In the beginning...

-- Alessia p.o.v --

I paced around in my room, nerves filling my stomach. Why did we have to move? Why couldn't my dad just keep his old job? Now I have to start over in a new school and make new friends. Well, in my other school, I didn't have any friends, so this wouldn't be any different.

But still, grade 11 is hard. And I won't know anyone here.

I walked up to my new closet, missing the designs on my previous ones. I quickly picked out my favourite jeans and top and put them on.

At least I still have my clothes.

I closed the closet door and headed to the living room. I took my bag with me and began emptying the contents.

Pencils... check.

Notebooks... check.

Phone... check. Wait. Why is my phone in my bag?

I quickly took it out and double-checked everything in my bag. Once I realized I had everything, I went to go say goodbye to my parents.

"Good morning, love," my mom said smiling.

"Hey, mom," I replied.

"Can I skip breakfast? I don't really feel like eating-"

"Honey... what did the doctors say about you skipping meals?" my mom asked sternly.

I sighed.

"That I have to eat breakfast and if not, at least a fruit. Can I take a fruit then?" I asked.

"Sure, love," she said. I quickly picked up an apple and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

"Mom, do you know where dad is? I have to say goodbye to him."

"He went to work, honey. His job requires him to be there early in the morning. You can see him after school, though," she said smiling sadly.

"Oh, alright," I said.

"Bye, mom! Love you!"

"Love you too, honey!"

I opened the door and ran across the street to catch the bus. I looked around, hoping to see something familiar, but there was nothing.

Of course, there's nothing familiar Alessia. You moved. You know no one and nothing here, I thought.

The doors opened and I set foot on the ground. I looked up and saw a big building with many windows and doors. This must be my school. I looked around and saw a pair of bigger doors, which was probably the main entrance.

I opened the door and saw many kids hanging around their lockers. I glanced around, hoping to see a sign when I was knocked to the floor.

I heard laughing and footsteps fading away. My hands were in pain and so were my knees. I quiet whimper escaped my lips. I groaned and picked my stuff up and headed towards the main office.

There sat a woman who looked as if she was in hell.

"What do you want, child," she growled.

My eyes widened in surprise. Why was she being so mean to me?

"H-hi.. umm... I'm n-new here... so I-I'm just here to g-get my schedule f-for my cl-classes," I stuttered.

She rolled her eyes and typed on her computer for a few seconds. Afterwards, a sheet of paper came out of the printer.

"Here you go," she said a bit softer.

I smiled and said a quick thank you before walking away. I glanced down at the paper and saw that I had Chemistry first.

I hate that subject. Why did it have to be this one first?

I looked up at the classroom numbers and followed the signs until I reached room 104.

The bell had rung 5 minutes ago, so I knew I was late. I opened the classroom door and stepped inside. There stood a teacher who was bald enough to be able to reflect light off of his head.

"Hello, Miss. You must be our new student. Please... have a seat."

I smiled warmly at him and took a seat at the back of the classroom. At least he's nice, I thought.

"Good morning class. My name is Mr. Anders and I will be your Chemistry teacher for the rest of the year."

I heard a pair of footsteps walk into the classroom. Murmurs and gasps filled the air. Was it just me, or did the air get 10 degrees hotter?

I knew I shouldn't look up, but I did anyway. I glanced up slowly and gasped. No wonder the students made sounds of awe. At the front of the classroom stood an incredibly handsome man. He had a muscled body, a firm jawline, defined cheekbones, thick eyebrows, and a tanned face which brought out his bright blue eyes. He had wavy black hair that brought another layer of masculinity to himself.

"Hello, Mr. Keane. Please take a seat."

I realized that I'd been staring at him for quite a while and sheepishly ducked my head.

"Hey, beautiful," a deep voice said. I glanced up to find none other than the gorgeous man himself.

"H-hi," I stuttered. He chuckled and took a seat next to me.

Me.

His scent rolled off him, and I couldn't help but sigh at the fragrance. It smelt like sandalwood, which was one of my favourite things.

"Are you ok?" he asked, concern laced in his tone.

