Tick Tock

Chapter One

Chapter One

"Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon.
-Emily Dickinson"

First times are inevitable. You need a first time to have a second or a third time.

They sneak up on you. Maybe it's just a conversation or a small smile but then later, you find out that a small thing like that is a seed to a tree with many wiry branches of other first times.

A connection.

A kiss.

Three simple words.

It is these first times that we hold onto.

"Noel, It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

I look up to see a gorgeous strawberry blond with a small posse behind her.

My unsettled shock stumbles my words, "Y-yes."

She smiles at me, "I'd like to think it's been too long. What do you think, Ty?"

My eyes shoot to the guy next to her and I look down as unwanted memories come flooding back. I can imagine his signature grin, "Three years is always too long."

He grabs my hand, which I had a feeling was prompted by Emma. "What do you say we change that?"

I look at Emma and her smile widens.

Tess stands next to her, the black haired beauty I know would rather be anywhere but here. Her intimidating green eyes won't even look at me.

The rest of the people with her, I know of but don't know, and they all seem much disengaged.

Except this one guy in the back.

His eyes are locked with mine in almost an uncomfortable way.

Ian James.

He's this year's heart throb, the new guy that came in the beginning of the year and had all the girls swooning over him.

I've heard though, that he's been very uninterested.

Makes sense, he's out of everybody's league here.

I pull my hand out of Ty's. He doesn't seem affected.

I try to muster some
courage, "What's going on? Do you really expect me to believe that you just suddenly started to miss me?" I say to Emma.

"Oh, my silly sweet, I've missed your pessimistic views on everything. Of course I would expect you to believe that. My missing you is long over do."

I stare at her, "Exactly."

She rolls her eyes, "Okay, we aren't going to spend all day standing in front of your locker. But you're invited to my birthday party. Maybe we can catch up then."

She hands me an invitation and kisses my cheek. I hear Tess give an annoyed sigh.

They start to walk off but Ty stares at me, "I really have missed you El."

I remember staring into those blue eyes so many times before. My cheeks redden and I just nod at him and try to scurry away.

That when my body crashes into his.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." I say, getting stumbled my Ian's eyes, "My body has a mind of its own. And-"

I hear a guy walking by snicker.

I probably shouldn't have said that.

"I mean, I'm so uncoordinated it should be illegal. Did I hurt you? I hope I didn't hurt you. I hate hurting people. I never mean to. I just-"