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.
