Lily Dwyer

The day started very differently than how it ended.

To begin with, my constant followers were growing more loyal by the minute, and not at all less annoying. The aggravation was threatening to overthrow my generally kind attitude towards the rest of the world. In fact, I was considering sending an anonymous death threat to one of them, perhaps that annoying Silvia Matthews. On top of them, Peter and Ethan were in my way whenever I needed to accomplish anything, meaning that I'd likely have to do something about them soon.

In fact, the whole school was beginning to feel like a prison to me. The release was none too pleasant, either. One minute, I was sitting in class, listening to one of my teachers speaking in their droning voices, the next I was lying in my bed at night, crying myself to sleep. Life in Phoenix had been wonderful. I had been popular. I had been dating a member of the football team. I had had everything that I needed. But now everything was different.

The classes I had selected were none too enjoyable either, with teachers often calling upon me when my mind was wandering and the wrong answer was written on my page. In truth, this was all probably due to my lack of sleep. And why was I so deprived of sleep? Strangely, it was not because my mother was gone, that my father found me a subject to avoid. It was because thoughts of Ryan Hale refused to leave me. At every opportunity I got to rest or relax, the mysterious golden-eyed boy returned to my mind. Even though I was determined to remain cold in his presence and hide what I really felt for him, it was hard not to desire him so much when I was alone.

When lunch finally rolled around, I had already chosen to either ignore Ryan or take out my anger and annoyance on him when I saw him. The feelings I was experiencing for him… Well, they were nothing short of ridiculous. If I reminded myself that he was just another one of the small-town Forks kids, like the ones that bothered me so much, just like Peter Jacobs and Silvia Matthews. Perhaps a different type of nobody, but a nobody none the less, especially in the eyes of a Phoenix girl like me. He wasn't worth my attention.

Besides, nothing could ever come of my useless crush on him. Who knows, we might even date. But even if we did, what could come of it? I would return to Phoenix at the first chance I got. I would try to go to university close to home, but if I couldn't, I'd just get a job in Phoenix. I could stay with my grandmother for a while, until I could afford an apartment of my own. Then I would start my life.

When I glanced at Ryan's table, I was reminded once again of the mystery that had originally interested me in him, forgetting my plans for the future for a moment. Ryan's Edmond and Rachel looked quite similar to my sister's brother- and sister-in-law Rosalie and Emmett, but it meant little to be now. My fascination with the similarities between the two couples seemed like nothing more than the roots to an annoying crush now, a crush that I wanted to rid myself of once and for all. Forks was small, after all. It was probably a part of the same Hales that had once known my sister, but they were probably too distant to remember Bella.

For the first time since I had arrived in Forks, I wanted to prolong my time with the annoying students of Forks High in the cafeteria. Silvia was at my side as she always was, but it didn't really matter to me. Because as soon as it ended, I'd be in Math class once again. And that would mean sitting with Ryan Hale at my side for an hour, without being able to say a word for fear of giving something away. The fact that I hadn't said anything to make him think that I liked him so far was amazing enough. I'd have to keep up the charade.

Unfortunately, the bell soon rang. Most of the group of my followers left, leaving very few people, including Peter. I hurried to the Math room, although I knew that I wasn't going to enjoy it. Because soon I was sitting in the class, surrounded by my classmates. And even though this annoyed me, the worst part of it was the person at my side. Instead of feeling the annoyance and anger that I had so carefully planned out, my feelings only strengthened. I had hoped to banish them, but they were back, and stronger than ever.

The class passed ever so slowly, although it barely seemed like a class, since I barely heard a word my teacher uttered. I was constantly overwhelmed with the feeling that Ryan was watching me, but whenever I checked on him, his eyes were firmly locked on the board. I must have been mistaken, it seemed like his eyes were flicking quickly back to the board when I looked at him. It was certainly wishful thinking on my part.

At least, the bell rang, signaling the end of my least favourite class of the day. I felt more relief than ever before, realizing that Ryan would be leaving me alone for the rest of the day. The endless silent abyss was finally going to leave me at peace, and I would be going to Gym. It was by far my favourite class in Forks High.

