It’s been a few weeks now since I moved to Denver. It is by far way better than boring old Iowa. The mountains are beautiful, reaching so high in the midnight sky, the moon seems to balance on its tip. The days are endless magic. 

I go to a new school, I love the classes and all the teachers. It’s my last year, so I must make everything count. I'm currently running for class president, and I'm determined to win. Nothing will get in my way. School has always been my number one  priority. Then of course family and friends. My social life can wait, and, honestly, so can boys. They haven't affected me this far in life; it's not like they can now. 

This year is already stressing me out because I have to pick a college soon, and I don’t even know what I want to do. My parents are constantly pushing me to get good grades so I can go to a good college and be successful. I want that for myself too, but I want to do it on my own terms. 

There’s just one class I'm struggling in so far this year; AP Chemistry. I just don’t understand it, and the teacher isn't the best at explaining it to me either. She's trying her best though. A few days ago, some guy transferred into my class and I unfortunately, got stuck being his partner. The first words we exchanged went, ”Hey. Grayson Finn.” Moments later I responded: “Scarlet. Scarlet Evans.” He doesn’t talk much, but he looks to me as if he knows what he’s doing. When I try to talk to him about the lab, he acts as if I’m trying to tell him what to do. He’s very rude about it. I shouldn't have to put up with it. 

Today all he did was piss me off. Everything he was doing didn’t make any sense to me. I tried asking him to slow down and tell me what he was doing, but he raised his voice saying, “Let me handle this!” and then proceeded to work. I stood up  immediately, the chair slid across the slick floor. I smacked the table with my hand, “Stop it!”  Whispers bounced off the walls into my ears weaving through my head. He slowly lifted his head, grinning. He looked directly at me. Shivers crawled up my spine as I could feel everyone's eyes watching me. Slowly I sat back into my chair, putting my head between my arms, grasping my hair on opposite sides. I didn’t say a word for the rest of the period.

 
I went home that evening and as usual my parents asked how my day went, what I ate and if I was having trouble in any class. I didn’t tell them what happened. They probably would’ve come up with an entire speech about how boys aren’t going to get me into college or that I should be focusing. I didn’t want to hear it. I picked up my cat and called my dog as I walked to my room, where I stayed all night. 

The following day I walked into class and that boy, that self-centered Grayson kid, was already sitting down with everything laid out for the lab. As I walked toward my seat, he caught my eyes. 

“Hey, freckles, are you going to go all mini-Hulk on me today again?” 
“Oh, shut up kid.” 
“Woah there: Kid? I’m pretty sure you're the young one here.” 

I looked at him as the corners of his mouth started to curl. I narrowed my eyes, starring into his. His eyes reminded me of the seasons changing, a little bit of everything, but nonetheless beautiful... 

“You know, love, I thought it was pretty cute, that burst of anger. It's kind of attractive. Maybe I should make you mad more often.” 

I could feel heat rising through my cheeks, the shivers. I wanted to tell him to shut up again, but he’d know he had gotten to me. I couldn’t let that happen. I needed to focus. 

“What’re we doing today?” I pushed out a thin voice. 
“Would you like me to explain?” 
Was he being serious? Should I say yes? What if he’s joking and just wants to see me mad again? 
“...Yes, please.” 
“All right then, let's get started.” 

Throughout class he explained every step to me, what chemicals were what. What would happen if you mixed a certain two or why you shouldn’t. His voice filled my head and somehow, I knew exactly what he meant with every word. I couldn’t help but notice his tone changed from the few times he'd spoken to me. It was... softer. 
Class was about to end, and as we cleaned up, he started making small talk. 

“Freckles, so are you one of those know-it-alls, gotta be good at everything kinds of people? Or do you just want to embarrass yourself?” 

He laughed at his own joke. I must admit, it wasn’t what I expected at all. It wasn’t too loud, but it wasn’t too gentle either. It was the perfect mix, and very attractive. I don’t know what it was about him. He was... intriguing. I never answered the little joke of his. 

