The Secret Ingredient to Falling in Love

Chapter 1. Meeting The Devil Himself.

Sarah's P.O.V.

"Sarah!"

I brace myself for impact as I hear my one and only friend, Gina, yell my name. Gina comes flying over, flinging her 5'7 self into my 5'0 frame, almost knocking us both over in the process.

"Gina, you're crushing me!"

"Oh, oops!" She laughs as she removes herself. I straighten my shirt, looking around at all the students giving us weird looks. Oh no, first day back and I've already attracted too much attention for my liking.

"So Sarah, how was dinner with your parents the other night? You never told me."

"It was . . . Interesting." Shrugging slightly, I glance back towards the school building with a small frown.

"What'd they say this time?"

"Really, nothing. We all pretty much sat there in silence, occasionally asking each other about our days. They seemed to think it was fine though so," I shrug again and hike my bag further up onto my shoulder. My parents travel a lot. Which causes me to be home alone for months at a time, or for awkward dinners when they first come back. They often leave without saying much, then come back like nothing happened. And expect me to be okay with it and do the same.

"I feel so bad for you, Girl. They're great people but geez, their communication skills . . ."

"Really, don't worry about it. You and your mom make up for my lack of family communication." I smile at her as we make our way up the school stairs.

"Is it just me, or is it really exciting to be going back to school?"

A small laugh bubbles out of me as Gina makes wild hand motions toward the school as she says this. Shaking my head, I excited reply, "No. I'm excited for the new art program they're having this year. Finally we'll be able to work properly, other than just water paints and clay!"

"Ugh, yes! Glad I'm not the only one excited!"
She shoots me a large grin and runs ahead of me to the school doors. I couldn't help but to laugh at the irony. While everyone else around us is groaning about being back in school, we're both equally excited to be back in school.

Gina makes it to the administration office before I do, leaving me to walk in alone. As I push through the large door, my eyes catch sight of a new figure. He's causally leaning against the desk, while the receptionist, one of our own students who volunteers in the mornings, shamelessly flirts to him. Best thing was? He didn't even pay any attention to her. Worst thing was? All the attention was on me.

I hear Gina whisper a silent "Oh my cheese fries," while I stand there awkwardly trying to understand why he is looking at me.

Nervously I wave my hand before I walk closer to the desk. The receptionist glares at me as I approach the desk, while the boy turns back to his papers.

"Uh, Hi. I'm here for my schedule."

I scratch my neck as I awkwardly stand there, the boy still standing not even 3 feet away from me and the receptionist still glaring.

"And you are?" She responds with a snap.

"Oh uh, Sarah Jones."

"And mine too! Gina Robertson."

The receptionist, whose name tag reads as Claire, nods and taps away on her computer. As we're waiting, I notice the boy make his way towards the door, but not before giving us one last glance. I swear I saw him wearing a small smile. Surely it wasn't directed to me, was it?