*Fiorella's Point of View*
James and I walked to our biotech room six hundred and thirty two and he asked me a TON of questions. "So, where are you from?" he asked looking curious. "I'm actually from Charleston, South Carolina." "I've heard the beaches are beautiful there" "I don't like to brag but they are." I said as I played with my hair. "I'm from La Jolla, California and I still love the beaches there… and I miss them." He said in a sad tone and then he started fake sobbing with his head in his hands. I laughed at him. People gave us dirty looks in the hallway. I hit him and loud whispered "Stop! People are staring!" He started "crying" harder which made me laugh hysterically.
We talked the whole way to class but when we stepped into class six hundred and thirty two all of the laughter and joy washed away. Everyone was silent and had wide –eyed-crazed looks on their face. Maybe they were extremely nervous I guess. I took a seat near the back and James sat in the desk next to me.
I couldn't see anyone in the room who might look like our teacher. "Wow. It looks like all the students are getting root canals today." James whispered. They really do. What could be so horrible about this class? "SILENCE EVERYONE!" A voice demanded. Dr. Goldstien's shout made both of us jump a foot in our seats. Dr. Goldstien marched down the auditorium aisle to the front of the class. He stopped and stared at the class with those same familiar wide eyes we saw on the students. I guess I could see how this class could be horrible.
*James' Point of View*
I seriously think this man has no heart. Dr. Goldstien was lecturing us on the genotype of the eloba plant on his desk. I looked over and saw Fiorella doodle a flower on her notebook cover. I looked up to see her bright green eyes. There was something different about this girl. She seemed so reserved. Most girls would tell me their whole life story in the first minute but she seems… uncomfortable talking about herself. Strange.
She looked up and noticed me staring at her. I gave her a – kill me now- look that made her giggle. "YOU!" I heard our reptile of a teacher accuse. "YOU VILL NOT TALK IN MY CLASS!" Fiorella flinched at every syllable he spat. "I-I'm sorry, I-" "NO VUNVILL DIZRUPT MY CLASS!" He screamed at her again. I stood up "Sir, I was the one who made her laugh." He ignored me and commanded "Both of you, out of my class!" Fiorella was gripping her notebook so hard, her knuckles turned white. She stared at Dr. Goldstien with shock on her face. "OUT!" he bellowed. Fiorella saw that everyone was staring at her and took her things and quickly left the room followed by me.
*Fiorella's Point of View*
I left the room feeling like I had been smacked across the face. How can someone be so cold? "Wow, what a prick!" he said angrily. I could tell he was flustered. "Don't worry about it" I assured him. "Thanks for trying to take the blame, but I don't think he cared." He nodded still upset with himself. "Well, since we got kicked out of class, would you like to get lunch with me?" He asked. We were headed to the front door of the building. I wanted to go with him so bad but if Cole found out I had been out with another guy he would not be. But James makes me feel like… like… a lady. "I don't know…" I trailed off but he ignored my babbling. "We can go to this little greek restaurant two minutes from here." He sat and waited for my answer. His hazel eyes were pleading with me to say yes. I couldn't help but giggle at his expression. Maybe he will be worth the beating.
He led me to his car and opened the door for me. I got in and he closed the door. Not once did Cole open the door for me for anything. "Here I'll put that in the back." He got my book bag and put it in the trunk. Nor did Cole do that Huh. Funny.
On our way to the restaurant we talked and listened to the radio, naming the artist that sing the songs and when they became popular. He knew a lot about REO Speedwagon. "No Chicago was the band of that time." I started. "No! REO Speedwagon was sooo much better than them!" He protested. I laughed at him "No they weren't, they are so over rated." He gasped at me jokingly. "WELL!"
"Well here we are! It doesn't look like much but the food is amazing." He turned and gave me a quick smile before leading me to the little glass door. The restaurant had such a small, cozy fell to it. Pictures of old Greece on the wall, I'm guessing, and small tables with small chairs with happy families smiling and laughing. "You're never a stranger in this place." His eyes glistened with emotion as fast as it went away. He gained his composure and walked toward the front desk with me not far behind.
*James' Point of View*
When we sat down at the little booth the waitress greeted us and gave us our menus. Fiorella was looking everywhere. "Fiorella are you okay?" She looked at me. "Yeah, um, I'm okay" She said hesitantly and tried to put on a smile but I could see she was uncomfortable here. "Are you sure? I mean, we can go somewhere else if you-" "Oh no, it's fine. I like it here." She assured me with a weak smile.
After the waitress took our order I tried to make her feel more comfortable. "So, how long have you been in Bloomington?" She looked up from playing with her long brown locks. "Well, um I moved here when I was fourteen because my mom found a teaching job here at Fischers, Indiana. I was actually born in Fort Worth, Texas. "I thought you said you were from South Carolina?" "I am, my family and I moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina right after I was born. My dad was in the army and we moved wherever he was stationed at the time." She explained. "But my father was killed in battle when he was stationed at Charleston when I was ten. My mom and I stayed here because… well… we didn't have anywhere to go. But four years later my mom found a job at Fischers High School as a teacher. I attended and graduated there and applied for Indiana University because it was close to home. And that's why I'm here." She looked up from here napkin she was playing with and gave me a warm smile. I could feel myself blushing slightly. Wow. Maybe it just takes a little push to get her to open up. That's when I saw it. Her sleeve came up just enough for me to see two bluish purple bruises on her left arm. She noticed me staring and quickly covered her bruised wrists. What the? Surely she hasn't been abused. Has she? I shouldn't say anything.
