Rock My World

“Excuse me,” He said in an unnecessarily rude tone, obviously pissed off by something. Something I was almost certain I had nothing to do with. I turned around to face him, not bothering to hide my immediate distaste for him. I did not take kindly to rude people.1

“Yes?” I inquired. I was taken-aback by his good looks. He was rather tall, maybe an inch taller than my six-foot-two-inches. His medium length hair was kind of messy, framing his angular face perfectly. He had stormy blue eyes that pulled me in, and left me breathless. Annoyed at my obvious fatal attraction to him, my eyebrows raised inquisitively. Bitchily.2

“My lockers below yours...” He said, impatiently.3

I turned by back to him, maybe a little too gaudily, but he deserved it for his attitude. I grabbed my books, slammed my locker shut, and walked away without a single backward glance in his direction. I did manage to catch him mutter “bastard” under his breath.4

And thus commenced my loathing of Travis Campbell. And once I get an idea in my head about what kind of a person someone is, it’s almost impossible to change my mind. 5

I awoke with a start, my deafening alarm ringing in my ears. I cringed, as I reached over to my bedside table to turn it off.6

I splashed some water on my face in the bathroom, trying to wake myself up. I hadn’t been able to sleep much that night. My first day at Carlson High and I already had a substantial history paper assigned. Being uprooted from my home in Santa Cruz, California in the middle of my senior year was less than idyllic. I still hadn’t forgiven my mom for the move. And judging by my first impression of the people at Carlson, I was guessing it would take a while.7

I squeezed my eyes shut, then reopened them, peering at myself in the mirror. My emerald green eyes were generally the first thing that people noticed about me. Or so I had been told. I guessed it was because they were so different. That and because there’s not much else to look at. I was slim. A little to slim for my liking. But no matter how much I ate, I didn’t seem to retain any body fat. My hair was rather short, with a little wave to it. I had a conspicuous nose and a prominent jaw line.8

I threw on some jeans and a polo shirt, grabbed my stuff, and headed out the door. I could only hope that today would be better than yesterday.9

It wasn’t.10

I was standing at my locker, unpacking my books, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head to see who it was. It was him.11

“Hey. I, uh, just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I was in a terrible mood and I took it out on you. You didn’t deserve that.” He said, with a completely straight, and earnest face. A difficult task for most guys I know. Including myself at times.12

It didn’t excuse his insolence. “Whatever.” I knew I was being stubborn and spiteful, but I don’t easily forgive people.13

He saw that I was still miffed, but decided to introduce himself anyway. “Travis.” He said, holding out his hand for me to shake14

My gaze darted from his eyes to his hand and back to his eyes again. I knew in my heart I’d already forgiven him but that worried me. I didn’t want to feel anything for this Travis. Not even friendship. I didn’t need any reason to want to stay here. But I knew the abnegation of his handshake would be excessive. He needn’t know that I hated him. As long as I made it clear I didn’t want to be his friend and he left me alone.15

So I shook his hand, “Aidan.” Then I half-smiled, not in warmth, but in parting, and left to go to my first period class.16

At lunch, I sat down at an empty table at the back. I knew people would perceive me as being anti-social. But so far, no one at Carlson high seemed to care to get to know me. Which was fine with me. I didn’t want to get too settled here. I was planning to move back to Santa Cruz as soon as I turned eighteen anyway. I’d only been here four days and already I was desperate to go back. To my friends. To my school. To my home. To my life.17

I hadn’t noticed I’d been spacing out until I heard my name being called by a deep, sultry voice that immediately snapped me out of my daydream. I was aggravated beyond belief when I saw whom the voice belonged to.18

Travis set his lunch tray on the table and slid into the bench. “You okay?”19

“I was. Not so much anymore.” I said, hinting not so subtly, for him to leave.20

It seemed to register on his face that he was unwanted. But he stayed. For reasons I could not comprehend. I raised an eyebrow at him, quizzically. Then rolled my eyes, pulled a book out of my messenger bag, and began reading.21

He sighed, “you’re not going to make any friends if you—“22

“Who said I wanted to make friends?” I interrupted him.23

He continued anyway, as if I hadn’t even said anything, “—persist in being rude and closed off.”24

I looked up from The Color Purple now, furious, “Oh, so I’m the rude one?”25

Travis laughed, light-heartedly. I wanted to slap him. Nothing about this situation was funny. It was purely grating.26

Once he’d seen the murderous look on my face, he shut up. “I’m sorry.” He said, genuinely. “I just...”27

“I really don’t care.” I snarled, standing. I slung my messenger bag over my shoulder, and walked away.28

Once I was sure Travis wasn’t watching me anymore, I sat down at a different empty table, on the other side of the cafeteria.29

