So this is the beginning of a new story. Clique, as usual- but I'm okay with that. Well then, here we go.

Now, I don't like summaries most of the time, so bear with me. I'll give basic stuff that is needed information, but the rest just has to be followed, I suppose.

Anyway, once again, here goes.

-(0)-

Summary:

"Miss Block, do you believe in love?"

"Not anymore," she responds flatly.

"Anymore?"

"I've had my heart broken. All 'love' is, is some kind of sick hope. I don't need that again."

"And you're sure on this?"

"I'm sure for now… but check back with me in a month." Massie bites her bottom lip.

"Mr. Crane, perhaps you believe in love."

"Not a chance."

"Oh really?"

"Why should I? It is just another take on false reality."

"Should I check with you in a month too?"

"I don't care."

"I have a feeling both your opinions will change…"

What happens when a girl who has her wall up and a guy who was never interested literally run into eachother head on? Guess you will just have to read and find out...

-(0)-

This story will be written in mainly Massie's POV, but Landon's will also be added in sometimes.

-:-

The University of Iowa
Hallway
Monday, September 12
8:45a.m.

MB;

I rushed down the hallway. It was only my second week of college and I was currently aiming for my BFA in Creative Writing. Speaking of creative writing, that was the class that I had been speeding towards when it hit me.

I mean, it, or he I should say, literally hit me. I was almost knocked off my five-inch heels and my tote went sailing off my arm and crashed on the floor, dumping its contents lazily.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I breathed, reaching down to pick my stuff up at the same moment that he did. I stuffed my favorite paint-splatter notebook back into my bag along with my iPhone 4g, an assortment of pens and pencils, inspirational notecards, a mini-notebook, and various other items.

"Don't be, that was probably my fault," a deep voice drawled.

I looked up and found myself looking into the most striking pair of azures, tinted slightly with green to create an everlasting teal. Instantly, a tingle rushed up my spine and my heart started beating faster. That didn't make me happy, I didn't believe in love at first sight, love in general, or any of the craziness that was going on inside me- not anymore.

"Landon Crane," he introduced, sticking out a hand after recollecting his own bag and standing up.

I gently took it and shook. "Massie Block."

After a few moments I realized that I was staring and blushed. But at least I know that he was soaking it in right back…

Landon, as I had come to know him, cleared his throat at the same time that I shifted position. "Well, uh, I should probably get going," I mumbled.

"Yeah, me too. See you around, Massie," he replied, walking off down the hall.

I started to stride to my next class, desperately fighting to get my mind off him, but it wasn't working so well. The image of his slightly curly side-swept hair, deep and pondering eyes, and upwards height was burned into my mind.

Shaking my head, I silently chided myself. I could not let myself get caught up in the shuffle. It was just false reality, nothing to worry about. Besides, I would probably never see him again. After what Cam had done to me, I certainly was not going to get close to another guy.

I took a quick pause, recollecting myself, and strutted into the classroom, taking my respective assigned seat. My roommate, Alicia, sat down in the seat beside me and grinned.

"So, what's his name?" she asked casually, pretending to look over her nails.

"What are you talking about?" I inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm talking about the guy who caused you, of all people, to be sitting here biting your lip and trying not to smile in that ridiculously goofy way," she explained, looking up at me.

I put out my notebook and lucky purple pen while responding, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

She snorted while pulling out a zebra-printed notebook and fiery red pen. "Massie, come on. It's so obvious," she sighed.

It was my turn to sigh. "I'm not even going to think about it anymore. I told you, relationships are off limits for me courtesy of me."

"You can't always dwell on the past. Sure, this Cam guy was scum, but not all of them are! You have to let go…"

"And if I don't want to?"

"Well then have fun in your lonely suppressed life," Alicia admonished right as the teacher walked in.

"Alright, today I want Miss Block to choose the topic for out next stories. You will have one week to write something at least five pages, but up to twenty-five. Massie, choose the genre," Mrs. Booke said, giving me a smile.

The first thing that popped into my mind came out before consulting the mind to mouth filter. "Romance."

Alicia snickered and I banged my fist down on my thigh.

"Ah, finally somebody is willing to recommend that. Thanks much, darling," she replied in her unknown accent.

Everybody got to work while I timidly at first set up a plotline. I noticed halfway through that it all related to that mornings experiences, but it was too good and too late to restart. The anticipation in my veins grew as I continued to do what I loved so much.

