Chapter 1

Excitement

October 5th, 1931

School.

I'd only been back for two months, and I already thought I would die from boredom.

I was sitting in my 4th period class waiting for one of Mrs. Ferris' incessant lectures about the importance of good needlepoint to end. I honestly don't understand why this class wasn't dropped along with the others of its kind during the turn of the 20th century. Obviously, she was trying to explain that now, but she was, again, failing.

Why do I even bother?

I hadn't learned anything useful in school since 9th grade when I studied arithmetic, and even then, it was only how to complete long division in my head.

And when is this useful? Well, when I go shopping of course: I can easily figure out tax without the struggling poor excuses of females try to figure it out on their notepads.

But now I was in 12th grade, a senior in one of the few, new age co-ed schools in this dread capitol city of Providence. After I graduate in May, I will be free. Well, until my parents decide to marry me off that is. You would think, with all of these women rights groups starting up, my parents would at least let me decide if and when I get married.

It really is no big deal. It is not as though I could ever fall in love with someone. This way, I at least get to have a child, the one and only thing I have ever wanted from this life. Mother wants me to have children so that I can pass on my genes. I really don't think beauty is inherited that way. Father wants me to have children so that the other rich people can say, "Oh, look! Richard Watson is a grandfather! He is the luckiest man alive; he has wealth, power, and now a beautiful grandchild…"

I want a child so that I can raise her to not turn out like me.

I am different. Not in any incapacitating way. I just think differently.

I am absolutely gorgeous, fantastically rich, and the most popular girl in school. But what does that matter.

I have no friends. I have people who claim to be my "best friends" but they don't know a single thing about me. I can't blame them. They are just normal. I am the one who is different, the one who has never been able to connect with anyone, ever.

So, yes. If I have a daughter, I will raise her to not be like me. At all. Except for the beauty thing. It helps.

Finally, the droning of the teacher stops and she allows us to gather our belongings. Naturally, everyone in the room starts talking; my seat partner is no exception.

"Oh my gosh, Rosalie, you will never guess what amazingly astounding news I have just recently received!" screamed Viviane.

I could not find it in myself to be excited along with her. As long as I have known Viviane, which has been a very long period of thirteen years, she has been known to blow everything out of proportion. I honestly can't understand why I still consider her my friend, but when you are popular, certain people just always flock around you.

So, as my duties as "best friend" imply, I quickly responded, "What is this amazingly astounding news that so interests you? Honestly, I can't imagine," with about as much zip as I could muster.

"Well, I have just found out from Elizabeth, who just found out from Ida P., that there is a new boy in school who has to be the most handsome boy anyone has ever laid their admiring eyes upon!"

"That is positively superb Viviane, and in what possible way do you think this bit of information pertains to me?"

"Oh, I well I couldn't fathom why it wouldn't! Rosalie, you know you are the most beautiful girl in the entire school, probably the entire world!" Like I said, she emphasizes things a lot. "Why won't you at least let one lucky guy take you on a date?" she said quite desperately.

Of course she would bring that up. Not one person I have ever met has understood my thoughts or actions, especially when it comes to my interactions with people. So, naturally, I have just decided that there is no point in trying to have a beau. The relationship would be totally based on appearances. Many, if not all, of the boys in this school have asked me to dine, and all have been turned down. It is not that I want to hurt their feelings, they just don't interest me; not many people do. I have just always been so annoyed and bored with the trivial lives of my fellow students. They simple do no understand that in the grand scheme of things, they do not matter. They are dust blowing in the wind. Quite simply, I have just accepted that I will never be able to connect with them.

"You know I'm not interested in any of the boys at this school." I protested. This school taught 1,000 teenagers, the biggest school in the state of Rhode Island according to our principal. I could hardly know everyone on grounds, but it didn't stop them from knowing who I was. I quite often was rather frightened by that concept.

"Ah, but you have yet to be introduced to Lee Marks."

"And your point would be?"

"Oh, come on! This could finally be the guy that wins you over!"

"Right, I am absolutely positive that this pathetic pretty boy is going to be the one who finally catches my interest." She was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Alright, alright, just don't you come crying to me when someone else takes him instead of you…"

"I'm sure I will be absolutely heartbroken."

