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Chapter One

My twenty-first birthday had started like any other day I awoke alone The house was deserted No doubt, one ho, dark hair until it lay sht downto wear for the day I decided on a white fitted t-shirt and blue jean shorts It would be warain, as was usual in Florida, so I slipped on a pair of brown sandals

The high school bus pulled up out front and I sat in the garage waiting for it to leave andstuck behind it with all of the other kids pointing and laughing at me out of the backOnce I was sure the coast was clear I backed out of the garage in my beat up white Rabbit

I turned on the radio and plugged my iphone into the tape deck adapter, and listened to Mozart the entire drive Classical e I never felt like I fit in People treated an just before high school graduation The truth was I would have given anything to be back there

I pulled into the gy it close but I did not honestly care My grades were perfect and I could have a 40 without ever attending Unfortunately, if I did not show up an my day with a workout I slinked into the locker rooy black shorts

Forty-five airls from a sorority, to which I still do not know the rules My teaed back into my normal clothes and headed across the campus to my first class

Everything before lunch becas I had long learned I sat alone at the end of a big long table in the cafeteria and nibbled at raduate and ree I would be forced to stay in this town and work a low budget job for the rest of my existence

I grabbed rab otten By the ti for the teacher to speak I slinked in and kept my head low as I headed to the back of the classroom I slipped into my desk and looked to the front of the class

“Now that we’re all here I’d like to introduce myself Ms Gibbs will be out for a few months for medical issues My nah to pull off the ‘just out of bed’ look His eyes were a piercing blue that ed his muscular chest perfectly The top button was undone and you could see a white wife-beater below and dark wash jeans He was a lot younger than most of our teachers He looked to be in his late twenties but he had the confidence of so on his every word When he licked his lips, a collective gasp was heard throughout the room

When the bell rang ered until Mr Honorto their next period

“You, co at athered my books and walked up between the desks to hi back casually on the top of his desk and twirling a ruler in his hand

“Yes?” I asked, the words coh pitched than I intended

“What is your name?” he asked and for a moment, I could not reled to have a coherent thought

“Emma Emma Townsend” I blurted out when it finally caiven up I did not kno ave out from nerves

“Eue and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard “Please try to make it to class on time Lateness will not be tolerated Next time there will be consequences” He said as he continued to spin the ruler in his hand I was mesmerized

“Yes, Sir” I replied with a hint of sarcas back a smirk

“Get to class Ms Townsend” His eyes locked onto mine I was not sure what to say so I turned on my heel and made my way to my next class The rest of the day flew by in a daze All I could think about was Mr Honor I wondered what his first na anyone Not that it mattered I was a social pariah in this school Part of that was et to know anyone By the time I had finished my classes, I did not even knohat any of our teachers had said

When I got ho on the stove

“That s I had not eaten very much today

“Food is in the fridge Make yourself so” She replied coldly I rolled my eyes and went back the hall toon hts alent back to him When the house fell silent, I went to the kitchen to fixto eat My Aunt had left food and dirty dishes strewn about the countertops, so I set to cleaning beforemyself dinner Once the dishwasher was loaded and the counters wiped off, I hetti and sat on the couch to read a roreat escape from reality Unfortunately, all I could picture was Mr Honor when it ca love scene so I put my book away and opted for reality television instead

Chapter Two