Jesse

Today was pretty embarrassing. I mean, yeah school filed trips to a history museum are supposed to be a great learning experience. But if a fourteen year old girl hands your butt to you on a platter, you lose all pride in yourself. I guess it doesn't make sense unless I explain the beginning…

That day we went to Broward Museum of History. I live in Miami near the coast. I'm slightly pale and really slim. I'm fourteen with a black hair that falls onto my face with hazel eyes. Well, they're more golden which people find disturbing.

I'm not that popular guy. I'm more of that loner who hangs out by himself at school. Why? There's this feeling I don't belong. Not with popular, nerds, or even other loners. I feel there's another place for me, like I belong somewhere else.

Here I am with my high school freshman class listening to man being enthusiastic about dead people.

"Napoleon was a great military leader in my opinion," he said.

A guy raised his hand. "Then why did he die?"

The smiled before he made his own joke. "Because he always came up short."

The class groaned. Not more lame history jokes.

"Come onto the pre-world war Germany."

The class shuffled to follow but with no interest in learning. I was about to follow when something caught my eye. In the Ancient Greek part of the museum stood a statue of a man with a lightning bolt in his hand.

A sudden spark went through my spine. I felt a connection. I slipped away from the group and made my way to the exhibit. As I stopped in front of the statue, I read the description.

Zeus:

King of the gods and ruler of the sky. He overthrew his father, the Titan Kronos, and ruled with his brothers Poseidon and Hades.

I frowned. Zeus? Why do I feel like I should know him?

"Hey, you!" A guy called out. I turned and scowled. It was Tyler Garcia, the most popular freshman at school. He's a part of the swimming team, football team, and has the perfect cheerleader girlfriend. Am I jealous? Maybe.

That's not why I'm scowling. Our school is very divided by social groups and Tyler is I should say…cocky.

Tyler was a little taller than me with spiky black hair and a tan Hispanic look. He was my age too with a black leather jacket with a T-shirt and jeans. He was more muscular than me and had a smile like "he owned this world".

"The class is that way. Are like blind? Can you see where I'm pointing?"

"I can see," I said surprisingly calm.

"What are you looking at?" He looked at the Zeus statue. "Are you into this dude?" Then he frowned. "I meant, into this Greek stuff. Not that you are…you know…"

I realized what he said. "I'm not. I just feel something here."

"The bathroom is near the Egypt room."

"Not that kind of something. I feel a connection."

I'm so indifferent to Tyler that I could care less whether he thought I'm creepy or crazy.

Tyler looked awkward. "What kind of connection? Like you belong?"

I looked at him directly. "What about you?"

Tyler looked unsure whether he should say more. "I do…what about curses? Do you know about those?"

"Curses?" I asked with confusion. "I don't know about any curses."

Tyler looked sad. "Yeah, crazy." Then he brought back his "I own the world" smile. "The only curse I know is my handsomeness. Look at me from my south west angle."

"Don't you feel like you're too cocky?"

"Nope, it's just called confidence."

We heard footsteps pound against the marble floor. A girl our age with blonde hair came over. Vanessa Sullivan. The second most popular girl in my grade.

She was slim with blonde hair and blue eyes with a European complexion. She was really pretty for a girl my age. I'm not just saying that, it seemed like all her features together became even more attractive. My heart skipped a beat and I almost fainted. She was wearing brown boots that made a loud sound against the floor. She had on a brown jacket and black shirt under it with white jeans.

Vanessa didn't look happy. "Mr. Blowfis is looking for you too. We're about to leave."

"I guess it really is no child left behind," Tyler joked. "Come on…what's your name again?"

"Jesse."

"Come on, James!"

"Jesse," I repeated.

"Who's that?"

Vanessa had enough. "Let's just go guys. Boys," she muttered like it was terrible word.

Tyler smile couldn't get bigger. "I just kid."

So together we walked out but I lagged behind to look at the paintings of Greek myths. Meanwhile, Tyler and Vanessa whispered in front of me, but I could hear their conversation fine.

"I thought he was cool," Tyler said.

"Jesse is really cute, but that's not the point. Your girlfriend isn't happy about your secrets."

"Quinn is scaring me. I need some space can you tell her to back off. It's a personal family thing."

Vanessa hesitated. "I may be her best friend, but even she won't listen to me. I told her not to invade your life."

"Can we not talk about her? She's raising my blood pressure already."

"Okay, so is Jesse single?"

"Interested?"

"All the girls are. He's so dark and mysterious. Everyone loves a brooding loner."

That took me by surprise. I'm somewhat popular?

The next moment changed everything.