I still don't own anything... But today is my birthday...

Review!

Lory was running late to her first class and scurrying down the hall when her best friend Camille grabbed her from behind. Cam was short with a slim build and wavy blonde hair. Her blue eyes shone brightly with excitement almost all the time.

"Are you excited for the party this weekend?" Cam shrilled as she dragged Lory down the hallway.

"Not as excited as you. But that's impossible." Lory said as they made their way to English

"Haha. Seriously though. Have you decided who to take yet?" Cam had a way about her and guys were very attracted to it. Even now there were guys trying to talk to her and get her attention. Of course she was ignoring them for now.

As cheerleaders in a small town where football and cheer were everything, Cam and Lory were at the top of the social food chain. It would be lying to say they both didn't use that. They were actually co-captains of the varsity cheer squad.

"Well… No but I will decide today. Maybe." Lory explained vaguely as they reached the class and took their seats in the back.

"Fine but I still think you should choose Haden." Recently Cam was dating Gary, one of the linebackers which meant Cam wanted Lory to date Haden, Gary's best friend.

"Hey, Lory. I was wondering if you had a date for friday yet?" Tim slid into the seat next to her with a grin and nod to them both.

Tim was very good looking with sandy blonde hair and he also happened to be the quarterback. Tim was most teenage girls dream but Lory had dated him for a while several months ago and she knew he wasn't all he appeared to be. TIm was secretly the biggest jerk in the entire world.

"She was already asked by Haden. Better luck next time." Cam put in flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Tim left without saying a word just as the bell rang and every student raced to their seats.

Class started as usual, leaving Lory to doodle in her notebook and pay no attention. Within a few minutes Cam nudged her in the ribs forcing her attention up. Before Lory could ask what was so important, she saw.

"Class. It appears we have a new student." The teenage boy standing next to Mr. Hays sent a rock plummeting into Lory's stomach.

Tall with coal black hair and eyes so blue they could have been the ocean. Right now those blue eyes were locked on Lory.

It couldn't be. It couldn't be him. He was gone.

But all her inner chanting couldn't stop the teacher from asking the new boy to introduce himself.

"Hey. My name is Gabe Fletcher."

NO. No. No. No. No! It had been years since Gabe moved away… Lory hadn't seen him since the day after the fire. His family had just disappeared.

Gabe used to live next door to Lory. They were best friends growing up. For years she had wondered what happened to him and now here he was, just standing there. Oh wait. He was walking now. Toward the only empty seat in the class. Next to her.

His stride was like a cat's, graceful and smooth. Everything about him was foreign, except his eyes. They were the only thing that hadn't changed in the past decade. Even as he sat down his eyes stayed on Lory's.

"Lorelle." His voice was deep and strong, it sent a wave of butterflies through Lory.

"Don't call me that." She snapped and stood up with her bag and left. She didn't look back until she reached the parking lot.

Hm?