Who owns my heart?

Chapter-01

"Who owns my heart? Is it love? Or is it art? Cause the way you got your body movin's

Got me confused

I can't tell if it's the beat or sparks

Who owns my heart? Is it love? Or is it art? Y-Y-Y-You know I wanna believe

That we're a masterpiece

But sometimes it's hard to tell in the dark

Who owns my heart?"

I sang my favourite Miley Cyrus song with my earphones. Iam Emily Collins. All these years, I lived in Paris even though it's not my native place. Now Iam back to where I belong. Iam in Florida. My dad still works in a software company in Paris. I really miss the times I spent with him. Now, it's only me and my mom. I don't really have many friends in my life. What's the use in having many friends when not everyone is true? I can rather have one. When it comes to a relationship, I have nothing to say. I never had a boyfriend and never been friends with boys too. When it comes to romance movies, I won't be blinking at all at that time. All I imagine is one thing. What is love? I wanna feel it like others. You know what? I have been repeatedly thinking of this and nothing special happens in my life.

" Honey, can you come downstairs?" My mom called me loud enough to be heard by me. I always get lost in songs and stays unaware of this world. Most of the people are like that. Iam not unique.

" I'm coming mom, " I replied. I got down through stairs fastly with my iPhone in my hand. When I reached the hall, I watched her arranging three pie cake. Strawberry pie cake?

" Are we expecting any guests, mom? Why do you have three pie cakes?" I asked getting my hand near it.

" Don't touch it. It's for the neighbours." my mom instantly says, slapping my hand lightly.

" Ow, " I made a sound when it doesn't even hurt. " Are you gonna gives all of this to our neighbour? We don't even know them, mom."

" That's why we are going to introduce ourself. Actually, you are going to give them this cake, " she ordered me. My mom likes to be friendly with everyone. I'm not like her in this particular thing.

" No, Iam not interested in knowing any new persons." Iam an introvert and Iam kinda lazy. Who wants to meet the neighbour? Nah. I don't.

" Do it or you won't get a pie for yourself? You want it or not?" she demanded me with her silly blackmail.

" Fine. I need to talk with Pearl. I will come back in ten minutes." I informed and video calls my close friend. It may be called as a long-distance friendship. Her name's Pearl Brown. We talk a lot when Iam in Paris and she's in Florida. The one and only girl I ever trust blindly. Iam going to meet her after ten years.

" Hey, Em. What's up? Iam so excited to meet you tomorrow in Edgewood high. I miss you so much." she literally screams in the phone in her excitement.

" I miss you too, Pearl. Iam kinda nervous about this new high school. I don't know anyone. Iam only coming for ya." I told her while walking back to my room.

" You will get practised with it soon. And Iam here for you. What could go wrong? Anyways, how was your time in Paris? Are you still in contact with any friends or...Are you in a long-distance relationship with your boyfriend?" she eagerly asked.

" Boyfriend? You have got to be kidding me? If I had one, then it would have ended in break-up by the time I reached Florida. To be honest, having a boyfriend is not on my list." I said casually.

" Alright. See you tomorrow, " she ended the call. The next moment, I opened WordPress. One thing I have forgotten to say is that Iam a quite famous blogger. I write blogs about my personal life a lot and people support me from all around the world. I posted a blog about my weird feelings about this new high school. My instincts telling me that something different and bad is going to happen. Can I believe it? Whatever happens, this is where Iam going to stay. Whether I like it or not?

Suddenly someone caught my eye at the other end of the window. I got to be having good eyesight, cause I can see a boy standing near a desk, only with his shorts on. I can somehow see his shirtless body. He has a phone in his hands, typing furiously. And then he looked upright in my direction. Before I could see his reaction, I closed the curtains quickly and signed with relief.

After that, I rushed downstairs to take the cake pie and give it to the neighbours. The first house door got opened by a small girl. It was fun to talk with a cute kid and then a grown-up lady opened the door of the second house. I finished the conversation simply as she's looking uninterested to deal with neighbours. At last, I knocked on the door which is straight to my house.

A thought suddenly popped up in my head when I knocked on the door. Before I could think of it, the door opened revealing the same boy I have seen a few minutes ago. He leaned on the wall, folding his arms against his chest and stared at me without uttering a single word. I was supposed to talk now. Instead, my eyes wandered over from his brown hair, light blue eyes to his strong muscular arms and his perfect abs and his pants which hung low on his waist. He has a wolf tattoo on his left arm and a phoenix tattoo right on his chest. I only saw boys like this in movies. It seems like I can't stop myself in real.

Iam staring at him with a pie cake in my hands. I might look stupid in right of him. When I wasn't ready to speak, he started the conversation.

" See what you like? "

Oh my god! He's talking to me. He has a charming and sexy voice, just like this body. Oh, Emily, stop thinking like this. I don't even know this name.

" Nope. Iam here to give this. I just want..want to greet the neighbours, " I stammered. But then I gathered some courage and said something which I didn't prepared to say.

