Scarbound

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

Willow POV

Lunch time rolled around and I waltzed into the lunchroom with Elsa, giggling at something she had said. When we got in the line I found myself looking at the back of my assaulter's head. Elsa nudged me and not so subtly whispered, “Is that the hot guy that ran you over?!” Of course, because my blonde, bubbly best friend doesn't know how to whisper, the dark stranger's shoulders started shaking with laughter, but he didn't turn around. I knocked Elsa in the shoulder, “Could you be any more obvious?”

“So you admit he's hot?” she giggled.

I blanched, “N-no! Of course not, he's rude and inconsiderate.”

“You still didn't deny that he's hot though.”

“Elsa!” I cried in embarrassment and frustration.

“What would you like for lunch, dear?” the kind faced Lunch Lady cut in before Elsa could say anything more. I ordered a tuna sandwich and nearly sprinted to our table, hiding my tomato red face from the laughing figure of the stranger.

At our table, Elsa giggled away at the new stranger that had entered our lives and suddenly and unexpectedly become the center of them. He was all Elsa could talk about, and I couldn't seem to stop obsessing about the striking blue his eyes had been. Not that I would ever say that out loud. I crossed my arms in concentration and felt a tenderness in my forearm, I brought my arm up in front of my face and saw a bright red scratch that stretched from my wrist to the middle of my forearm. That hadn't been there five minutes ago... Elsa interrupted my thoughts when she asked, “What happened to your arm, Willow?” I snapped to attention at the sound of my name, “I'm not entirely sure, Els. It wasn't there a couple minutes ago.” I stared the the bright red strip in confusion.

“Maybe you scratched yourself?”

“I must have, but I didn't feel it when it happened...” I trailed off when I saw the guy with blue eyes across the room staring at his arm in shock. Something inside of my snapped and my feet started moving forward seemingly without my brain's command. I rushed across the cafeteria to his side and knelt down next to him. “Hey, stranger. You alright?” I questioned him, glancing at the bleeding mark. His blue eyes came up and met mine, the effect wasn't lost on me, but I was focused on helping him. I didn't know why, but something made me want to care about him and I didn't want him hurt.

“Yea I'm fine. I just ran into this thing.” he gestured to a nail sticking out of the wall, someone must have removed the picture that had been hanging on it. Without thinking, I reached for his arm and supported it in my hands and I felt something similar to an electric shock run through my arms. I almost pulled way in surprise but something kept my hands in place. “Here,” I muttered, “let's get you to the nurse.”

He jerked his arm out of my grasp and shot an annoyed look my way, “I don't need any help. I am perfectly fine.” He was suddenly very cold and harsh, causing me to recoil in surprise.

“I- I'm sorry, I-I just was t-trying to help.” I was humiliated and, I admit it, a little scared. I turned to bolt away.

“Hey,” he stopped me from walking with his good hand, “we match.”

I started, “W-what?”

“Your arm? You have a scratch.” He looked at me like I was stupid.

“Oh! That,” I was feeling very flustered, though I didn't want him to know that. “I'm not entirely sure how I got it. It just showed up.”

“I hate those, don't you?” he chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling with humor.

“Yea...” I sighed dreamily then shook my head, realizing how goofy I looked, coming back to reality.

“Tell you what,” he started, “if you tell me your name, I'll let you do the honors of walking with me to the nurses office.” He winked at me.

“Oh, I-I'm Willow.” Dammit Willow stop blushing!

Luckily he didn't seem to notice my blushing, or if he did he just let it go. “I'm Aiden.” He smirked, radiating confidence.

“I'd say it's nice to meet you, but I'm thinking it's really not.” I grinned at him, proud of my comeback. Sadly it didn't seem to phase him as he shrugged and began walking away. “Coming, loser?”

I blanched, “Excuse me?! What did you call me?” I ran after him, demanding an answer.

He chuckled at my expense, “Yes I did, it's true isn't it?”

I stared at him dumbfounded, “Well... well...” I wasn't exactly unpopular, I just don't talk to many people. I'm just not much of a people person... I think. I mean, no one was going out of their way to get to know me, either but that didn't make me a loser. Did it?

He just stared at me, “That's what I thought.” He then started walking away again.

“Wait!” I shouted not wanting to let him get away with what he just said.

“I'm not gunna keep waiting for you, loser. Are you coming or not?”

I stared at him, jaw hanging open. “Look, I know I'm good looking and all but I don't want you catching flies, so if you could close your mouth, I'd appreciate it.”

“GAH!” I cried in exasperation, “I'm done! Good riddance! I hope your arm falls off!” I stormed away. I heard him laughing, which only fueled my anger. I fumed, going to find my best friend.