Author's Note ~ If you guys want longer stories, feel free to ask! And yes, we will publish more soon.

Summary: Before Jim picked up the amulet, before school started, before all of it, Jim attends a party for Toby, paving the path for his upcoming High School year. Gaining an enemy but also a love interest. Who knew someone could captivate him so easily?

Characters: Jim, Toby, Claire, Mary, Darci, Steve,

Captivated Heart

"Jim, come on!" Toby cried as he flopped onto Jim's couch, the lanky boy standing nearby, arms crossed as he raised an eyebrow at his friend's antics. "Do you have any idea what this could do for us!"

"Tobes, I'm sorry, I just don't see the point of going to some high school party. Especially because we don't know anybody." Toby's head appeared from the couch, scrambling to sit up.

"That's exactly my point, we're freshmen! We know nobody, if we go to this party, we can be the kings of the school! Be cool, popular, and get all the ladies! We will be awesome!"

Jim stared at his friend, knowing all too well that it wouldn't work like that, and if it did, it wouldn't be in their favor. As he gave no answer, Toby's face grew desperate and Jim struggled with his inner self. He loved his best friend, they had a bond and after his father left, Toby appeared, almost as if those clouds of grey had been replaced with sunshine.

He saw how eager his friend was, after all, he moved to Arcadia, grew up beside Jim, and moved through Middle School, unknown. It seemed like Toby wanted a fresh start as they began their high school career. The excitement on his face was pleasing but the thought of sitting at a party, awkward made Jim question if he really wanted to do this for Toby.

"I don't know," Jim started as Toby moved closer. "I mean, we're awkward, we never get invited to any of these things, and besides, what would my mom think? Having a party right before school starts?"

"You're mom works till dawn! She won't know, and we can change that awkwardness and go onto cool dudes in school!"

Jim chewed at his lip, he didn't think his mother would mind, however, using that as an excuse could have worked rather well if she didn't spend most of her nights at the hospital trying to make ends meet.

"Come on, Jimbo! Please, for me! Give me my chance!" He cried, giving the best puppy dog eyes he could muster. Jim stared, feeling the uncertainty bubbling within him before letting out a sigh.

"Fine!" Toby squealed, ready to tackle his tall friend in a hug. "Only for a little bit!"

"A little bit is all I need," Toby laughed excitedly, moving rather quickly to ready himself. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to look good." Jim couldn't help but smile as he watched his friend move up the stairs and towards the bathroom.

He hoped he did the right thing, he also prayed that the party wasn't as bad as he thought. He really didn't need any embarrassing moments. Yet, Toby was excited, and for now, that was all that mattered, perhaps Jim could push the bitter thoughts away and let Toby enjoy his night.

Maybe even stay a little longer if it didn't seem like a bad idea.

It was a bad idea.

Jim had lost Toby the moment they arrived, and while his friend was squealing in excitement, Jim was instantly a nervous wreck, watching as kids from all grades filled the house, sipping on their fruit punch and dancing wildly to the music that blasted through the speakers.

The house was rather big in size, however, how many people had crowded it to enjoy their last night of summer was unpleasing to Jim. He tried to keep up with Toby, to not stand alone in such an anxiety-rising place. Yet, they were separated instantly, losing his stout friend in the crowd while Jim was pushed around.

He eyed the platform of a staircase, it was cleared, minus those who climbed the steps in the hope of a bathroom break, or those who sat upon the staircase, having conversations with kids they either knew or were willing to meet.

Deciding that was the best place, Jim had pushed through the crowd, moving to the steps and standing on the platform, pressing himself against the corner of the wall. He was already feeling annoyed as people stared at him, but his mind went to Toby.

Where was he? Was he having a better time than Jim? After all, Jim was doing this for Toby, the boy wanted to be cooler, to make more friends in hopes to have a good High School experience, while Jim just wanted to pass and graduate to leave.

Jim never went to any sports-related events, and the dances seemed boring as his having no date would ruin the experience, and Jim didn't mind if he didn't have the exciting experience through high school. No after-school clubs, no parties, no games, no sports, no field trips unless forced.

He wasn't exactly sure why he didn't want to enjoy high school, just willing to leave so fast, perhaps it was a letdown, just like Middle School had been. He was fifteen, he hadn't had any experience with girls or even anything that would make him remotely cool. And besides, it was the same thing every day, no excitement and party was not something he didn't think would help.

He wasn't much in the eyes of other teenagers, so what point was it to try and live under a blanket of misery after constantly being rejected? Yet, he had to admire his only friend, despite many backfires, Toby still continued to push forward, hoping to make a name for himself. The comments only seemed to light a fire within him, but Jim couldn't have that kind of courage.