The bell that signals the end of 4th period finally rang and we were released from the classroom for lunch. We walked towards the benches that served as a temporary eating area while the cafeteria was being rebuilt after the fire this summer. There we met up with my fellow beautiful "friends" Ann, Barbara, and Leslie as well as their respective boyfriends Richard, Bruce and Donald. As we started pulling out our lunch boxes, I noticed a rather large commotion going on around the basketball courts. Writing it off as another pathetic lunchtime game, I didn't pay any attention, at least I didn't until Viviane started tugging my sleeve.

"Rosalie, it's him! Oh my gosh, you have got to see this guy."

Not wasting any time for my reaction, she pulled me up, grabbed me by the hand, and ran over to the courts.

"Viviane, I don't see how there could be anything that special about this boy. I mean, perhaps he is talented at basketball but…"

I didn't finish, couldn't finish, wasn't able to find any word except for "oh". There he was, running down the court, dribbling a ball, without his shirt. He had the most amazing dark brown curly hair with the most fascinating features I had ever seen, even in advertisements in Vogue. But aside from his beauty, he also had the most built body I had ever seen. Yet, even with his large muscle mass, he did not look overly bulky, just powerful like I had always pictured a Roman warrior to look like. He quickly and easily scored, muscles rippling as he leapt into the air. I had no control over my body right now, but if I could think comprehensively, I would have realized I was standing at the edge of the court, mouth agape and expression awed.

"Lee! Lee! Over here!" shouted Viviane.

Lee turned towards us. He looked at Viviane, smiled, and jogged over. I finally did realize, with horror, my disastrously unflattering facials and quickly transformed my face into a calm smile. However, I was caught completely by surprise when he arrived in front of us. He quite literally towered over me, not something I was used to since I was a statuesque 5'9". Immediately, I was intimidated.

But that was not the only thing I felt; there was an oddly uncomfortable tightening in my stomach. I couldn't place it, for I had never felt such an ache before.

"Hey, Viviane right?" he asked. She nodded then spurted off a rambling response.

"Yeah, that would be my name, Viviane. Don't worry, I don't blame you for being unsure, it is your first day here. You were amazing! I don't think I have ever seen anyone that gifted at such sport. Are you going to try out for the team? You should, you would be absolutely fantastic! Oh! So sorry, how could I forget? This is my best friend, Rosalie. I've told her that you were the most amazing boy in the world and so, of course, I had to introduce her to you. Alright?" She looked like she wasn't quite able to get a breath in. I had never seen her sputter this much, ever. She must be in love with him.

However, I quickly found out that her sentiments were not returned. He smiled calmly at her but had a look in his eyes that I recognized from my own face as long suffering. Funny, he only just met her today and he has already formed the same opinion about her as I have.

"Well, I will have to think about it," Lee replied. "I was on the wrestling team back in Virginia, so I was thinking I would probably do that here as well." Well, he sure does look like a wrestler, I thought. "Rosalie? It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hmm, he said that a bit coolly. He probably thought I was some blonde idiot who was only interested in him because of his appealing looks. Boy, did I know some girls like that. However, good looks are probably all he has, I inferred, based on the fact that no smart guys I had ever met worked on their bodies that much. I decided that I wouldn't allow him think I was slightly interested in him, which, to my surprise, I was.

So instead of flashing him my, Fall For Me You Lovesick Puppy smile, I smirked and said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Your show right a few moments ago was almost obscenely astounding."

Noticing my condescending tone, he frowned. Maybe he's not too extremely dumb, he's observant at the very least. Then he did something I had not expected: instead of turning away and going after the girl he already knew he had a chance with (a.k.a. Viviane), he peered straight into my eyes. Of course, I choose this moment to be unawares and was caught up in him. His eyes were a dark green and I suddenly got images of forests in my mind. We stared at each other while Viviane prattled on about how he must join us for lunch. I could tell, just by the depth of his eyes, that he was completely unlike the rest of the boys I had met. I would have to be on my guard, he might surprise me.

Finally, Viviane had finished and was, of course, again panting. However, Lee continued to stare straight into my eyes for a few more heartbeats, now looking slightly puzzled. I became even more intimidated. He then turned to her and told her he would be delighted to join us for lunch. With him no longer staring me down, I finally realized I had been holding my breath. I let it out and struggled to regain control. We allowed him to retrieve his shirt and lunch pail then led him to our table. After quick introductions, I sat down; purposely sitting as far away from Lee as I could manage.

