Chapter 1 – Running late, again.

I remembered the first day that I saw his face. Jared Thail. Perfect in every single way.

It was my first day of pre-school and all of the other children were playing. But I was sitting there in the corner when somebody tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around to see Jared staring at me.

"Do you want to come and play in the sand with us" He pointed to a group of kids playing in the giant sand box. I stared back and slightly shook my head.

"OK, byebye" He ran off.

That has been the biggest conversation I had ever had with Jared. But ever since that day he had been the only one for me. Sure I've had a couple of boyfriends but I always ended it because I would compare them to him; they simply didn't compare.

As I remembered how I had come to meet Jared my mother knocked on my door, again.

"Kim are you listening to me? You need to get up now or you're going to be late to school, again."

I groaned

"Ok, I'm getting up" I pushed the duvet back and swung my legs around off the edge of my bed.

I opened my door to find my mum still standing there.

"Ok I'm up you don't need to stand there, you can trust me to get ready."

"I know Kim, I'll go down stairs and get some breakfast ready for you" Then she disappeared down the stairs.

I walked into the bath room and looked into the mirror. My hair was a mess but I quickly fixed that by combing it through. I didn't particularly like my hair, it was dark; it was shoulder length, thin and wispy. My eyes were brown but slightly too small for my face as I had high cheek bones. I wasn't too skinny or too large I was average nor was I too tall or short. I had never been anything special. I live in La Push, a small reservation outside of Forks. I live in a small house - as are most of the houses here on the reservation- with my mum, my dad left me and my mum only a year ago. I still see him but he moved to Seattle so i have to make arrangements before i can see him.

I quickly finished getting ready. I brushed my teeth. I pulled on some jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan. Before grabbing by bag and running down stairs. I checked the clock on the wall, great already late only 5 minutes to get to school.

I grabbed my converse and my jacket. Before my mum came round the corner.

"Kim, you need to eat something before you go"

"But mum-"

"No buts Kim breakfast is the most important meal of the day"

"Fine" I ran into the kitchen and grabbed an apple.

"OK? I'll eat it on the way to school" Before she could reply I grabbed my keys and ran out of the door.

I pulled my bag off my shoulder and stuffed the apple in there. I didn't have time to eat now I had to get to school. I pulled my hood up before my hair could get soaked.

I made it to school with one minuet to spare. I went straight into history, my first lesson. I sat down when Lila by best friend came over.

"Hey Kim you made it on time"

"I know I had to run all the way"

"But at least you made it another late and you're in a weeks detention"

"Yeah, don't remind me"

"Um, Kim are you alright? I mean well, since you know...well your dad left you seem i don't know distant. You're always late and you hardly hang out anymore. Kim you were top of the class for every subject and now I don't know, your grades are dropping. Do you need any help? I'm worried"

Well Lila must be really worried she never gave a long speech like this unless she felt deeply about something. I turned and looked up at her. Her long black hair was covering most of her face. Lila had brown eyes as well but she was more proportioned than I was, she was beautiful and always out shone me, any day. She was my best friend but sometimes I was jealous of her, it wasn't fair that she was perfect and had the perfect family. She had a big sister Ria and a little brother Tim who all lived with her parents who are still happily married after 20 years.

"I'm sorry Lila, I didn't want to worry you. Really I'm fine" I hope you believed me; i never could lie very convincingly. She studied my face.

"Kim-" She was cut off by the bell and Mr Gates walked in.

"Class please take your seats" He called. Lila turned back to her seat.

Saved by the bell.

I turned around to see her mouth at me I'll talk to later.

I quickly turned around.

"Ok, can you please get you exercise books and you homework out-" Mr Gates was cut off by the class room door opening. He looked up to see who had disturbed his lesson.

Jared. He stood there for a second before continuing to enter the room.

"Thank You for joining us Mr Thail. Please get out your book and homework. Oh and quickly sit down before you disturb any more of my lesson."

Jared quickly sat down in his seat. This happened to be next to me.

History was my favourite lesson, not because of the subject; simply just because it was the only lesson where I sat next to him.

He grabbed his book out of his bag and continued to dig around - obviously looking for something, which he couldn't find. He looked up and turned to me.

"Um, could I borrow a pen?"

I was shocked he, he was talking to me. I continued to stare. I then realised where I was and quickly nodded my head. I reached towards my pencil case and found a pen. I held out my hand and reached out and took the pen.

His hand brushed the side of mine. It was so warm - unnaturally warm.

"Thanks" He muttered, then turned back to the lesson.