Desire, Fate, & Love

High school. The proving ground of teenagers. You either made it big, or you fell to the very bottom. Very few people lived in the middle. I was one of those people. At school, I was basically invisible and I liked it that way. I was far too shy to branch out of my small group of friends. I never joined any clubs or teams. Now I am finally a senior. A few days from being 18 and one school year away from leaving all this behind me. Currently, I was eating lunch in my favorite spot. It was a secluded tree at the back of the playground. Remnants of when the school used to be for much younger kids. No one came out here and that's why I liked it. Today, though, on one of the old swings I saw a boy. Not just any boy though, Rhys Scott. He was on the track team and one of the most sought-after boys in school. He had dated the best but had never settled on one girl. I peeked around the tree, watching him for a few minutes as he quietly swung slightly back and forth. He never once glanced my way. I knew he was older than me though. He started late and had just turned 19 before school started. As lunch neared its end, I collected my things but when I got up to leave he had vanished. I looked for his retreating back but I didn't see it despite the distance. Though he was on the track team, I wasn't overly surprised. The next day, I returned to my usual spot. This time Rhys was there ahead of me. I paid him no mind as I walked to my tree despite feeling his eyes follow me. I felt my cheeks turn a slight red and was happy he couldn't see me blushing from that distance. When I glanced over to see if he really was staring, I saw he was walking over. I buried my head in my food and pretended I wasn't there. "Hey." His smooth, deep voice made me jump slightly. I nodded quickly but didn't look up at him, hoping he would get the message. "You're Lily, right? Lily White?" I felt the panic swell in my chest. How did he know my name? I looked up to find him leaning against the tree hovering over where I sat on the ground. He smirked with boyish charm and leaned forward, causing his shadow to fall over me. I had never been so close to him before. His bright green eyes sparkled with confidence I could never dream of. His light brown hair was always kept short and today it was spiked up. I gulped down the lump in my throat. "Are you angry with me?" I managed to get out of my mouth through my nerves. I felt like my throat had seized up. He tilted his head with a sudden frown, like a confused puppy. Then he burst out laughing. Somehow, I didn't feel any more at ease. He collected himself and dropped into a crouch beside me to be at eye level. "Do I need a reason to speak to such a cute girl?" I felt my cheeks heat red hot at the compliment and the way he held my gaze. "You know they say the blonde hair and blue eye combo is overplayed. On you though, I see why your parents named you after a flower." He reached out and took my long bright Barbie blonde hair in his fingers. I hated my hair. It drew too much attention. People always doubted it was my real color since neither of my parents were blonde. That snapped me out of my trance. My gaze hardened and he frowned deeply. "I come here to eat ALONE," I said in a huff as I collected my things and went to leave. Rhys stared at me dumbfounded as I walked away from him quickly. The next day was the day before my birthday and I had a lot on my mind. I was just trying to get through the day. I hadn't even ducked out to my favorite spot for lunch. Then fifth period rolled around. The class I had with Rhys. He seemed shocked to see me but I paid him no mind. After class, I was at my locker getting ready for my final period when I heard someone lean up against the lockers next to me. I looked to find Rhys and his green eyes staring into me as if making sure I was real. "I didn't see you at lunch." He said slowly as if I couldn't understand English. I sighed softly. "I don't always eat there and that's still my secret spot. It's not a secret if you are there though," I explained, and he smirked softly. "Those sky-blue eyes of yours cloud over when you're upset." I slammed my locker closed and he jumped slightly. "So I've heard," I responded quickly and turned to leave, ducking through the crowd quickly. I glanced back at the last moment to see his shocked expression before the crowd swallowed me. As I sat down in my last class, one of my friends leaned over to me with a broad grin. We had been friends since third grade when I shared my snacks with her. Lisa was a simple person in that way. She was easy to befriend, but she also would not stand for betrayal. She had happily declared us friends by that simple act. "Did I see Rhys Scott talking to you?" She was beaming and I felt my cheeks flush red. I fiddled with my books lightly. "Yes, but I wish he wouldn't. I'm not good at talking to people. Especially boys. Extra, especially boys like him." Lisa giggled lightly. She was popular now. She had always been surrounded by people and it made me feel weird to still be cast as her friend. "Well, he is quite charming." She sighed wistfully. She had dated him last year but she always refused to kiss and tell. "You should invite him tomorrow." She said suddenly as if the idea had just come to her. I shook my head quickly. "He would never accept," I said in a soft, rushed whisper as the teacher called attention to the students right as the bell rang. Lisa huffed at me, puffing out her cheeks in a pout of disappointment. She always got frustrated with my loner, shy ways. I tried to ignore her looks and focus on class.