Part One: Chapter Two

My sisters argued the entire way to school so I stuck my headphones in and looked out the window, not really seeing or hearing any of the things that rushed by. The drive to school took about twenty minutes. With only five minutes left, a searing pain rang through my thigh. I plucked the headphones out of my ears and looked up in time to see Elizabeth moving her hand away after having slapped me.

"Elena are you even listening?" Her face was a mask of disappointment.

"Sorry I wasn't paying attention." I gave her one of my most convincing smiles. "What were you saying?"

"We were talking about the new transfer student joining the school today. Amy did some research on him and told us that he is super cute and that he's a senior and…" Eden's voice gradually began to fade into the background; I was zoning again.

"Do you want to see a picture?" Elizabeth already had her phone out.

"No thanks, I'm not interested." I assured them both.

"Apparently he's really smart too! He's gotten accepted to a handful of Ivy League colleges and his SAT scores are outrageous." This caught my attention.

"Really? What were they?" I asked eagerly.

"I don't know the exact number, jeeze." Eden scoffed.

"Oh."

"I'm sure when we see him we can ask for you." Elizabeth offered, nudging Eden with her elbow.

"Sure." But my attention was already gone again. It had been becoming clearer each day that I needed all of the help I could get on my SAT's.

The school came into view so I stayed silent for the rest of the short ride. When Eden stopped the car I bolted.

"Don't you want to get some coffee together?" Elizabeth shouted after me.

I twisted to look back at them. "Cant. I have to speak to a teacher. Have a great day!" I layered on the enthusiasm before rushing through the school doors. I needed to get away from their relentless bickering. Plus the teacher thing wasn't a lie. There was one person I could always talk to when things got to be too much.

The hallways tended to become one great mass when I rushed. Left turn here, right turn there. I kept my goal in mind as I smiled and nodded at my 'friends' and continuously checked my phone for the time. Fifteen minutes was all I had.

I slowed down as I approached the H-wing hallway. The classroom I was headed for was the first door on the left.

Breathing in the familiar scent of salt, I took in my favorite place in the whole school. The desks were aligned in several lines and rows faced the blackboard and teacher's desk. In the back were work stations for lab, each with a small tank full of sea water and microorganisms in the center. The Marine Biology Lab had begun to feel more like home than my real home recently of late. Mrs. Shields looked up when I shut the door. She had brown curly hair that was always pulled into a tight ponytail. Her glasses were framed in thick black and she was wearing her usual white lab coat. Her face was beautiful with its light blue eyes and full lips; her perfectly sculpted nose and light sprinkle of freckles. She was gorgeous, but she tried so hard to hide it.

"Elena! What a pleasant surprise to see you so early in the morning. How are you?" Her young smile made my troubles bubble to the surface and out into the open air. I didn't say anything as I pulled her into a tight hug, needing her good energy.

"Oh dear, bad morning?" I nodded and buried my head into her shoulder. Mrs. Shields was not only my Marine Biology teacher, but she was also my Mom's best friend since first grade. She knew me as well as my Mom knew me. Now better than anyone else. Her and I both shared the same numb devastation when my mother passed away, but right then, as she squeezed me, I felt like my troubles could melt away. I let my eyes close. The second I did, the door to the teacher's Science lounge clicked open and a voice forced its way into our melancholic air.

"Mrs. Shields, do you think-." My eyes snapped open at the sound of a boy's voice and I pulled away from my Auntie Kate to see the boy gaping at the sight of us and our hug. "Sorry to interrupt." His expression gave away his desperate longing to leave the room.

He had short brown hair and the most devastatingly beautiful face I had ever seen. He had muscles that were evident under his black long sleeved shirt, but he wasn't super buff. He was also a good five inches taller than I was.

When he turned his eyes to mine it was like a spark of electricity ignited. They were ocean blue, deep and moving and captivating. I couldn't move my own eyes off of his and in that moment an image of clasped hands flashed through my mind followed by the echoing sound of crashing waves. It was like a forgotten memory that was just within my reach and then, like magic, it was gone. I looked away before all of my air was gone.

"That's alright, I'm glad your both here." Auntie Kate had a relaxed and carefree expression. "Eric, this is my Goddaughter Elena Williams. Elena, this is a new transfer student Eric Bell. He just moved here from California and will be in your Marine Biology class."

"It's nice to meet you." He reached for my hand and I couldn't help but have a moment's hesitation. For a few seconds, I just stared at his hand. He took a step closer and it felt like I was about to pass out from a lack of air. Especially if he came any closer than he already was.

"You too. Welcome to Ridgeview." I smiled what I hoped was a warm smile and took his hand to shake it. I instantly wished I hadn't. An electric shock charged through my arm and I fought the urge to pull back. Another image flashed through my head but it was too quick for me to comprehend. I could only make out one thing as I pull away.