My thoughts were interrupted when the waitress came with our food. Fiorella was looking everywhere but my face. Obvious embarrassment showed on her cheeks. "So how long have you lived here?" She asked after torturous minutes of just us eating and no conversation. I looked up to see her waiting for my answer, her bright green eyes glistened with curiosity. "I… um, I" I couldn't help but stutter and gawk at this pure beauty sitting in front of me. I kicked myself out of my trance. "I… I… my family and I visited here when my Great Aunt Ruth passed away when I was sixteen. My mom and dad fell in love with the place while we were down here and decided to get jobs here and moved here." She was looking at me while she took a small bite or her tortellini. "I like it here" I went on. "Actually, I love it here. It's small, beautiful and everyone knows each other. Everyone is friendly." I gestured to her with my fork and she let out a giggle.
*Fiorella's Point of View*
When we finished our dinner James asked for the check. I protested. He insisted. He won. "You really didn't have to pay for my lunch." I huffed as he led me to his car. "Now, what kind of guy would take a girl to lunch and make her pay for her own lunch?" He asked teasingly. I shook my head and rolled my eyes playfully. "Well I guess we better head back to the campus." He said and we both sigh simultaneously. Once again he opened the door for me and we headed for the university.
When we reached the school parking lot I dreaded the next four hours there. "Well at least we don't have to go back in that hell hole of a classroom today." He said with a half smile. We stood there for a few moments. James was rocking on his heels with his hands clasped behind his back. "Well… I guess I better go back in." I finally said. "Yeah, me too." I looked up to catch him staring and he quickly looked to his converses. "Thanks for taking me to lunch, James. I really enjoyed it." And it was the truth. I haven't had this much fun in years. I haven't laughed like this in years. "No need to thank me. I had a good time too." I couldn't bring my legs to move in front of James. Come on legs! Do something! "Well I'll see ya later!" My legs finally letting me walk towards the glass doors. "Hey wait!" James grabbed my wrists. My instincts naturally made me jerk my wrist out of his grasp. He gave me a confused look after I did this. "Yes?" I looked up into his eyes that were partially covered by strands of his caramel colored hair. "I was wondering if you wanted to go with me? It's a small house party. Well it's supposed to be. But it's at 7:30 tomorrow night and I don't wanna go without a pretty girl like you by my side." This is bad. I can't go out with him. I'll get in so much trouble if Cole found out. I shouldn't have even went to lunch with him.
But Fio, this boy is such a gentlemen and he treats you like a lady and-
No. No way. It's too much of a risk. You don't know this boy very well. Cole will NOT like this. You had to beg him just to let you go to a university let alone a college. No. It's out of the question.
I don't want to break his heart. I mean look at him. He's waiting to hear a yes.
No. No freakin' way. Nope. Not gonna do it.
"Are you gonna go?" He smiled anxiously at me.
Don't do it Fiorella. Don't. You know the consequences if Cole finds out.
"Um …uh." I stammered trying to find the right answer to his question.
Don't do it. DON'T! It's too risky!
"Um…okay" I heard a small voice say and then realized it was mine. That's when I saw his beautiful hazel eyes light up. Crap. Fiorella why did you just do that? "Great! How about I pick you up at about 7:15?" No turning back now Fiorella. "That's sounds fine to me." I said. "Awesome!" He said his lips turning into a big grin that soon spread across his face to show his beautiful white teeth. If I do get away with this then I hope it will be worth it, but by the way he's looking at me right now, I have a feeling it will be.
*Cole's Point of View*
Fiorella Hewitt. Beautiful, long haired, green eyed, brunette. She is mine. No one else's. When I take her out I have to fight off the swarm of guys that think they have a chance with such a hot little thing like her. They don't stare as much now that they know that she is mine. She knows not to stare back or even look at them because she knows that I'm in charge. She knows that what I say goes and doesn't argue back. That's the way I like it. That's why I like her. She isn't the bold kind of girl. She doesn't speak up. I know I can be a little mean but she always goes and does something stupid. Then I have to straighten her out.
I let her go to college. I couldn't say no to those emerald eyes pleading me. Besides she'll get paid good money. Probably more than I do with the kind of education she's getting. That way she can help pay these bills if she plans on living with me for a while.
I propped my aching feet up on the coffee table in the living room after a long, hard day at the construction site. We are working on some kind of parking deck or whatever the heck it is. I don't care what we're working on just as long as I get paid for it.
I knew Fio wouldn't be getting home until later in the evening. I could probably just call up that red head Jessica and we could "hang out" for a while. I walked over to the fridge and got a Busch Light from the fridge, kicking off my boots on my way back to the worn out couch. I could almost see dust fly when I sat down. I looked out the window to see that it was barely drizzling outside with the sun peeking from behind the dark clouds. I flipped through the T.V. channels trying to find something that was actually worth watching. I picked some random site on, being fed up with the lack of variety.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table after a few minutes of daydreaming out the window. It was Jessica. Yeah, I think I'm gonna go hang out with her for a while.
