Chapter 1
Ethan Tucker
This is a small chapter from the novel I'm currently editing.
Ethan watched the skater’s wheel around performing as many tricks as they could, and boys that sprayed their girlfriends with water forcing them to run screaming. He watched, feeling glad that it was the last day of school, but not for the same reasons the other students of Tanner Middle School had. He had been to so many different schools that each one became less and less interesting to him. All the kids sat outside signing yearbooks, and eating from the buffet table that the teachers had set up for the picnic. Everyone broke off into their various clicks and talked about what they planned on doing for the summer. The teachers didn’t even bother to reinforce any rules for this was the last day of school!
All the eighth graders sat at a separate picnic table most of them surrounding Ethan, they wanting him to sign their yearbook. He was popular, even though he had only been going to the school for the last nine weeks. Despite his short time at the school he had made plenty of friends. After his third move he had given up dating. He had hurt two girls that way and he didn’t want to do that again. No matter how many girls threw them selves at Ethan, he kept his promise.
He didn’t see any point of putting down any roots in one place. He had been shipped from foster home to foster home, and he didn’t expect that his current one would last long.
Veronica Daniels sat closest to him. She had long red hair and was surprisingly well developed for her age. She had a perfect curve to her body. Her eyes were round and chocolate brown and she had a pair of full pouty lips that every guy wanted to kiss. She was fiercely scribbling in his yearbook, but even if he were dating it wouldn’t be with her. She was way too superficial. She was the cheerleader captain, and class president. The most popular girl in school, and what made it worse was that she knew it, and wouldn’t let anyone forget.
“Here you go ET.” Ethan hated his nickname, but he didn’t want to upset her by telling her the truth. He was sure that if he hadn’t been so popular he would have been made fun of for the alien initials. He wrote H.A.K.A.S into her yearbook. He signed his name and passed it back to her while taking his back.
He had a bad feeling about this. He was worried about what kind of letter she had written, she had been writing for far too long.
He opened his book flipping to the last page. Her message took up the whole page written in her usual exaggerated flowery hand writing.
She pouted at the short abbreviation. “Have a kick ass summer. Is that all you can say?”
“It’s all I could think of, I’m not good with words.” This wasn’t particularly true he was actually quite good at writing, and frequently wrote poetry, but Veronica was to shallow to know such a deep part of him. She only saw surfaces. He began to put his yearbook away in his binder, but she grabbed his arm like vise her nails dug into his skin.
Ethan cringed back a little, sometimes Veronica scared him. It was like there were two Veronica's. The superficial cheerleader that fussed over a broken nail and the fierce red head that he was sure could beat him up if she wanted to.
“Read it now”. She demanded.
Reluctantly he began to read trying to decipher her cursive. He tried to ignore the fact that Veronica was pushing her arms up his sleeve and rubbing his arm efficiently.
Just because it’s summer ET doesn’t mean we have to be apart. In fact I plan on spending as much time with you as possible. We can go to the beach watch the sunset, it will be so romantic. I’m so happy you came to our school. I’m the prettiest girl in school and you’re the cutest boy in school so it only makes sense that we get together. It would make me very happy to be your girlfriend. I’m not used to being the one asking but, please go on a date with me. Go to the movies and dinner that’s all I’m asking. Then you’ll see we were meant for each other. Destiny has brought us together. Why mess with fate. I wish you would open up to me I can tell you’re a wounded puppy inside and I want to mend your broken soul. I could nurse your heart back to normal I promise. Stop being so secretive, I’ve told you my deepest secrets. Like how I used to be fat and I was made fun of every day for most of my elementary life. Remember when we first met, you got out of the car and asked me which way room 45 was at. You said that day that you liked the name Veronica we could rule high school as queen and king no one would be able to deny our power. I don’t mean to be clingy, I’m not that kind of girl but your special ET you’re very special. And I won’t allow such a wonderful boy to slip through my fingers. I’ve noticed you depressed a lot I can make you happy. I can fill you life with beauty and magic. I want you because you’re special. I love you I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. Soon you’ll see you love me too. I will have you one way or another. I don’t mean to sound spoiled or like a bitch witch I’m sure lots of people call me behind my back. It’s not my fault I’m better them in every way. Nor is it my fault that I’m used to getting what I want. I Want you and I’m not about to change my M.O now so be cooperative and love me like I love you.
LOVE VERONICA,
PS IF WE EVER GET SEPARATED I PROMISE THAT FATE WILL BRING US BACK TOGETHER.
He doubted she really loved him. She loved the idea of him, just another trophy for her to show off. She got everything she wanted except for Ethan. This irritated her and made her try to get him even more. She wasn’t used to being rejected. This was apparent from all the broken hearted boys that slumped around school.
He looked over at her, a little irritated, forcing a smile. Of course she didn’t notice his irritation because Veronica was extremely unobservant, and was horrible at reading people. It was probably why she cared so little for other peoples feelings. If she had any sense of other peoples emotions she would realize that he had no interest in her, and she would stop wasting her time.
“Veronica lets talk.” he didn’t want to embarrass her in front of all of their friends, so he got up, and she trailed behind smiling. The table made whistling and smooching noises as they left. He took her behind the huge school mascot of the Ox statue hiding from everyone’s view.
“Veronica I’m not trying to be mean. I’m just being realistic-the chances of me moving are too great to get involved with anyone.” In all honesty he wouldn’t have gone out with Veronica even if he didn’t fear moving. She was far too shallow, and there was something about her that he couldn’t put his finger on.
“Why would you move?” She asked inching closer to him.
He didn’t like how close she was getting, and it could just be his imagination but her tone sounded a little more curious then it should be. He disregarded it as mild paranoia. She just didn’t want to see her prize leave before she could win it.
“It doesn’t matter I just don’t think it wise to get involved with anyone, nothing personal. I promise.”
She looked confused as if she didn’t understand what he was saying. “So you’re rejecting me definitely,” she looked horror struck. Her face froze in an eerie smile. “Have you experienced any recent changes today?”
“What like puberty,” he couldn’t understand why she was asking this.
“Like that I suppose but, I meant special changes,” she said obviously amused.
“No… can’t say that I have,” he said aware of the fact that she had scooted even closer. Now he could fully smell her cherry perfume, and he could count her eyelashes.
“Never mind then” She grabbed him with surprising strength and pushed her lips to his. He pushed her away quickly.
“What are you doing?” He wiped of his lips with the back of his hand.
“A good- bye kiss,” she clarified. Not seeming to care that he had once again rejected her advances. She strode away with a smile. She knew something. There was no doubt in Ethan’s mind.
He walked back to the table, but Veronica was gone. Where could she have gone? He wondered deflecting the questions that bombarded him when he sat down. He waited for the bell to ring to end free period so he could just get to his last class. To his relief the bell rang, quickly getting up he fast walked to his final class for the year, avoiding anymore questions about Veronica and him.
