In my dream it was pitch black dark, except for one glowing object ahead of me. I looked closer and found that the object was the back of Layla walking away from me, leaving me in the nothingness. I tried walking, jogging, sprinting, but I could get no closer to her. I tried saying, calling, shouting her name, but she never turned back to me. On top of this the incredible urge to touch her, kiss her, anything was multiplied. It was unbearable. After what seemed like an eternity of this, I would wake up, unsatisfied and deeply troubled.

Unsurprisingly, my accident was quickly old news and I happily went back to blending into the background. My small group of friends, however, wouldn't drop it. Jesse, Michelle, Erica, they constantly buzzed about something related to my stupid fall. And none of them forgot who had rescued me. I tried to change the focus whenever her name came up, saying anyone would have dove in after me, but there was no way I could know if that was true. They went on and on about how she must like me or something, because she would never help someone the way she did normally. Every time this was mentioned I quickly shut down the conversation. I told them there was no way. I was right, of course, and there was no point in getting my already highly delusional expectations up.

No one ever said anything to Layla herself about the incident. Everyone avoided the Kelbys as usual. They stayed together, sat at the same table at lunch together as usual, and went back to completely ignoring me.

When she sat on the edge of her seat next to me in Biology, she seemed totally oblivious to my presence. She gave herself away though when she occasionally tightened her fists into white balls. I got used to it. I simply came to the conclusion that she regretted saving me.

I wanted to talk to her so badly; I tried the day after the incident. None of my questions had been answered and I was still pretending like she had been standing next to me the entire time. Added to this was my delayed sense of gratitude. She had saved my life after all.

She was already sitting down in Biology when I walked in and sat down, murmuring a polite hello. She turned her head as minimally as possible in my direction, and that was it. That was the extent of our conversation for weeks. She sat a foot away from me every day, her scent emanating from her fiery hair, close enough to touch, yet I only watched. I couldn't help myself. And as I watched, every day her electric blue eyes slowly darkened. They didn't dim; even when they were close to navy blue they kept their spark. I didn't let her see me staring though. I was painfully miserable. And the dreams wouldn't stop.

My dad noticed my depression through my emails and tried to call a few times. I refused to tell the real reason of my dejection. I made something up about Betsy or the ever-smoldering weather.

Michelle was obviously pleased with Layla and my silence with each other. She became even more confident and chatty, sitting on my desk in the beginning of Biology popping out her hip. I think she was trying to be attractive, but it was lost to me.

One day while we walked to class Jesse brought up the upcoming spring dance. Like so many other things, this made me cringe. I couldn't dance and I didn't have anyone who wanted to go with me anyway. Jesse asked me if he could ask Michelle, and I almost laughed. I assured him I wasn't going to ask her, or go at all for that matter. He acted like I was crazy for not liking Michelle that way but I couldn't understand why he did. I wished him luck anyway.

The next day Jesse surprised me by being completely silent all day. I tried to joke with him, to get him to crack a smile or something, but he didn't respond. I was afraid to ask what was wrong for fear that Michelle had turned him down. If he really thought that Michelle and I liked each other, he would never tell me he had been rejected.

My thoughts were confirmed during lunch, when they sat as far from each other as possible. Then before Biology started when Michelle told me Jesse has asked her out.

"That's great, Michelle," I tried to sound enthusiastic.

"Well… I didn't exactly say yes…" she sounded like she was waiting for something.

"Why not? I think he really likes you," this time I had a disapproving hint.

Her cheeks turned hot pink. "I thought maybe… you were planning on asking me." This stopped me. I felt a rush of guilt take over my stomach, but quickly forgot the feeling when I saw Layla tilt her head the tiniest bit towards me.

"Michelle, you should tell Jesse yes." I said strongly.

"Did you already ask someone?" she looked like she might cry, but her eyes flashed towards Layla before returning to mine.

"No, I didn't. I'm not going at all." I assured her quickly. She demanded to know why and I couldn't admit that my dancing was the only reason in front of this… audience.

