This story is a work of fiction and in no way represents the lives, thoughts or actions of any persons living or dead. The characters are borrowed and I claim no ownership, nor do I imply any association or representation. I make no money from these writings and it is to be used for entertainment purposes only.

I loved him.

Two desks up and one row over he sat with the perfect tan, flashing a dazzling row of white teeth, blue eyes that surely were stolen from Adonis and broad, muscular shoulders. His laugh sparked a smile from anyone lucky enough to receive one. Did he just look my way? Oh, he did not know he tortured my very soul.

"Cory."

"Huh?"

My English lit teacher smacked her ruler against the desk.

"Are you paying attention? Please explain the rules of grammar etiquette."

"Um …" I had not heard a word Mrs. Donavan had said for the past forty minutes. My classmates were laughing. But not Randy, he smiled. He looked sympathetic towards me. Or was he only ready for the bell to ring so he could go to lunch?

"Learn this class. You never know where it may show up again."

I gazed at Randy again. Two more minutes and the bell would ring. The girl in front of him sat with her legs in the aisle, her body twisted so she could lean her elbow on his desk. Long blond hair, a perfect size zero and make up always applied just right. Perfect. Randy smiled as she flirted with him. Of course he would. She was a cheerleader wearing a skimpy uniform and I was dressed like GI Joe.

And why was it that me, a camo loving girl from a farm would fall for Randy, the popular football star who dressed in designer denim? Even if I could turn his head, how long would it last?

I slung my back pack over my shoulder and bent down to pick up the camo purse I had gotten for my birthday earlier that week. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a boy shove someone else. I didn't pay attention. Fights happened. The next thing I knew my body was moving sideways, a heavy weight propelling me into the row of desks beside me. The desks tipped over and I was soaring over them. I tried to stop myself, but the weight of my frame was too much and I heard the bone in my wrist snap followed by my head hitting the tile with a thud. Lights out.

Embarrassment.

I felt the heat rise up in my cheeks the moment I opened my eyes. Why was everyone staring at me? The teacher and a few students who had stayed behind to watch the fight and … Randy all stood over me.

"Are you alright?"

He was on one knee beside me. What a fantasy come true, but I had not imagined myself lying on my back on the dirty floor.

"I'm fine." I raised my head. I couldn't stay on the floor all day.

Randy took my hand and placed his other gently behind my back to help me. His touch was so warm.

"I'm so sorry," He gushed.

"Why are you sorry?" I never let Randy see that I liked him. That wasn't right. I loved him! "Ouch, shit!" My wrist throbbed. I had never felt a pain so terrible that I felt I would vomit.

"What? What is it? Are you hurt?"

"No, genius, I yelled ouch for nothing. It's like saying hello where I come from." Why had I been such a smart ass. It was in my genetic makeup, I couldn't help it, especially when I felt vulnerable.

He laughed.

He laughed? Most people looked at me strange or cursed me out.

"You're hand is swelling," Mrs. Donavan exclaimed and hurried to the little refrigerator she kept by her desk and brought back a blue ice pack. She wrapped it in the cloth she used to clean the whiteboards. I just knew my hand would be stained blue and red from the ink left on it. "We should get you to the nurse."

"I'll be alright." I'm a little stubborn.

"I'll take her" Randy chimed. We walked the halls together that day. He held my backpack over his shoulder even though it was so obvious it was a girl's bag until we got to the nurses office.

"Do you think it's broke?"

"What the hell was going on back there, Randy?"

"Geeze, I couldn't tell you. One minute John and I were talking about last week's game and the next he was shoving me and we were fighting."

"And you fell for it? You know John is always looking for a fight. Why would stoop to his level?"

Randy shrugged.

"I've never been one to back down, you know that."

"Ya, I know." A pair of curious eyes peeked through the window. "You're girlfriends waiting. You better go."

He looked over his shoulder then back at me.

"See you after school."

"If I'm still here."

Okay. Are you confused yet?