Never say forever (Never series Book 1)

by Taylor, Courtney A.

  Gosh, he’s getting under my skin now.

  “Whoa, tiger! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you or make you mad. I will move my seat. Let’s start over. My name is Aiden and it’s a pleasure to meet you!” he extended his hand out. I looked right into his eyes and I can already tell its going to be extremely hard to stay mad at him.

  “I will accept your apology this time but if it happens again you’re on your own. My name is Serena.”

  I shook his hand and immediately I can feel the electricity between us. Great! We share chemistry class together and I’m definitely feeling the chemistry between us. It is so strong but I can’t let him get to me. I can’t date, I don’t even know what love is and I don’t think I want to find out. From what I’ve seen, it leaves you pregnant and alone. He smiled that beautiful smile and I think I just melted in my chair.

  “Nice to meet you Serena, I’ll see you around.”

  He smiled and walked to a chair towards the front.

  Not if I have anything to do with that.

  ***

  Class ended and I bolted out of the room and went to my locker. I’m trying to get my locker open and I can’t remember the combination for the life of me. Gosh Serena, get your head together. 27 45 19....nope 37 45 19...nope. What the hell! I’m seriously about to freak out. I can’t be late for my class. This is my first day and I’m already screwing up. I can’t get into trouble. I rest my head against the locker trying to recollect what that darn number was when the locker vibrates and I hear a loud boom. I instantly jump and turn and there’s Aiden.

  “I’m sorry if I scared you. Usually when you give it a good smack sometimes it dislodges. I was just trying to help you.”

  I’m grateful he tried to help me but also a little scared. Does he have a temper? Normal people don’t just come and beat on a locker especially when someone’s head is resting on it. Where did this guy even come from? He must be new because I’ve never seen him here before. I think I’ll keep my distance from this one.

  “It’s okay. Thank you,” I smile sheepishly and turn my head.

  “So, what are you doing later?” he asked.

  “I have a lot of homework.”

  I have to keep my answers short because I can’t engage too much with him. He reeks bad boy to me and I can’t have that right now. I want him to know as little as possible about me and maybe he will get the hint and leave me alone. There are plenty other girls at this school, he can go bark up one of their trees.

  “It’s the first day of school and you only had one class. How much homework can you have?”

  He’s a smart one now. Why can’t he just take the hint?

  “Listen Serena, This isn’t a date I’m asking for. I’m just trying to tell you I’m sorry for being a jerk earlier and for scaring you. My treat! Please?” he gave me sad puppy dog eyes but I refuse to buy into it. You can’t buy me with sad eyes. As much it hurts to resist this, I have to for my own good.

  “I’m sorry but I can’t. I am very busy.” With that said I turn and walk away. As I make it around the corner I look back and he’s staring at me with an expression on his face that shows me that he is hurt. I hate making people feel bad but I need to do what’s best for me and he is not it.

  I catch up with Larissa in the hallway. “Hey Lar, I really need to get out of school. I feel as if I’m going to suffocate.”

  She looked at me like I was on drugs. She raised an eyebrow and had that shocked look on her face because she knows this isn’t me. This isn’t the person she’s known all her life.

  “Rena, really? You are never one to ditch school. What is going on with you? This is the first day of school. You are always great in school.”

  She has always called me Rena for the same reason I call her Lar. We are too lazy to use our full names.

  “Ugh, I know and I’m not going to ditch but I don’t want to be here. I just said that because I was frustrated and I just want to go home. I won’t act on it. You know me better than that. I’ll suck it up and go to class. I’ll see you later!”

  I start walking to my class.

  “Rena. Wait. What’s wrong? You’ve always told me everything. Are you having trouble with anyone here?” She must be really worried.

  “I don’t have time to talk right now, but I’m fine. I’ll see you later. Don’t worry about me.”

  I love that girl. She’s always been there for me. She is like the sister that I used to have. I turn around and head to my next class. I hope this day goes by fast. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this school day with Aiden here. It would be much easier if I could fully resist him but it is very hard.

  ***

  Lunchtime couldn’t be any more disastrous. I enter the lunchroom, stand in line for my food and guy after guy comes and hits on me. This has been going on since I started high school. It’s not because I’m drop dead gorgeous, it’s because I’m Cadence’s sister. She really made an impression at this school and everyone thinks that I am like her and that they will get a cheap lay. The girls at the school don’t really like me either because I seem to grab the guy’s attention. I always hear slut and whore as I walk past. You would think because it’s been a year and I am still a virgin that they would back off, but they don’t. Kids in school can be cruel sometimes. At this point I don’t care all that much because I have Larissa and she’s the only friend that I need at this point.

  After turning down all the wankers in the cafeteria, I plop down in a seat and wait for Larissa. I take a big bite of my sandwich and a hand drops on my shoulder. I lift my head and turn with a huge bite of food in my mouth and there stands Aiden. I am mortified because my whole mouth is full and I know he is secretly laughing at how much of a cow I am.

