Chapter 1- June 28th

"Stop it! C'mon AJ! I mean it!" Amy said laughing. She was trying to carry a huge stack of cardboard boxes inside the house while her boyfriend AJ Mclean was tickling her.

At that moment I was carrying in stuff too but I was also gazing wistfully at Amy and AJ. How I yearned for someone to love! But when I thought about it I barely had time for a relationship. All my time was always spent studying, trying to get the best grades possible, so I could get into a good college. Well, it all paid off because when I graduated from high school a few days ago I was valedictorian of my class. In September I'd be heading to Harvard University and studying pre-med.

I was proud of all my accomplishments but I felt cheated of my whole high school experience. Yea, I definitely got a lot out of the academic part, but as far as the social part goes I got nothing. I hardly made any friends, went to any parties, or anything like that. I was 18 years old and haven't even been really kissed by a guy where the kiss was meant just for me. (Spin the bottle does not count.)

Well, maybe this summer would be different. Amy, who has been my best friend for practically forever despite my lack of popularity, dragged me here to live in the Florida beachouse that her and AJ had rented for this summer. See, it all started when the two of them complained about not seeing each other enough. With AJ always on tour and Amy finishing up school it had been tough. Amy went to visit him on tour a few times but they barely had two minutes alone. So, that's when they decided to rent the beachouse.

The beachouse really is beautiful! It has a romantic, wraparound porch that overlooks the beach which is just like the perfect setting to sit with your lover, wrapped up in a blanket and watch the sunset. On the inside there's a spacious living room with two couches, a T.V and a VCR. Then of course there's the kitchen. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom and there's also a basement downstairs which contains a game room with a pool table and another bedroom. OK, maybe it's not the real world but it's pretty sweet in my opinion.

Amy thought so too and had to rent it! The only thing was the house was a little to big for just her and AJ. (Well, that's what she says but to tell you the truth I think she was just a little nervous about moving in with AJ.) So, she begged me to come stay with them. Me! Alone with them! Just another chance to rub it in my face that I can't get a guy.

"So, that's it! You're afraid that I'll be so busy with AJ that I'll forget all about you. Right?" she had asked.

I never answered her because I knew she was right. I would be lonely, jealous, and miserable the whole summer.

Next thing I knew AJ had invited his friend Nick to come live with us to keep me occupied. I was really upset that they just assumed that they could just throw me to Nick so they could go off and have fun. I mean it seemed as if they had already considered me and Nick a couple when we've never even met! That was why I wanted to just stay home and prepare for college. I couldn't believe the hard time that amy had given me about it!

"C'mon Lyssa please? You can't just leave me alone in a house with two guys for the whole summer!" she had pleaded.

"I'm sure you wouldn't mind that at all Amy. Especially with your guy obsessed mind!" I had argued.

"Lyssa, you really have to live a little! You're 18 and going to college in September! I've known you my whole life and all you do is study! Well, it's summer time and you need to relax. What better way to do that then to live with us for the summer. This is your last chance to just be wild and crazy before you have to settle down, Amy complained.

Yea, like I'd ever do something wild and crazy, I thought.

"If you're that worried that I'm going to totally ignore you for AJ don't be. You know I'm not like that! Anyway even if I do you can always hang out with Nick," Amy continued.

"What is this whole big thing about the two of you pushing me towards Nick? God, I haven't even met the guy yet and already I'm sick of him! Maybe I don't want to hang out with him!" I snapped.

"Lyssa, I can't even remember you ever even talking to a guy unless it was related to schoolwork! I know you're shy and all but you're just being ridiculous now. Living in a house with guys will be a good experience for you and you will talk to them!" she insisted.

When Amy gets this way there's nothing to do except give in. "Well, maybe..." I admitted, not wanting to give in.

"So you'll do it? Please for me?" she begged.

"I guess so," I grumbled but in reality I wasn't really sure at all.

So, that's what brought me here uncomfortably watching Amy and AJ hang over each other. Nick hadn't arrived yet but to my understanding he should be there shortly. Eager to get away from the two lovebirds I said, "I think I'm going to go bring my stuff upstairs and unpack. Which room should I take?"

"Which ever one you want should be fine," Amy answered.

I trudged upstairs, lugging all my stuff and looked around. When I reached the top of the landing there were two doors on my left and two on my right. I dropped my things where I was standing and decided to explore the rooms.

The first door on the left was the bathroom which didn't really interest me. I mean a bathroom's a bathroom. The second door was a bedroom with purple walls and matching purple, silver, and black furniture. It had kind of that futuristic feel to it and it like had Amy's name written all over it.

The first door on the right was another bedroom which again didn't really interest me. The last door was the third bedroom which was like totally me. The walls were painted a pale pink and were decorated with little pink flowers. It looked like a little girl's room but I didn't care. Sometimes in my mind it's almost like I am still a little girl.

I ran back to get my things and started to unpack and neatly put away my clothes. On top of one of the dressers was a mirror and I looked up into it critically analyzing my reflection. My long, thick, wavy dark brown hair was pulled back in a messy bun and my cheeks were flushed from the heat. I've never considered myself a particularly beautiful person but definitely not an ugly one either. I'm just average. I have really pale skin so with my dark hair I practically look Goth which I hate! I guess my best feature is my eyes which are pale blue so they contrast dramatically with my hair but unfortunately that's the aid of the contacts that Amy had persuaded me to get last year. Without them my eyes are just plain, yucky, mud brown.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling in the driveway. That must be the great Nick that Amy keeps telling me about. I had to admit that I was a bit curious about this guy, so I sat down on my window seat that overlooked the beach and watched him get out of the car.

He opened the car door and stepped outside and I noticed the slight wind blow a breeze through his blond hair as he pushed it away from his face.

Something happened in my mind that I couldn't quite comprehend at that moment. It was like my heart just stopped and I felt sort of dizzy and lightheaded. What is my problem? I asked myself. Love at first sight does not exist!

At that moment he looked up towards my window. Probably not at me but in my direction. Get a grip! I told myself but even that couldn't control my pounding heart. Could I be developing a crush here? Over just staring at him for a full two minutes? I never get flustered over guys like this and the worst part was I had to live with him!

Well, I haven't even spoken to him yet so it's very possible that that he could be a complete jerk. I mean how much can you tell about a person's personality with just a glimpse? Absolutely nothing! I would wait a while to decide for sure.

With that decided I finished unpacking.