Hey guys, we're back with the first chapter. Many thanks to all our readers, we hope you stick with us throughout this fic and to any new readers…enjoy!!
Disclaimer: We don't own anything.

~It Runs In The Family~
~Chapter One~

*Hillridge High School: September, 2024*

Having survived her first day at Hillridge High the shy 14 year old girl couldn't wait to get back to the safety of her home. In her rush to get to her locker she failed to notice another person coming around the corner. Before she knew it, both her body, and her books landed on the ground with a thud. Upon regaining her senses she noticed a blonde boy across from her. He was a little taller than her with brown eyes. He was actually kind of cute, she thought. She didn't think she could be more embarrassed than she was at that moment.

"I'm sooo sorry." The girl quickly apologized.

"No. Don't be. It was my fault. I'm a klutz. It's genetic."

"Umm...I'm Chloe." The girl introduced herself. She was shocked by the politeness of the mystery boy.

"Jake. Here, let me help you." He reached out his hand to help her up.

Jake quickly picked up Chloe's books. When he didn't hand them to her immediately she reached for them.

"I wouldn't be a gentleman if I made you carry your own books, now would I?" Jake asked with a smile.

Chloe smiled slightly to acknowledge his gesture then led him to her locker. 'Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, he is soooo adorable.' When they reached her locker she quickly unlocked it and placed her books inside.

"So...Thanks." Chloe was nervous, although she couldn't exactly explain why.

"No problem."

Chloe started to walk away but stopped when she heard Jake calling after her.

"Hey, umm...Chloe. Can I walk you home?" Jake asked hopefully.

"Uh...You want to walk me home? I don't mean to sound rude or anything but umm...Why?"

"I bumped into you, it's the least I could do."

"Oook." Chloe flashed her new acquaintance an unsure smile. 'Ahhhh, an unbelievably gorgeous guy wants to walk me home….me, this has never happened before, what do I do?!? Stay calm Chloe, just stay calm! You can do this, just put one foot in front of the other and walk with him.'

The two young teenagers walked down the deserted hallway in awkward silence for several minutes, occasionally glancing at one another. Before he knew it Jake found himself checking Chloe out. Curly brown hair that went just below her shoulders and blue eyes. Her skin was light; she definitely didn't spend much time on the beach. At around 5 feet tall she was just short enough so Jake had to bend down to look her in the eye. As they walked away from the school Jake decided to try and break the ice.

"You're new around here, right?"

Chloe was startled by his voice. "Uh...Yeah."

"Where did you live before?"

"Right outside of New York. My dad was going to go to film school and become a director or something, but it didn't work out."

"So you moved here after that?"

"No. All that happened before I was born. We moved here because my dad lived here when he was a kid. What about you? Have you lived here long?"

"I was born here, actually."

"So you know this place pretty well then?"

"I guess you could say that."

"So what's it like?"

"It's ok I guess. The people are ok for the most part."

"And the school?"

"It's not so bad. Cheerleaders, jocks, geeks, typical crowd. There's even a few normal people like you and me."

Chloe felt her face get hot with embarrassment. "Me? Normal? Hardly. I'd probably fit in with the geeks."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, it's only your first day, besides I don't think you'd fit in with the geeks, you're too cute to be a geek."

'Did he say what I think he just said? He's so sweet, what should I say?' Before Chloe could respond she realized that they were in front of her house. She walked up the sidewalk and towards the front door. Much to her surprise Jake was still with her. She waved goodbye and started to open the door but stopped when Jake called her name.

"Chloe?"

"Hmm?"

Jake hesitated for a second before bending down and lightly kissing her on the cheek.
"Bye, Chloe."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We hope you liked it, please review.

Thanks

~Loopylou1 & DaleJr8FanDMP~