The bell rang and I started out the door but for some reason I had a gut feeling that I needed turn back. Right as I was doing so I caught Grayson by surprise, standing barely a step between  us. That damned smile crept across his face again. He started to hold up a notebook. My notebook. 

“Thought you would want this back, Scarlet.” 

Snatching it out of his hand I gripped the notebook and walked to my next class forcing myself not to think about what had just happened. 

Later that night I sat on my bed and started to pull out my homework. As I pulled out my chemistry notebook a tiny slip of paper fell out. I picked it up and I thought to myself, if this is a stupid love note, that kid’s getting it tomorrow. I opened it and a phone number was written, along with the words “call me, freckles- Gray <3.” I couldn’t believe this guy. All because I flipped out on him once, now he wants me to talk to him outside of school? So not happening. I tossed the paper on my night stand and started working on my homework. 
I woke up the next morning with no memory of falling asleep. I looked to my left, 8:47 am. I was already an hour late for school, I couldn’t believe it. Almost immediately I stumbled out 
of bed running to my closet to throw on a hoodie, sweatpants and shoes. I shoved all my books back into my bag, I grabbed my phone and keys and booked it out the front door. By the time I got to school it was already the middle of second hour. 

Since then I haven’t been able to focus on anything but that stupid boy. Why him? I don’t understand why it must be him, why did he have to leave his number for me? What does he want? 
I walked into class and there he was again. Smile on his face, eyes aimed right at me. I get to my seat and the first thing he asked was why I didn’t text him last night. I told him I was busy with homework, I felt bad for lying, but I didn’t know what to say. He seemed disappointed then grabbed my phone off the table. 
“What’re you doing?” 
“Texting myself so I know for sure that you have my number.” 

He smirked and two seconds later a message popped up on his phone. Great, now I would have to talk to him. Class went on as usual, as well as the rest of the school day. I came home to see a note on the table saying my parents were going to be out of town all weekend. Next thing I knew my phone buzzed, it was Gray. My heart started to thump, and I could feel my stomach turning. 
“Hey, freckles, how was your day?” 
Should I even respond, he has already stressed me out enough in school. 
“Hey, it was fine I guess.” I hit send. 
My phone buzzed again. 
“Just fine? What happened?” 

I started telling him what had happened when I woke up and how I couldn’t focus on anything today, and somehow hours passed. It felt as if I had known him for years. Honestly, this boy, wasn’t like every other jerk at my school. He was thoughtful, he listened and asked all about me, he wanted to know me, and he really knew what he was talking about. All night we texted back and forth. A heavy weight lifted off my chest. I went to bed that night with no worries racing through my mind. 

I woke up early that Saturday morning, the house quiet. My cat jumped on my bed; I knew I should feed the cat and dog. I got up and went downstairs to make breakfast. I heard my phone ring. It was a text from Gray, “Goodmorning Love.” My stomach started to turn as I texted him back. 

He asked how I slept, how I was doing, and if I had any plans the day. I told him my parents were supposed to be gone all weekend. Right there and then he asked if we could hang out all day. Without thinking, I said yes. I sent him my address, and he said he’d be over in about an hour. I put down my phone and ran to the shower to get ready. 

When he arrived, the first few minutes were a bit awkward but then he asked if I wanted to watch movies. So that’s exactly what we did. We had watched about eight movies by the time 9 pm hit. Throughout each movie we got closer to each other, and I somehow ended up in his arms. As I sat up to ask what he wanted to watch next, he looked at me and grabbed my face gently with both hands. He kissed me. 

All thoughts left my head. I didn’t want this to end. But about a minute later, it did. I looked at him and just smiled, and he smiled right back. We didn’t talk much after that, but we watched one last movie and he had to go. We got up and I opened the front door. He started to walk out but stopped. 

“Have a great night, Scarlet.” 
Then he walked out. 
All night he was the only thing on my mind. That kiss was 
so... passionate. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I felt as if I should text him. I couldn’t, I wouldn’t know what to say. It was midnight already, and I tried to fall asleep. My phone buzzed. 
“Good night, love. I hope you had a great day.” 
“Good night.” I replied with a smile. I closed my eyes and fell fast asleep. 
The next morning, I woke up to a text from Gray. 
“Good morning, love. Check your front porch!” 

