Tucker (Chapter 1)

What was it about her? Here I am sitting in a room of 27 students 20 female and 7 male, and for some reason I cannot stop staring at her. Conspicuously hidden in the middle of the classroom, behind a 250 pound hockey goalie. The perfect hiding place; a place where one could avoid social interaction for at least two hours.

Despite her efforts of invisibility, she’s all that I can see. I am completely mesmerized by her; the why she gathers her long onyx hair and throws it over her right shoulder in irritation, the way she sticks her black paper mate pen in her mouth with concentration. She glances at the clock. She does that a lot. Eager to escape, and frankly I don’t blame her. This place is hell.

Her name is Amelia Brickhaven, isn’t that a name? That’s all I know, her name. I wish I knew more…..not more, everything….. That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to talk to her. But what would I say? Obviously she hates socializing, and she must know about my, reputation. God she probably thinks I am repugnant. It’s not my fault that my parents blessed me with amazing good looks…..well my mom did at least.

S*** I’m still staring; she’s going to think that I’m a creep. Play it cool, play it cool, this is just a regular girl, so act like she’s a regular girl. I’m going to have fun with her, show her a good time and that’s it. I’m sticking to my protocol; “Don’t get attached”. I have stuck to this protocol since freshman year of high school. If you don’t stick around, then they don’t have a chance to ask questions, questions about things, things I don’t have the courage to face.

Its better this way. No one has expectations; we just have fun and move on.

“Alright class, tomorrow we are going to be talking about the relationship between the United States and china and how it affected the economy, so make sure you review chapter 3.”

Thank Jesus Christ class is finally over, my body slumps with relief. There’s only so much of global economics one can take before you go insane. Amelia thrusts her arms into her coat, quickly gathering her note book and book bag.

Let the games begin.

“Hey” I say with the voice I reserve for serious flirtation.

Her eyes widen with surprise, but almost immediately narrow with suspicion.

“Can I do something for you?” she asks in instant irritation. Damn, this girl is intense, I've only said one word to her and she already sounds like she wishes I was dead. The thought of her hating me makes me burst out laughing, making her scowl.

“Well hello to you too” I chuckle making her cheeks turn crimson “I only wanted to introduce myself”

“Why?” she asks incredulously as if it was absolutely insane for someone to want to introduce themselves to her.

I can’t help but laugh at her hostility, she’s something else. I restrain my arm from reaching out to smooth out the angry wrinkles on her forehead. I shake the thought out of my head. Stick to the protocol.

I look at her and give her my best smile. “I only wanted to be polite considering that you are in three of my classes, maybe we can study together”

“……okay…” she finally says with suspicion still obvious in her eyes.

“Okay so I’m Tucker Shepley and…”

“I know who you are… I mean who doesn't? The one and only Tucker Shepley, famous hockey star, straight A student, serious womanizer. I should consider lucky to be in your presence” she dramatically curtsy’s, her hair flowing with her movements. Her wide green eyes turn cold as she stares at me, daring me to make the next move.

Despite being mesmerized by her mouth and how her lips moved, her viciously sarcastic words sank in and I frowned, so she had heard about me. S***. This was going to be more difficult than I had anticipated.

“And you are?” I asked appearing unfazed.

“A-Amelia, Amelia Brickhaven, but people just call me Amy” she stammered, clearly surprised that I was still showing interest. Obviously her harsh outburst was just an attempt to ward me off. Not going to work, I think smugly.

“Now was that so hard?” I ask flashing her another award winning smile, causing her to blush in irritation. “Well, I’ll see you around Pond” Her eyes flash with recognition and I turn around swiftly and walk out the room, leaving her alone with her mouth agape. I silently laugh at my perfectly executed Doctor Who reference, triumphant that she actually understood it.

Phase one is complete.











Amelia (Chapter 2)

“I’ll see you around pond?” Mariah hisses. I can’t help but laugh my best friend’s disgusted expression.

“You do realize that he has now completely ruined the show for me” She whined.

“Oh please Mar, don’t be so dramatic. Plenty of people like Doctor who, it’s just Tucker Shepley is the last person I would have thought to be a fan…”

Tucker Shepley has consumed a lot of my thoughts for the past couple of hours. I hated it. All I wanted to do was disappear, was that so much to ask for? I spent a lot time in figuring out a way to go unnoticed throughout the day for this semester. And what happens? Fucking Tucker Shepley introduces himself to me, as If he didn't know who I was. As If I didn't know who he was. Bull s***. He’s trying to play me, and I know it.

