Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They all belong to Disney, and any other company that owns 'In a Heartbeat.' This story follows my other fanfic "NOEbY: No One Else but You" That means if you haven't read the other story, read it first.
The Odd Man Out
At first sight
Another Monday morning came, and the halls of Kingsport High were once again plagued with an unending number of the common youth. A huge banner saying, "WELCOME BACK TYLER!!!" was put up in the main hall in honor of the return of their football hero. After a month of absence, Tyler has finally recovered from his long trance of amnesia. As Tyler walked down the halls, his fellow classmates greeted him, even ones he had not met or even seen before.
"It sure is good to be back," exclaimed Tyler as he went over to Hank and Jamie.
"Yea," Hank said. "And it's great to have you back as well."
"Now we don't have to work twice as much in the squad," commented Jamie regarding their previous situation without Tyler.
"It still feels like it was only last Friday that we won the game," Tyler said. "How did the state championship go?"
"We forfeited," Hank told Tyler. "The team agreed that if you weren't there, we wouldn't be there either."
"You could have at least gone to it," Tyler told Hank. "You could have won."
"But we wanted you to be there," Hank replied. "That's what a real team is all about."
"I'm touched," he said lightheartedly.
"Well, I have to go," Hank told his friends. "I have a meeting with Monsieur LeBon. See you guys at lunch."
"Yea, see you," Tyler called out as he was about to leave as well.
"Tyler, can I talk to you for a sec?" asked Jamie.
"Sure," Tyler replied. "What's up?"
"I just want to thank you for what you did," Jamie began. "And I don't mean for getting yourself beaten and having the amnesia."
"OK, what are you trying to say?" he asked.
"What happened to you really got me thinking," Jamie continued. "You know, about stuff, life, seizing the moment, everything. And I guess what I'm trying to say is that if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten the will and courage to ask Caitie out. I'm really thankful for that."
"Well Jamie, thanks," Tyler told him. "But you're giving me too much credit for what you did. I was just some guy who got beaten up, and woke up not remembering anything. It was you who asked Caitie out, and not me. It was you who thought it all out. It was all you."
"Thanks," said Jamie. "I guess I never really thought about that."
"Well, I'll see you later," Tyler called out as he headed for his first class.
Jamie waved at him before taking his own belongings and proceeded to class.
The cafeteria was as crowded as Tyler had remembered it last. He searched the crowd when he saw a familiar blond waving at him. He waved back and headed towards her direction.
"Hey," she said as she gave him a light kiss on his lips.
"Hey yourself," he retorted as he settled down beside her. "Hey Caitie!"
"Hey Tyler!" she greeted him back. "Where are the guys?"
"They're coming," he assured her.
At the exact same moment, Hank and Jamie burst through the doors, both heads searching until they found the rest of the group.
"Hello everyone," Hank greeted them as he sat on the other side of Val.
"Hey Hank," Val greeted him.
"I didn't know you guys had the same lunch time as us," Jamie said as he sat beside Caitie, who was sitting across Val.
"Yea," Tyler added.
"Why?" Caitie said.
"Are you guys complaining?" Val finished.
"No, no, of course not/Not at all," Jamie and Tyler replied concurrently.
"You guys are pathetic," Hank commented in jest.
As the lunch period went on, the two couples seemed to be in their own little world. Hank was happy for them, of course, but he feels like the odd man out. Just when he was falling into deep thought, an announcement came on.
"!!!ATTENTION!!! There will be a turn-around dance next Friday. This means that all you ladies have control and will have a chance to watch the guys suffer for a change. Tickets will be sold starting tomorrow. I'll see you there!!!"
There was a bunch of commotion throughout the cafeteria after the announcement.
"Great," Hank said indiscreetly loud, although oblivious to his friends.
"Well, I wonder who I'm going to ask?" Val thought out loud. "How about you, Caitie?"
"Not a clue," she said as she caught a glance of Jamie's funny shocked expression.
"Me neither," she said as she glanced to watch the amusing look on Tyler's face.
The two girls stood up, and left the guys alone.
"Caitie, you have my number right?" he called out just to play along. "It's 555-7213."
"That was a good one, man," Tyler commented. "Really smooth, right Hank? Hank? Where did he go?"
"Maybe some girl snatched him already," Jamie said.
"Maybe," Tyler repeated in a concerned tone.
Hank looked back one last time at his table, checking to see if anyone noticed he left at all. Much to his dismay, no one did. Hank continued on his way down the hallway, feeling alone and unwanted. 'I want to have what they have.' As Hank continued on his journey to his locker, he saw an unfamiliar face looking lost. 'Just like me,' he thought. The girl was of average height, and her skin was not dark, yet not light. Her hair was long and jet black. 'Wait, she might be really lost. Maybe I should go help her out.' Hank headed for the girl. He lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Excuse me…," Hank said.
"Ah!!!" she screamed.
Hank immediately backed up as she raised a small pencil in an attempt of self-defense.
"Stop, please, don't draw all over me," Hank said jokingly, amused by her reaction. "Really, I'm not trying to harm you or anything. I just wanted to help. You seem lost. I'm sorry if I scared you in any way."
"Oh, I'm so sorry for my reaction," she said as she put the pencil down. "I was just a little bit startled."
"A little bit?" Hank asked teasingly.
"Don't push it!" she told him.
"So, what are you here for?" Hank asked.
"I'm actually looking for Monsieur LeBon's class," the girl asked.
"Well, I can tell you now that if his class was in America, you're all the way in Japan," Hank informed her.
"That far, huh?" she said.
"Wait a minute, you're not the new girl are you?" Hank asked.
"Is that what they call me now?" she asked him in a slight attempt of humor. "Yea, that's me."
"Monsieur LeBon mentioned you to me earlier this morning," Hank told her. "He told me to help you out since you're new here."
"Well, can you help me now?" she said.
"Sure," Hank replied. "I'll walk you to his room."
Hank and the girl walked in silence side by side. Hank was wondering about what her name was, scolding himself for forgetting what his teacher told him. Even though they just met, Hank knew he already liked her.
"Well, this is it," Hank said just as the bell rang.
"Thanks," she said. "What's your name, again?"
"Hank," he replied. "Hank Beecham."
"See you around, Hank," she said before she went in to meet with the French teacher.
Hank can't help but smile. As he gathered his books, all he could think about was the new girl. 'The new girl?'
"Wait,…" Hank began to think out loud. "What was her name?"
OK, so, I have to end this here for now. I'll be back J ~ Scarlet182