Before I was ready, the class was over and I was bustling to a different side of campus, switching out my Literature book on the way.

When I got there, I was shocked to realize that Landon was in the same class, fiddling with a pencil in the back. He looked up and cracked a smile in my direction, one lone dimple appearing.

The professor went to the front of the room and launched into a lecture. I took a few notes, but my mind was mainly elsewhere; in other words, my mind was with the guy in the back who was flipping his pencil between his fingers.

With a sigh, I went back to my notes and finished it up.

Soon enough, my classes were over for the day and I went back to my dorm, not surprised to find Alicia just barely settling in.

She took one look at my face before beaming. "Now will you tell me who it is?"

"Alicia Rivera, I told you it was nobody," I replied flatly, giving the Spanish beauty a glare before setting down my tote.

"Oh come on, I'm your friend now and you know it. Just tell me who it is," she urged.

"His name is Landon…" I managed, looking away.

"Wait, Landon… as in Landon Crane?" she inquired with a grin.

"Uh, yeah." I could feel my palms start to get just barely damp.

"Oh wow, I'm surprised. Didn't expect you to end up going for the one guy who every girl wants but not one girl gets," Alicia sighed, smiling again.

"And that's a good thing? Besides, I'm not getting into anything. Want to go get dinner or should I move on without you?"

"We are finishing this conversation later," she demanded, grabbing her own purse while I grabbed mine and we headed out.

The dining hall wasn't very far away, and we got there in plenty of time, picking up chicken Caesar salads and making our way to the front corner table. Chris Plovert, Derrick Harrington, Josh Hotz, Kristen Gregory, and Olivia Ryan were all already there, waiting for the two of us to join them.

"Massie met a guy," Alicia announced immediately, sitting down beside her boyfriend, Chris.

"Alicia, would you just shut up?" I groaned, popping the top off my water bottle.

Olivia giggled and Chris and Josh both shook their heads. "You will be telling me about this later, Mass," Olivia informed, grabbing Josh's hand under the table. The two of them were sickening sometimes.

"No, I'm not telling anyone anything if you're going to act like this," I claimed. Using the plastic fork, I stabbed a lettuce leaf and chewed thoughtfully.

Alicia rolled her eyes and Olivia snickered again.

All of a sudden, another male sat down beside me. Kristen exchanged a knowing look with her boyfriend, Derrick. Josh was still holding Olivia's hand. Alicia was smirking and holding hands with Chris.

"Hey, Landon, what's up?" Derrick instantly greeted, reaching out to high five him.

I sputtered, nearly choking on my lettuce. Landon, the earlier unidentified guy, looked over at me with raised eyebrows. I looked away, and Alicia giggled.

"Didn't I run into you earlier?" he inquired, still looking at me.

"Literally," I answered, leaning back in my chair and checking my iPhone.

The rest of the table looked confused, but I was suddenly too hyped up to talk to anyone with more than one word answers. Specifically, the girls were staring at me and the guys were staring at Landon. I kept my mouth shut, however, not wanting to cause problems.

My stomach was in a fit of knots, tangles, and butterflies… odd. I took a bite of my salad, but pretended to be focused on my phone still.

As if on cue, my phone rang and I shrugged, gratefully dumping the rest of my salad, grabbing my purse, and speed walking towards the exit, already on my phone.

-:-

University of Iowa
Dining Hall
Monday, September 12
5:23p.m.

LC;

I watched her leave with that same burning interest in my brain. Every movement she made seemed timed and graceful. Her hair swept down in slight waves and every feature seemed delicate but unbreakable at the same time. And those eyes… I thought I was going to get lost.

All my life, girls were swooning, but I was never interested… ever! I didn't care, they didn't matter. I'd had relationships, but made sure they never got to a certain point, I just couldn't do it. And then this girl comes around and I started feeling like a freaking fluff-ball.

"Hey, Landon, you still there?" Derrick's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, sure, whatever," I responded, taking a drink of Gatorade.

"Oh, no, you can't tell me that those two…" Chris started, turning to face his girlfriend.

"Not yet, there are some things I just can't say," Alicia complied.

I sighed, falling back into my thoughts. Ever since I'd run into that Massie girl earlier, she'd been the only thing on my mind, and that was saying a lot considering how much I normally overthought. She was gorgeous, that was for sure.

