The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

14.

Chance slammed the driver's side door and stomped his way to the High School's main building. He couldn't wait to get away from Miles' insipid behavior. Seventeen years and he'd never liked even one girl. Fast-forward a few weeks and he was practically a simping over Maia. 

He couldn't decide what irked him more, the fact that Maia was taking his brother and best friend from him. Or the fact that Miles was becoming too familiar with Maia. He was constantly touching her in little ways he assumed Maia would reject. Instead of being angry, Maia reciprocated even embracing Miles' affection. 

He scrubbed a hand through his damp hair. Frustration burned at his center. He couldn't do anything about it without admitting that he wanted Maia for himself. He stopped in the center of a walkway blowing off an embittered sigh. 

He couldn't have feelings for Maia. He and his brother couldn't possibly want the same girl. They've never liked the same things. That's what made their relationship so easy. Never competitive, always cooperative. He loved his brother and would do anything for him, including giving up a girl.

He resolved not to let himself be overcome by these feelings. It was infatuation coupled with proximity. She was always around. He'd gone months without getting any play to focus on football. 

He needed a new interest but it was hard to find in a small town where he knew or had been with most of the girls. His lips flattened to a thin line. He could always go back to Kristen. He shook his head, patting his pockets for his cellphone. 

'Must've left it in the truck' He turned unaware of the person standing behind him. The sudden collusion shocked him but the other person was unbalanced and fell with a sound thud. 

"Ouch!" a feminine voice cried. Powder blue eyes framed with thick lashes darted up at him. Her pinched look softened. Her pert lips fell open with the softest sigh. 

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry," Chance knelt forward, helping her to her feet. She was taller than he expected and slender with soft curves. Long brown straight brown hair fell above her waist. The wind blew tendrils toward him.

She smelled of strawberries. A blush colored her pale skin as she smiled, "Thanks, you can let go of me now." 

Chance failed to notice his arms were still around her. "Oh, I'm sorry. Again." He chuckled nervously.

"I'm new. My name is Aswen...Aswen Hawkings." She stuck her dainty hand toward him. 

It slipped seamlessly into his larger one. She was smiling. He didn't know he was smiling back until he began to speak, "I'm Chance Lowell. I'd be glad to...show you around if you like?" 

Aswen answered timidly, "Yeah, I'd like that." 

***

Miles sat comfortably on the passenger side, with his long legs propped up on the dashboard, and his phone fixed in his hand. He didn't notice that Chance had gone. He smiled, laughed, and grimaced occasionally as message after message induced a repeated 'ding' on his iPhone. 

Observing he was suddenly alone, panic framed his features as he scuttled from the truck grabbing his backpack. "Chance!" he called at his brother's back. He was with someone. A girl Miles didn't recognize.

At the very least, he was smiling. Chance hadn't been himself for a while. Since the party, he was distant, wayward even. Chance was never a man of many words but lately, they were fewer. Miles was worried. All his attempts to reach out to his brother were failing.

A fluttering settled in within Miles and his hand went to his heart. The same clairsentient feeling, like butterflies, which had become so familiar started in the pit of his stomach. Maia was here. He turned to find her smiling and waving in his direction. 

Her father honked as drove past them. "Bye Dad!" Maia called to the black Charger as it sped away. 

"Hey Mai," He smiled, pulling her into a brief hug. Her arms wrapped around him returning the embrace. 

"Hey," She hid her smile, burying her face against him. It still surprised him that she'd been returning his affection. But he understood she wasn't ready for more than friendship.

"I brought you a breakfast sandwich," He handed her a brown paper bag. 

"How did you always know Miles?" She smiled snatching it out of his hands. 

"It's my specialty." But how did he know, Miles pondered? He seemed to understand Maia's needs better than his own. He felt a change in her demeanor as her gaze lingered on Chance talking with that girl. 

He felt the urge to rush her away to safety. "Maia, we should go. The first bell will be ringing soon."

"Yeah," She replied, her eyes still focused on Chance's back. No doubt wishing him to spontaneously burst into flames if he had to guess. But she still didn't move. 

He slipped his hand into hers and led her into the building by a different route.