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AUTUMN

FLASHBACK: SOPHOMORE YEAR HIGH SCHOOL

I fling my ponytail over my shoulder as I walk down the hallway. I try my best to avoid bumping into anyone as I make my way to Molly as quickly as possible. I hate the early morning crowd where everyone runs me over. I both love and hate that I’m never really noticed.

I spot my locker in the distance, but Molly isn’t at hers like she normally is instead there’s a boy.

A really tall one leaning against my locker.

I clutch the straps of my cheer bag tighter and walk up to my locker.

“Excuse me?” I try to get his attention.

Nothing, so I tap him. As soon as his eyes meet mine, it’s as if electricity has hit me.

He has the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen.

Perfectly baby blue.

“I…need to…get to my… locker.” I stammer, pointing behind him.

He stares at me for a few moments before stepping to the side.

With the guy staring me down I open my locker, put my cheer bag inside, then grab my books for morning classes preparing my book bag for class.

My heart races as his eyes burn holes through the side of my skull.

Is this what it feels like to have a boy look at you?

I mean I don’t mind; he’s the most gorgeous boy I’ve ever seen, but my dad would kill me if I said I met a boy.

Plus, he looks like a person who would be into one of the more popular girls or prettier girls.

My face is covered in freckles; I have frizzy curly hair and I’m not confident enough to show my body like the others outside of this uniform.

Only my diary would hear about how he makes my heart race, how the blush is taking over my face. I hope he doesn’t see me blushing, and how I can smell his cologne. I can’t quite place the smell, but it’s something smooth. If this is the last time, he’s near me, I want to savior it.

The 8:30 bell rings, signaling school beginning and he disappears into the moving crowd. I close my locker slowly, feeling my heartbeat in my ears as I go to class. I can barely focus all day, but at least I probably won’t see him again, at least that’s what I thought.

Rain came after cheer practice. I tried calling both of my parents, but no answer. My dad must be in a meeting and my mom is probably at the country club.

I love my parents, but sometimes they lose track of time.

My house isn't far so maybe I can walk there. It’s warm enough and since I’m wearing shorts and a t-shirt, I think I should be fine.

The fear of being kidnapped feels like it’s becoming a reality as an old orange rusted truck pulls up beside me. I look over, hearing the window creek seeing the boy from earlier.

My heart races again. “You need a ride. Get in.” He speaks.

“Oh, I’m okay.” I try to wave him off, not wanting to burden him.

“I wasn’t asking, Freckles.” He says with much more bass in his voice. This shakes me in a way I’ve never felt. My stomach flutters hearing his voice like this. I continue to look at him as he reaches over and opens the door for me. He has long arms. He could easily cage me into him.

I can’t believe he wants me to get in.

Wow.

I know my parents said not to talk to strangers, so I shouldn’t. “I’ll get your seat wet.”

“I’ll live.” He shrugs. He’s not going to go away.

I saunter up to the truck. Okay, no weapons in sight.

It’s clean. Smells fresh. Maybe he’s safe, plus my parents track my phone.

I get inside and he reaches over me, closing the door.

His hands flex as he does so. He also has large hands. Veiny hands too.

“Who are you?” I ask. I should know his info in case.

“Heath. We’ve gone to school together since kindergarten.” There’s no way I wouldn’t notice someone as gorgeous as him.

“Oh. Well, I’m Autumn. Autumn Scott.” I introduce myself. He chuckles; the sound makes my stomach flutter. That’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

“I know Freckles. My dad fixes your dad’s cars.” That's it! He's the boy at the mechanic shop who used to come to school in dirty and greasy clothes, always smelling of oil. Then I stopped noticing him, because the girls on the cheer team said I stared too much and now he looks like this.

“I remember you.” I tell him. “Thank you for the ride.” I can’t forget my manners, my mom would say I was rude.

He drives me home and I don’t bother telling him the address because my dad pays for the monthly pick up and drop off car service, so I know Heath knows my address. In no time, he’s pulling into my driveway.

“This was kind of you.” I gather my bags, giving him a light smile.

“You should be careful with that smile; it’ll make guys think about other things.” Heath tells me.

“Like what?” I ask as he reaches across me, opening the door for me.

“You’ll never find out as long as you keep me around.” His blue eyes capture mine again before I stumble out of his truck.