" Put on a shirt before opening the door. Take this cake. I need to go, "

" Really! You should stop staring at me if you want me to put on a shirt, " he said, observing me.

Suddenly someone walked to the entrance. I wished it could be his parents. But it's a guy in his twenties. " Who's at the door, Ryder? How many time did I tell you not to allow a girl who's tryna seduce you?"

What the heck? " Iam just a neighbour. I regret coming here. Now, take this damn cake and shut the door." I shouted.

" She's our new neighbour, bro. What's your name, Darling? Hazel?" Ryder spoke. His name is Ryder. Okay, I should get to the point. He's calling me Hazel as my eyes are hazel in colour.

" Iam Emily Collins. Not Hazel. Do you want this or not?" I asked, showing the pie one last time.

" I'm Shawn. Nice to meet you. I want this. Thank you." Ryder's brother came and took it from my hands. I wondered whether Ryder will continue the conversation or not. But he doesn't. He's not interested in eating the pie cake or continuing the conversation.

" Where are you studying?" Shawn asked me.

I replied instantly. " Edgewood high, "

" Cool. That where my brother's going." Shawn said.

" I guess we could meet there again, Emily, " Ryder spoke. That's it. He went inside the room. I didn't even get to know him. I know I can't know within minutes. But I wish I could know him more. I have no idea whether he will talk with me in school or not. Will he?

I came back to my room and slept peacefully. Tomorrow is going to be a new day in Edgewood High. When I opened my eyes in the morning, I was pretty excited. Iam going to meet Pearl after many years and I can meet Ryder if there's a chance. I wear my favourite jeans and a black shirt. My mom was so happy about my day in a new school. When I reached high school, Iam amused by the school. There's a beautiful garden at the entrance which gives me good vibes to move on with that day. I don't have the bad instinct I had yesterday. There's a lot more crowd of students than I expected. My eyes wandered over everywhere to find Pearl. Where is she? I feel so lost without anyone with me.

" Immediately, someone threw their arms over my shoulder and screamed in my ear. " Welcome to Edgewood, Em, " It was Pearl's voice.

" You are here. Wow, I don't even recognize you, Pearl. You changed a lot." that's the first thing I spoke. Everyone knows that there's a difference between seeing someone in real and photo. Pearl's face is brightened up when she faced me. She has blonde hair till her shoulder.

" Of course. I changed. What age do you think we are? We are sixteen years, not six." she teased and grabbed my hands.

" I got to show you around the whole school. But first, we need to find the class. I got a lot to talk to you. I don't think this two years will be enough to do this." she chattered non-stop. Soon, we found our classroom. Then she dragged me again to somewhere.

" Let's have a coffee before going to class. We got a lot more time for first class, " she said and ordered two cups of coffee. When we got the coffee, I slowly sipped it and explored the school with Pearl. We walked around the garden, talking about my days in Paris.

A few minutes later, I caught a crowd of students in the distance. They all are gathered around something or someone.

" What's going on?" I called Pearl, motioning my eyes towards the crowd.

" Who knows? Let's go, " she instantly responded by emptying the cup of coffee with one sip. She ran towards the, leaving me alone. I looked at my surrounding and felt so calm and relaxed. This is my mood every single day. I never felt sad or angry. Everything is easy in my life. My life always goes calm like a parallel line.

" It's nothing but a magazine. Do you want it?" Pearl came back with a small magazine.

" What's in the magazine?" I asked, getting it from her hands.

" I didn't ask him. But I got to go now. I will meet you in first class. Sorry." Pearl apologized and hurried off.

" Where are you going? You can't leave me alone. Pearl?" I shouted like a mad girl. She can't leave me here. I guess I need to spend the rest of the time alone till class starts. I opened the magazine and flipped it continuously.

" Did you saw page no.23? The boy from the magazine is going to study here? We got to so lucky. I will do anything to attract me." a girl walked past me talking with her friends.

I turned to page 23 to see who's she talking about. The heading and sub-heading caught my eye.

Idol for the teenagers

Jason Byrne

It's a hot boy as a model. I turned back with the cup in my hand. I accidently hit someone as my eyes are in the magazine.

" What the fuck?" I heard a loud voice, straight next to me. I dropped the paper cup. I already spilled the coffee on that unknown guy. Damn it. The beginning is worse. I don't want any enemies.

" You ruined my shirt. Can't you watch where you are going? You are going to pay for that."

" Iam sorry. It was an accident. Sorry." I apologized politely. But that guys seem extremely angry. He acts like I have ruined his life. But I just ruined his life. It's just a coffee.

" This is bullshit. Already my day isn't good enough. Now you ruined my shirt. No one can easily walk away after spoiling my mood." he shouts at me loudly. Everyone's attention is on me. I walked back slowly when he stepped forward, yelling at me. I didn't want to talk any words he's cursing at me for a silly reason. Suddenly, my heels slipped and fell on the ground. It's embarrassing. My first day in Edgewood high turns out to be the worst.