  “Hey Rena… Mind if I sit here?” he asks.

  Wait what?! Did he just call me Rena? Only Larissa calls me Rena.

  “My name is Serena not Rena. And Larissa is sitting here.”

  I know it may have sounded like my words were icy but I can’t let him get too close. What if he’s like the other guys who are just looking for a quick bang. I know nothing about him, and I am not really intending to find out. Sorry, no thank you!

  “Ok, I’m sorry Serena! I would like to sit with you. You seem like a very cool person and I would like to get to know you better.”

  Is this guy fucking serious? How does it seem like I’m a cool person? I keep to myself and don’t hang around with the cool kids. Usually that says loser in other people’s eyes. What does he see in me?

  “Whatever. It’s a cafeteria. You can sit wherever you want.”

  Gosh, that was so hostile. I really need to work on that.

  Before he could say anything Larissa sits next to me.

  “OMG Rena, you’ll never believe what happened.”

  Right when she said that I looked past at Aiden and I could see the hurt expression on his face because she called me Rena. He looks like he just lost his best friend or he found out his girlfriend was cheating on him. I feel bad but only certain people can call me that.

  “I’ll leave you two alone. I can see you are busy and I don’t want to impose.”

  Before I can say anything he walks away and I immediately feel crushed. Why is it that I feel so bad about being mean to a new person I know nothing about but I have no trouble being a bitch to all the people in school? Larissa stops me from thinking.

  “So I go to biology class and OMG the teacher is so hot. He looks like Channing Tatum. He’s so hot I can melt butter on him. The things I would do to him...”

  “Okay, Lar that’s enough. You are getting carried away here. What’s the purpose of your story?”

  If I didn’t interrupt her she would go on and on the whole lunch period.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to corrupt your prude virgin ears.”

  Ha, she thinks she’s funny now.

  “It’s not that, Lar, and you know it. I don’t mind hearing about your sexy daydreams, but I would l
ike you to get to the point before we leave school.”

  “Okay, so I go into class and he totally flirts with me. I swear Rena, if he asks me out I am so going to marry him and have his babies.”

  She gets like this with anyone she thinks is Larissa worthy. It’s funny sometimes but it drives me bonkers because she doesn’t think. She doesn’t seem to think it is wrong to date a teacher.

  “Yeah, that’s fine in your daydreams but don’t make that a reality. He is your teacher, you do anything and he can get fired. Let’s not mention what it can do to you too. Don’t make any mistakes.”

  Gosh, I feel like a parent telling her what to do but if I don’t, sometimes she gets into trouble. I am like the angel on her shoulder, making sure the devil doesn’t take over.

  “Oh c’mon, Rena! You think I would be that stupid?”

  I don’t think she would do it but I know her passion sometimes gets the best of her and she acts out without thinking.

  “No, I don’t. I’m just trying to watch out for you.” I start to get up but she stops me.

  “Where are you going? You’re not done.”

  “Lunchtime is over in less than two minutes, I need to get to my next class.” I start to leave and she catches up to me.

  “Who was that hottie at the table when I came up?” She asks this with a huge smile on her face and I know what she’s thinking. She thinks that I may have interest in him and that she can play matchmaker. This isn’t Valentine’s Day when she can play cupid.

  “I think he’s new. His name is Aiden.”

  I try to keep it as little detail as possible because I don’t want her to see right through me, to see how I seem to have a hard time resisting.

  “Wow, he is a total package. I think he has the hots for you.”

  Is she nuts?

  “No, he’s just being nice.”

  I sure hope he’s just being nice. It’s hard to turn him down so much and I’m not sure how long I will be able to do that.

  “I don’t think so. I saw the way he was looking at you. Why don’t you try to get to know him? He seems like a good guy.”

  I hate when she does this. She’s always trying to play cupid and set me up with one dickhead after another. She should know that anyone from this school will not make it in my book. If they knew Cadence or heard all the rumors, they may not have the best intentions in mind.

  “I don’t even know him. He’s probably like the other jerks in school who are looking for a quick lay. I’m not getting myself into that. I have to make something of myself and to do that, I shouldn’t be getting involved with men. You know this! I’ve told you this every time.”

  I don’t like to be like that towards her but I can’t help it. I tell her every time and she doesn’t seem to get it. I still love her, she will always be my best friend but she has to know when to stop.

  “I know, I just want you to live a little. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun, falling in love and not being so serious in your schoolwork all the time,” she told me with a pouty face.

  “Look where love gets you! All around me I see it. My dad left my mom and now she has so many different boyfriends that I can’t keep track of them. Cadence slept with a bunch of people at this school, got knocked up and ran away. She hasn’t even had anyone stick around for her. Do I want to end up in a situation that is going to leave me broken, shattered and alone? No. I think I’ll stick to what I’m doing. Listen I don’t want to argue with you. You are all I have but I need to go to class. I’ll talk to you later.”