"Uh, I'm going to Sacramento that Saturday," I made up on the spot. I've never been a good liar but I almost believed myself. And I needed to get out of L.A. anyway, so why not?

"Can't you do that some other time?" she looked desperate.

"Nope. So don't make Jesse wait any longer. He likes you a lot."

"Yeah… I guess so…" she mumbled and turned away to find her own seat. I put my head down and closed my eyes, sighing. Jesse and Michelle would be good together. Not that that dissolved any of my guilt. Soon Mr. Banner started talking and I pushed my head back up.

And after weeks of nothing, Layla was staring at me with curiosity and frustration just like before, with her now nearly black eyes. I stared right back, surprised and waiting for her usual quick turn away, but she just kept gazing into my eyes, searching for something I didn't think I could give her. There was no way I could turn my eyes away from her though. My hands started to sweat and made a loud clammy noise against my desk. Damn it.

The teacher repeated the question that I hadn't heard, waiting for Layla to answer. She reluctantly pulled her eyes away from mine and gave it to him. I nearly collapsed onto my desk. I wiped my wet palms on my jeans and flipped the page of my book, searching for my place without success. I moved my curls to the side of my face again like I had before and tried to make myself as small as possible. I was ashamed of myself for the rush of uncontrollable emotion just from eye contact with her. I had seen pretty girls before! I had to find some way to break her hold on me. It was completely tragic and couldn't be healthy.

I tried desperately and unsuccessfully to ignore her for the rest of class, then just tried to make her think I was ignoring her. The bell finally rang and I, as quickly as possible without dropping something, scooped up my books. I expected her to dash out like usual, but she didn't.

"Dan?" Her melodic voice shouldn't have been so familiar and it shouldn't have made me want to fall on the floor in relief. But, of course, it did. I turned slowly, not wanting to get lost in her eyes once again but knowing it was impossible to avoid. I didn't want to feel the attachment that I knew would be there. I know my expression was weary when my eyes finally met hers; her expression however was unreadable as usual. She didn't say anything else.

"Oh, so you're talking to me now?" I finally asked, not caring about my tone.

She tried not to smile. "No, not really," she admitted.

This just made me more angry and tired. I gritted my teeth, temper rearing. "Then what exactly do you want with me, Layla?" my teeth stayed gritted. It was easier to hold my anger this way.

"I'm sorry." She sounded sincere. "I suppose I am being somewhat rude, but it's better this way, really."

I let my jaw relax. She was serious. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It's better if we're not friends," she explained, still sincere. "Trust me."

My anger exploded. I'd heard that from way too many girls in my life.

"It's too bad you had to wait until now to come to that conclusion, you could have saved yourself all this time and regret."

"Regret?" for once since I had met her, she was caught off guard. "What regret?"

"Regret for ever coming near me or that stupid pool."

She was shocked. She stared at me speechlessly. When she finally found words, she was almost angry. "You think I regret saving your life?"

"Obviously!" I snapped back.

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Yep. She was definitely angry. I didn't care anymore though. I sharply turned my back to her, clenched my jaw again to avoid saying anything I'd regret, then stood and paced to the door. I meant to stomp, strong and manly and pointedly, but of course I tripped over the stupid threshold and dropped all my books. Not only dropped, but sprawled over the entire entryway. I debated leaving them there for my own dignity, but sighed and bent to pick them up. Layla had already crouched and picked them all up in a pile. She handed them to me, her face hard.

"Thanks." I spat out.

Her face got harder. "You're welcome." She said just as vehemently.

I turned from her and made my way quickly to Gym, not falling this time. Gym was a nightmare, as usual. Especially today considering my mind was full of Layla. I survived though, and practically sprinted out when it was over.

I almost ran to my pretty car, trying my hardest to avoid everyone. I almost had a stroke when a girlish figure was leaning against the side of my car. Then I realized it was just Erica. I started breathing again.

"Hey, Erica," I said.

"Hi, Dan."

"What's up?" I said, unlocking the door. I wasn't paying attention so I didn't hear the anxious edge to her voice, and her next words completely knocked me off guard.