I rolled out of bed and walked downstairs. I open the door and there sat a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers and roses. I picked it up and went to the kitchen to put them in a vase. I texted him thank you for the flowers as I gazed at them. 

The sunflowers reminded me of his eyes: the light that shines through them when the sun hits at just the right angle, the endless possibilities to describe him. 

The day went on as usual. I did homework, cleaned up the house. Grayson and I were texting here and there as well. I figured my parents wouldn’t be home till later, so I ordered a pizza for myself. 

I went to the couch and wrapped up in a blanket. I wanted to invite Grayson over, but I didn’t want to be a bother. I turned on the TV and picked out a movie to watch. I texted Gray asking what he was up to, just in case he did want to hang out. He didn’t respond. 
The movie had finished, and I went to start another, I still hadn't gotten a response from Gray. He’s probably busy, I told myself. I shouldn’t need to worry too much. I carried on watching movies for the rest of the evening. I made sure to feed my dog and take him out at least twice, before my parents got home. 

It was about 11 pm when they walked in the door. They asked why I wasn't in bed considering I had school in the morning. Just then my phone buzzed. I grabbed it off the coffee table to read the message. 

“I’m sorry, I'll see you soon, Love, Gray.” 
My chest dropped. So many things came to mind for why he would text this to me. I didn’t know how to respond. Maybe was a prank? I shouldn’t be overthinking this, it's probably nothing. 

I quickly gathered my things and ran to my bedroom. I threw everything on the floor then landed face first into my pillows. I told myself I needed to go to bed so that all I had to was wake up and see him tomorrow. 
It took almost an hour of just lying there for me to fall asleep. I stared at a corner of my room, I could see a rainbow of tiny specs starting to float around me. I closed my eyes once more and my dreams started to awake. 

It was Monday morning. I could hear the ringing of my alarm, but I couldn't open my eyes. I sat up and rubbed them with the palms of my hands. A thick glaze formed across my pupils. Blinking rapidly, I started to gain my vision. I reached for my phone to turn off my alarm, and I noticed a text from Gray. It was long. I didn’t think I had the mental capacity to process it at that moment. 

I started to read. It described every little thing I did that he noticed, everything he admired about me. At the end, there was another apology. The message was sent at 2:17 a.m. I  texted him saying good morning and asking if he was okay, then I got up and got ready for school, wondering if I would see him today. 
School went on as usual, each class the same. I walked into chemistry, and Gray wasn’t there. I sat through the entire hour wondering where he could possibly be, Reading the last messages he had sent. 

 I asked to use the restroom the last five minutes of class. Running down the hall, I got to the restroom and locked myself in a stall to call Gray. No answer. I called him a second time, and after a few rings someone picked up. All I could hear were sobs from the other end of the phone. 
“Hello? Gray, is that you?” 
No answer. 
“Grayson?” 
“I’m sorry, this isn’t Grayson, this is his mother. This is Scarlet Evans, am I correct?” 
“Yes? Is Gray okay?” 
Out in the hall the bell rang, and I didn’t move an inch. I listened to Gray’s mom tell me he had got into a car accident last night, intoxicated. They had found him at three in the morning, unconscious and not breathing. I dropped my phone. I felt my heart plummet and puncture a hole in itself. I fell to the ground and buried my head in my knees. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. 

I spent the entire next hour in the bathroom, not knowing how to control how I was feeling. I tried gathering my thoughts and stumbled onto my feet to leave. I went to chemistry to grab my things, and, left the school. 

I bawled the whole way home. I could barely drive, but I made it there in one piece. I ran to my room, slamming the door behind me, and fell face first into my bed. I closed my eyes tight. I wanted to fall asleep and never wake up, never have to see that empty chair again. But all I can see now are those sunflower eyes, for I wish to never forget who they belonged to.