Untitled 123 (1) Chapter 1 Music poured out from every open door and window, as well as from the backyard. The music was quick and fast paced, made to get the listener up and dancing. All except one person was up and dancing. Brand sat on a couch and watched silently as guys and their girls danced by him. He still couldn’t believe he had let Jay, talk him into coming. Searching around the room, his gaze finally fell on his friend, who, at the moment had his arm around some blonde’s shoulder while whispering something that made her laugh. He couldn’t help but feel a little envious towards Jay’s ability to sweet talk the ladies. Brand smiled to himself he felt sorry for the blonde who had willingly fallen into Jay’s trap. Brand saw it every time whenever a girl would lay eyes on Jay. Calculating eyes took in his silver eyes, dazzling smile, and well sculpted body. Yes, Jay was a guy worth a second glance. Directing his thoughts away from the pair, Brand decided to go for a walk. As he was leaving the room though, he had the oddest sensation that he was being watched. He stopped, turned, scanned the room, then continued out. She finally let go the breath she had been holding. She surly thought he had seen her, but from the way he had acted told her he hadn’t. She finally turned back to her friend, just in time to be caught. “ Casey, girl, are you alright?” Her friend Bri, asked. “ Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Casey asked in return. “ I don’t know girl, but I could swear didn’t hear a word I just said. Now did you?” Crossing her arms across her chest, she stared at Casey pointedly. “ Of course I heard you.” Casey said, as if the implication that she hadn’t been listening was ridiculous. “ Alright, then tell me what I said.” Bri challenged. “ Fine. You caught me.” Casey finally admitted. “ Are you going to tell me now?” “ Even though I shouldn’t, this is just something I can’t keep to myself.” Bri said, smiling. “ Casey, you know the starting quarter back, Ryan, right?” “ Yeah, everyone does. What about him?” Casey asked hesitantly. “ Well, Pat was talking to him and you wont believe who Ryan asked about!” Bri paused, knowing Casey was getting annoyed. “ You?” Casey asked sarcastically. “ Pat may be my boyfriend, but that don’t mean he go around talking about me to his boys. God Casey! You’re so blonde sometimes. Ryan was asking about you!” Bri finally finished. “ What! Why?” Casey asked, shockingly. “ They don’t always need an excuse to ask questions about a girl. Pat just told me that they had been talking in the locker room, Thursday after practice, about tonight’s game, when Ryan asked if you were seeing anyone. Do you know what this means Casey! Ryan likes you!” Bri spoke, loudly. “ Just because he asked one question about me, doesn’t mean he likes me.” Casey said, doubting the truth of Bri’s statement. “ Girl, you’re just trippin. Ryan likes you and you know it.” Bri smacked Casey on the arm. When Casey went to say something, Pat walked over. Walking right beside him, was Ryan Evans. Both guys looked amazingly hot in their Varsity football jackets and worn down jeans. Pat wore a back of red and white Adidas running shoes, while Ryan wore a pair of white Nike Shox. Both guys were starters for varsity football team, as well as straight A students. “ Hey Pat! Hey Ryan!” Bri said, putting more emphasis on Ryan’s name and looking straight at Casey. “ Hey ladies. My, aren’t you two looking fine tonight. Don’t you think, Ryan?” Pat asked, turning to his dark haired friend. “ Definitely.” He said, his eyes never leaving Casey. “ Thanks babe. So what brings you two over here?” Bri asked, sliding closer to Pat. He obliged her, by slipping his arm around her waist. He lightly kissed her before answering her question. “ I didn’t know we needed an excuse to be around you, two fine ladies.” Pat said, teasingly. “ Cut it out.” Bri said playfully. “ I was just wondering.” “ Actually,” he said, then turned to address Casey, “ I was wondering if I could steal Bri for a few minutes?” Pat asked. “ You don’t need to ask me. She’s your girlfriend.” Casey said, laughing. “ Well, I guess that settles that. Come on Pat, lets leave these two alone.” Bri said, winking at Casey. “ Bri!” Casey felt her jaw drop at her friends audacity. Before she could say anything though, Bri and Pat had melted into the crowd, leaving her and Ryan alone. “ So, do you think it will work?” Bri asked, once her and Pat were alone, “ Yeah. Ryan will definitely make a move tonight. Just remember to call her, because he has to take her home for it to work. If this doesn’t work, then I don’t know what will.” Pat said, before pulling Bri into his arms. Casey felt her heart beat pick up its pace when Ryan spoke. “ Well aren’t they something. I should have known something was up when they left so quickly.” Ryan’s voice, wasn’t deep, but it wasn’t high either. It was perfect, deep and melodious. Casey turned to look at him, and her breath caught. She was so used to seeing him from far away, that being this close took her breath away. He wasn’t your ordinary seventeen year old boy. He was at least six three, with chocolate brown hair, and eyes as blue as the