonight I'll need your help after school, and then before the dance. I need to finish decorations at the Stross manor with the rest of last years committee, and then I'll need your help finalizing the changes on my dress, since we're practically the same size, and you can help me with the final touches, miss fashion expert."
     She looked at me with hope in her eyes and I sat back in my seat. "I'm not that great at sewing, that's your forte but fashion expert?" I giggled as I looked down at my shredded black tights, cut off dark denim shorts, my calf high buckle converse, and my black "love kills slowly" Ed Hardy tank top and mid-length leather jacket, flashing the finger-less fishnet gloves on my hands, and I grinned, same as her. "You nailed it on the spot."
     "Of course. You've got one crazy sense of fashion but it's cool and hot. You can go from princess to punk in a heartbeat without skipping a beat, it's no wonder guys go nuts over you."
     "You and I both know that's a load of bull. I'm just friends with a lot of people, but they don't go crazy over me. I think they're just jealous I'm so gifted with a great taste in clothing." I joked, giving a sly smile, and she grinned more.
     "Yeah, okay. Whatever you say. What do you want? And hurry because we've got to get to school on time. Gotta love the first day right? At least if we're late it won't matter."
     "True that."
     I told her my order and then she pressed the call button and she placed our orders. As we waited for our breakfast, we turned up the radio with my phone plugged in, and we sang along to every Nickelback song that came on, as I had it set to the Dark Horse album, and we laughed as we enjoyed our short time being wannabe rock stars, not caring who around us saw and thought we were acting like idiots. We didn't need others to tell us what we already, and proudly, knew and accepted. Finally, our food came out and Rachel pulled out of the drive and headed towards the school, and we chowed down while still jamming out. By the time we got to the school, we realized we still had a little bit of time so we sat in the car, music still on, and finished our food. Once we were done, we hopped out and walked in, strutting as we always did. It was the first day of our senior year and Rachel and I both decided we would just own the year, next to our three closest friends, Haley and Jackson. The four of us had been best friends since grade school, but Rachel and I grew up together because our parents had known each other before we were both born, though due to the fact my parents were almost always gone on business, I had stayed with Rachel and her family most of my life while growing up.
     We met up with Haley and Jackson in the school library cafe before classes started and talked about random stuff we'd done on our last day of freedom since we didn't get to spend it together like we'd originally planned, and discussed tonight's homecoming dance. Unlike every other school around, our homecoming dance was held the first day of school rather than waiting a week or two, and because our principal was almost too old fashioned, and great friends with the school drama teacher, the two plotted every year to have the homecoming dance be formal, but the theme was almost always different. After the first year disaster of accidentally knocking over some bigger decorations while dancing with Rachel, and spilling punch all over myself in the process, I'd decided I wouldn't go again. Since that first day, Everyone had decided to start calling me the queen of Grace, and yet somehow no one hated me for the accident but rather laughed, and not at me but with me. I'd crashed through the table set up and had it toppled over me, and quite a few people had gathered, concern in their eyes wondering if I was alright, but when Rachel decided to point out the fact I'd never been the most graceful and joked about how I just couldn't keep my destructive tendencies back, I busted up laughing, and then the crowd laughed with me.
     That was also the day I became good friend with the Freshman quarterback, Cameron Holt. He'd walked over so coolly with a smile and offered a hand to help me up. Cam had become one of my closest friends, though since we hadn't had any classes together at all the last year, we'd grown a bit distant, but we still talked frequently.
The first warning bell rang and pulled me out of my thoughts and Rachel, Jackson, Haley and I all looked at each other and laughed as we'd all been distracted from the time. The three of them had class not too far from the library but my first class was English, all the way on the opposite side of the Junior and Senior side of the school, and the library was in the center of the school. I grabbed my bag as I said bye to them then sprinted out and glided through the halls, weaving in and out of the crowd of students. Ever since becoming a Sophomore, I'd learned not to worry about using a locker since my classes were no longer side by side but rather scattered across a very large high school campus. It took too much time to do the combination on the lock and dig out the right folders and books needed, and even more time to sprint across the school. With only five minutes to work and large crowds to maneuver around, it was hard enough, but considering I'd never been very well time oriented, it was even worse.
     The last bell rang and with the crowds in the sophomore hall, I hadn't even reached the senior hall, which was completely empty except for the few students who clearly weren't in too much of a rush. I sighed as I sprinted down the hall, then slid to a stop when I skid passed the door, and I backtracked then went to open the door. Throwing my weight against the heavy door without meaning to, the door swung open and I stumbled in, almost tripping as I caught the door to keep it from flying back. I could feel the heat in my cheeks as the class went from chatty to silent in an instant and I looked over at the English teacher, who had also been my Creative Writing teacher the past two years, and was again this year. He smiled at me as I stood up straight and put on a smile. "I uh, meant to do that, sir," I said sheepishly.
     "I'm sure you did, Jacie. I hadn't even started class yet if you'd like to take a seat, and I presume you'd prefer your same seat as the past two years?" he said with a raised brow, looking at me and trying to hide his teasing smile.
     "Oh, you know me so well, Lassie," I said in a teasing tone as I batted my lashes.
     "Well then please do take a seat, I made sure no one took it." he chimed back.
     "Thanks, Mr. Lassitor," I said, then turned to walk to my seat which was the front corner on the right-hand side of the class, right by the window.
     As I turned to walk to my seat, my eyes quickly scanned the students, not really paying attention to who all was here specifically, but I did take notice in a few familiar faces who smiled at me, and then my eyes landed on Cameron, who was sitting at the seat right next to mine and my eyes lit up as I trotted over. He held out his hand for a high five to fist bump and I gladly obliged in the action. "Jacie, hey!" he piped up happily as I walked over then slid into my seat.
"Hey, Cam! Glad you finally decided to be in one of my classes again. Geez, think you're too cool for me or something?" I teased, and he flashed a knowing smile.
     "Oh, I'm sorry, miss queen of grace. How rude of me to not have a strict discussion with the principal about how we must never be separated, for I am thy loyal servant." he joked and shook his head. "Why do you think I chose this seat? I knew you'd be here. I may or may not have prodded Rachel with questions about your schedule since somebody didn't want to respond to my messages within the last week." he scolded, and I slid down in my seat sheepishly as I smiled innocently.
     "Sorry, not sorry. If I don't talk to you all the time, you'll just naturally want to come to me instead. I've got to leave you guessing, otherwise, there's no fun in the friendship."
     He smiled and shook his head, and finally, Mr. Lassitor cleared his throat and began class as everyone quieted down. I smiled as I made small talk with Cameron as the class went by, but an unsettling feeling kept bubbling in my stomach as if someone were watching me. It wasn't uncommon for people to look at me and stare a bit, but it was always people I knew and I'd grown used to it, but this feeling was different. It was unsettling, yet almost calming, and I couldn't quite place it. I tried to ignore it until there was a shadow that flashed by in the window, and I quickly turned to see a raven fly by, then there was a flash of black in my peripheral vision from behind me, and almost in slow motion as everything seemed to suddenly slow down, I blinked once as I began to turn in my seat, the image of black feathers stretched out in my mind only for a second, before my hair fell back out of my face as I had turned completely to look behind me, and everything suddenly stopped, my stomach turning tight, and for what felt like forever, I held my breath as a sight of deep blue gray, abyss like eyes, held my gaze.