"Uh… I just wanted to know if… you wanted to go to the dance with me?" her voice was very weak. So I was completely wrong about the finding a date part of not going to the dance.

"Doesn't the guy usually ask the girl?" I said, rather rudely, but I was still in shock.

"Generally," she admitted quietly, embarrassed.

I fed her my excuse about Sacramento politely, trying to get rid of her as quickly as possible.

"Oh, well okay, maybe next time." She tried to smile. I agreed with a smile of my own, and she was gone. I hoped she didn't take that too literally. Just then I heard a light giggle.

Layla was gracefully walking past the front of my car, eyes straightforward, pink lips pressed together. I nearly ripped the handle off of the door trying to get in, slamming it loudly after me. I started the purring engine as fast as I could and pulled out into the aisle. Layla was already in her car, two spaces down, sliding smoothly out in front of me, cutting me off. She stopped there, waiting for her family. I looked for them, and found them way down by the cafeteria. This would take forever. I seriously considered taking out her back fender but there were too many witnesses. I sat there for a while, AC blowing in my face, headache starting to form. Finally I watched as Addison, Raelle, Ethan, Jackson, Erin, and Enton piled into Layla's and another car. In her rearview mirror, Layla's eyes were on me. I revved the engine uncomfortably, really wanting to press the gas. But they were all in, and Layla was speeding away. It was incredible how even her car was graceful. I drove home as fast as possible, a little carelessly, rubbing my throbbing temple the whole way.

I got home and made Nadia and I chicken enchiladas for dinner. It was a long process, meaning it would keep me busy for a while. During my vegetable chopping Jesse called happily, telling me Michelle had finally accepted. We talked about other people and couple suggestions for a few minutes, and then he had to go call someone else.

I concentrated on dinner, but hard as I tried I couldn't keep my mind from analyzing every word Layla's soft mouth had spoken today. What did she mean, it was better if we weren't friends?

My gut wrenched as I realized what she had to mean. She must have seen how absorbed I was by her; she must be creeped out and not want to lead me on, she wanted to cut all ties so we couldn't even be friends… because she wasn't interested in me at all.

Of course she wasn't interested in me, I thought angrily. Angrier at myself for thinking she ever could be than her for not being interested. I was in no way interesting. And she was. Incredibly interesting and alluring and beautiful and perfect.

Fine, then. I could leave her alone. I could completely ignore her, if I worked at it. I would get through the rest of my horrible high school years then go somewhere lush and wet for college. I was stupid for coming here and it was becoming more and more obvious. I finished the enchiladas and put them in the oven.

Nadia came in cheerfully with a laundry basket under one arm, humming quietly. She sat down and we enjoyed dinner together, our new habit.

"Hey Nadia, a week from Saturday I'm going to Sacramento, if that's okay with you and Betsy. Okay?" I didn't exactly ask for permission, but then she wasn't technically my parent.

"It's fine with me and I'm sure Betsy will be okay. Why though?" she responded easily.

"I wanted to look for a few special books. Maybe some different clothes since mine don't really suit this weather." I was only spending money on food so Betsy's allowance was burning a hole in my pocket.

"Okay, but does that mean you're missing the dance?" she asked suspiciously. Of course she had to ask.

"Actually I'm not going. I can't dance." I said reluctantly.

"That's nonsense. Everyone can dance. But okay." And she dropped it.

The next morning I pulled into the parking lot and, without knowing I was doing it, parked as close to Layla and her siblings' cars as possible. I only realized this once I was out of my car. I leaned against it and signed, cursing myself for being so infatuated and running my hands through my dark curls as a force of habit. When I opened my eyes again I had dropped my keys. As I bent down to get then, a long delicate white hand flashed out and snatched it before I could. I whipped upright. Layla Kelby was right next to me, one arm extended to my car, her graceful body stretched in front of me. She put the sleek lines of my gorgeous sports car to shame.

"How do you do that?" I asked in awe, also irritation with myself for staring for such a long time.

"Do what?" She dangled my keys in front of me as she spoke. I grabbed them quickly.

