"Leah! What are you doing? Rebuilding Rome in there?" I heard the voice of my best friend since kindergarten yell from behind my closed bedroom door.

I rolled my eyes at her comment as I finished tying my dark locks into a ponytail. Grabbing my backpack, I opened my bedroom door only to be met face to face with an frustrated dark blonde. She had her arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping away in aggravation.

"Aww, come on Kay." I said grabbing a hold of her arm and pulled her down the steps. "It's just another day of school."

"Another day of school?" She asked stopping half down the steps causing me to turn around and look at her. "Leah, this is our first day of senior year. One hundred and eighty days from now we will we graduating and going to college. And then you'll forget all about me when you make new college friends and meet hot guys. Then I'll be left alone to rot for all eternity."

Everybody, this is my best friend since kindergarten, Kayla Greyson. And yes she is very dramatic, but that's one of the many things I love about her.

"Kay, stop being overdramatic." I told her walking down the rest of the steps and straight into my kitchen. I heard her footsteps behind me.

Walking into the kitchen, I saw my mother pouring a cup of freshly brewed coffee. I love the smell of coffee, something about it is so soothing and homey. I snagged her cup off the counter and took a sip of the hot liquid. " Morning, mom." I greeted.

"Leah, there is literally a whole pot of coffee here. You can pour your own cup!" My mother scolded.

"But mom, your coffee is always the best." I told her sitting at the breakfast bar.

She just rolled her eyes and placed a plate of cinnamon toast in front of me. I could hear my stomach begging to be fed. Just as I was about to the grab the delicious slice of heaven, a hand reach forward and grabbed it off my plate.

"Good morning, Mrs. Tate." Kayla greeted with a mouth filled with my delicious toast.

"Morning, Kayla." My mother responded with a chuckle as I glare daggers into Kayla's head.

My mom placed another plate of toast in front of me. I automatically grabbed it and took a bite. "My stomach thanks you, mother."

She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. "Are you girls ready for your first day?"

"Yes!" Kayla exclaimed. "I have been waiting for senior year since kindergarten."

"It's just another school year." I added.

"It is not! This is the year we get apply to college, have fun and enjoy being seniors of the school." Kayla retorted.

I shrug my shoulders. "If you say so." I took another sip of the glorious coffee and looked down at my phone and almost choked. "Well if we want to make it on time for senior year, we need to leave now."

I stuffed the last piece of toast into my mouth as Kayla dragged me out of the house. "Come on!" I barely manage to grab my backpack.

"I'm coming! Jeez woman, calm down." We both got into Kayla's gray Toyota Camry. She pulled out of my driveway in record time and sped off towards our high school.

West Ridge High School, is what the sign read as soon a we pulled into the parking lot. Kayla parked the car in the first parking space she saw.

"Remind me to never get into a car with you again." I told her as I got out of the car. I was thankful to finally place my feet on the gravel.

"Hey! It wasn't that bad." Kayla defended herself.

"Kay, we literally ran two red lights and almost ran over an old woman!" I cried.

"Not my fault she was in the way." Kayla answered shrugging her shoulder.

"Unbelievable." I muttered as we made our way toward the entrance of the school.

Kayla threw her arm around my shoulders as we walked onto the main pathway filled with students, many were greeting each other after the summer break, others joking around and most comparing classes with their friends. "What class do you have first?"

"Pre-Calculus, unfortunately." I told her as we made our way up the stairs and into the double doors that lead in the main hallway. It was buzzing with students trying to find their classes.

"Ugh, math. At least we have three periods together and lunch." She said trying to brighten my mood. Did it work? Maybe just a little.

I looked at the time on my phone and gasp. " Kay, we have less than a minute to get to class!"

"Shit! I'll see you in second period!" She yelled as ran down the hall towards her classroom. I ran in the opposite direction and turned a corner of the hall and straight into the classroom right as the bell rung.

Everyone including the teacher looked at me weirdly causing my cheeks to warm up.

"Glad you made in time, take a seat." The teacher said. I nodded still embarrassed from my entrance. I scoped the classroom out to find a seat, there were two empty ones at the last row of the classroom towards the middle. I took the first seat and pulled out my notebook and pen just as the teacher started the lesson.

About ten minutes later, the classroom door opened and in waltz someone. That someone being Jace Emerson, the popular player and bad boy of the school. Of course. Shock to even see him come to class.

"Glad to see that you finally graced us with your presence, Mr. Emerson." The teacher spoke in a mocking tone.

"Anytime, Mr. Johnson." Jace answered.

"Just find a seat." Mr. Johnson said turning back to the lesson. Jace's hazel eyes scanned the classroom and landed on me. A smirk made it onto his lips as he made his way towards the only seat available.

I couldn't help my eyes from giving him a once over. No lie, this guy is hot. Muscular lean body, which you could see through his black t-shirt. Dark brown hair that is slightly tousled , hazel eyes that captivate you so easily, and a jawline so sharp I'm sure it could cut.

"Take a picture, it will last longer." He whispered pass my ear as he took his seat behind me causing a deep blush to fill my cheeks.

"Please, I've seen better." I said in a low tone for only him to hear without turning around, this only cause Jace to let out a deep low chuckle.

Class continued with the lesson, but I had a difficult time trying to pay attention as I could feel Jace's intense stare on my back. The bell finally rung ending class. I packed my things back into my backpack. Just as Jace left the classroom, he shot a smirk my way. He may be hot, but he is also cocky and that's a major turn off.

I exited out of the classroom and walked down the hallway. There was a lot of chattering going on. I wonder what that is all about?

"Leah!" I heard my name being called. Turning around I see my best friend making her way towards me. "Leah, did you hear?" She asked out of breath from walking her so fast.

"Hear what?" I asked. Before Kayla could answer, I heard my name being called from behind me.

I turned around to see who it was and was faced with someone I never though I would see again.

My childhood friend.

My first love.

The one who rejected me.

Nate Rylan.

*****