I casually swept my eyes over the room, searching for him. I didn’t know why I felt the need to. But even though I knew I didn’t have a reason I couldn’t stop myself. My eyes finally locked on him. He was sitting with a group of students; perceptibly all upper classmen. For the first time since I got here, I saw a group of people who looked kind of interesting. They obviously weren’t the snooty popular group every school has, but judging by the fact they were in the middle of the cafeteria and took up over two tables, I guessed they weren’t social outcasts. They reminded me of my group of friends back home. A small part of me longed to go over there. But I had to remind myself they weren’t my friends. They were Travis’ friends. Which suddenly, in my mind, make them not so interesting. Why anyone would want to be friends with Travis, I could not fathom.30

After my final class, I rushed to my locker. I didn’t want to run into Travis again, and I figured if was hasty, I wouldn’t have to see him. But he was already there, and clearly waiting for me as he had already shut his locker.31

“Hey,” he said as I approached.32

“Hi.” I said, coldly. I waited for him to move so I could access my locker.33

“You didn’t let me finish earlier.”34

“Stating the obvious, much?”35

He ignored my incivility. “Hear me out.”36

“Is ‘no’ an option?”37

He smiled, “nope.”38

I tried to keep my up my annoyed pretense, but slipped. I couldn’t resist a small smile.39

That encouraged him to keep going, “I moved here last year. I was pissed off at the world for taking me away from my home. I didn’t want to get too comfortable here because I was going to convince my dad to move back home. I was going to convince him to get back together with my mom. I didn’t make any friends and was rude to everyone.”40

Interested, I forgot about my revulsion for this situation. For Travis. “What happened?”41

Suddenly, Travis’ face turned a disheartening pale color. He averted his eyes, dropping them to the floor. “Things changed.”42

My Curiosity was killing me, just as it had the cat, but I knew I shouldn’t ask. He wasn’t ready to talk about it; at least not with me, a stranger.43

“But what’s important is this,” he said, looking at me again, any trace of the deep, depressing emotion he had been feeling seconds ago, vanished. “You’re stuck here. At least, for now...however long that may be. And you should make the best of it.”44

I nodded, not knowing what to say. All my anger and annoyance for him had vanished. He stepped aside, revealing my locker.45

“See you tomorrow.” He said, walking away.46

The next day, at lunch, I was vacillating. Should I accept the invitation Travis had gave me this morning to join him for lunch? Or should I sit alone and read my favorite book, Boy Meets Boy?47

I took a deep breath, and walked over to the table I’d seen Travis sitting at previously. He was sitting next to a blonde-haired girl now who was ruffling his hair, flirtatiously. I could already tell I wasn’t going to like her. Wait...was I jealous? I sighed internally, reminding myself to get a grip.48

Travis spotted me coming, and grinned. “Hey, guys,” He said, getting his friends’ attention. “This is Aidan. He’s new here.”49

“Hey, I’m Annie.” The blonde-haired girl said smiling. I tried to smile back, hiding my prior ill judgment for her.50

“Hi there!” An Asian girl with funky glasses called out, “I’m Kiki.”51

Everyone introduced themselves this way, and I tried as best I could, to commit their names to memory. But with eleven new names, it was a challenging task.52

“Hey,” I said warmly in response to everyone.53

Kiki, who was sitting on the edge of the bench, scooted over, leaving a vacant place for me to sit. “Did you just move here?” She asked.54

“Yeah, from Santa Cruz.” I said.55

“No way! My aunt lives there. I go to visit her every summer.” Kiki said, excitedly.56

I smiled at her, glad to find someone connected to my home. We talked about Santa Cruz for a while. Everyone joined in. I could feel myself starting to like it here more and more as the time ticked on. By the time the bell rang, I had even made weekend plans. Previously, I had planned to take the two-hour long train ride back home to see my friends. I could always postpone my trip until next weekend. I was stuck here, for now at least, and I should make the best of it.57

How fast my attitude towards this place had changed surprised me. But I knew the modification was for the better. Moping and whining about the move wasn’t going to do me any good.58

The following weekend had passed weeks ago. I still hadn’t returned to Santa Cruz to visit my friends. I still talked to them all the time, though. I knew I would never lose touch with them altogether. But I was really starting to like Carlson and my new friends. Kiki, Travis, Annie and I had become really close. I was getting ready to go to the mall to meet the three of them. My dislike for Annie had vanished the moment I’d seen that Travis and here were just friends. My romantic feelings for Travis, however, had not changed, but were growing rapidly. I was now certain he was gay as well. Although he’d never really come out and said it, he’d hinted it not only in his words, but also in his actions.59

As I peeled out of my driveway, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID. It was Travis. A smile played on my lips as I answered. “Hey,” I said into the receiver.60

“Hey Aidan. My car wont start, do you think you could come pick me up?”61

“Yeah, of course. I’ll be there in five.” I said, hanging up.62

I was there in less time then I thought. He wasn’t waiting outside for me, as I had anticipated, so I parked my car on the street, and walked up to his front door to ring his doorbell.63

