Chapter 1
Jane / Alchera
Waking up, I let out a groan.
Ugh, I’m so not in the mood for school.
I hit the snooze button on my alarm before snuggling back into my pillow.
Minutes later, when the incessant alarm goes off again, I’m a second away from flinging the damn cell phone out of the window.
Get up, or your butt is walking to school. It’s freezing, and you need the ride.
Forcing myself to sit up in bed, I rub the sleep from my eyes.
“Just five more months, then you’re done with school,” I mutter before yawning. “Ugh. Five months too long. God help me.”
Climbing out of bed, I yawn again as I walk to the bathroom. While I’m busy with my morning routine, my thoughts turn to the dream I had for the eleventh day in a row.
It always starts with the same beautiful waterfall. There are lights flickering beneath the blue-green water, and old trees hug the pool where a man is wading through the water toward the curtain.
The man.
I stop brushing my teeth as I get lost in my thoughts.
In every dream, I only see him from behind. He’s dressed in leather pants that span tightly around his muscled thighs and a matching shirt that clings to his broad shoulders.
I never see his face, but if he looks that hot from behind, the front can’t be all that bad.
It’s weird, though. Why do I keep having the same dream, over and over?
Yeah, I love spending time at Fish Creek Falls, but it can’t be the reason for the weird dream.
I finish brushing my teeth then rinse out my mouth before walking back to my bedroom.
Opening the closet, I wonder what I should wear. Most of my clothes are hand-me-downs from my adoptive sister, Molly. I don’t mind, seeing as nine out of ten times, the clothes still have their tags on because she got a size too small.
Molly has an unhealthy addiction to buying clothes, but at least the girl has great taste.
I pick a pair of faded black jeans, a blue sweater, and a gray jacket. After pairing the outfit with my favorite boots, I quickly grab my bag and cell phone.
When I walk into the foyer of the mansion, there’s no sign of Molly.
Molly and Patrick are Mayor and Mrs. Calder’s biological children.
I’m the same age as Molly. Seventeen. When I was found at a waterfall nearly five years ago, they had to guess my age because I couldn’t remember anything about my past.
How I ended up at the waterfall remains a mystery because the police couldn’t find out anything about me.
They started calling me Jane, as in ‘Jane Doe,’ and the name stuck when Mayor Calder was kind enough to take me in.
Of course, his act of kindness was to boost his status in the small town of Steamboat Springs. At least I benefited from it and appreciate everything the Calders have done for me.
The house is quiet and I wonder if Molly is even awake. Patrick always leaves early for work and only returns late so we hardly see him.
I head to the kitchen and quickly make a cup of coffee. While I drink the much-needed caffeine, I scroll through my social media accounts.
Every other post is something Molly shared about the football team or cheerleaders. Letting out a sigh, I drink the last of my coffee while putting my phone away.
I’m socially awkward and haven’t been able to make any friends at school. Honestly, the loneliness is really starting to get to me, especially when I see other students having fun together.
I have Molly, though. I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but more like acquaintances because we don’t have a lot in common. We’re complete opposites.
After I rinse my cup, I head back to the foyer, and when there’s still no sign of Molly, I yell, “We’re going to be late for school.”
With Mayor and Mrs. Calder away for the next two weeks, Molly’s probably going to oversleep every day. They finally decided to take the trip to Greece they’ve been planning for over three years, and I love the photos they send us every day.
“I’m coming,” Molly shouts, but the second she appears at the top of the stairs, she turns around. “Crap, I forgot my lipstick.”
She’s the last girl on the planet who needs more lipstick. All the boys trail behind her like lap dogs, and I doubt it’s because of her intense makeup regimen.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Let’s go.” Molly rushes by me and is out the door in a blur, leaving behind a whiff of perfume that’s going to have me sneezing all the way to school.
Great. By the time we get to school, I’ll look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Not even seconds after I climb into the car, I start to sneeze.
Molly digs a tissue out of her bag and shoves it into my hand before she starts the engine.