ocean. “ What do you mean, do you know something I don’t?” Casey asked. “ No, it’s just that, if I know Pat, this was set up.” Ryan said, smiling, showing off perfectly white, straight teeth. “ Although, I am not complaining.” Ryan winked at her. “ Oh really?” Casey asked, relaxing a bit. “ Yeah, really.” Ryan said, staring deeply into her eyes. When Good Luck Charm began blasting through the speakers, Casey turned her eyes down, afraid to ask him to dance. “ Do you wanna dance Casey?” Ryan asked, doing it for her. Her only answer was a nod of her head. Taking her hand in his, he brought her closer. Casey felt his arms sneak behind her back, around her waist. She locked her arms around his neck and looked up at him. He was smiling down at her. She could slowly feel them begin to move, but her thoughts were somewhere else. She was beginning to see the truth in Bri’s words. Maybe, he did like her. She felt his hands brush against her butt, but she didn’t entirely mind. Resting her head on his chest, she let the song fill her while they danced. “ Casey?” Ryan said, quietly by her ear. Casey had closed her eyes but opened them now, not wanting to let go of him. “ Yeah?” She asked, picking her head up off his chest. “ Pat just called. He said he was taking Bri home, so she wont be able to give you a ride.” He paused. “ Are you going to need one?” He asked. “ Um, yeah I will. I wonder why she’s going home? I hope everything is alright.” She said, a frown forming between her eyebrows. “ I’m sure everything is alright. Pat probably just wants to celebrate our win with her.” Ryan smiled again. “ You’re probably right.” Casey said, laughing. Knowing Bri, that was exactly what they were doing. “ Yeah. Just let me know when you are ready to go home, ok?” Ryan said. “ Yeah. Thank you for doing this for me.” Casey said smiling. “ No problem. But I was wondering if you wanted to get out of here and go somewhere else. This party aint all that hot.” Ryan looked at her again, waiting for her answer. “ What did you have in mind?” Casey asked, wanting to know where he planned on taking her. “ I don’t know, maybe we could go get a bite to eat. I haven’t eaten anything since before the game, and I’m starving.” Ryan said, sincerely. “ Sure, that sounds good. Just let me grab my purse and coat.” Casey went off in search of her things, all the while thinking of Ryan. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Then she halted, standing in the hallway was the boy she had been watching earlier. He was just as good looking as Ryan, maybe even better. She hoped he hadn’t seen her, but when he turned around, his eyes lit on her. She saw a hint of recognition before it was gone, in his emerald gaze. She felt her spine stiffen and her anger fill up inside of her. Brand was just coming back inside when he saw the most beautiful girl, who must have been sent from heaven. He felt a vague hint of recognition in his mind but before he could grasp it, it had disappeared. He watched her carefully, for she seemed angry and hurt. At what, he did not know, but she looked as if she was getting ready to leave. God, what timing. The one girl I find tonight, is already leaving. Maybe, he could try and talk her into staying and maybe he could even get her number. Now, Brand did not consider himself a great talker with the ladies, but he was just as good looking as Jay, and he attracted attention where ever he went. “ Hey. Are you leaving already? The party’s just started.” Brand could see her try to restrain from responding to his words. “ Yes I am. And the party is pretty much over. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m meeting someone and I just have to get my stuff.” Casey said, not wanting to acknowledge his existence. “ I don’t think we have met.” That remark earned him a glare. He wanted to laugh. He had no clue to as why this girl seemed to hate him. “ I’m sorry, but I really have to go.” Just then, Casey felt a presence come up behind her. “ Everything alright Casey?” Ryan asked, looking from Brand to Casey. “ Yeah,” She reached around Brand and grabbed her purse and coat then faced Ryan. “ All set, lets go.” She smiled sweetly at Ryan, then glared back at Brand. “ Ryan? As in Ryan Evans the quarter back?” Brand asked, looking at the man who stood at equal height to him. “ Yeah, that’s right. And you must be Brand. My sister talks about you constantly.” Ryan said, looking at Brand. “ Really? I think I know your sister. Real pretty little thing.” Brand smiled when he thought of Ryan’s sister. “ I’ll tell her you said hi.” Ryan said, before turning to look at Casey. “ We can go now.” “ Ok.” She smiled up at him, before taking a step towards the door. Ryan followed her out the door, closing it behind them. Brand smiled to himself. He played with the sound of her name while he made his way back to his friend. “ Casey? Casey?” The name sounded so familiar, but he just couldn’t place it. He knew it would bug him until he finally knew. He was so caught up with his thoughts, he didn’t hear Jay calling to him. He was shaken from his thoughts though, when Jay walked up behind him. “ Did you hear me calling to you? There is someone I want you to meet. Come