Mariah snaps in my face.

“Woah ,woah woah….what’s that face? I know that face. You better now be thinking about Tucker!”

“I’m not!” I answered too quickly

She throws her pen at my forehead “Oh my god! Amelia Brickhaven! No! Shut it down. Shut those thoughts down right now Amy”

I roll my eyes “Again, stop being so dramatic, as if I would let anything happen after…” I let my words drift; memories begin to flash before my eyes, choking me silent. I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing away the memories that are now flooding into my mind. “No” I whisper, my pulse racing “Not today, just breathe Amy, breathe and forget” I take deep breaths until my pulse slows down. When I finally have control, I open my eyes and see Mariah staring at me, her giant owl eyes filled with concern.

“That’s the second time this week Amy” she says quietly.

“I know, I know” I say defensively.

“Maybe you should consider giving Dr. Sangir a call…”

I jerk my head up and glare at her “you know why I can’t do that Mariah. This is a small campus, you know that. People here feed off of gossip. If one person found out about what happened last semester, then eventually EVERYONE would know. They would ask questions and stare. I just can’t deal with that. I can’t deal with other people’s pity.”

“Now who’s being dramatic” Mariah said dryly.

I take a deep breath. “Mar please, can we just drop it? Let’s just talk about something else OK?”

“Fine” she sighs frustrated. I instantly feel guilty. Mariah has had my back throughout the entire ordeal last semester. Never once did she judge me, or betray me. I trust her with my life.

“We could talk about how Will Parker is one hundred percent infatuated with you” I say with an evil grin. It works, her eyes instantly brighten, and a giant smile spreading across her face.

“I have no idea what you are talking about” She said giggling mischievously.

“Oh please” I said rolling my eyes “ you know he practically undresses you with his eyes every single time he sees you, I almost feel as if I have to look away because it’s so intimate and personal”

We have known Will Parker since freshman year of college, and for both Mariah and Will, it had been ‘love at first sight’. It wasn't until recently that they had realized the mutual feelings between them. Will is great guy; trustworthy and loyal, perfect for Mariah in every way.

A quiet ding came from Mariah’s pocket. She took out her phone looked at the screen and smiled “Speak of the devil” she said gleefully “He wants to know if I want to have lunch with him” she rapidly typed her reply and began to gather her book bag “Wanna join?” she asked.

I scoffed “No thank you. I definitely don’t want to interrupt you two love birds. Besides I almost vomited when I sat with you guys yesterday and you were both gazing into each other’s eyes like some sappy chick flick. Why don’t you guys just date already? What the hell is the hold up?”

“We’re trying not to rush things” she said innocently.

“You have had two years to ‘not rush things’!” I said incredulously.

She sighed in defeat “fine! It’s not me, if it were up to me, I would be in his room right now, if ya know what I mean” she winked and grinned sinisterly

“Yea, unfortunately I do” I chuckled “Maybe he’s just nervous. He one hundred percent likes you, there is no doubt”

“I know” she smiled smugly. “So I’ll see you tonight right? For the party?”

I groaned internally. I had completely forgotten about the party Mariah had been determined on making me go to. She had been talking about it for the past month and for the past month I have been dreading it, we had gone shopping the week before and purchased terrifying outfits that demanded attention. All I wanted to do was lay around in my sweatpants and watch the Lord of the Rings. Apparently that wasn't going to happen.

“Yes! Yes fine! I’ll be there, don’t worry.” I grumbled.

“Excellent” She smiled triumphantly “C’ya girl!” she left the room leaving me to my thoughts, which was never a good thing.

I checked the time and sighed, two hours to kill till my next class, time to be productive. I grabbed my Global Economics text book and a highlighter, unsuccessfully trying to block out any thoughts of tucker and what occurred in this morning’s class.

I sighed frustrated and pulled out my iPod searching for Fall Out Boy to blast to help block out my thoughts. I refuse to let Tucker Shepley screw up the invisibility I have worked so hard to achieve. He wanted to mess around and add me to his list of conquests? Well guess again b****.