Chapter 01

"I wish things were more interesting around here," I said as I walked to school that day. It was a warm and sunny morning as I was climbing up the stairs. My mind was at ease as I listened to the chattering of kids and the rumbling of car engines. Everything was serene, silent… and dull.

Everyday I go through the same thing, I thought. Why can't jus this once be any different? I sat in my desk and stared out the window, as I heard the final bell ring.

"Alright class," my teacher said. "Today we have a new student." Is he foreign like most students? I snickered at my little joke. "Please welcome our foreign exchange student… Yukinari Sasaki." I didn't bother to look up at him because I thought he was like all the rest—lame. But something caught my eye and when I looked up, I gasped.

He was absolutely handsome. He had dark blue hair that matched his royal blue eyes, a smile that could knock you off your feet, and the most adorable laugh. When he caught me looking at him, he grinned from ear to ear. I blushed and looked at my pencil.

"Let's see…" My teacher said as she scanned the room. "Why don't you sit next to…Christy Le?" My eyes grew big and I felt my mouth drop. He's sitting next to me?! I screamed in my mind. Oh my gosh; how's my hair? My teeth? Do I smell? While he strode down the aisle, I watched as the other girls stared at me with envy. I pretended to ignore them and look cool, yet reserved and confident. When he sat down, I felt my face get hot. I could've have sworn my head was spinning, so I clasped my hands over it.

"Headache?" He whispered.

"Kind of." I mumbled. He smiled and I felt my heart melt. When the bell rang for school to be let out, I ran so fast I practically left a trail of flying papers behind me. I heard footsteps trailing me so I sped up. It felt like I was running a marathon when suddenly, Yukinari popped up beside me. I screamed and fell flat on my face. His laugh sounded like wind chimes.

"What's the rush?" He asked as he extended a hand. "You took off so fast, I could've mistaken you for running from a criminal." I swiped his hand.

"You're the one that made me fall," I grumbled. I stood up and brushed my knees off. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have fell flat on my face!" He burst out laughing again but when he saw my dirty look, he pressed his lips together. I put my hands on my hips.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

"What, a guy can't follow you around?"

"In this world, it's called 'stalking' and from the looks of it, it's like you from a completely different planet." His smile grew wider. "What?" I asked irritably.

"Nothing… it's just that… you look cute when you're criticizing." I felt my face get hot again. "Any redder and you'll have smoke coming out of your ears." He laughed. I crossed my arms over my chest and brushed past him. "Wait," he called as he grabbed my hand. At that moment I felt a tingling sensation that flowed throughout my body. "Please don't leave just yet. I want to get to know you more." He spun me around so that we were eye to eye. I was so close to him that if I looked up, I would've kissed his chin. I pushed him away.

"I barely even know you, I just met. How would I know if you're a rapist or not?" I heard him chuckle.

"What can I do to get you to spend time with me?"

"Don't you mean, 'What can I do to get you in bed with me?' Yeah, I'm not that stupid."

"Please?" He pleaded. He grabbed my hand and held it tight. "Let me take you out some place nice." I looked into his sparkling blue eyes that looked so innocent; you wouldn't even care if he was a rapist. You might end up doing him anyways. You can't rape the willing.

"Fine," I breathed.

"Yes!" He beamed. "I know just where to take you."