"Appear out of thin air."

She smiled slowly, as if she had a secret. "Dan, I don't know what you're talking about. But your tendency to follow me probably helps." Her voice was quiet, but rich and seductive.

I felt my eyebrows furrow at her perfect face. Her eyes were lighter again today, an extremely vivid cobalt blue that seemed on fire. Then I had to look away, back at my car, to reassemble my thoughts.

"Why did you block me in yesterday? In this massive parking lot there are much better ways to get out, especially when you're supposed to be pretending I don't exist." I kept my eyes away from hers.

"Oh I was just giving anyone else the chance to ask you to the dance." She smiled devilishly. I almost gasped, but this time I remained calm.

"Ah. How nice of you." The sarcasm was ridiculous. She expected the blow up, but kept on anyway.

"And I'm not pretending you don't exist," she continued.

"So… irritation? That's your goal? Just annoy me to death? Since the pool incident didn't do the job?"

Anger flashed in her shocking eyes. Her pink lips pressed into a thin line, all humor gone from her face.

"Dan, you are completely out of line," she said, her quiet voice cold.

I wanted to scream, to yell that she was the one being absurd, with her changing moods and indecision on how to treat me. And she had the nerve to doubt my sanity? I decided to stop humoring her and walk away.

"Wait," she called. I kept walking, wanting her to work for once. But in an instant she was next to me, easily keeping pace with my long legs.

"I'm sorry, that was rude," she said as we walked. I ignored her. "I'm not saying it isn't true, but it was rude to say anyway." She continued to me.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I grumbled, knowing that I would really hate if she actually did.

"I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me," she laughed quietly. She seemed to have her humor back.

"Do you have multiple personality disorder?" I asked critically.

"There you go again!"

I sighed. "Fine. What is it?"

"I was wondering if, a week from Saturday- the day of the spring dance, you know-"

"Do you think that's funny?" I cut in, finally stopping and wheeling around toward her. The blazing sun struck straight in my green eyes as I stared back at her.

Her eyes were extremely amused. "Will you please let me finish?"

I closed my eyes and ran my fingers through my hair, showing her I was listening.

"I heard you say you were going to Sacramento that day, and I was wondering if you wanted a ride."

Uhh.

"A ride?"

"Yes, Dan."

"With?" I was seriously confused.

"With me, Dan! Obviously!" She was exasperated. But I was still stunned.

"Why?"

"Well, I was planning on going to Sacramento in the next few weeks, and, to be honest, I'm not sure you could survive in that car in that city."

I was offended at her accusation, but also flattered and excited at the idea of spending an entire day alone with her close by me. My mind whirled at the thought of the things we could do together, exactly how close we could get. But I had to play it cool. I had no idea what my face looked like, probably something stupid, so I had to recover.

"Honestly, Layla." I felt my chest swell at the sound of her name on my tongue, and I hated how much I loved it. "I can't keep up with you. I thought you didn't want to be my friend." I felt myself start to flirt.

"I said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be." She smiled up to me slyly.

"Oh, thanks, now that's all cleared up." I tried to sound sarcastic but it was lost when I couldn't help but smile back down to her. We were looking straight into each others' eyes, which certainly didn't help my clarity of thought.

"It would be more… prudent for you not to be my friend," she explained. "But I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Dan."

Her eyes were gloriously intense as she uttered that last sentence, her voice smoldering. I felt the wind push out of me and for a minute I couldn't remember how to breathe. She seemed to like my reaction.

"So will you go with me to Sacramento?" she asked, still just as intense. I couldn't quite speak yet, so I just grinned and nodded as confidently as possible.

She smiled wider for a moment, and then her face became serious.

"You really should stay away from me," she warned. After she said this she shifted upwards into me, her eyes moving from my eyes to my lips. My eyes were level with her forehead and her scent hit me like a punch in the face. She looked as if she were seriously considering how my lips would taste, then decided against it and moved back. I would have paid a million dollars to keep her that close to me.

Once she regained her bearings she said "I'll see you in class."

She turned abruptly and walked back the way she came.