Chapter One

The time always seemed to drag during last period. I waited as the minutes passed by painfully slow, while the rest of my classmates buzzed about their plans for the weekend. It was Friday afternoon, and I had nothing to look forward to but my mom's horrible cooking, and my step-father Richard's annoying comments. He always had something to say about me being home on a Friday night. It was annoying, especially when it was his fault that I had to pick up my life and move to this boring little town in New Hampshire. I missed my old life back in Massachusettes.

I missed my old friends.

I took a look around at my fellow classmates, they weren't much different than the kids back at my old school. You had your jocks, preps, goths, punks, nerds, and then- there was me. Its not that I didn't have any friends back home. I had my best friend Mark and a few others, but for some reason I never felt like I fit into any of the normal stereotypes. I was always just Lacey Peterson, quiet and awkward. Which made starting at this new school even harder for me. I had started at Londonderry Highschool about a month ago and still nobody seemed to even know that I existed.

The bell finally sounded freeing everyone from the class. I slowly got up and let the rest of the people get by, because they actually had places to be. I took my time collecting my things, and didn't even notice the girl standing right next to me.

"Excuse me, but you're Lacey right?" The girl asked quietly.

I jumped and inhaled sharply.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry if I scared you!" The girl looked at me sympathetically.

"Oh..." I trailed off, clearing my throat. My voice had come out sounding like an eighty year old woman's, do to lack of use. "I mean, no you didn't." I said shaking my head.

"Ok, you just seemed a little skittish is all." She paused to study my face for a moment."I'm Stephanie by the way." She smiled wide flashing her pearly whites at me.

 I shrugged trying to show indifference.I didn't know what this Stephanie girl wanted but I just wanted to get out of this hell hole, and out into the fresh air.

Stephanie was having none of that, she giggled a little and just kept on staring at me.

I rolled my eyes, because this girl was more than a little weird. "Look, I don't mean to be rude but did you need something? I really need to get going."

"I was wondering if you had any plans tonight?" She asked with a smile.

Boy this girl must be dense, no one had talked to me during the past month. What kind of plans could I possibly have?

"Um, no." I cleared my throat pointlessly, and looked down at my sneakers.

"Ok, well if you're looking for something to do then you should check out this little cafe in town. It's called The Uncommon Cafe, some kids from school go there on Friday nights. The food is good, and the atmosphere is great."

"Uh... thanks." I tried to force a smile.

I couldn't help but wonder what this girl could want with me. Stephanie was not the type of girl who would want to be seen hanging with me. She was at least 5'9", with tan skin, and blonde hair that must have cost her lots of time and money at the salon. All this paired with her expensive clothes- she looked like a Barbie. Especially compared to my dwarfish 5'1" frame, pale skin, and my long black hair. We were complete opposites.

"No prob! Hope to see you there." She smiled her perfect smile again and practically skipped out of the room.

Great, what did I get myself into?

I walked slowly down the hall to pick up the last of my belongings from my locker, and made my way out to the student parking lot. I started to feel a little better once I got into my car. Who knows, maybe Stephanie wasn't as stuck up as she looked. I mean she seemed nice enough.

I was so lost in thought that I almost backed out of my spot and right into a black Mustang. The strange thing was the car didn't even slow, and I couldn't see its driver because of the dark tint of the windows. I tried to place the car with one of the students at Londonderry High, but I couldn't even recall seeing a Mustang ever parked in the student parking lot.

Well whoever it was, I hope I didn't make them angry.
***

When I got home I ran right up to my room and flung the door shut behind me. I threw my backpack on the chair in the corner, and went right over to my computer. I waited for it to turn on, so I could search the place I was supposed to be going tonight. After a minute I typed in The Uncommon Cafe. The search engine brought up a website that gave the address, and a quick description of the place. It was only five minutes down the road, so I decided it wouldn't hurt to check it out- It wouldn't be a big deal if I drove there and decided I wanted to leave right away.

I got started on some of my homework even though I had all weekend to do it. I wanted to pass the time, and I succeeded. I had finished all the assigned homework, and I was just about to crack open a book when my mom's voice called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Lacey! Dinner's ready." She yelled in a singsong voice.

I looked at the clock, it was already six-thirty. Damn, I didn't think about my mom and Richard.I was going to have to tell them I had plans tonight, and I'm sure my mom would be genuinely happy for me, and Richard would just be glad to get rid of me for the night. I couldn't stand the thought of his cheesy smile.

