POVValTyler - Ch3

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, except for the ones I make-up. They all belong to Disney, and any other company that owns 'In a Heartbeat.' This is the third of the upcoming "Point of View" chapters.

Note: Val's thought are italicized in blue; Tyler's are in black.

Initial Attraction

Point of View: Val and Tyler - Chapter 3

School just started, and it was another regular Monday. The only thing different was that I was in high school. I couldn't believe it. I loved school. The final cut for cheerleading was being done after school that day. I was a nervous wreck. I hoped that I would get in the squad. I had been practicing my routine over the summer. Caitie kept telling me that it was all a joke. She told me that I was way too smart and intellectual to actually pick up some pom-poms and cheer. I didn't think she'd let me off on the subject that easily. I thought she'd criticize me about it until the day I would decide to quit.

"I'm so nervous about this," Val stated as she and Caitie went into the cafeteria. "Do you think I'll make it? Everyone else is really good."

"Val, calm down," Caitie told her. "What is the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I want this really bad," Val told her friend. "I've been waiting for this moment all summer."

"This is such a joke," Caitie commented. "Are you really going through this?"

"Why not?" Val told her.

"Val, you're a nice girl," Caitie began to say. "And I love you, but this cheerleading obsession has got to stop. You're way too smart for this. You're not the type of person to pick up some pom-poms, wear those skimpy outfits, and jump and cheer for a bunch of jocks and jockettes."

"Caitie, I want to do this," Val exasperatingly told her friend. "This is as important to me as getting an A in…algebra class. And I need you to support me on this."

"Is this what you really want to do?" Caitie asked her.

"Yes," Val replied.

"Then go for it," Caitie said. "Just promise me one thing."

"Anything," Val said. "Whatever you want."

"As I said before, don't let them brainwash you," Caitie said playfully.

"OK, I won't," Val said.

"I know you won't," Caitie said with a smile and went through her lunch.

But Caitie is Caitie, and that's why I like her. We are total opposites, but we still managed to overlook our differences and make a lasting friendship. She's the one I know I could truly trust and the one who knows me best. I'm just glad we're still friends after all these years.

I was heading to my second to the last class - - - Biology. Too bad it was on the other side of the building. I figured I'd get there faster if I stopped complaining so I headed there right away. I knew I was almost late, but something on my right caught my gaze. I knew it would cost me, but sometimes doing the right thing isn't always the easy one.

I neared Spanish class when I accidentally bumped into this girl who came out of no where. My books were flying everywhere, and I felt myself hit the floor. I looked up to see who it was. I'm pretty sure it was Heather Stillmore. It was the first time I saw her. She looked at me and acted as if I didn't even matter. She even kicked one of my books out of her way and scoffed as she left. Everyone around me was laughing. Well, except maybe one.

"Excuse you!" Heather said and looked down at Val as if she was some insignificant thing.

"I'm so sorry," Val said as she tried to stand up.

"You should be," Heather replied as she looked down at one of her books. "How pathetic! EMS Booklet? What a geek!"

Val could hear everyone around her laugh. She tried to control herself and not let her humiliation go farther by crying in front of everyone. Heather kicked one of Val's books out of the way as she continued on her walk. Val could hear her snickering from a far. Val began to pick up her books when some tall figure shadowed over her.

"Here you go," he said as he handed her the book that Heather kicked.

"Thanks," she said to him.

The boy continued to pick some of her stuff up.

"I'm sorry about Heather," he said under his breath as he gave her another one of her books.

"Is she a friend of yours?" Val asked.

"No way!" Tyler said with a laugh. "I'd rather befriend Satan than her. Heather's just another one of those cheerleaders who think they're better than everyone else."

"Yea," Val said as a tear started to roll down her cheeks.

I felt so bad for her. I knew Heather was a witch. For some strange reason, I got the urge to reach out and wipe the tear off that fell from her eye. She had pretty blue eyes. Sort of like the ocean.

"You shouldn't," he said as he reached out wiped the tear off her face. "She's not worth it. Trust me."

Val felt an electricity go through her at his slight touch. She distracted herself by gathering the rest of her belongings.

"And I'm sorry in behalf of everyone," Tyler said silently as he gave her the last book. "People don't seem to have any morals this time around. They laugh at one person's expense, but when they get hurt they expect sympathy. No one here even took the time to help you out and pick your stuff up for you."

I don't know why, but at that moment I probably fell in love with him. I didn't even know his name. I don't think he even heard what he was saying.

"I guess you're the exception," Val remarked, as she looked him straight in the eye.

I don't know how long it was, but it seemed like forever.

I felt that if I stared into his eyes for too long, I would drown. Actually, I thought I did. It felt like I've known him…

"I guess I am," Tyler said in reply as he smiled at her. "Valerie Lanier, right?"

"How did you…?" Val began to say. "Oh, you saw my name on the book. You can call me Val though."

"Nice name," he complimented. "You're an EMT?"

"Not yet, but I'm going to be one when I'm older," Val told him with confidence.

"How do you know you're going to get in?" Tyler challenged her.

"Because I am going to get in," Val said. "How about you?"

"I'm going to try out to be an EMT," he told her. "Is that what you wanted to ask?"

"I was asking for your name, but I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one interested in this EMS thing," Val said. "So, what's your name?"

"Tyler," he told her.

"Do you have a last name?" she inquired lightheartedly.

"Oh, um, Connell," Tyler said. "Yea. It's definitely Connell."

"Are you sure?" she asked playfully.

"Positive," he said with a smile.

Val smiled back at him as she straightened up.

It was her smile. I don't know anything about love at first sight. In this case, I felt that it was beyond that. I felt like I've known her…

Forever.

Forever.

"I guess I better be going," Tyler said as he started on his way.

"Tyler!" she called out.

Tyler stopped and turned his head around.

"Thanks," she said. "And by the way…I'm a cheerleader."

"I guess you're the exception," Tyler smiled at her as he proceeded to his class.

"I guess I am," she said softly as she watched him leave and went into her classroom.

I hurried to my biology class. I knew I would get detention for being late. I figured I'd just use the old excuse, "I'm a freshman and I was lost." But I had no regrets whatsoever for what I happened. I came into class and sat down. And for a strange mysterious reason, no one was in class yet. I thought I was going insane. I was certain the bell would have rang at least when I got into the classroom. The teacher was just behind me. Somehow time managed a way to let me meet her…

A special place in time for both of us.

"You're awfully early today," said the teacher. "The warning bell hasn't even rang yet. What's your name?"

"Tyler Connell," he said. "Are you sure the bell didn't ring yet?"

"I'm absolutely sure," the teacher replied. "Why?"

"Nothing," Tyler said as his thoughts tried to make sense of the unfathomable.

It was a bizarre encounter…

A special moment…

How come it felt like we knew each other…?

Before we even met.


That's it for now. I'm sorry it took me a while. School has been keeping my hands full, which makes typing and writing much harder J Did any you guys see the connection between the last two stories? You should have. And one more thing, I want to know if anyone saw anything notable and worth mentioning in the story. It wasn't intentional but I thought it was kind of cool. I'll tell you what it is on the next chapter. Don't forget to review! I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182