A/N– Hey everyone, this is my new story 'First Look, Second Glance'. This title will make sense I swear! This, like my other story, takes place during Amy's junior year, and Ty's senior. I gave a quick summary of it in my other story 'Hard Times', so there for im going to get straight to it.
Note: In my other story I wrote as if looking in on Ty and Amy, in this one I will be writing from 1st person. So I am Amy, and if I go to Ty's POV, then I will be Ty. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: This story is loosely based on characters, and events made and owned by Lauren Brooke. But I own the characters, and events in which did not appear in the books, so please don't copy:)
Chapter 1
August 27th : Wednesday: Heartland: Amy's POV
I woke up to the sound of a woodpecker outside of my window. I groaned and snatched the pillow that had fallen on the floor and pulled it over my head, trying feebly to block out the noise. The muffled pecking still found my ears, and try as hard as I did, I couldn't block it out and it was driving me crazy. I angrily flung my pillow at the window, hoping to scare off the bird. It didn't. The bird merely looked at the window for a second and then, as if nothing happened, went back to pecking.
"It's summer, im supposed to be able to sleep!" I groaned pounding the bed on either side of my body. Finally I sat up and looked at my clock, 7:30. Well that isn't too bad, I thought to myself, im usually up at 5:30. I guess Lou let me sleep in.
I swung my legs over the edge of my bed, and stood up. I wobbled a bit, but regained my balance. I walked over to my closet and flung it open. Big mistake. Clothes, shoes, and other odds and ends came flying at me. I'd been meaning to clean that. I stuck my hands out in front of my face to provide some sort of protection. When finally I felt nothing else hitting me I lowered my hands.
My closet was rather big. It took up half of one wall, and the other half held a door which led to my bathroom, which swung around to the back of my closet. If I wanted I could walk through the scary depths of my closet, and emerge through a mirrored door into my bathroom. In fact I could go into my bathroom and get my clothes through there, but the back side of my closet was even more packed full than the front end. I'd rather deal with flying socks then with flying hoola-hoops and old board games any day. I hastily shoved everything back into the closet, blocking them in with my clothes basket. I then took a jean skirt from off a shelf, and a white shirt and light pink tank top from off a hanger.
I quickly shut my door as I took away my clothes basket. Only a shoe sneaked through before I got it shut. Not bad. I then walked over to the oak door and walked into my bathroom. I undressed and stepped into the hot shower, Boy did that feel good.
Twenty minutes later I was standing in front of the big mirror which hung over my white porcelain sink. I was blow drying my long silky light brown hair. I pulled the brush through it and watched as it fell to land halfway down my back. I dried one last chunk of hair, and set down my blow dryer. My hair was naturally straight, so I didn't need a straighter, but I did have a curler. Hm, straight or curly today?
Curly.
I plugged in my curling iron and walked over to where my clothes lay on a shelf. I unfolded my towel from around me and slipped on my underwear and then skirt. I then pulled the light pink tank top over my head, and pulled it down so it overlapped the skirt. And then I pulled on the white shirt that had a large v-neck, which meant some of the pink showed through that. And I pulled that down and let it rest a little ways above the pink.
I walked back over to the iron and started curling my hair. Half an hour later I looked in the mirror. Perfect. Long, silky brown curls spiraled down my back, while a few pieces fell over my shoulder. I pulled a few curls back and clipped them loosely with a barrette.
I glanced at my makeup bag. Personally I preferred the natural beauty look compared to the fake look. But sometimes I would do myself up for party's (which were usually once a week), or if I felt like pampering myself. Today I wanted natural beauty, but I was going out, why not do a little something?
So I took out light pink eye shadow and black eyeliner. The lightly applied makeup brought out my gray eyes and made me look more...mysterious...untouchable. I then applied some clear lip gloss and VOILA!
I hurriedly slipped my feet into my AE sandals and skipped downstairs. Lou was in the kitchen, pregnant as can be, and scarfing down pickles and vanilla ice cream. Together.