Speaking of courage, he wished he had been gifted with a little bit as his body had smacked into another, a field of blue covering his vision as he backed away slowly. He couldn't help but look at who he had rammed into.

The boy was tall, his torso and arms had been much thicker, perhaps due to exercising or playing for a sports team. The boy had golden locks of hair and clean attire, however, that was not Jim's focus.

It was the glare that the boy held.

"Watch where you're going, twig." He hissed and Jim couldn't help but recoil back. Twig?

"Sorry, my bad, I was-"

"Who cares!" The boy threw up his arms, interrupting Jim. "Listen, I'm the future king of the school, you understand, you better remember the name. Steve Palchuck, because now, you bow to me."

Jim tried not to scoff, he had to be joking. The boy, otherwise known as Steve seemed about his age, at the party the same reason Toby was set on coming. However, this is why Jim was willing to avoid such a place, and the fact that he had caught some attention from the crowd nearby, only irritated him much faster.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize there was a king of a school." Jim wasn't willing to put up with this. This wasn't middle school anymore. Besides, ditching this vast bully and leaving to never returned sounded much more pleasant, something Jim was willing to get to if he had just been ignored.

Steve grabbed Jim by the collar, "Who do you think you are?"

"I'm Jim Lake, someone not in the mood for this, I'm just trying to leave."

"Pfft, more like Jim Lame. Obviously, it's true, you are here by yourself and already trying to leave." Steve released the now crumpled color of Jim's sweater, the boy glaring daggers as he readjusted himself.

"It's not your problem. Now if you excuse me," Jim stated, shoving passed the blonde and targeting his friend, hoping to make a quick exit from this horror of a place. He didn't bother to look back at Steve, deciding to leave him be while Jim worked on his newfound task.

"Just you wait, Jim Lame, you messed with the wrong man! No one defies me!" Steve yelled, the black-haired boy not even bothering to pay attention as he dispersed in the crowd.

Parties sucked.

Claire clutched her cup against her, gently moving through the wave of people as she tried not to spill. Her nervousness had died a while ago, however, nothing here was graceful so her keeping a distance till she had moved to her friends in the center of the room was rather pleasant.

She had just moved to Arcadia two weeks ago, reasons on her father had a job transfer, after getting promoted, he had given the blessed news. Her mother didn't seem too fond as her reputation had already been built in their hometown, however, she stated a fresh start could be a bit of an excitement.

Especially she could use the pregnancy for her own benefit now.

Yes, her mother was pregnant. She was due in a month or two, boasting on how she was excited to have a boy, already had half the town at her feet, sucking up the attention all for the baby bump she supported.

Claire had to scoff, her mother only cared for herself and a simple reputation, while Claire begged to stay, liking where she had been, it was decided after her simple-minded mother thought about a fresh look.

Now, Claire felt as if she had the world on her shoulders, as school started in a couple of days, she still had no idea how to get around, the community, or even her future classmates. That was until she decided to get out of the house, her mother constantly over her shoulders to prepare for the new arrival and school.

Claire couldn't take it, she ran from the house and stumbled on the news about a party. Of course, she had to go, hopefully, to blow off steam and figure out her way around town. After all, Claire was decent at making some friends.

And speaking of friends...

She had just met two girls who seemed excited to meet her, already updating her on normal teenage gossip, even the hot spots around Arcadia. Now, Claire had been nearing the two, their names fresh on her mind as she smiled at them, the two waving her over.

"Girl, we were so worried, you've been at the punch bowl for ten minutes!" Darci stated.

"Did you meet any hot guys!" Mary giggled and Claire couldn't help but chuckle. She had just met the two but already had their personalities down.

"No, none that catch my eye. Have you met any?" Claire teased.

"Oh, of course, there's this guy, his name is Hank. He wears tight jeans."

"Ew, who wears such tight jeans? And isn't he going to the rival school?" Darci scoffed lightly.

"Yeah, I like a little challenge." Mary laughed as Claire smiled, her eyes flickering around the room. She watched as everyone enjoyed their time, however, a small figure was making their way toward them, wearing a confident smile.

"Hello, ladies." The boy started, the trio turning to face him with confusion. "My name is Toby, I figured I come and introduce myself."

Claire was ready to respond, smiling, however, Mary was the first to speak. "Oh, my. Toby, how many times have I told you, I am not interested."

"What? I know that Mary, like many times I was not flirting with you during middle school, I was just coming to say hi to the new face." He gestured to Claire, making the young girl smile. It was nice that some people were willing to make her feel comfortable.

"Nice to meet you, I just moved here." Claire started just as a blonde brute pushed his way into Toby, shoving the pudgy boy to the side.