I walked to the top of stairs and yelled down that I wasn't hungry.

"Lacey come down and eat, your mom doesn't cook all this food for fun." Richard's voice boomed from the kitchen all authorative.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, a habbit of mine that seemed to come out when I was annoyed or stressed.

I walked slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen. The only reason he was making me come down was because he had to eat the horrible meals she created too. My mom decided to become a vegetarian six years ago, and the food seemed to only be getting worse with time.

Tonight she had made some sort of stir-fry consisting of blobs of tofu. It looked absolutely disgusting. At least I never had to worry about gaining weight in my house. I grimaced as I sat down. She was already dishing it out.

"Hey mom not that this doesn't look amazing." I gestured toward my plate. "But I am actually going out with some kids from school tonight, so I want to save some room to eat with them."

"Oh Lacey! Thats great sweetheart, I can wrap yours up and you can eat it tomorrow." She said while she dished out a heaping pile of tofu blob for Richard. I couldn't help but smile as he glared at me.

"So someone finally decided you weren't a lost cause after all." He snickered.

My mom just stood there awkwardly as I got up and smiled pleasently at him. "You guys enjoy your meal." I said as sweet as pie.

I was used to my mom letting him be a monster.

I ran up the stairs two at a time and grabbed my wallet and cell out of my backpack, stuffing them into the pockets of my dark purple pea-coat. I wasn't really one for carrying purses, so anything with large pockets was perfect for me.

"See you guys later." I yelled, as I stepped out of my house and into the cold December air.

As soon as I got into my car I cranked up the heat, and slammed it into reverse. I was ecstatic to get out of the house, and also kind of nervous. I was completely aware of the fact that most of the people who would be there didn't even know I existed.

I didn't have much time to dwell on it though, the little cafe was coming up on my right. I pulled into the parking lot and had to circle around a few times to find a space.

Once I was parked I almost decided to back out and head back home. Thats when someone knocked on my window. I jumped a mile and looked up at Stephanie's face smiling down at me. I tried to smile at her but to be perfectly honest, she kind of creeped me out. She moved away from my door so I could get out.

"I seem to always scare you." She said with a smile, and she looked awfully pleased with herself.

"Um, yeah. I guess I'm just skiddish." I mumbled in reply. For some reason I felt on edge around her, like I couldn't trust her.

"Well I just pulled in before you, and thought you might want someone to walk in with." Was she was always so damn smiley? I just nodded in response.

When we walked in the door a few things happened.

First, I fell in love with the style of the place. I could totally picture myself reading in one of the big chairs in the corner, or sitting with my laptop at one of the booths.

Next I noticed how packed it was with people I recognized from school. I was surprised when a few people smiled and waved, but then I remembered Stephanie was next to me and they were probably waving to her.

Then I saw him.

He was sitting at the booth Stephanie was directing us towards. He was with a group of people from our school, but I had never seen him before tonight. He was looking out the window while everyone else chattered around him. I watched as he took a sip of blue liquid from a strange looking bottle, and wondered if he went to Londonderry.

I highly doubted it, I would have noticed him. He stood out, He was amazingly beautiful, and I wanted him to turn towards me so I could see him head on. I was just about to ask Stephanie about the mysterious beautiful boy when she squealed in delight.

"Gauge! You came."

He startled out of his trance, and turned to face us. I almost gasped out loud. He had the most amazing eyes, they were a silvery gray. Stephanie slid into the booth and put her elbows on the table to lean across and whisper something to the boy, Gauge. What a strange name, it suited him well.

 I couldn't help but stare at him. He really was handsome he had olive skin, and dark shaggy hair the color of ink. He looked almost wild. I felt oddly drawn to him, but I knew I wouldn't stand a chance. Apparently Stephanie already had a claim on him.

He turned and looked at me then with his head cocked, and I felt myself blush. I was caught staring, I mean I was practically drooling. I don't know what was wrong with me, usually guys didn't affect me this way, my best friend back home had been a guy. I don't know why I was so awe struck by him, but I felt like an idiot.

"I think I'm gonna go grab a coffee." I said to no one in particular. Stephanie was already lost in a conversation with Gauge, it was easy to see there was something there.

I sighed and made my way up to the counter. There was a small line in front of me so I pulled out my cell phone and looked at the picture I had set as my background. It was a picture of me and Mark, my best friend from back home. Well, I suppose this was my home now, and Mark hadn't so much as texted me in over two weeks. I missed my little group of friends, and I missed feeling like a sane and normal person.

