Genesis || ✔

[ 1 ] Autumn

Seth Vasquez was a sight to behold. He was tall and lean, with gentle eyes and a compassionate smile. A brown-haired, blue-eyed Prince Charming. And though he had claimed to notice me first, I found it hard to believe. He was the college heartthrob, at which I learnt through overhearing some girls talking in Entrepreneurship about how he never really dated but only had flings here and there. At that point, I only knew his name, and it wasn't until music club recruitment when I finally knew his person.

Oh he was even more gorgeous than what I imagined, based on the girls' description.

I was handing back Ally, the music club president, her purple studded guitar after running through a few notes on it when Seth approached me. I was no stranger to beautiful boys, but Seth definitely made the top of the list, and it was hard not to keep a lingering gaze.

"Hey," he said, ever so casually. "That was really good. What song were you playing?"

I smiled. There was something about people complementing my musical skills that I loved. "Thanks. That was an original piece, actually."

"Wow, really? You wrote it?"

"Yeah. It was from a long, long time ago."

"That's cool." He cocked his head at the JOIN THE ELUSIVES TODAY! banner hanging above. "So, think you've found yourself a club yet? We could totally use your talent."

"Thanks, I'll think about it."

He winked at me and I took that as my cue to leave. It only occurred to me moments after, that I hadn't told him my name, but as his reputation preceded him, I knew exactly who he was.

The next encounter I had with Seth Vasquez was at the night of the Elusives' welcome party. I was with Z, and we were doing our thing – deducing which instrument(s) our fellow club members favored based on the impression they made – when I caught him looking. Right at me.

I smiled and did a little wave, and then Seth was at my side in an instant.

Knowing who he was, Z nudged my side with his elbow, seemingly excited on my behalf. I resisted the urge to nudge him back like a young smitten schoolgirl.

"Hey, Seth!" Z said, overly cheery. "Didn't know you were an Elusive too." Lie, he so did know.

"Yeah," Seth laughed. "Apparently, I'm the secretary." He fixed his gaze on me. "Glad to have you with us –"

"Genesis," I offered.

"Genesis," Seth repeated. It was hard not falling for his charming smile. "And you are –?"

"Zack. My friends call me Z."

The guys did a classic bro handshake to hug thing while I stood watching Seth's arm muscles budge underneath his grey shirt.

"So, are you guys together?"

Z and I shared a look.

"Together as in a couple kind of together?" Z had to make sure.

Seth nodded.

"Oh God, no," I laughed. It was kind of funny, really, how everywhere we went, people would think Z and I were an item. Unless, of course, if June was around, then it would be obvious. But otherwise, I found it comical because Z was practically my brother. "He has a girlfriend."

Seth smiled. "Cools."

And then he looked at me, like really looked at me, and a shiver ran down my spine at the intensity of his stare. I fidgeted a bit, because I didn't know what else to do. I never had anyone staring at me like that, let alone the college heartthrob.

"Hey guys, I'm so glad you could make it!"

Thank God for Ally and her impeccable timing to save me from the awkwardness.

Seth retracted his stare then, and excused himself for a drink as Ally started a conversation with Z about which musical era was the best. I listened halfheartedly. It didn't take genius to figure out that my mind was on a certain charming somebody.