"Did I hear you just moved here? Well, your future king is here, ready to show you around. I'm Steve."

"Uh, excuse me. I was standing there." Toby hissed out, making Steve tower over him, a fierce glare on his face.

"Who did you say you were again? Tubby, well get lost, loser. Go hang with Eli over there." Toby's eyes widened as he looked in the direction Steve had pointed to, a young boy going up to a group of people and spewing tons of facts that no one seemed to find interesting.

"Rude," Toby scoffed as he turned to face Steve.

"I am about to make your life miserable, I suggest you stay quiet." The bully spoke as Claire stared at the two, eyes wide as she grew unsure how to act. Beside her, Darci had simply been watching while Mary pulled out her phone, instantly hitting record.

"I am going to be the most trending person, I can't wait to post this," Mary mumbled as Claire kept her shocked look. She had never witnessed a fight, and she grew unsure of how to act in such a predicament.

"Or you can leave him alone," a voice spoke, the group whipping their head to a tall boy, dressed in a blue sweater. Claire stared him down, studying him as if he was crazy.

"Oh, it's Lame again. Don't tell me he's your friend." Steve scoffed, shoving Toby to the side. "Actually, that makes total sense, tormenting both of you would be easier."

Jim balled his fists, trying to hide the shaking fear as he stood up to the larger boy. "He is and I'm proud of it, why don't you go find someone else to pick on because we aren't staying here anymore. Come on, Tobes."

"Yeah, he's proud to be my friend!" Toby hissed at Steve before Jim gripped his arm, dragging him through the crowd as Steve raised his fist, yelling after them.

"I will find you and I will end you both!" Toby scoffed as he heard the bully yell, glancing at Jim as he stopped in the wave of people.

"Well, not how I expected that to go."

"Yeah, can we just leave, I don't want to deal with him anymore," Jim mentioned, glancing back at Steve, just as his eyes landed on a brown-haired girl, standing quietly beside Mary and Darci. It was as if the world stopped and his body froze.

The sound around him drowned out as he could barely blink, her soft brown eyes scanning the room as she tried to ignore Steve panic rose in his throat as her eyes locked on him, his face growing red as she smiled slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

His heart thumped wildly as she waved gently, Mary glancing at Claire when she made the gesture, thankfully, Steve had walked away, leaving the moment to Jim as he stared. He felt as if he was dying, his heart seeming to stop altogether as his palms felt clammy.

Beside him, Toby had been glancing between the two as his chubby finger poked Jim in the ribs, knocking the boy from his trance and whipping his head toward his friend.

"Dude, I lost you there for a moment."

"Sorry-I was..I-I.."

"Whoa, you're stuttering. Did the new girl do something to you that I don't know about?"

"New girl?"

"Yeah, she's new to town." Toby suddenly gasped, "are you in love?"

"What-what?"

"Oh, my gosh! You have a crush on somebody! That's so great! Let's go back and talk to her." Toby stated, ready to grip his friend's wrist and pull him over but Jim quickly stopped him, growing nervous.

"No, Toby, don't. I can't, not yet."

"What, why not?"

"I don't know, I don't think I can do it. How am I supposed to speak to her? I will embarrass myself. Besides, she is talking to Mary, I have to wait."

Toby scoffed playfully, "Alright dude. Aren't you glad you came, look at that, you're in love."

"Uh, yeah," Jim mumbled, struggling to tear his eyes off the young woman as Toby dragged him toward the door, laughing as Jim's feet stumbled on the floor.

As the duo left, Claire had watched them, head tilted slightly at the tall boy as he stared her down, mouth hanging slightly open. She had never met him, and never caught his name after he left, once he confronted Steve.

He seemed nice compared to Steve, standing up for a friend and that made her realize getting to know him wouldn't be an issue but the confidence she had wasn't much.

"Oh, my gosh. Jim was totally fascinated with you." Mary started, knocking Claire out of her thoughts.

"I'm sorry?"

"Jim, he looked like he was ready to drop at your feet."

"You mean like-?"

"In love," Darci teased. "For sure."

"Don't worry, girl. At least it's not Eli. I'm not going to lie, Jim is eye candy, for sure. He's a nice boy but rarely talks. He's a little weird, but I guess we can look past that once we go to your wedding," Mary teased as Claire's face flushed.

"Mary! We won't be getting married."

"You never know," she teased. "Come on, let me introduce you to more people." Mary stated, "I'm like queen bee around here."

Claire smiled, looking back at where the boy once was, finding the spot empty and her smile grew.

Maybe Arcadia wouldn't be so bad. Who knew what adventures waited for her.