" Step away, you idiot. Iam gonna fucking beat you if you didn't apologize to her." I heard a new voice who is trying to help me. It's me. I was the one who caught up in an embarrassing situation.

" Why...why should I apologize? she did this to me." that guy shows his ruined shirt. He's scared and shocked at the same time. I can't look at the boy who saved me because I can only see his back. Who is it?

" I said apologize. Now, " he said in a demanding tone. Before that guy apologized, the boy turned towards me and gave his hands to help me stand up. Without hesitation, I took his hand and looked at his face. I feel I already have seen him. Those black hair, green eyes, and charming face. He's a blue shirt and black jeans. It's...

" Iam sorry for yelling at you. I won't bother you." that guy apologized and ran away with his friends behind him.

" He didn't hurt you. Did he?" the boy asked me kindly.

" He didn't. I was the one who slipped and fell." I silently told, rubbing the dirt off my dress. I expected the students to move on with their work instead of watching me. But I got more attention than I got a minute ago. Can't they mind their own business?

" He's a dick. Actually, I don't even know him. But he won't bother you again. Anyway, Iam Jason Byrne. What's your name?" he asked, bringing his hands to shake.

" Iam Emily Collins. I'm new to....wait a minute." I stammered and looked at the magazine when I remembered that I saw him a minute ago.

" That's me. There's no doubt in it." He laughed when he saw my expression. I was looking at the magazine and him like ' Is it really the same guy?'

" Yeah. Don't take it wrong. I just bought this magazine cause I was curious to know what other students are looking at. I don't know anything about you till now. Iam new to Florida."

" Oh, I see. On the bright side, Iam glad you didn't know me. I don't like the way everyone is asking for autographs and selfies. I want to talk with someone who can talk to me like an ordinary person." Jason expressed this thought.

" I can talk with you like an ordinary person." Then there's a silence between us as we both looked at everywhere but not us.

" So, do you want a tour around this school? If you want it, I will show you." Jason asked after the long pause.

" Yeah, sure. But I heard you are new to this school too. Are you new or not?" I asked with a little doubt.

" You heard that too. Iam new but I already been here years ago. Let's go. I will show you this cool place." he said. I eagerly followed him to the backside of the school.

" Would you mind telling me about yourself? I heard you are a model..." I started the conversation while walking.

" Yeah. It's been a year since I have been a model. I won't be famous if it's not for my mom."

" Who's your mom?"

" Emma Byrne. If you have seen the tv series ' Midnight sky', then you could have known her. She's the lead actress in that popular series."

" Maybe I will see it now."

" Hm...so tell me about yourself?" he asked as he stares at me.

" I came from Paris to Florida for my studies. Iam a single child in my home. My mom and I are living alone as my dad is working in Paris. I don't have that much to tell about myself as Iam just an ordinary girl." I told him as he studied my face.

" No matter who ordinary you are, there will be a story to say about your life. I can say Iam interested to know more. But before that, I got to show the swimming pool."

I looked at the pool right in front of me. It's spacious and all that surrounds and looks gives me peace. But one thing bothers me. I never kept my foot on a swimming pool.

" Edgewood high prefers to give more concentration on extra-curricular. Swimming is the topmost important thing here. You can join in any tournament if you want to, " Jason said.

" I...I don't know swimming. Maybe you can show any other place now." I said with hesitation.

In reply, Jason leaned forward and whispered: " Will you learn if someone teaches you?"

" Yeah, of course, " I said trying not to blush. My heart started to beat faster when we leaned closer to me.

" Then Iam here to do that." he stepped back slowed. Then we started to continue pacing around the school. He showed the place where students play basketball, football, and a beautiful dome decorated with flowers. At last, we are at the stadium.

" This is where everyone does roleplays. Many famous stories played by the students. I want to participate too if they conducted it." Jason said admiring the whole stadium and its curtains. Suddenly, the bell rang.

" Hey, it's time for the class. I don't want to be late on this very first day." I alarmed him.

" No, you won't, Milly, " he beamed at me.

" Iam not.." I started to say my name again.

" I know. I like to call you like that. Come on, I will take you to class." He got hold of my hands and we ran through the corridor with our bags swinging on one side of our shoulder.

" We are here on time. Thanks, Jason, " I smiled at him.

" It's my pleasure." with that we both entered the class. He sat somewhere at the corner while I sat alone waiting for Pearl. I can't believe she's still not showing up. What if she's in any trouble? She should be here now. A class got over and the next class started without a break. But still, there's no sign of Pearl. What if she's not even my class? Nah. I saw her name right on the board.

I bit my nails and listened to the sum which is being taught by the teacher. Then I heard some footsteps in that silent class.

" How many times have I told you not to come late? You are just going without responding to the teacher?" she yelled at someone. I tilted my chin up to look at the person. Ryder Blake. He's in a white shirt, black jeans and a leather coat. A sunglass is hanging on his shirt and when I looked at his bag, it doesn't seem like it has books at all. It nearly seems empty.

And then he spoke, " If you really gonna give detention, then do it. I can deal with that."