He noticed. While the others started talking to him, he would sometimes look down the table at me as though trying to figure me out. I had told myself I wouldn't look, but I soon found that impossible. The depth of his eyes would pull me out of my thoughts and hold while he tried to search my soul. At least, that's what it felt like. I was scared to death. Who was this young man who thought he could try to understand me? No one did, not my friends, not my parents, or the rest of my family for that matter. How could he be any different?

I yanked my eyes away and closed them. I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself. I soon found that I couldn't. I was filled with an intense desire to be near Lee, to talk to him, to share all my thoughts with him. NO! Stop Rosalie, this is madness. What are you doing? Calm down, breathe. He is no different from anyone else. He is no different from anyone else. He is no different from…

As much as I tried telling myself this, repeating it as I would a mantra during yoga, I knew I was wrong. Dear Lord in Heaven, why did you send me this torment? I slowly opened my eyes, expecting him to still be analyzing me from his seat further down the benches.

But I was wrong, he wasn't looking at me. In fact, he was looking at someone else, Viviane. I didn't understand what happened next. I was suddenly furious, my heart raced madly, my pupils dilated, and I felt the urge to wring her neck! What is this, what's wrong with me? Then I figured out what it was. I was jealous. That had never happened before. I had never felt the need. I had everything, all the guys I could ever want (even if I didn't want them), all the money I could ever need (my dad ran the biggest New England branch of Ford Automobiles), and all the friends I could ever want. Jealousy was a monster I didn't expect ever to encounter. Boy was I wrong.

He suddenly looked over, and, seeing my furious face, started smirking and shaking his head. Ooh, I did that make me even more mad. No one smirked at me. I did the smirking. It's what I do! Unable to hold myself in any longer, I did what I had to do to keep from hurling myself at the newcomer: I left. I grabbed my articles and escaped. Now where did I escape to? Where was the top secret sanctuary of Rosalie Gail Watson? Where did I go to cry and think things over?

The lavatory.

That is were I went while crying my eyes out. That is were I went while I cursed Lee to an eternity in the fires of hell. That is were I went…to reapply. My beauty is the only thing that I think is unique about me. It is what everyone remembers me by, the thing that attracts everyone to me. So, obviously, I take care of it.

When I am feeling depressed about my inability to connect with anyone, I am comforted by the fact that I am beautiful. It is my beauty that will keep me from being forgotten. My hair is long and blonde, with a few slight waves in the back. My eyes are a glowing light brown, often commented upon during the labors of the high school boys when they try to impress me. My lips are full and already have a natural red tint, without my having to add any lip stick. My cheekbones are set high in my perfect face. I'm not overly conceited, these attributes are just fact.

Was Hercules conceited when he said he was half a god? Was Achilles conceited when he said he could never be killed? Was Robin Hood conceited when he said he could win and archery contest? No, these are just facts that they have learned to cope with. Just as I have learned to understand my beauty.

After gathering myself up, I came up with some more facts:

1. There is finally someone I have met who I am completely unable to predict.

2. This same someone is also trying to figure me out…something I haven't even been able to do.

3. I have finally found myself attracted and interested in one specific person, naturally, the same specific person listed in numbers 1 and 2:

Lee

I had just exited the bathroom when the bell annoying church bell that signified the start of 5th period rang. I walked to my next class, English, and sat down in my normal seat in the middle of the classroom. I had just started to pull out my book when the door opened. I looked up, and found myself staring at beautiful, dark green eyes.

Blast! Of course it was just my luck that he would be in this class. Thank the stars that every seat around me was taken, leaving Lee to choose from the seats in the back. He chose to sit in my row, two seats behind me. Oh well, at least I wont have to worry about accidentally looking at him. The teacher, Mr. Lewis, set about introducing his lesson, and I tried to pay attention.

But I couldn't. In most books, there is usually a scene where the protagonist feels as if they are being watched, where they feel someone's eyes boring into them. I couldn't concentrate, because I felt that way now. I felt uneasy, but I didn't have to look around to know who it was. Even though I did look. A huge mistake.

I turned around in my seat to see if it truly was him that was giving me these shivers. Obviously it was, and, of course, once I looked at him, I was caught up in his eyes again. He stared at me too. Then, after what must have been a few minutes, he smiled and raised one eyebrow. I then heard a voice calling my name. I thought is was just my subconscious, until I felt the Mr. Lewis' pointer tap my shoulder.