Chapter One

He gently weaved his fingers in between the spaces of hers, and lightly kissed her, breathing in the last scents of

a summer romance. A school bell rang in the distance. The sound of freshly fallen autumn leaves muffled their

footsteps as they walked towards the main hall of Rockwell Academy.

The couple caught the attention of curious cliques of bystanders, typical prep school gossip veterans, and

socialite divas whose invasive glances would unsettle the strongest of couples. Jen looked towards an

uncomfortably familiar group of girls who giggled maliciously as she walked by, breathing life back into lingering

freshman year rumors, and senior guy scandals. Jesse squeezed her hand, "Don't worry about them, you've got

me okay squirt?" he said teasingly. She smiled at his reassurance. She began to convince herself that regardless

of what had occurred in her freshman social life, this year, she knew she'd be better prepared for the

unavoidable ridicule of Rockwell's own "Magnificent Seven". Lex, Ali, Sam, Julie, Erin, Christy, and Brie were

infamous here. Having risen to the status of high school celebrities in 9th grade, this group of now junior girls

was prepared to begin yet another semester of tyranny. Jen briefly remembered how they'd flocked to her side

when it became publicly known that she was dating Rory Pearson, the captain of the Varsity hockey team. The

seven were quick to leave Brie, who couldn't manage to snag a Varsity boyfriend at the time, in the dust and

went off in search of a new recruit. Jen grimaced at her naïveté, she'd been the typical bookworm until Rory and

the seven came in and changed her life for what she wished had been the better. It turned out Rory's only

intention was the use her, much like the seven who ended up reinstating Brie and exiling Jen as soon as they

heard about her and Rory's sudden scandalous break up. The details of a terrible second semester escaped her

as Jesse stopped and brushed his hand along the side of her cheek. "Earth to girlfriend! Hello? Do you copy?"

he said as he waved his hand in front of her face. Jen came out of her horrific daze and looked up at him. "Yea,

sorry, did you say something?" she asked. "Yea we're kinda late! Not that I care, but it's the first day, and my

parents will grill me if I get in trouble this early on." He replied with a deadly half smile. She blushed, suddenly

realizing just how potent he was. "I love you…" she whispered as she felt herself coming close to tears. He

placed his finger gently underneath her chin. "Jen…what's wrong babe? Are you alright?" He cooed. She smiled

and shook her head feeling embarrassed at her sudden emotional outburst. "I'm fine Jess, its nothing, I'm just

happy to see you, that's all. I really thought I was going to have to deal with this place and these people on my

own again…without you here I just don't know if I…never mind we're going to be late! See you at lunch!" she

said as she quickly turned and dashed down the hallway. Jesse reached up and scratched his head confused at

her seemingly strange behavior. "Yea…okay…see ya." He said as he watched her walk away feeling comforted

by the fact that this time he knew he'd see her again.