Charming Selene: The Charming Series Book 1 Read online

  Charming Selene

  The Charming Series

  Book 1

  Dee King

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used ficticously, and any resemblence to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dee King Copyright 2014©

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without authorization of Author Dee King©

  Image Credits

  bigstock.com/brickrena

  To my loving family

  Contents Cover Page Copyright Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32

  Acknowledgements About the Author

  Chapter 1

  There he stood looking like a Greek god, with blonde hair that you could run fingers through, and dark green eyes you could get lost in. The way he smiles at you makes you feel like you are the only one in the room. It just lights up his whole face, and often makes me blush.

  This is of course, as close as I was going to get to Alexander Zane.

  I don’t think he even knows I exist.

  Alex- that’s what everyone calls him, is not your average guy. He is the best at everything

  he does.

  Oddly, he never seemed truly happy.

  I know that if I could ever work up the courage just to speak to him, I could try and make

  him happy. This was my day dream every single day for the past three and half years. Today was going to be different.

  Why? After three and half years of high school, why did I chose today? I have no idea, but today I am taking the plunge. I am going to make it happen. I’m going

  to say hello, and make him notice me.

  Yes, today is the day!

  The bell rings and that’s my cue. It’s now or never!

  I walk over, cool like “you know,” and I do it!

  Eye contact is made.

  I smile. He smiles.

  “Hi, Alex.”

  “Hi, Selene.” He says with a smile.

  I’m about to say more and who walks up behind him?

  HER!

  Of course she would be here.

  Why?

  Why is Cali Angelis always there?!

  She is the kind of girl everyone wants to look like. Long, wavy blonde hair, true

  California fashion, green eyes like emerald isles and a runway model body that I would die for... Ok, not literally, but you know what I mean.

  So, of course she would show up.

  Cali Angelis!

  Since freshman year this girl has hardly spoken to me. Heck! She hardly makes eye contact with me. Yet she always manages to be right beside Alex.

  She is like his girlfriend, best friend, maybe even his body guard. Only, she isn’t any of those thing’s.

  Go away, Cali! You ruined my chance!

  Alex and I actually spoke. That’s got to count for something. Right?

  “Well that went well!” Chris says.

  “Seriously? You’re no help Chris.”

  Christian Black, Chris, is my best guy friend. We do everything together, we have since

  we were kids. His father married my mother. They divorced shortly after, but we decided to be best friends if we couldn't’t be siblings.

  He is everyone’s friend. He has the coolest hair and those hazel eyes usually get the girls’ attention. It doesn't’t hurt that he works out like every day. He is the Lady’s Man on campus, and I’m his trusty side kick. What girl doesn’t want to be a side kick, right?

  “Ya know, one day your gonna have to bite the bullet, sister. He is just a dude. What’s the worst that can happen?” Chris says.

  Is he serious?

  I think I could possibly die if Alex actually spoke to me.

  I can see the headlines now Girl Suddenly Dies from Speaking to a Dude. Then I guess I could say, “See that’s the worst that can happen.” I’d be dead though, so I guess that wouldn’t work either.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I will!” Of course, I will as soon as this feeling in my stomach goes away.

  Why does this have to be so hard for me? Sitting across from the guy I have crushed on since I first laid eyes on him, and yet I can barely look at him? It’s like he has some kind of power over me.

  No one can control your emotions. Can they?

  The bell rings.

  Finally! Class is over.

  This is it.

  My chance.

  I am not a coward! I can say two words.

  I stand up.

  This is it.

  I feel like I am standing in quicksand.

  Just say hello,come on Selene Athans, you are not a coward.

  Its not hard!

  Just one word.

  Spit it out. Before you lose your chance, and your nerve.

  I take a deep breath.

  “Hey!”

  Oh crap! Did I scream that? Oh gods, he’s staring at me.

  He smiles. “Yea ,Selene?”

  OH. MY. GODS! Say something!

  “Um, I was wondering if--”

  “Alex! We have got to go. Like NOW.” Cali pulls on Alex’s arm, while leading him

  away from me. Cali! Wait! NO!

  “Bye Selene.” Alex waves.

  “Bye Alex.” I wave back hesitantly.

  Great. I finally speak to him and she is there to pull him away. What is her problem?

  Wait! He talked to me. Oh, this day just got so much better.

  Am I walking? I feel like I am floating. “So, I saw you talk to him? What did he say? He tell you that he loves you?” Chris laughs at me.

  “Very funny. No, but he did say Hey.”

  “Well, let’s write this down. What is the date? Seriously, Sis. You have a pen? Because

  this day is EPIC!”

  I slap him on the arm. He laughs even harder.

  “Yea, the guy isn't’t rude. What did you think he was going to do? Ignore you? Alex isn’t

  like that,.” Chris tells me.

  “You know what? Shut up! I’m excited and you aren’t taking this away from me. Even if

  you are right!” We both laugh at each other.

  “Got to hit last period, and then the weekend! I’ll see you in parking lot after class, k?” “Yea, your my ride home today.” I tell Chris.

  “Don’t be late, Selene. I’m going to that party tonight!”

  “Yea, yea, I heard you.”

  I am still floating on cloud nine since talking to Alex. Sebastian Andreas couldn’t even

  bother me today.