"That your newest craving?" I laughed. She looked up at me with a full mouth and nodded. I smiled and sat down across the table.
"Im going to Calico Springs today, we need some remedies, and the store up there always has Bach Flower." Lou nodded still eating.
"Do you need anything while im there? Im thinking I might go clothes shopping too. Their mall is so much better than ours, and I still need a few things for school next week," finally Lou swallowed,
"No I don't need anything, ill make a list of the remedies we need though."
"Ok, hurry though. Im leaving in 10," I stood up and waved as I walked out the door. I wasn't in work clothes so I couldn't do anything with the horses right then, but I went and greeted them all. The stable hands Ben and Joni were in charge on my days off. I got one once a week, just like them.
I walked over to Sundance and stroked his beautiful elegant head.
"Hey Sunny, how are you baby?" I crooned softly.
He whinnied and nudged my hand,
"Yeah, yeah greedy," I smiled as I took out a few alfalfa cubes and let him eat them out of my hand. I patted his head one more time and went back to the farmhouse.
"You done Lou?" I asked as I walked through the door. Lou sat at the table still eating, but at the same time writing a list. It looked hard. She glanced up,
"Almost, hold on." She wrote one last thing and held out the piece of paper, and money with it.
"Thanks, see you later. I don't know when ill be back, but I have my cell if you need me," Lou was now standing up at the fridge sifting through it, I saw her nod her head,
"What are you looking for Lou?"
From within the fridge I heard her muffled, aggravated reply, "More pickles,"
An hour later: Calico Springs
I swung my car into the parking lot of 'Herbal Remedies and More' and turned the car off. I stepped out into the blazing sun and walked over to the small building. As I opened the door a bell chimed above it. I let my eyes adjust to the lightly lit room. When I could see clearly I walked over to where I knew the remedies I needed were. I knew this store like the back of my hand.
"Hey honey, how are you doing? I haven't seen you in a while," a familiar voice floated through the air to me. I turned around and was standing face to face with the owner of the store, Callie. She was in her early 30's and was beautifully pale. Her mother had owned this store, and Callie had gotten it when she died years earlier. She had once been tan from being outside, but when her mother died she dedicated herself to the store, not daring to change anything. So her tan skin became pale due to the dim lighting, but I think it brings out her features better, she begs to differ.
"Hey Callie! I know I haven't come in a while, but Heartland is so busy, and to tell you the truth, your new 'super-size' bottles really keep us well stocked," I said giving her a hug.
"Yeah well, maybe that wasn't such a good idea. I liked seein' you here every few weeks. Its been over a month!" I smiled warmly,
"I know, im sorry. Ill come more often I promise, but right now I need you to tell me something," she looked at me questioningly, "Did you change the store around? Because I cant find lavender anywhere," she laughed and led me over to a whole new section of remedies. Well I had some things to get used to.
A while later I walked back out into the blaring sun, damn was it hot. I was suddenly very glad id worn a skirt. I ran over to my car and climbed in. Off to the mall.
2 ½ hours later.
I walked out carrying so many bags that I had a small one in-between my teeth. I walked over to my car and set everything down so I could unlock it. I then stuffed everything into my trunk and went around the car to my door. I turned the car on and blasted the AC. I backed out of the parking lot while singing along to 'Dance Inside' by The All-American Rejects. I was close to getting on the highway when I realized I was practically out of gas. The music was so loud I didn't hear the beeping sound the car makes when gas is low. I glanced around and spotted a Hess a little ways up. I pulled up alongside a gas pump, and got out to fill the tank.
A few minutes later I snapped the gas tank shut. I grabbed my purse from inside the car and starting walking towards the gas station. I was about halfway there when a kid, about 14 years old, ran out in front of me on a skateboard.
"Hey!" I cried, almost falling over trying to avoid him. He looked at me, more like stared up and down my body, and then smiled. The perverted little...