"Excuse me." A husky voice said interrupting my thoughts.

I jumped and looked up. I had to remind myself to start breathing again. His eyes were even more insane up close, they were a silverish gray like my first assumption, but they had bursts of gold throughout them.

 I couldn't think straight enough to form words, so I just continued staring.

"I'm sorry if I startled you." He said sincerely, his strange eyes locking with mine.

"Oh, no its ok." I said trying to act like a normal person, I was being ridiculous. But there it was again that strange pull.

"Don't worry about her Gauge, she spooks easily!" Stephanie chimed in, with what sounded like a hint of annoyance.

I bit my lip self-consciously and shrugged. "She's right."

"I thought you said you didn't want anything." He said to Stephanie who just shrugged in response."I asked you before I came up if you needed anything." He added pointedly.

"Well I changed my mind." She sulked.

My turn was up so I tried to ignore their little argument behind me as I ordered a large hazelnut coffee. I paid and moved over to the pick up side of the counter, and while I waited for my coffee I texted Mark.



"Hazelnut coffee?" The guy at the counter handed me a giant cup, just as I was putting my cell back in my pocket.

I took my cup over to the little station that was set up with milk, sugar, and various other things one might put in their drink

. I got my coffee set and then started to walk over to where the big chairs were in the corner. I didn't feel like sitting with Stephanie at the booth. I set my cup down on the table and started to sit when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I whipped it out hastily and read the screen, that alerted me to a new message from Mark. I scrolled down and read his message, that stated he was sorry for not getting back to me until now.

My phone started vibrating again, another message from Mark. This one said that he had started dating Alicia.

I continued staring at the screen in disgust, I should be happy for him. He had liked Alicia for a long time, but how could he just forget about me? I was supposed to be his best friend. I stuffed the phone back into my pocket and started to walk out the door.I didn't even want the coffee, I couldn't stand being in there another minute.

I looked back at the window when I got outside, Stephanie was completely oblivious that I was even gone. That didn't surprise me, but what did was that Gauge was getting up, and he was heading for the door as well. I turned on my heel and headed towards my car.

"Hey wait up!"

I stopped at my car and turned. He was right behind me already. His eyes were still amazing, even in the dimly lit parking lot, and he smelled good. Not like all the popular colognes that the boys in school were wearing, but woodsy. Like pine needles, and fresh snow.

"Whats up? You looked upset in there." He seemed curious.

"Nothing is up. I just- I'm going home." I sighed. I felt like crap and I didn't want to piss off Stephanie, and ruin any chance at a social life by talking to him. What was his deal anyway? What did he care if I was upset?

"Something must be up, you left a huge mug of coffee untouched in there."

I glared at him. "Why do you care?" I asked annoyed with how forward he was.

"I don't like seeing people upset." He smiled, and it was a dangerous looking smile, the kind that promised heartbreak.

"I'm not, really I'm ok." I bit my lip, and started to open the car door. I needed to get out of there, I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I felt so alone.

He looked at me warily and pulled out something from his pocket, and handed it to me. "Okay, but take this."

It was a folded up piece of paper. I looked at him curiously before taking it from him. Then he nodded once and walked away.

When I drove out of the parking lot I saw that Gauge was back in the booth with Stephanie. She was staring at him chattering away, but he was looking out the window again, just like when Stephanie and I had first walked in- except this time I could swear he was looking at me.

That was impossible, there was no way he could see out the window and into my car, but yet I felt the power of those eyes until I was out of the lot.

I shivered and turned up the heat.

When I pulled up to my house, I could already feel the misery of my new home radiating out towards me. All the lights were out, my mom and Richard were probably already in their bedroom watching TV.

I slowly got out of my car and headed inside, and straight up to my room. When I was taking off my jacket I remembered the piece of paper that Gauge had given me. I pulled it out of my pocket and opened it. The first thing I noticed, was that it smelled of pine and snow. Then I saw a phone number, and scrawled below it was one sentence...

If you need someone to talk to give me a call. -Gauge

I felt oddly warmed by the gesture. I knew I would never call him, but for some reason I stuffed the note back into my pocket, and threw the jacket on the back of my computer chair. I wished I could call him, and for that I cursed myself.


I couldn't sleep I just kept tossing and turning. Everytime I started to drift off, I was greeted with the sight of those silver and gold eyes, and the sound of his husky voice ringing through my ears. The last time I looked at the clock it was 2 a.m.