Damien. The name felt so familiar, like I had said a thousand times. But no matter how long I stared at the neighbors over confident teen son, none of his facial features brought any memories to light.

“Meet Tessa,” Emma introduced. I stood.

“Tessa,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me.

I swallowed, feeling breathless. “Um yes Tessa.”

One direct look from him and I was a blubbering idiot. I had completely forgotten about Joey. My boyfriend. The only boy who was supposed to make me feel this way.

Damien smirked at me and I frowned.

“It’s nice to meet you Tessa,” he said, but I bet that was only for his mom’s sake.

His eyes travelled suggestively down me and I felt like I was stripped naked. I crossed my arms and glared at him when his mother turned her back to retake her seat.

What a creep? I thought. What a hot, blood racing, knee weakening creep? What was wrong with me?

“It’s so nice that you’ll be going to the same school,” my grandmother said and I frowned. I did not share my grandmother’s enthusiasm.

In fact I would rather be thrown into a pool of piranha then suffer through another moment with him. Even if the sight of took my breath away and made my heart race.

Damien leaned against the door frame as my grandmother mentioned the accident and the fact that I had to get a ride every morning with Joey.

“Damien can take her to school. He is going that way anyway. It’s no problem.”

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. This could not be happening. I glared at Damien and he smiled like he was enjoying every moment of my discomfort.

“I’m not sure…”

My grandmother stopped any further protest. “That would be lovely. If you’re sure?”

She looked directly to Damien who was still smirking.

“It would be my pleasure,” he answered, like he was enjoying every second of my discomfort.

How was I going to explain this to Joey? It wouldn’t be so bad if the guy didn’t look like he walked off the cover of a magazine. Any guy would be jealous even if I couldn’t stand his over confidence.

I hated how I was drawn to him, how I turned to study him when I didn’t think he would notice. What was wrong with me?

It didn’t help that I had a stronger feeling that I knew him from somewhere but I didn’t ask.

I got through the brief visit as quickly as I could. I didn’t know how I was going to endure an entire car drive to school every morning and afternoon.

“Isn’t he just lovely?” My grandmother gushed when we got home.

I rolled my eyes. He wasn’t. He was an egotistical asshole. It come off him in waves and I wanted nothing to do with him.

I didn’t want to think about how I felt when he had looked me up and down. Like I became more alive, more sensitive. There was no way I would admit that to anyone.

I didn’t want to help him with his ego any in way. In fact he could be brought down a notch or two.

“And his parents are lovely too.”

I listened half heartedly to my grandmother. There was still something about Damien I couldn’t quite put my finger on. There was a familiarity about him. The way his eyes held mine, mockingly. The smirk that ignited my temper.

The more I thought about him, the more familiar he became. But it wasn’t possible. He had just moved here. How on earth could I know him?

I had discovered that today had been his first day at my school. But I couldn’t shake the feeling, no matter how much logical I used.

The doorbell rang. My grandmother looked at me expectantly.

“I’ll get it,” I muttered and trudged back to the door.

I swung it open and Damien filled the doorway.

“You,” I managed to say.

He smiled. “My mom reminded me I didn’t have your number.”

“My number?” I echoed. It was like my brain couldn’t work when he was near.

All I could do was stare at his lips, knowing how they felt against mine. Knowing something that’s not possible.

“Yes.” He leaned closer. “Your phone number so I can message you a time for tomorrow.”

I stared blankly at him.

“So you know what time to be ready for me?”

I swallowed, I couldn’t look away. His lips drew closer and I forgot to breathe.

“Ready?” I whispered.

His presence drew me in, suffocating everything else out.

“Yes.”

For a few moments I stared at him, unable to process what he was saying.

“Number Tessa.” It was the mocking that brought me make to reality with a thud.

Oh man.

I exhaled sharply, making a point of taking a step back.

He got his phone out and handed it to me.

My hands shook as I programmed my number into his phone and handed it back.

“Thanks,” he said, still staring at me.

It made me feel so self conscious especially of the fact that I had been speechless at his closeness.

“Have I met you before?” I blurted out

He shook his head and chuckled. “Are you really going to use that line on me?”

Line. What did he mean?

When it dawned on me what he was saying, I frowned.

“Oh please. I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole,” I scoffed, like it was a fate worse than death to be touched by him.

“You doth protest too much,” he murmured, watching me with a fascination that rankled me more.

“I would never.”

He raised a challenging eyebrow at me.

“No,” he said.

I shook my head. “No what?”

“The answer to your question.”

“What question?” I asked, confused as to what he was saying.

He smiled again. “Have I met you before?”

I was an idiot. My thoughts jumbled into confusion and I couldn’t seem to string two sentences together. What was the matter with him?

“We’ve never met before.” His eyes dipped to my mouth. “I don’t know you.”

I was transfixed as he spoke.

“You don’t know me.”

He stepped back and rolled his shoulders slightly. “But you will.” It was a promise or a threat or both. I wasn’t sure. And then he winked before he walked away, leaving me opened mouthed as I watched him stride away.

“See you tomorrow Tessa,” he said.

He was still smiling when he walked back to his front door.

I slammed the door so hard, hating how I just seemed to be unable to function around him.

I wanted to physically lash out but I took a deep breath and counted to ten. That didn’t help. I was still so mad.

That night as I got ready for bed I called him every name under the sun. He was egotistical and there was no way I would betray Joey, no matter how I reacted to Damien.

The room felt too hot, like I was suffocating. I stomped over to my window and opened it for some fresh air.

Then I looked across to see the window across from me to see Damien.

He was dressed in sweat and nothing else. The hard ridges of his stomach muscles were firm and defined. I swallowed.

I’d never really ever wanted to touch a guy in the way I was imagining touching Damien.

He turned and caught me staring.

I was mortified. I stood staring, unable to explain why I had been watching him.

He walked over to the window and leaned against the window sill. His eyes on mine.

Then he smirked.

I grabbed my curtains and shut them before turning my back on the window.

I felt all over the place, like my would have been shaken and would never be the same again.

He had walked into my life and tossed everything into chaos.

I had a boyfriend. I told myself. Joey. Joey was mine.

Damien wasn’t. He could never be mine.

Never mine. The thought echoed in me. Instead of feeling anger, and annoyance I was filled with a sense of sadness.

I couldn’t explain it. I couldn’t explain any of it.

Feeling like my life was spiraling I rushed into the bathroom and threw some water on my face. I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe before releasing it slowly, trying to tame my racing heart.

I opened my eyes. In the reflection behind, staring at me was Parker. My dead friend.

I screamed.