"Sorry, I didn't see you," his voice sounded as though it were in the changing stage. Where it wasn't squeaky anymore, but wasn't very manly either. He was actually pretty cute. For a kid.
"It's fine, just watch where your going next time, ok?" I sighed, smiling at him.
He smiled up at me, "Sure thing..."
"Amy," I filled in.
"Amy." he said. And then he skated away from me, doing little jumps here and there. He wasn't too bad, he looked as though he were still learning how to skateboard.
I shook my head and kept walking. I opened the door and a burst of cool air fluttered my curls. I shivered a little at first, my bare legs and arms broke out in goose bumps, but as I waited for the man behind the counter, who looked as though he had no clue what he was doing, to give a person their change back, the air started to feel good, and my arms and legs went back to normal.
I glanced around myself as the man, whose name tag read 'Bob', fiddled with the keys on the computer. There were quite a few people waiting in line, 4 in front of me, and 3 behind. Some there for gas, and some had food, drinks, and cigarettes piled in there arms. There were also a few people walking around. One was an old man who looked as though he were deciding on Sweetened Ice Tea, or Unsweetened. Another was a little girl, whose mother kept calling from her from in the line. And the last one was looking at a Sports Illustrated magazine and leaning against the back wall. This one caught my eye.
He looked to be about my age, maybe a year or so older. He wore a pair of dark jeans, that bagged slightly around the waist and legs, but fit him perfectly. He had on a dark green shirt that accentuated his bright emerald eyes, which I could see, even from where I was. His dark brown hair looked clean, but it was ruffled slightly and hair fell over his forehead. His eyes roamed over the magazine, but as I stared at him, his gaze lifted to meet mine. He held my eyes in a penetrating stare, but only for a few seconds, and then I looked away.
After a few moments, I dared myself to look at him again. He was still there, magazine and all, but his eyes were riveted to me. I could feel myself blush slightly, and I pulled my hair around to my right shoulder and let it fall in front of my face, as some sort of cover. Through my swirling curls I could still see him. His eyes hadn't left me, and that made me feel...odd. I got a tingling sensation throughout my body, and it only stopped when a rude man nudged my back. It was my turn at the register. How long had I been standing there thinking about him? As I turned to the register I saw his gaze shift to the gas pumps.
He sighed and shut the magazine and placed it back on the shelf. I looked away from him and payed Bob. He must have gotten a hang of how to work the register because I was given my change back in no time. He smiled in victory. I smiled back. And then flustered I walked towards the door. But what I hadn't noticed was the guy had started for the door while I was being checked out. So as I practically ran for the door, I ran into him.
"Oh!" I breathed as I ran right into his side.
He looked down at me, his eyes serious, and then he almost smiled, "Im sorry!" I said horrified.
"No harm done," he smiled now, and my heart stopped. His smile was so beautiful. It was slightly crooked, but so bright, and...inviting, yet also mean and taunting. I didn't know which to choose.
"Oh...um...ok," and I went to walk out the door, he followed. I went to walk to my car, he followed. Just as I was beginning to think I was totally wrong about this guy and he was some kind of rapist, I noticed he was angled towards a different car. One parked in front of mine. I sighed, knowing I was being stupid. As I went to open my door I noticed he'd stopped in front of my car, and was looking at me,
He stared for a few seconds and then winked at me and walked over to his car, climbing into the SUV. Then the kid on the skateboard ran and climbed into the door the guy had just disappeared through. Brothers. They did look kind of alike.
I stood there for few seconds more, and then slipped into my car. I pulled out behind their car, and as they turned onto the road, I saw that mysteriously handsome guy staring straight at me again. He flashed me another quick smile, and I felt myself melt.
What a day.
5 days later: September 1st :First day of school: Jefferson High
I yawned as I swung into a parking spot in front of school. I picked up my new book bag, which barely weighed anything, and stepped out of the car. I reached back in and grabbed my purse and then slammed my door shut. I glanced down my body making sure I looked ok. I was wearing a pair of jeans, that had a rustic look to them, with a different AE white shirt. I sighed as I looked back up at the school. Prison.