I changed into my uniform quickly, unwilling to waste a moment of the precious time I had in this class. While the other girls lounged around the change room, I rushed out into the Gym. Although it was still raining—when did it ever stop?—the teacher instructed us to go outside. There was no baseball diamond, so three separate games spread out across the field.

The baseball bat was slippery in my hand and the ground mud beneath my feet, but it was still surprisingly enjoyable. When I first made my way up to the plate and the ball came whizzing at me, a rush of adrenaline passed through me. The cold rain had sharpened the world around me. My bat connected easily with the ball, sending it flying. This was what I lived for.

It was surprising how easily I had forgotten how much this relieved me. The rush of adrenaline enabled me to take out all of my aggression and frustration. As I stomped the ground as I ran to first base, there was finally some relief. If not for all of this, I'd still be at home. Then again, back at home, we wouldn't be playing baseball.

Of course, Gym did somehow find a way to pass by very slowly. Baseball games continued just as they had yesterday, but it was difficult to concentrate. Only the adrenaline of hitting the ball and running to first base drove away thoughts of Ryan. He might not have shared this class with me, but that was not to say that I was not thinking of him every second that I was there. It seemed like there was little more than a moment of peace left in my life where thoughts of the mysterious golden-eyed boy did not plague me.

Somehow, thoughts of Ryan Hale left me while I played. Although very few moments of my life did not seem to center around the golden-eyed boy these days, this was one of them.

When I finally got to the end of the day, I was preparing to leave on my own. Walking would be dull, with the constant cover of clouds shielding me from any comforting sunlight, but at least it would mark the end to my day. Soon, I'd surely have to get myself a job to hopefully get myself a car. It might be hard to acquire job in such a small town, though. My old job as a waitress at a diner had been none too glamorous, but at least it was something.

My thoughts were still focused on a job when my walk was interrupted. Of course, he had probably been following me for a long time. But I was finally caught up with something other than Ryan, and it wasn't something that I was letting go of very easily. Of course, when he grabbed my arm to stop me, it was difficult not to think about him.

"Hey, Lily," Ryan said, smiling at me in greeting. It was hard not to forget about my grudge when he smiled at me. "Do you think that you might want a ride home?"

I looked at him, trying desperately not to get lost in his topaz eyes. Normally, I would try to ignore him. But there was a storm brewing, I reasoned. It would be stupid to walk home in so much rain, not to mention the thunder and lightning in a town with so many trees. "Sure. Why not."

Ryan smiled again, erasing any doubts from my mind. To my delight, he led me to his car, helping me into the passenger's seat. My previous visit to the car had left much to be noticed. It was bigger than I remembered, and certainly more impressive. Newer and more expensive than other cars I was used to in Forks, the shiny new car stood up to even those in Phoenix.

"How did you afford this?" I asked absently, trying to make light conversation, although it did amaze me that someone who had to live in Forks could afford such a nice car.

Ryan chuckled lightly. "My parents felt pretty guilty about leaving me alone with Rachel and Edmond in such a small, gloomy town. They have a fair amount of money, so they gave me this as an apology, I guess. They're not too good with words, my parents."

Now sitting in the driver's seat, Ryan brought the car to life. The engine was quieter, but surely stronger than the one I had heard from Kyra's car. He certainly drove faster than I had cared to notice the previous time I had been there. "So, why the sudden offer?" I asked feverishly, trying desperately to dilute my attention from the road.

"To drive you home? It just didn't seem very fair that you have to walk home on your own," Ryan replied cheerily. "Besides, I heard that there was a storm on the way. A lot of trees fall down in Forks in storms like this—much more than those in Phoenix, I suspect—and I didn't really like the idea of you walking home in that." He paused, seeming to consider something. Then, ever so softly, he said, "Why? Is there another reason I should have picked you up?"

He turned to look at me, but the fact that he wasn't concentrated on the road didn't bother me at all. Ryan's golden eyes were even harder to resist now. His whole face was tempting me. Even if he was driving the car, there was suddenly nothing more that I wanted to do than kiss him…

I might never have gotten up the courage to do it on my own, but I guess I'll never know. Because in an instant, Ryan had leaned forward, taking the back of my head in his free hand, and kissed me.