  With that I turned around and headed to class. New school year, new people, and somehow I seem to be getting moodier by the day. I just need to make it through this day.

  ***

  I make it home after a long day of school. As soon as I walk in the door, I am hit with the most amazing smell. I walk to the kitchen and my mom is slaving over the stove making us dinner.

  “Hey Mom, what are you making?”

  I don’t even wait for her answer, I walk over to check it out myself.

  “Stuffed green peppers. We have a visitor coming over that I would like you to meet.”

  I knew it! She always makes something delicious when she is bringing her new boyfriend over. I hate going through this. She has had so many boyfriends but none of them ever seem to stick around long enough to really peg them as a doting boyfriend. She should do us all a favor and not bring anyone around until they have been together at least six months. This is getting old.

  “Who is it now, Mom?”

  I wish she wouldn’t bring them around at all. They never seem to last long. Maybe it’s me? Maybe they got wind of what happened to Cadence, too? I don’t know. I think these men are too chicken-shit to deal with a single mother who has a rebel child and a teenage daughter. I think they secretly cringe when they come over to meet me. That’s all fine and dandy because I’m not too fond of them either.

  “Oh, it’s just someone I met at the grocery store the other day. He is really handsome and he seems to have a nice head on his shoulders.”

  Great! She tells me this every time, which means she’s bringing home the neighborhood scumbag. I don’t even know why she bothers. She should have realized with my father that there really aren’t any guys worth it anymore.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll go upstairs and do my homework.”

  I started to go upstairs to my room and she stopped me.

  “You are such a good child. I was so blessed to have you. I’m very proud of you, I hope you know that. How was school? Any new kids?”

  And this is why I swore off men. My mom is proud of me and I love hearing it. I really don’t want to screw that up so I have to be the best child that I can be.

  “School was fine. I wish it would have ended sooner. Of course there are new kids but a lot of the same pricks as last year. I’ll see you at the dinner table. Love you, Mom.”

  I went in my room and closed my door. I sat down on my pink fluffy bed and put on my Beats by Dre headphones. The first song to play is Taylor Swift’s Red. Listening to the lyrics somehow steers my mind to Aiden. I can’t be doing this. I never daydream about anyone. I can’t seem to focus on my homework because my mind is clouded with that blond haired blue eyed hunk. What the fuck did I just think? I don’t think these things. Something is seriously wrong with me. I take my headphones off because I just can’t take it anymore. Ding dong. Great!

  It’s time to meet dick number seventeen. I go downstairs and see a guy standing at the front door. My mom just let him in. He is standing there in khaki pants and a button down shirt. He has brown hair and what looks to be a goatee on his face. To me, he looks like all the rest she brings home. Nothing new here.

  “Serena this is Tim. Tim, this is my daughter Serena.”

  Tim comes up to me and tries to shake my hand and I have to force my hand. He smirks at me and I just want to go back to my room. Just looking at him is making me cringe. He looks like another typical asshole.

  “It’s nice to meet you Serena,” Tim said.

  I just nod my head. My mother ushers him to a seat and goes to walk in the kitchen. She drags me with her unfortunately, which means I’m about to have my ass handed to me.

  “Serena, can you please be nice? This is a new guest in our house and I don’t want him to be scared away.”

  She says this like it’s my fault that all her men keep ditching her.

  “I am as nice as I am with everyone. It’s not my fault you pick out the losers,” I sneer back at her.

  I’m not one to be defiant but I can’t stand to be introduced to these guys... I walk back to the table and decide I won’t be a complete bitch. I’ll just ignore him or say as little as possible.

  “So Serena, what grade are you in?”

  Why does he seem to be so damn talkative all of a sudden? Well I guess my plan won’t work out too well.

  “Junior.” Let’s keep this short and simple.

  “That’s awesome! Do you have a
ny brothers or sisters?” Oh, here we go again. Do I seriously have to get into this with every person? Can’t people just leave some private issues alone?

  “One sister.”

  Hopefully, if I keep my answers short and blunt, maybe he will just get the hint and leave me the hell alone.

  “That’s cool. I have a son about your age. His name is Aiden. He goes to your school. Maybe you know him?”

  I almost fell out of my chair. Holy fucking shit! Did he just say Aiden? I sure hope I’m not hearing things. Now my stomach is all tied in knots.

  “Please excuse me, I have to go use the restroom.”

  I get up and walk upstairs to the bathroom. I’m looking in the mirror and having a total panic attack. Fuck! What the hell am I supposed to do now? The guy who I like, his father is dating my mother. What the hell am I supposed to do? I can either break them up so I can have Aiden...or this is the perfect way to make sure that I can’t ever get involved. As much as I am already liking Aiden, I have to act like the best child so he is not easily scared away from my mother. Aiden, then cannot use his charm on me. It’s the perfect solution to my problem. Now I have to act! Its go time!