“Thanks,” I mutter, cranking the window open an inch so we can get fresh air into the car.
“No,” she snaps. “Shut it. It’s freezing.”
“Your perfume’s killing me,” I grumble.
Luckily, it’s only a ten-minute drive, and the instant the car is parked in its regular spot, I shove the door open and suck in deep breaths of fresh air.
“Come on,” I tell Molly. “We’re late.”
“Yeah-yeah,” she mutters while checking her makeup in the rearview mirror.
Not waiting for her, I hurry toward the entrance of the main building. The hallways are already empty, and I make it to class in the nick of time.
While Mr. Brady, our history teacher, writes something on the board, I let out a relieved sigh as I quickly walk to my desk at the back of the class.
Luckily, Mr. Brady is chill and doesn’t get angry if we’re a minute or two late. If it were Freezo’s class, I’d be standing up front trying to solve an equation from hell.
In every class, I sit alone in the corner, where I can go as unnoticed as possible. I keep my grades at a satisfactory level, and the teachers don’t pick on me.
Some of the students and town folk think I’m weird because of the unsolved mystery of how I was found by Fish Creek Falls. It has them keeping their distance from me, and it’s part of the reason why it’s so hard for me to make friends.
While I dig my sketchpad and pencil out of my bag, I feel the atmosphere change, and hushed voices start to fill the air.
“Oh my,” Wendy murmurs from where she’s seated in front of me.
“Damn, he’s hot,” Megan, the head cheerleader, says.
When I glance at Megan, it’s to see her teeth tugging at her bottom lip while she drools at whoever’s got her attention.
I follow her line of sight to see what’s got everyone talking, and then my heart skips one hell of a beat.
Holy shit. Megan’s not wrong. He’s hot as hell.
There’s a guy up front talking to Mr. Brady, and when he gives our teacher a lopsided grin, a couple of the girls sigh dreamily.
The new guy’s hair is dark brown and a little on the longer side. His face is flawless, his chin square and strong. Just as I look at his dark eyebrows, his eyes flick to me.
Pale blue eyes any girl can get lost in.
Damn, he’s good-looking.
Then it registers that the new guy is watching me stare at him, and my face goes up in flames.
Oh my God. Kill me now.
I try to look away, but then he ends his conversation with Mr. Brady, and when he starts to walk down the aisle in my direction, my heart beats faster and faster.
He’s probably going to sit next to Wendy.
The new guy walks with so much confidence every pair of eyes in class is focused on him.
Damn, I wish I had his confidence.
Molly sneaks into class as the new guy glances at the other students.
When his gaze locks on me again, I have to suppress the urge to swallow hard. By the time he reaches my desk, my heart is beating a mile a minute.
Stay calm. Don’t say something stupid.
Ugh, he probably won’t even talk to me.
I feel like squirming in my chair and glance down at my white knuckles where I’m clutching my favorite pencil.
I can barely restrain myself from looking at him again.
When the drop-dead gorgeous guy takes a seat right next to me, I try to forcefully keep myself from stealing another glance, but my eyes have a mind of their own. Slowly, I turn my head, and I take in the cargo pants that hug his thighs just right.
Dear God, have mercy on my hormones.
I can’t resist and let my eyes slide up his body to his broad chest. He’s wearing a dark blue button-up shirt, the top two buttons undone. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, exposing his forearms and tanned skin.
Then my eyes land on his hands and the veins snaking beneath his skin, and my heart skips another beat.
Lost in the attractive guy beside me, my eyes drift upward, pausing at his totally kissable lips.
The corner of his mouth curves up, and I’m just about to get entirely lost in him when our eyes meet.
Well, actually, it’s more like he catches me gawking at him.
My soul almost ups and leaves my body, and I practically give myself whiplash when I turn my head away to look out the window.
Ugh. Embarrassing!
My heart hammers in my chest while a wave of mortification hits me hard.
Every drop of blood in my body rushes to my face, and lifting a hand, I rest my elbow on the table and cover my eyes.
