The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

1.

Maia's dark blue eyes focused on the elderly woman sitting behind the desk. Her unkempt greying ginger bun made Maia's fingers itch to fix it. Her slip was showing and her teeth were yellowed from years of coffee drinking. From the smell of her, there was probably some smoking going on too. Miss Messy-bun was entirely focused on the computer. Oblivious to the world around her. Content to ignore, and to be ignored.

Maia rolled her eyes, pressed her lips together, and cleared her throat. She hoped this would alert the woman to her presence. Yet, nothing happened. Irritated, Maia twirled her finger around a strand of her honey-blonde curls and the computer screen went blue. 

Bewildered by the failing equipment, the old woman smacked it in earnest. Trying in vain to bring it back to life. Maia smiled impishly. That was the answer to technical problems for people like her, beat the hell out of it. That should get it to working. 

Maia admonished herself mentally. She knew better than to use her powers outside her home but she couldn't help it, especially when she was annoyed. Her mother always had a way of knowing when she used her abilities. Which meant she'd catch them hands later.

Maia let her chin fall to her palm and leaned on the counter, indulging in a little nostalgia. This was just one more first day among many. She just wanted to get it over with.

She went to a lot of schools over the years. More so, when she was younger. At some point, people started to notice the strange things that happened when she was around. The moment they did, Brom and Amber would pack her up and move away. 

She promised her parents that there would be no more shenanigans this year. She would make a fresh start at this school. After all, its her senior year and she planned to get her act together. She'd just use her power for this one last thing. Besides, she hadn't officially started yet, so it wouldn't count.

She focused her energy on turning Ms. Messy-Bun's chair around just enough so she could see her standing at the counter when the door to the main office flew open. Someone stepped into the room and stood right next to her. 

A flush rose in Maia's cheeks. A wave of heat washed over her.  And out of nowhere, she felt a near irresistible urge pulling her toward the stranger. The sensation beaconing her to draw closer to him, like opposite ends of a magnet. Maia bit her lip and planted her feet. Sometimes having these powers was a pain in the ass. 

 Maia made a point of avoiding other people pretty much her whole life. In every new school, she was the new kid and then the loner. The only 'F' word she found dirty was 'Friendship'. She tried that before and it backfired, horribly. She wouldn't risk it again, not if she could help it. 

So, she did what came naturally and ignored the newcomer. But then, he took a step towards her, closing the gap between them. All the strange sensations she felt amplified as he drew closer. 

He was impossibly close, their elbows nearly touching. "Ever heard of personal space," She grumbled under her breath. She shifted her eyes and caught sight of him from the corner of her eye.

A swath of dark blue cotton molded impressively over a wide muscular chest. Long sleeves rolled up to the elbow, exposing tanned skin and dark blonde hair cover both forearms. None of this piqued her interest until a hint of his cologne wafted towards her on a draft. 

An amazingly fresh scent with hints of Calabrian Bergamot, Neroli, and green tangerine. But also light; aquatic nuances mixed with rosemary, sweet persimmon, and warm Indonesian patchouli. Maia had a thing about smells and this smell was heaven. No teenage boy had the right to smell as delicious as that.

She finally gave in to her curiosity and looked at the stranger. Pale green eyes fixed on her, framed in thick dark brown lashes. The corners of his eyes crinkled up in a smile, she guessed was meant for her. She had to tilt her chin up his approximately six-foot-plus frame to study the full head of sandy brown hair that looked blonde depending on the lighting. And ithout meaning too Maia smiled back.

"Chance, good morning, dear. What brings you by the office?" Ms. Messy-Bun finally decided to join the land of the living but at the wrong damn time. Maia was definitely getting good vibes from that guy. 

A deep sultry voice forced her to bite her lip to keep from moaning, "Morning Mrs. Mayberry, I was told I needed to do a new student tour," Tall and handsome, shifted his gaze from Maia back to Mrs. Mayberry. Maia watched the older woman's eyes gloss over. She decided since she was already violating the rules she might as well go for the gold and listen in. 

'He's too young. He's too young. He's too young,' Mrs. Mayberry's mind repeated over and over in a creepy ritual chant. When she checked back in mentally, she gave a snort and giggle that might have been cute if she was, say, twenty years younger.

"Oh, dear. That was today, wasn't it? You're such a good kid." She reached across the counter to pat his hand. Somehow this small action annoyed Maia even more.

Tall and sexy, tugged a hand through his cropped hair and chuckled. He turned to Maia, color quickly staining his cheeks, "I'm guessing that's you right?"

Maia nodded dumbly.

"Oh hello dear," Mrs. Mayberry said, seeing Maia for the very first time. "Welcome to Sequim High School. We were expecting you. I'm Anabelle Mayberry, the office secretary. We don't get many new students so it is awful nice to have you," A look of confusion crossed Anabelle's face. "What was your name again, Love? I plum forgot." She giggled at her faux pas.

The boy was still watching her, glancing away every time she met his gaze. Maia suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, "I'm Maia Erinti."

"Lovely to meet you, Maia," Anabelle said handing her a sheet of paper. "There is your class schedule. This is Chance...Chance Lowell," Maia looked at him and he gave a quick nod.

He gave a wink and a cocky grin, "Chance is Student Body President. He has kindly volunteered to show you around the school grounds. We may be a small town but we sure take pride in our school." Anabelle offered a smile displaying all her yellowing teeth.

"Thanks," Maia replied with a sneer, snatching the paper from her grip. "Ok, Stretch, let's get this show on the road."

Chance snorted and shook his head. He walked toward the exit and pushed the door open accessing the main hall. "Well come on then, class is this way short-stack."