His younger sister answered the door. “Hey Isabel,” I said, smiling down at her.64

“Aidan!” She squealed, hugging me. I’d only met her twice, but, as Travis had said, she fell in love with me the first time she laid eyes on me.65

I laughed, picking her up and twirling her around. When I set her down, back in her original spot, I asked her where Travis was.66

“He’s upstairs in his room. Go on up.” She curtsied in her pink princess outfit, and bounded away giggling.67

When I opened his door, I froze. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. I couldn’t help but admire his perfectly formed abs. I dragged my eyes back up to his face.68

“I got some grease on my shirt from trying to indentify the problem. Remind me next time that I’m not a mechanic.” He laughed at him self, shaking his head.69

I laughed too, “I will.”70

“Give me one second, he said, walking into his closet, picking out a shirt, and slipping it over his toned skin, covering it up.71

I looked away, pretending I hadn’t been watching when he turned back around. “Does this look alright?” he asked.72

“Yeah, you look—“ Incredibly hot? Amazingly sexy? Tantalizingly devine? “Good.”73

“Aidan, I—“74

“Let’s go, shall we?” I smiled at him, so as not to be perceived as rude in my interruption. I just knew I couldn’t be left alone in a room with him for much longer without closing the small space between us and kissing him passionately.75

“O-Okay.” Noticeably startled by my brusqueness.76

The mall was fun, but all I was able to think about the whole time was kissing Travis. I found several perfect opportunities, but took none. I was too shy. It was dark by the time I drove Travis home. When we reached his house, he invited me in.77

We were up in his room, and I was reading a book I found on his shelf, while he lay on the bed, next to me. I had to read most paragraphs over again, finding it hard to concentrate with Travis so close. Eventually, I gave up, and put the book down. I glanced at the clock. It was eleven. I knew I should leave soon, but I felt myself needing to stay here, close to him. Two more minutes, I told myself.78

“Aidan?” Travis whispered, “are you glad you moved here?”79

“Now? Yes.” I whispered back, honestly.80

I closed my eyes, sighing, content. I opened my eyes, and saw that he had turned on his side to look at me. I copied him, rolling on to my side. He reached out his hand, cautiously, and placed it on my jaw, pulling me forward as he leaned in. Then his lips were on mine. The kiss was slow, romantic and sweet. I reached my arm out and wrapped it around his body, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, heated. Travis pulled away, slowly, blushing bright red, avoiding eye contact.81

“What’s wrong?” I asked.82

“I—I’ve never kissed anyone before.” He admitted.83

“You wouldn’t know it by the way you just rocked my world.”84

I didn’t think it possible, but his red face deepened in color even further. I moved my hand from the small of his back to his hair, weaving my fingers into it, leaning in to kiss him again.85

An unfamiliar alarm penetrated my sweet dreams. I opened my eyes. I was cuddled up with Travis on his bed. Neither of us was wearing a shirt. I kissed his forehead, lightly. He stirred, awaking from his slumber. “Good morning.” He mumbled.86

I chuckled, “Good morning.”87

He opened his eyes and slimed. “You fell asleep.”88

“I’m sorry.”89

“No. Don’t apologize. You’re adorable when you’re sleeping.”90

I blushed, and kissed his forehead again. He rolled over on to his side and propped his head up with his elbow. He held out his hand, and traced my jaw with his finger. His hand moved down, to my chest, my stomach. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his nose.91

His face turned sad. It was the same look I’d seen that day when he’d told me about moving out here. “Things changed.” He’d said.92

“Are you okay?”93

He sighed, “no.”94

“Are you going to be okay?”95

“...Not if you leave me.” He smiled weakly, trying to make a joke out of it and failing miserably.96

“I wont.” I said, certain I was telling the truth. “Do you want to talk about it?”97

He took a deep breath. “My mother used to kiss my nose like that...” he closed his eyes, regaining his strength. The strength he needed to continue. “She died last year.”98

My breath caught in my chest. “I’m sorry.” I whispered.99

He nodded in acknowledgment. “I miss her. But I know she’d be happy for me right now.” He smiled now, “She was the first person I told.”100

I smiled back at him. “I would’ve liked to meet her.”101

A lone tear spilled over. “I’m sure she would’ve wanted to meet you too.” His laugh was bittersweet. I held him for a few minutes, giving him time to gather his emotions. We lay there, our bodies entwined, for a long while.102

Monday, at school, we walked down the halls holding hands. People stared. We didn’t care.103

All of our friends cheered when Travis kissed me in front of them at lunch. Kiki and Annie gave each other a victorious, knowing look. “We knew it.” Kiki and Annie said in unison.Travis laughed, blissfully. 104

And thus commenced my love for Travis Campbell. The boy who rocked my world.105