Page 1 of This Memory
Brystol
Senior Year, High School
One of the things I loved about being a senior was getting to work in the office for my free period. What made it even better was the hottest guy in school, Gavin Quinn, also worked in the office at the same time. He was incredibly sweet and kind to everyone, including me, the shy girl who loved math and history. I’d been in love with him since kindergarten. Well, it seemed like it had been that long.
The only problem? I wasn’t the only one lusting after him. It seemed like every girl in school was in love with Gavin. He was tall and had a fit, athletic body. His brown hair was mostly short, but he always wore it a bit longer on the top. His boyish face was handsome, and when he smiled at you, Lord, the heavens opened and angels sang. And those brown eyes of his weren’t a typical brown. They were chestnut in color, with sunbursts around his pupils. At least, that was the only way I knew how to describe them.
My head popped up when I heard the door to the principal’s office open. “Brystol? Gavin? Could you both please come into my office?”
Gavin, who’d been reading a book since we didn’t haveanything to do, looked up and smiled at Mrs. Larson, the school principal.
I set my own book to the side and started for the office. Gavin waited and motioned for me to go in first. My cheeks heated and I whispered, “Thank you.”
He winked and replied, “Ladies first.”
If there was one thing everyone knew about Gavin, it was that he was an endless flirt. He flirted with everyone, including the teachers. So when he flirted with me, I didn’t think anything of it. But sometimes I would look up and catch him watching me. He’d smile, and my heart would trip over itself. His smile did things to me I really didn’t want to admit.
Mrs. Larson pointed to a table in her office. “I need you to assemble these handouts and staple them. They’re lined up in the order I want them. Once you have them stapled together, put them in this basket here.”
“Easy-peasy,” Gavin stated, as he pulled a chair out and sat down. I followed his lead.
“I have to go observe a teacher, so I’ll keep the door open. If you need anything, just ask Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Will do,” I said, as I started to make the packets.
We worked in silence for a bit before Gavin spoke. “What are your plans for tonight?”
Glancing up, I tried to act normal. I hated how I was so awkward when it came to Gavin Quinn.
“I’m going to see a reshowing ofRoman Holiday.”
He frowned. “Is it an old film?”
I smiled. “Yes, it first came out in 1953. It was my grandmother’s favorite movie. I remember watching it with her when I was little. Anyway, they’re showing it at the theater all weekend.”
“Are you going with Aurora?”
Aurora Banks was my best friend. We did everything together. Like Gavin, she was more popular than me. A cheerleader, she often tried to talk me into trying out for the squad. The idea of performing in front of the whole school freaked me out, so I never tried.
“No, she’ll be out of town with her family this weekend.”
“Who are you going with then?”
I shrugged. “Just me.”
Gavin searched my face and looked down at the papers once again. He cleared his throat. “I could go with you. Maybe pick you up or meet you there.”
I blinked at him a few times. “You?”
He laughed. “Yeah, is there something wrong with me?”
“No!” I said quickly, before clearing my throat and speaking more casually. “No, but…why would you want to see an old movie withme, of all people?”
Gavin’s brows drew in. “What do you mean, you of all people?”
I shrugged. “It’s just, you’re so popular and, well…I’m not.”
“So? That doesn’t mean we can’t hang out together. Besides, I’d like to get to know you better.”