The girls said goodbyes to their boyfriends and left. I stood up along with Derrick, Josh, and Chris and tossed my half-eaten food in the trash. Before I could say anything or protest, I was being steered and pretty soon ended up in my dorm room that I shared with Derrick, surrounded by him and the two other guys.

"What?" I spat, leaning back against my bed.

"We need an intervention. It's been one day and I already can't stand this," Josh announced.

"Can't stand what?" I questioned, kind of confused, but having a pretty good idea.

"So, you finally found somebody who interests you," Derrick prompted, sitting down on his bed. All of us were from Westchester, but they'd gone to some private school.

"Just drop it," I sneered, slamming my Droid down on the bed.

"Alright, you two have a good night. I'll be busy trying to weasel information out of this one," Derrick sighed, ushering the other two out. They just shrugged and left.

Giving me the stare down, Derrick was starting to make me feel uncomfortable. "Now, I expect you to tell me everything about Massie that you like or I will pry it out of you."

I frowned. "There isn't anything to tell."

"Not anything, just everything. Seriously, I'm not just messing around."

"I don't know, Derrick! For God's sake, I just kind of crashed into her in the hallway this morning and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. It's like a taste of imperfect perfection," I grumbled.

Derrick grinned. "You really like her, dude."

"No, I don't."

"Maybe you love her…"

His suggestion set me off. "Love. Is. Not. Reality," I relayed flatly.

"Really? So if I ask you that tomorrow, will you say the same thing?"

I thought about it for a moment, and sighed, burying my face in my hands. "Probably not…"

"Then ask her out or something; do something about it," Derrick urged.

"Have you gone mad?"

"No," his tone was flat yet full of mischief at the same time. He snatched up my cell phone and grabbed his. I lunged for it, but he easily avoided it.

Derrick sent out a text message and my eyes went wide. "What did you just do?"

"Sent a text to Massie. I got her number off my phone and now you have it. End of story."

I grabbed the phone and read the text message, shooting daggers at Derrick.

Landon: Hey, Mass, it's Landon. Lunch tomorrow?

I reread the text and resisted the urge to get up and punch him. After a few minutes of loud silence, my phone buzzed.

Massie: I'd love to. How about 12? I'll see you then. (:

"You can thank me later," Derrick shrugged, a huge smirk spreading across his face.

-:-

University of Iowa
Girls' Dorms
Monday, September 12
6:00p.m.

MB;

"Alicia freaking Rivera, what the hell did you just do?" I screeched, looking in disbelief at the screen of my iPhone.

"You will thank me later," she giggled.

I groaned and shoved my face into my hands. Hooking up my iPhone to a charger and point-blank ignoring Alicia, I set up my laptop and started watching a movie. By the time I was on my second movie, it was about eight-thirty at night. Alicia sat down beside me and closed my laptop.

"What happened between you and this Cam guy that disables you from relationships?" she urged.

I cringed and sighed. "I got cheated on. And to make it worse, it was my 'best friend', Dylan Marvil. I believed in love then, you know. But after he broke me, not staying long enough to pick up the pieces, all love became to me was a derogatory, unreasonable, and fake statement that can and will only set you up for trouble."

"Massie, you can't let this fear rule your life. Live a little."

"Alicia, that's just it. The only thing I can fear is fear itself. I'm afraid to trust again and I'm scared of being afraid of it. It's a big, jumbled, confusing mess and it can't be fixed."

"It can't be or you won't let it?"

I sighed and looked at her. "Both. Alicia, I've but up this wall for so long, who in the world would want to take the time to break it down?"

"You know Massie; all I can really say is that when that person is there, you're going to have to let them. You will know who it is and you can't let yourself believe that you're still broken. Cam Fisher is your past and you have a bright future. Now, we both have a free day tomorrow, so rest up because I have plans for you," Alicia finished turning out the bedroom lights and crawling into her own bed.

I pulled on my pajama pants, a long sleeve V-neck, and my Etnies. The only thing I could think of to do was clear my head.

-:-

Okay, so that was the beginning of a new story. Any thoughts? I have an idea… you can you that little review button right down there. Hint, hint, haha. Anyway, please do let me know and story alert possibly.

Smiles.

SDOW