Now’s a good time for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
I get a whiff of his aftershave, and of course, it has to smell incredible – fresh and masculine with a hint of rain. And something spicy and addictive.
I suck in a deep breath of air, then open my sketchpad to the page with the waterfall.
“That’s really good,” he says suddenly, his voice low and deep. “You like drawing?”
To my absolute horror, I snort before awkward laughter bursts over my lips.
Dear God.
I clear my throat and nod. “Yeah.”
“Where have you seen that waterfall?” he asks.
The last thing I expected today was a hot guy walking into school and asking me about my drawing.
A slight frown forms on my forehead, and turning my head, I look at him. “It’s from a dream I had.”
His eyes take mine captive. “That must’ve been quite some dream.” A smile tugs at his mouth, then he adds, “I’m Ryan Jackson.”
Somehow, I manage to smile while I murmur, “I’m Jane. Welcome to Steamboat Springs.”
His smile grows warm and friendly, making him a million times hotter. “Thank you. ”
“Did you say your name’s Ryan?” Megan asks from the desk next to ours. “I’m Megan, the head cheerleader. Just say if you need someone to show you around.”
Ryan nods at her. “I’m good. Thanks.”
When he turns his attention back to me, my jaw drops open. No one dismisses Megan, especially not to talk to me.
“I haven’t had time to get any books. Mind sharing?” he asks.
“Ah…” I nod quickly while digging the history book out of my bag. “Sure.”
My tongue darts out to wet my lips as I open the book between us.
While I wait for Mr. Brady to start, I focus on my drawing, not trying to make it obvious I’m affected by my new neighbor.
As the lesson begins, I desperately try to focus on what Mr. Brady is saying, but it’s of no use. The Titanic could be sinking beside me, and I wouldn’t even notice right now.
I’m super aware of the hot guy sitting only inches away from me, and all I can smell is his amazing cologne.
Ryan shifts in his chair as he turns the page in the textbook, and his arm presses against mine. When he doesn’t move again, my stomach free-falls into oblivion and tingles explode over my body.
I clear my throat and try to control my breathing while my palms grow sweaty. My sole focus is glued to the spot where our arms are touching.
When the bell finally rings, relief floods my body. Gathering my sketchbook and pencil, I grab my bag before darting up from my chair. I squeeze past Ryan’s seat and rush for the door as if hellhounds are nipping at my heels.
Holy shit. Sitting next to Ryan was intense.
Sucking in deep breaths of air, I try to calm my racing heart as I head to the next class.
Walking into English Lit, I take my usual seat at the back, and as I set my sketchpad down on the desk, Molly takes a seat in front of me. It’s not her usual seat, so she has to have an ulterior motive for sitting close to me.
“Why did you take off like a bat out of hell after history?” she asks.
“I didn’t.” Molly keeps staring at me so I add, “I’m just excited about our poem reading today.”
I hate speaking in public, and the poem I wrote sucks ass.
“Sure, and I’m a unicorn,” Molly smirks at me. “I saw the new guy talking to you. What did he say?” Scooting her chair closer, she rests her elbows on my desk, looking like she’s about to explode with excitement.
“He just commented on my drawing.” She keeps staring at me. I can see she wants way more information. “Really. That’s all.”
“Then why did you run out of class like that?”
Like a dog with a bone, Molly’s not about to let this go.
“I just wanted to read over my poem again. I’m nervous. Aren’t you?”
She shakes her head. “Nope.” Her eyes light up with interest. “You’re so lucky he sat next to you. What’s his name?” She glances over her shoulder, then lets out an excited shriek. “Here he comes.”
I have to force my eyes to stay down so I don’t go making a fool of myself again.
Molly gives a nervous giggle. “He’s heading our way.”
She’s supposed to be madly in love with Robert-the-douchebag, and he’ll be one unhappy puppy if he hears how excited his girlfriend is about Ryan.
There are a few desks with open seats, so I’m totally surprised when the chair next to mine scrapes across the floor.
He’s sitting beside me again? Why?
