Chapter 18 The Beginning (17)

ZACH'S POV

When we headed to the gym I didn't know how the assembly would go, but something about the fact that Emily had to leave early made me excited for this. So when we got there and she and some other girl were trying to get the choir settled to no avail, in a rather funny way, I decided to sit and enjoy the show.

In the end she was able to get the choir settled and they warmed up. I thought it was cool to see her working with them, commanding them, and playing the piano, she was really running the show. Then while listening to Principal Skyper talk about the Dance, I was gazing intently at Emily the entire time. I can't help but wonder if she would want to go to the Dance with me. I wonder what she would look like in a dress, looking beautiful, under the lights at the Dance. I really want to see that. I realized at that moment that I really needed to get to know her and I want to be able to ask her to the Dance and be confident she might say yes. This girl is really captivating me! No one had ever made me feel this way and I've never wanted to ask any girl anything, let alone to a dance. Then when I thought things couldn't get more interesting..... her choir started singing.

The first song, Thriller, was very good and they sang it well together (I think, I don't really know much about music), but then, they sang another song, This is Halloween. The director had said that there would be some solos but I didn't know Emily had one. She looked somewhat nervous during the song, which at the time I had no idea why, but then when she stepped up to the microphone she was so confident in herself. Then she sang. It was beautiful, I've never been really interested in music but her singing put me in a trance. I'm not going to lie, I was very jealous thinking that all these people that weren't her friends and I got to hear her, but I knew that they should now give her some respect that she definitely deserves. If not, I will make them respect her and I won't let anyone harm or upset her, whether she knows about it or she doesn't.

All this had made me think about her all day. While at lunch, Zane even scared the crap out of me because of it. I had sat down and just noticed where she sat and was watching her. Then he came up from behind me and whispered in my ear: "You are a sick Pervert staring at her like that all the time." I almost jumped off the bench. He started laughing so hard tears almost came out of his eyes, I made him pay for it though.

The rest of the day went by smoothly but it seemed almost painstakingly slow. I observed her whenever I could, and when I couldn't I tried to focus on anything but her, nothing seemed to work. Soon school had ended.

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Soon it was time for Zane to pick me up. Zane and I are both 16 and have our license, but since I just moved her I don't have a car. Normally I rely on other, special, ways of transportation. I don't know where we are going and whenever I ask Zane just gives me a knowing look and says, "You'll see". It is honestly a bit annoying, but I need something to take my mind off her so I don't mind to much.

After about twenty minutes we arrive at the South Beach. Since it was still daytime and only about 1:45 in the afternoon I could see the beach in a new light, literally. Not only that, but I noticed Emily and some of her friends hanging out and playing frisbee. She looked very pretty in her red crop top and jeans, she was running around barefoot with a red ankle bracelet on and her California Tan. While I was looking she ran for the frisbee and caught it but ended up tripping on a hole in the sand, her friends and her burst out laughing. I chuckled a little bit to myself, it was interesting seeing her play with her friends with no care in the world. I walked away after a while and started talking with some people that were starting a fire, and apparently I walked away just in time.

When I looked up from the conversation I noticed one of Emily's friends had run over to Zane and hugged him from behind, scaring him. I guessed that was Lizzie, and I realized that if I had been near Zane, Emily would have seen me when Lizzie went up to him. I don't want to her to see me yet, I want to talk to her at the right time and now, was not it.

Soon the guys had gotten a fire started, which was cool because it was starting to get dark. Some people brought out chips and snacks while others roasted hot dogs over the fire. People were still playing games, talking, laughing, eating, and it was fun for my first Californian Party. I decided to go talk to Zane and Lizzie. I was walking near them when Zane saw me and called me over. He said, "Lizzie I want you to meet my friend Zach, I invited him to hang out with us."

Lizzie looked up at me with recognition in her eyes, "Hey I'm Lizzie, I think I know you. Or better yet I know someone else who's..... had a few in counters with you. Aren't you in my gym class?"

I see she has a sly look and I say, "Yeah, I am in your gym class, and what do you mean *someone who's had some in counters with me*?"

She just says nothing and looks over to where Emily is standing with some friends. I decide that now is a good time to talk to her and say my goodbye to Zane and Lizzie. I think I hear Lizzie laugh and say something to Zane as I walk away. While I am walking towards Emily someone turns on some music and I see some guy approach Emily. When she turns and sees him she starts walking away towards her friends that had gone to get drinks. Except he wouldn't let her go, instead he grabs her arm and pulls her back towards him.