"Elena is sixteen and a sophomore, Eric. But she's a genius when it comes to Marine Biology and of course-."

"I think that's enough about me." I insisted, stopping her from saying anything else.

"Nonsense, you are extremely talented, Elena, don't sell yourself short." She turned to Eric. "She has the loveliest singing voice too! It sounds like an angel choir."

"Well, Auntie Kate, I should probably get going to homeroom." My cheeks were fiery with heat and for some reason, I couldn't meet Eric's eyes.

"Oh, one more thing, Elena. I took the liberty of asking Eric to join our after school advanced class sessions. He also wants to pursue a career in Marine Biology and is just as advanced as you are. I think you two will get along quite well." Just like that my embarrassment fizzled out and was replaced with anger.

"You did?" I tried to keep a smile on my face, but it was extremely difficult.

"Yes. Now go on both of you or you'll be late for homeroom."

"See ya later, Auntie," I mumbled. Eric followed me as I pushed the door open. I couldn't even look at him without wanting to punch him. Then again, looking at him also made me fuzzy and confused. Those after school sessions were meant for me. They were my only alone time with Auntie. Who did this guy think he was just waltzing in like some big shot? He couldn't possibly be that smart.

"Do you know where E-7 is?" He asked this almost sheepishly and I couldn't help the sigh that escaped my throat. My homeroom. Who would've guessed? Time for the fake façade to take charge once again.

"Well actually," I began but he cut me off.

"Listen, I realize how awkward that was back there. So maybe we should start over." He suggested, stopping in his tracks to look me in the eye. The same spark shivered through my bones.

My resolve faded at once and the smile that spread along my face was for once, real. "I'd love that."

"My name is Eric Bell. I just moved here from California. I've been told that I'm a genius. I was five points away from a perfect score on the standard SAT's but I did get a perfect score on the Science and Math SAT's. When I grow up I want to be a Marine Biologist because I think there is still so much we haven't discovered about the sea. Im eighteen and currently a senior." His voice was calculating, yet casual as we walked slowly down the hall together. I couldn't help but laugh and he smiled while waiting for my response.

"My name is Elena Williams. I've lived in Denver my whole life. I love the snow, but not as much as I love going to the beach, especially in winter. I've been told I am a genius in Marine Biology but not in anything else and that is why I am in the highest available course but only a sophomore. I hope to pursue a career in Marine Biology one day for all of the same reasons but that requires me passing my SAT's first which at the moment doesn't have the brightest outlook. And, call it coincidence, but we have homeroom together." I was slightly short of breath when I finished and he stopped to look at me.

"Really?"

"Unfortunately." I didn't mean to say it, but it came out anyway.

"You don't like me very much do you?" Something in his expression told me that the thought made him sad.

"No, I think you're nice." Insert fake smile here. "I just always look forward to my alone time with my Godmother, that's all. Don't take it personally."

"I probably shouldn't impose on you two then." That time his remark had a slight layer of sarcasm.

"No," I stopped in front of my, our homeroom, "I don't mind. Really."

"That's a lie." He stared at me as he said it. He was calling my bluff. Before I could say anything in return, the bell rang. I kept my gaze away from his and headed into homeroom, sitting in an empty seat in the back with all of the seats surrounding it filled.

A few seconds later he strode in, stirring up whispers from every girl in the room, and sat in a seat at the very front, not once glancing in my direction. While I sat listening to the announcements and the teacher taking attendance, I couldn't help the way my eyes kept finding their way back to him.

I remembered the feel of his hand in mine and traced the lines on my palm where I felt the brunt of the electric shocks. I am reminded once more of the one thing that popped into my mind at his touch. A name. Ariel.

Okay so obviously, I know nothing at all about Marine Biology. I tried my best to make it sound realistic but in truth, probably nothing about the Marine Biology Lab makes sense. I just thought it would be like a good underlying hint for things to come. Haha! Anyway I just wanted to say, it blows me away that I have had this story up for a total of twenty four hours and I already have a review and three followers. So here is a shoutout to TrinaAngel, the girl with a silver eye and ForeverYoungInDisney.

ForeverYoungInDisney: Thank you so much for the review! It was such a nice thing to wake up to this morning, especially since today was my first day back at school after break. I'm glad you like the story so far and I hope I do Ariel justice! (:

To anyone else who is reading this, I see the traffic on this story and I want you to know I love ALL feedback. Good, bad and everything in between. As long as its constructive I am all for it! You have no idea how crazily I wait at my email to see if anyone reviewed or followed. So as always Rate and Review!

Cheers!

Xxx

LalaLisa23 (:hapter Two

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