I look at Ryan as he takes a seat. It’s only a split-second glance before I come to my senses and snap my eyes back to my poem.
Don’t stare at him.
I try to look unaffected by his presence while pretending to read my poem, my heart beating a crazy rhythm against my ribs.
“You forgot your textbook,” Ryan says as he holds it out to me.
“Oh…” I keep my eyes down while I take the book and quickly shove it into my bag. “Thanks.”
The class starts, and soon, we hit a monotonous tone with one student after the other reading their poems, and I allow my mind to wander to the seat beside me.
I wonder where Ryan’s from and why he changed schools in the middle of his senior year.
He’ll probably join the popular crowd. I glance at the other students and notice how Megan keeps staring at Ryan.
Yep, they’ll be a couple before the end of the week.
What Megan wants, Megan gets.
At least she’ll leave Robert alone, which will be good for Molly.
Poor Ryan, though. Megan’s the biggest bitch in school.
As if Ryan can hear my thoughts, he slightly turns his head in my direction.
When the bell rings, I thank my lucky stars I didn’t have to recite my poem. I grab my bag, but before I can dart past Ryan, he gets up, and I’m forced to walk behind him.
Not that it’s a problem because he looks all kinds of fine from behind.
When we enter our math class and Ryan heads straight for the seat beside mine, I frown. I glance at the other open seats and notice everyone in class is staring at us.
Great. This will be all over school before lunch.
As I take my seat, Mr. Frost, who everybody calls Freezo behind his back, begins to rattle on like he always does and hands out quizzes that have everyone groaning.
Math is a hated subject by most students. Half the students’ eyes are already glazed over, and the other half have a permanent confused look as soon as they walk into the class.
The hour feels endlessly long, and there are a couple of times I have to suppress a yawn. When the bell rings it sounds like my favorite song playing.
Just one more class before lunch.
Walking into the hallway, I look at my watch to check the time as I head to my locker. I need to offload a couple of books and grab the one for social studies .
After I’ve swapped books, I close my locker. I’m just about to turn around when a hand comes from out of nowhere and slams into the metal right beside my head, narrowly missing my cheek. My whole body jerks with fright, and air explodes over my lips.
“Asshole,” I mutter as I turn around, but when I see it’s Robert, my heart sinks.
Not again.
“What do we have here?” He shoves me against the locker, a cocky smirk plastered on his face.
When the lock presses hard into my back, I have to grind on my teeth not to wince.
I can’t stand him touching me, and he knows it. He’s a bully, and he thinks he’s better than everyone else. Where most of the girls think he’s hot, the guy gives me the creeps.
I lift my chin, not caring that he’s easily twice my size.
“Back off, Robert. I have a class to go to.” I try to sound as bored as possible to hit his ego hard and bring him down a notch.
I won’t give him the pleasure of seeing me upset because I know it’s what the bastard wants.
Robert glares at me because I’m not showing the desired interest in him, and I can see my words hit the spot I was aiming for.
When I attempt to shove past him, he moves to block my way, laughing in my face while shaking his head. “Why the hurry, sweetling? I’ve noticed you’re real friendly with my new friend. Why not spare me some of that kindness?”
Ugh! I’d rather slam my head against the wall. Repeatedly.
I have a bad temper and little control over it when it comes to this jerk, and hearing he’s already friends with Ryan is disappointing as hell.
“You’re not worth my time, let alone my kindness,” I mutter. “Why don’t you go crawl back down that hole you just came out of and leave me the hell alone.”
I shove past him and breathe a sigh of relief when I actually get away.
Still aggravated about the unwelcome run-in with Robert, I make it to class in the nick of time.
I’m not even surprised to find Ryan sitting in the seat next to mine.
When I place the book down between us, I notice my hands are still trembling. Taking my seat, I can feel Ryan looking at me.
After a while, I can’t stop myself and dare a fleeting look at him. Seeing concern tightening his features, I’m surprised.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod while sucking in a deep breath, then open the textbook and try to focus on social studies.