on.” Brand walked behind Jay until they stopped. Standing in front of him was a blonde and a brunette. “ This is Sam,” he said, introducing the blonde he had had his arm around earlier. “ And this is her friend Steph. They’re both cheerleaders and Varsity volleyball players.” Brand smiled, when he finally caught onto Jay’s plan. He decided to go with it for the night, just because he was bored and needed some fun. Try as he might though, the thought of who Casey was never left his mind the entire night. When they had parked in her drive way, Ryan turned and looked at her. “ Casey, I had a really awesome time with you tonight. I was wondering if we could do it again?” Ryan asked, hesitantly. “ I had an awesome time too. You’re the first person I have really been able to take to. And I would love to go out with you again.” Smiling she gently rested her hand on the one that resided on the seat beside hers. She watched, fascinated, as he leaned in a little closer. It took her a moment to realize what he was doing. He was going to kiss her. She wasn’t completely sure he should be, but she couldn’t come up with a good enough reason to stop him. It was just a soft kiss. He gently placed his lips on hers, then pulled away. “ Casey.” Was all he said. He had wanted to kiss her longer, but was afraid he had pushed it far enough for one night. “ Promise you’ll let me pick you up tomorrow?” He asked. “ What time?” She asked, wishing he hadn’t stopped kissing her. “ Around one sound ok?” He said, smiling again. “ Sounds good. And thank you again for such a wonderful night.” Casey leaned over and gently kissed him this time, then pulled away and got out of his car. “ Goodnight Ryan.” She waved over her shoulder before running up the stone steps to the front door. “ Goodnight Casey.” He said, before turning the car on, and pulling out of her drive way. Casey sighed heavily and leaned against the door, as she watched him drive away. “ You gotta tell me everything girl!” Bri said. It was ten in the morning, and Casey was already up and about, thinking about her date with Ryan. “ You were right. At least I hope you are. He asked me on a second date when he dropped me off.” Casey could feel herself smile when she thought of last night. “ Girl, I told you he liked you. And damn, but he is fine I might add.” Bri laughed on the other end of the line. “ Is that all that happened?” Bri asked. “ Well I ran into someone I knew.” Bri didn’t even know about Brand and her, before they had been friends. “ Who?” Bri asked, just as Casey thought she would. “ Brand Kody.” Casey said, knowing that Bri would know the name. “ Girl, how’d you get mixed up with that player?” Bri asked, skeptically. “ I just know him that’s all.” Casey said, not wanting to discuss this on the phone. “ Ok. That’s one guy, you want nothing to do with. He will break your heart and that’s all he will do.” Bri finished. “ But anyways, I gotta go, Pat’s taking me out for the day. So I will talk to you tonight to see how your date went. You go get him.” You could hear the smile in her voice. After she hung up with Bri, Casey finished getting ready. A few minutes before one, the doorbell rang. “ I got it!” Stevie, Casey’s little brother hollered as he ran to get the door. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see a boy standing there. “ Hi. Who are you?” He asked, in that way only, 7 year olds can. “ I’m Ryan. I’m here to pick up your sister, is she here?” Ryan asked, smiling at the little boy. “ Stevie, who is it?” Ryan heard a woman’s voice shout from the kitchen. He watched as she walked out of the kitchen. He could see where Casey got her looks from. “ Hello. You must be Ryan. Casey should be down in a minute. Let me just tell her you’re here. If you would like, you can wait in the living room.” Casey’s mother’s soft eyes took in Ryan, and he could tell she was judging him. Finally turning towards the stairs she yelled up. “ Casey! Ryan’s here!” Turning back towards Ryan, she smiled then waited patiently until they heard Casey on the stairs. When he looked at her, he wanted to smile. She looked perfect in a pair of worn down Hollister Jeans, with a light pink shirt on. Her hair was pulled back at the temples, and clipped on the crown of her head. Her turquoise eyes sparkled like diamonds. She was truly beautiful. “ Hey Ryan.” Casey said breathlessly from running down the stairs. “ Sorry I’m running late.” She smiled at him, then turned to her mother. “ I will call you when I’m on my way home, ok?” She asked. “ Yes that’s fine, just remember to call.” Casey’ mom hugged her and kissed her before turning to look at Ryan. “ It was nice meeting you. Hope to see you again.” She turned, then walked back towards the kitchen. Stevie pulled on Casey’s arm, wanting to grab her attention. “ What is it Stevie?” Casey asked, wishing to be on her way. “ I like him. You should ask him to come over so we can play Play Station.” Casey couldn’t help but laugh at her brother. “ I will ask, don’t worry. But I gotta, so I will see you later tonight.” She knelt down and gave him a hug. “ Bye.” Stevie waved to both Casey and Ryan as they walked out the door.
Copyright © 2007 Devin M McDaniel |