I silently walked up the sidewalk, and waited for cars to pass, and then hurried across to the front doors. I pulled the door open and instantly saw Soraya. She had straightened her curly hair, and I had curled my straight hair. This was a tradition for us. I liked my hair better curly, and she liked hers better straight, so we'd agreed for 4 years now to be opposites on the first day of school, since we were practically the same person any other time. So she wore light jeans and a dark gray shirt, while I wore dark jeans and a white shirt. She looked me up and down and smiled,
"You look great Amy! So tan, I haven't seen you in weeks!" she leaped on me in a hug. She had gone away to camp again, and we hadn't seen each other in almost 4 weeks. Shed gotten back the day before.
"You look great too Roya!" I hugged her back enthusiastically.
"Sooo..." she said.
"So what?"
"What happened while I was away, you barely ever wrote me." she squealed.
"Nothing really." suddenly the image of the hot guy in Calico Springs sprung to my mind. But that wasn't news, it was just one day, it hadn't meant anything. Id probably never see him again.
"Oh." her face fell for a second, and then it lit back up, "Matt wrote everyday. Wow I cant even believe I had to leave the day after he asked me out, I cant wait to see him. He isn't here yet."
I smiled at her. I was happy for my two best friends. Matt had liked me at one point, but I had told him straight out, not wanting to lead him along, that I wasn't interested in him that way. He had been crushed for months, but started to look better near the end of school. He'd then asked Soraya to be his girlfriend. She'd never been happier.
"Im sure he'll be here soon. But I have to go to my locker, they haven't changed right?" Soraya shook her head, "Ok, well ill see you. Bye." We had gone over our schedules together the night before over the phone. She was in 4 of my classes. Not bad, that's half the day. But she wasn't in my home room or 1st period class so I went off without her.
I went to my locker and spun in my combination, and my locker opened with its usual squeak. Id had the same locker through all my high school years, and many books had been placed in it, many pictures, notes, clothes. And many memories had taken place right outside it. For some reason that squeak itself was special to me because it was familiar and reminded me of all the things it had held and witnessed. I smiled.
I quickly took out my magnets, the ones from my freshman year, and took out pictures of me and Roya and Matt from first grade, when we'd all met, all the way to the beginning of the last summer, before Roya left for camp. There were also some of horses. I hung them around my locker, in their designated spots. On the last day of my freshman year me and Roya had, in both our lockers, marked with a sharpie where our pictures had been. And that's where they went each year, with the addition of more. We were very traditional people.
Suddenly the bell rung. I ran to my home-room, which also happened to be my 1st period class. I stepped into Mr. Brailer's room and sat down in my usual seat. I'd had him as my home-room teacher the year before also. He smiled at me. Mr. Brailer was cool. He and I had had some fun times, even though he was a teacher. I smiled back and settled into my seat chatting with my friend John.
The announcements came on a minute later, and noone quieted down, but everyone stood up when the Pledge came on. I was about to sit back down when Mr. Brailer called me over. The phone had rung and he was still speaking into it. He hung it up and smiled at me.
"Amy can you do me a favor?" I nodded.
"There is a new kid, he's a senior but he's in this home room. I don't have any other seniors in this home room, so will you show him around for me?" I nodded,
"Sure,"
"Your in my 1st period class right?" I nodded again, "Ok you wont miss anything. Take your time, show him around, make sure he knows how to get everywhere. He's in the office."
"Ok," and with that I walked down the hall towards the office. I was wondering who this kid is when I opened the heavy office door. I saw him waiting at the desk. His back was too me, so I couldn't really see him. He was wearing dark jeans and a black t-shirt. He turned around as the secretary pointed to me, his eyes found mine and I froze.
There in front of me stood Gas Station Boy.
A/N– So? What do you think? Does it suck horrifically, or rock awesomely...if either?