"You look...dazed." I blushed madly, looking everywhere else but him.

"Y-yeah, I'm o-ok," th-thanks," I stammered. I shook my head. What is wrong with me? And why did my stomach feel like she just went on a thousand roller coasters?

"Students, I will be paring you all up into groups. Whomever you are sitting next to will be your partner for the rest of the year in this class."

Oh no. No no no no no. How can I be his partner for the rest of the year? I felt many pairs of eyes on me. I quickly glanced up and realized that all of them were envious stares of other girls and guys. The teacher quickly gave the instructions out to the class and handed everyone a piece of paper.

"What's your name, beautiful?" the handsome man asked out of nowhere. "I'm Alessia." "My name is Keane," he said softly. "I know," I said shyly. He laughed - a deep sound that made my insides flutter. "Nice to meet you, Keane," I said smiling. He smiled back, his eyes crinkling in the corners.

"Nice to meet you too, Alessia."

"Can I ask you something?" I asked nervously. He nodded and motioned for me to continue.

"Can we be friends? I just moved here and I don't know anyone and I think we should be friends because we are going to be partners for the entire year and-" he chuckled, cutting me off. I realized that I had been blabbering and reddened- as usual.

"Of course, Alessia," he said kindly.

"You don't have to ask. I wanted to be your friend from the first moment I meant you." I gazed up into his eyes and saw that he meant every single word he said. But why? He only just met me.

I happily smiled at him and was about to ask him when he wanted me to come over when the bell rang. I quickly packed up my things and motioned for him to follow him. He nodded and packed up his stuff as well. I walked down the hallway towards my locker when my body collided with another. I fell on my bum and winced in pain. Great. I fell a second time on the same day.

I saw a hand outstretched towards me and gladly took it. I glanced up and saw a nice-looking guy. He had wavy brown hair and nice-looking eyes. He took in my appearance and he quickly started to apologize.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going, and then I-"

"It's ok," I said softly. "Are you hurt?" I asked. Oh my gosh, if I hurt him-

"Oh no, I'm okay, but it looks like you aren't."

He wasn't wrong. My bum hurt like crazy.

"Yeah, I guess I fell hard," I said, rubbing my behind.

"You are really beautiful," he said all of a sudden.

I blushed and muttered a quiet thank you.

"My name is Liam." I looked up at him and backed up a bit. I didn't like the way he was looking at me. His gaze roamed over me twice and then met my stare. He licked his lips and reached out for me again.

Before he could even touch me, a body came out of nowhere and blocked his path. I didn't have to be a genius to know it was Keane.

"Don't touch my girl. Don't ever touch my girl," he growled. Did he just say that I was his girl? An odd feeling went through me, and I didn't mind it one bit.

"I c-can do whatever I want to," the guy stuttered. Keane pinned him down on the floor effortlessly. "You don't talk to her. You don't look at her. Ever," he snarled in his ear. "Please, get off me," Liam said, gasping for air, but Keane was taking none of it.

"Keane," I said softly. He glanced up and his expression immediately softened.

"Don't hurt him, please," I asked. "But he was going to-to-"

"I know, Keane, I know. But you came, and he didn't. Don't hurt him, because then you will get into trouble, and I don't want to get in trouble," I pleaded. I knew he wanted to punch Liam, but he didn't.

He lifted his knee off of him and stood up. Liam gasped for air, trying to suck in deep breaths of air. Tears filled my vision as I reached for Keane. He wrapped me in a hug, and I felt comforted. "T-thank you," I said crying. He pulled away slightly, and I missed the warmth of his body.

"Why are you crying, beautiful?" he asked in concern.

"Because...no one has ever stood up for me before, and it felt wonderful to know that someone cares for me enough to stand up for me, especially since we just met," I said.

He hugged me tightly, and I never wanted this moment to end. I felt as if I could do anything.

"I would do anything for you, Alessia," he said, his voice never wavering. I blushed as he pressed a soft kiss to my head. I flashed him a bright smile, which he returned.

"Let's go," he said, still smiling. "We have a project to work on."