The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

3.

Maia struggled with her backpack as she pushed through the crowded hall. She stopped to look again at her schedule. She had no idea where the hell she was going. Thump. Some knuckle-dragger gave her a stiff shoulder and kept on walking, without so much as an apology. Maia stumbled backward. Her backpack slipped from her shoulder, unzipped and fell open. Her belongings scattered all over the tacky flat brown carpet covering the floor. 

"Hey, watch where you're going!" The boy in the wolf-themed football jersey had the nerve to yell as he walked away. 

"Asshole," Maia grumbled. She gave a tug to the edge of her jeans jacket and football jersey took a nosedive, hitting the floor face first. A round of 'oohs' sounded around him as he hit the ground. He came back up with a mouth full of carpet. She was sure he'd be feeling that for a week. She smiled to herself then sighed, slightly annoyed again, as she bent down to collect her things off the floor.

"Can you not step on that!" She screamed at students passing by. Uncaring feet stomped all over her books and papers without regard as they walked the hall.

"Jesus tits on Christ! Did you see that face plant? I've never seen, Alex that clumsy before. There was literally nothing in front of him. What the hell did he trip on? Life?" The half-laughing voice came from above her. She gave an inward groan and involuntary eye roll when she saw who it was.

"You again," She said looking up.

"Yes, me again," Miles answered with a smile, towering above her. "Do you need a hand?"

"Do I look like I need your help?" She asked, roughly gathering loose paper and textbooks from the floor.

"Do you really want me to answer that? Or would you like to maintain plausible deniability for later?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her with a big grin. 

"Ugh," She groaned, zipping up her backpack and walking away from him.

"Where you headed, Maia?" Miles followed close behind her as she stalked down the hall.

"I don't know where the fuck I'm going, Miles. Now, leave me alone." She continued on her way doing her best to ignore him.

He raced in front her, then stood in her path. "Wait, Maia. I know you don't like me but maybe I can help." He pleaded with a pout and wide brown eyes. 

"Fine," Maia relented. "Where is AP English with Ms. Warren?"

"Oh, what's this?" Miles said with a more perky attitude. If that were even possible. "Looks like we got classes together kid." 

"Yippy," Maia said flat sarcasm. "Will you just go?" She gestured but Miles' eyes were fixed in place as was his smile.

"And stop staring at me!" Maia shouted, spinning him around, shoving him down the hallway. 

"Fine. I'll go but this doesn't mean that I'm scared of you." She glared in his direction. "Well, only a little."

***

To Maia's endless dismay, she and Miles shared nearly identical schedules. He was a junior but apparently very scholastically talented. And to her infinite surprise, he was very popular as well. They couldn't make ten steps without a round of high-fives or someone hollering 'Sup Mile High'. 

'Cute', She thought, pursing her lips at what was probably the fifteenth or sixteenth girl making eyes at Miles. Sure he was handsome but he wasn't a panty-dropper. Not like Chance. Now that guy was brutally hot and in her case, she felt it in a very literal sense. 

But Miles was nice, too nice. Polite to the point of it being sickeningly sweet. He was the type holding doors open, pulling out chairs, giving away his coat in freezing weather, saving kittens from trees, and helping old ladies cross the street. Nothing seemed to kill that guy's vibe, like ever. 

When she found out her locker was on the opposite side of the school from his. She thanked her lucky stars. She was anxious to get away from him. Her eyes darted left to right, desperate to make it to her next class without him being the wiser. 

He didn't notice she ditched him while he entertained another one of his sycophants. Peering over her shoulder every minute, she spun the combination on the lock in a hurried attempt to open it. Reciting the combination like a mantra in her head. A shadow crept to her side, nearly scaring her out of her skin.

"Ahh!" She yelped.

"What the hell?" Chance Lowell stood glaring at her. The locker next to hers swung open. Her eyes caught hold of magnetic football tags, toiletries, cleats, and a neatly folded change of clothes. His books were organized by color on the top shelf. 'What a freak' and that was high praise coming from her.

Jade green eyes focused on her. The uncomfortable heat started burning up her body again, "You crept up on me," She said in an accusatory tone.

"It's not my fault you're exceptionally unobservant," He answered sneering.

Maia fixed her backpack onto her shoulders and slammed the locker shut, ready to walk away when Chance stepped in front of her. 

"What is your problem?" His cheeks flushed. It was getting to him too. She had to leave. She had to put distance between them. 

"Assholes like you are my problem. Now, move, Dingus." She glared up at him. 

He took a step closer. Something fluttered in the pit of her stomach. Her palms were slick at her sides. It was thirty-five degrees and she was sweating like a whore in church. There was less than a hand's width between them. Chance returned her look with an icy glare. 

"I want you to make me," His voice dropped an octave. The vibrations rumbling through his body echoed in hers. She swallowed passed the dry lump in her throat. 

She clenched her fist, "Oh really," She answered, edging forward.

She'd make this overgrown infant rue the day he decided to let his balls drop and step to her. The hallway being crowded, she decided against a physical altercation. Instead, opting to rummage through what little mind he did have and wield it against him. Suddenly, someone yanked her away from him.

"Chance! I see you met my new friend, Maia." Miles stood between them completely oblivious or pretending to be, to the palpable tension.

Chance's dark blonde brows came together attractively. "Miles, how do you know this psycho?" 

"What the fuck did he say? I'll show you psycho." Maia started aggressively towards Chance, when in a startling move, Miles slipped his arm around her waist and carried her with one arm like a football down the hallway.

"This isn't over, Chump!" Maia yelled waving her fist at Chance.

"We'll see you at lunch Bro! I'll save you a table." He made it only a few steps before Maia slapped his back and insisted on being put down. 

"Don't ever do that again, Miles, or I really might have to kill you." She shuddered, "I don't like being handled."

"Got it! No more handling." He saluted her. 

"How do you know that troglodyte back there?" Maia asked, pointing her thumb in Chance's direction.

"Oh, Chance. He's my older brother. He's a good guy. I promise you'll love him." Miles said cheerfully.

"That makes one of us."