"Come on man! We gotta do something,Vince. I am in LOVE!"

My bestfriend Marcus is one of those who really need help in such social interactions. Ask them about Naruto's latest episode or PewDiePie's last video and they can quote dialogues all day, but when it's approaching the fairer sex, let's just say they tend to hit a rough patch.

"Calm down, Marky. Don't you know, Sam's going out with our LeBron James? And they sure seem happy."

Samantha Edwards is going out with Jacob Harvey, he's our school's basketball champ, so we call him LeBron.

"So what they seem happy?! I don't think Harvey's good enough for her, he gives me playboy vibes."

"Here's one reason I don't think you're in love. You're not satisfied by her happiness just coz she's with someone else."

      Yeah, I'm one of those few studying the social animal's mind who actually understand it.

"I'm sorry, you're on which side?!! Just think of a way, brother. You're my only hope."

As if emotional blackmail would work on me. But instead,I say "Okay okay, bro. I'll think about it. Get some sleep now, I'll see you at school tomorrow."

      I cut the call before he could reply, lest he starts another rant. It's boring, for I'm pretty sure it's just an adolescent infatuation.

I open Google's homepage and search -

Top ten causes of teenage death

Fortunately, crazy as it can get, I don't see High School in particular anywhere.

So I guess I'm gonna be just fine this year.

I've always wanted to become a zoologist, growing up watching National Geographic and Animal Planet. But my parents want me to work for (our own) the human race. So I've stopped discussing my dilemma between zoology and doctory.

Presently, the only creature I can study is my Siberian Husky- Watson (Yes,as in Dr. John H Watson).

He's snow white with black patches, like Max from Eight Below. I love Huskies for how close they are to wolves(not technically). They're well built animals as they were first domesticated by us as runners to carry sleds. And they have the most stunning eyes. Watson's are blue.

      And so is Bookerton High, colored blue, I mean, not stunning. Except for the blueness, the school is pretty average. It has about 1500 students and all the staff members are okay, except Mr. Walker. He teaches mathematics, and I'm not very fond of him (nor his subject). I mean, which teacher asks  each and every student what his parents do? It's as if you're seeking prejudice.

I'm a high school sophomore and I usually hang out with Marcus Wagner and Henry Collins. Marcus is the fun type and Henry the brainy.

      Marky had had eyes on Sam for a couple of months and Henry is not exactly the romantic type (no wonder there). And I feel weird that in such a bustling place, I don't have a crush already.

.

.

.

      Next morning. I woke up at 4, slept again after 40 minutes and then woke up at 7. Which meant I had to rush to take a bath, have some milk and toast, put on an olive green sweatshirt and camo pants and some sneakers. Mom wants me to start cycling to school as she thinks I'm getting lazy (although I fear she meant fat) and so I am, I think I can survive pedaling 3 miles every morning.

As I walk in, I nod a good morning to Stanley Cooper who's on gate duty. Our school has this little system which the administration is proud of. Two students are selected each year to be prefects. These prefects are like headboys but for the general discipline of the school premises before, between and after lectures. And it has been quite a success.

      I'm a keen observer, always looking out for little things, some trivial some monumental in the long haul. And as expected, high school is home to all kinds, what with teenagers and their phases. Logan always carries his football studs around, Ivory has 4 bags of different shades of pink, Clover never really stops chewing gum, Vienna has a spider in her locker, and many more.

      And I am a bit surprised when I see a new girl in class today. It's already been two months the school has started. She must be a transfer.

She sure looks exotic, not as if she could be French or something. Just gorgeous, long braided brown hair and sharp green eyes, the kind that can keep you transfixed. Powerful and intoxicating. I just realised I'm staring at her while she's drinking water.

Too late, she's caught me.

      "Steel canisters, those aren't allowed. Some savage hit a guy with one of these last week, had to get seven stitches."

"Oh, I see. I'll not bring it again. Thanks, I guess."

      And than she smiles, the smile is like Emma Watson's. Charming to the core.

Some first impression, Vincent Hart.

It is like bathing in the river Styx. You can be a great warrior without it too, but once you get enlightened, you realise you've never really known power before. The process to achieve it is holy torture, but what you finally get is invincibility.

By the third period, I had etched her sketch and by lunch, I had declared the beginning of my romantic saga to Marcus. What I now realise I had been waiting for was sixth period. For the first time in my entire school life, I'm delighted to have Mr. Walker around. I had felt pretty bad for her (okay, maybe more for me) when no one introduced her to the class at the start of the day. Although I was a bit proud to think I was the first person she spoke to.

Of course this may not be true, she could've talked to some authority or asked for directions, but when our mind finds joy in believing one possibility, it can be pretty ignorant to all others.

I pricked my ears as soon as Walkers walked in. Predictable as the Sun rising tomorrow. He went towards the new girl and the class got restless. Thankfully, my auditory senses are developed enough to let me hear what passed.

Her name, is Lavender Grace. She transferred from Wordsworth and her dad is an architect. She's got a younger brother (10) and she used to play centre for Wordsworth's volleyball team (that explains...). And yes, she does fairly well academically.

And then the lecture commenced with trigonometry and boredom clouded back.

After school, I spotted her chatting with Hailey Sanders. I don't like this. Hailey is the typical high school gossip girl. Happy-go-lucky on the outside and whispering recklessly when you're out of sight. These become 'friends' easily.

I'm still a nobody to Good Gracious and I'm not interrupting them. At least not yet.

As I rode out of the parking, she was waiting at the main gate. For her mom perhaps. When you're upto good, life does aid you. She eyed my bike and raised an eyebrow.

I pull up beside her, trying to act as cool as possible.

"Cool bike"

"Yeah, thanks"

Smile, through the sunshine.

"I'm Vincent Hart"

I extend my hand,

"Lavender Grace"

I take her hand, and being the gentleman I am, kiss it a hello. This takes her off guard.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Grace."

At this she recovers with a smile. And I notice, gleefully, with a hint of a blush too.

Mission passed, respect +

"Likewise"

This is it. I want this smile. All day, every day. For her and for me.

"Waiting for your mom?"

"Yeah, she should be here soon."

"Do you live far?"

I wonder if this is a safe question.

"No, we are more in the 2 mile range."

"You can ride to school then, as you're an athlete."

"Oh, so you've done your research already?"

Oops

Being a creep is a subjective thing, if someone likes you, you pass from creep to sport.

I'm Flash at research, Sherlock at observation and pushing at a label this moment, when we hear a honk. Her mom's here. A saviour.

"Don't worry, I'll join your cycling club once I get my bike."

She says as she gets in the grey Volkswagen Rabbit.

What she said translates to 'Welcome, you've occupied the good sport vacancy.'

Play- Fly Me To The Moon

Marcus has mixed reactions on this.

"Of course I'm happy for you, bro. You found your long sought school crush in the new girl and made friends with her on the very first day, that's crazy, man. But..."

"But what?"

"This is why I envy you. It's so easy for you. And also, this means you've got your own new 'venture' , so you'll not be sincerely helpful about Sam now!"

"When did I say so? I'm not prioritising anything, you've known me for 5 years bro, you should know better."

This should work.

"I guess. Just don't back out, you know I need you and she means so much to me."

Bingo.

Most effective exercises for fat loss

Walking, Jogging, Cycling, Skipping, Swimming...

So I'll add another cycling session in the eve and a skipping session in the morning.

Then I log in to Instagram. I should send a request to Samantha to help Marcus. And there it is -

@lav.ish_grace has requested to follow you

Keeping up the pace, I see.

Not bad, Lavender Grace