  Sebastian is the guy who get’s everything he wants. He is idolized for the parties he

  throws at his house on the beach. We sit beside each other in almost every class. He always does

  his “flirty” smile at me like he knows he is cute. It’s annoying. He makes you feel like you could

  melt in those big, beautiful blue eyes.

  Do not get me wrong, he is HOT! Capital H hot! Of course, with those eyes, and dark hair

  that barely covers his ears, he knows he is hot.

  “What’s up,
Selene?” What? Is he talking to me? He never talks to me. “Nothing? Why?”

  “Why? WOW. I thought I would be nice?” Great. Now, I feel I have been rude. “Oh, I am sorry. You never speak to me, so I thought you may need something?” He laughs at me. Now, I am embarrassed.

  “No, I don’t need anything, Selene. Are you always like this?”

  “Like what?”

  “Rude. “ Is he serious right now? Between the two of us, I am the least rude. “No, I wasn’t trying to be. Sorry.” Why did I just apologize?

  “Good, because I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  The bell rings. Finally.

  He looks at me and mouths “after class.” Sebastian wants to talk to me? You have got to be kidding me. He still wants to talk to me after class? Why? Ok, so I did dress up a little bit today. I guess I look more approachable. This morning I

  had decided to go with a black mini skirt, my black wedges, instead of my normal flip flops, my favorite “dressy” pastel pink short sleeve top, and to shake it up even more, I wore my hair down. Usually, it’s in a pony tail or messy bun because I hit the beach after school to get my surfing in before it gets too late. Plus, it’s California. It’s typically warm here, and when you have long, curly hair you usually don’t want to mess with it.

  Ok, so maybe that is just me. Either way, I just don’t take the time to get all “pretty” just for school. Today was different though.

  I wanted to make an impression on Alex. Except, it looks like I made an impression on Sebastian. I don’t even want to glance his way. I can feel him staring at me.

  Come on bell! Ring!

  Grab your back pack and run!

  Talking to Sebastian Andreas is not on my agenda today. I have got to see if I can catch Alex before he leaves for the weekend. I just feel today is my one chance to finally have the courage to talk to him. Whatever Sebastian wants to talk to me about is just going to have to wait till Monday.

  “Selene! Did you do it?”

  “Chloe! YES! He said Hey, Selene.”

  “ Girl! That is the first step, next it’s I love you!” We both get the giggles.

  Chloe Smith is my best friend. We have been friends since the first day we meet on the soccer field in ninth grade. She thought she was going to steal the ball away from me to score. She was wrong. She kicked me in the shin, and I didn’t even flinch. I scored against her. After practice that day she asked if I had legs of steel? We both laughed, and that’s how we started our friendship.

  “So all you got out was Hey?”

  “Yea, because Cali came and rescued him away, like she always does.”

  “What is it with that girl? I mean she is always so friendly, but as soon as he gets out of her sight it’s like she freaks.”

  “Dude, don’t ask me. I will get to talk to him at some point. She is not going to ruin my chance. Not today!” I tell Chloe.

  “Ladies. Ladies. What is going on?”

  No! No! No!

  Sebastian and his best friend, Ian are walking right towards us.

  Please let there be a group of girl’s behind us.

  I turn and look just to be sure. No such luck.

  “What’s up, guys.”

  No, Chloe. Don’t talk to them! Why does she have to be so damn friendly?

  “So, Selene, you ran off before we could finish our talk.” Sebastian says loudly to me. Chloe’s eyebrows raise as she looks directly at me, as if to say “He did?”

  “No, I did not run. Just had to get out of there. That class is such a bore.”

  Great! Now, I am lying to him.

  Why didn’t I just say, “I ran out of class because you are an arrogant jerk, and didn’t feel like talking to you.”

  Of course, I would not say that, because I can not seem to control my mouth or mind today.

  ”Yea, Mr. Larkin just likes to hear himself talk. That guy can be such a drag.”

  Ian Ares? Why is he even here?

  Why wouldn’t he be here. Wherever Sebastian is, Ian is, too.

  “Selene, I was trying to invite you to my party tonight?”

  Did he just invite me to one of his notorious parties? No! I think not, Sebastian. “Yea, tonight is going to be EPIC!” Ian smirks as he says it.

  Something is going on with these two.

  “Am I invited?” As Ian looks Chloe up and down, then back to her eyes, he smiles. “Chloe, you are always invited.”

  That’s it! Ian has a crush on Chloe. Who doesn’t, though?

  I look at Chloe. Her cheeks are blushing.

  “Selene, you in or out?” Sebastian asks me like he knows my answer would have to be

  yes.

  I have a feeling I would be the first girl to turn Sebastian down.

  I am about to say no when I look at Chloe. Her face says say Yes. Everyone is staring at

  me. Even the kid at his locker beside us is staring.

  No pressure, right?

  “Yea, sure.”

  “Cool, you know where I live right?”

  Duh! Everyone knows where you live! The biggest house on a private beach. How could

  everyone not know, we have known since your first party freshman year.

  “I think so?”

  “Good. See you ladies, tonight.”

  They are walking away. Good. He stops. I feel his hand on my back. He leans in. “And Selene, wear that skirt tonight.” He moves his hand and I turn to smack it, but I

  miss. I turn around in time to see him smiling.

  He is so arrogant! I can not wait to drop him down a level.

  “Whoa! What was that?”Chloe asks me.

  “I don’t know? He was all weird in class today, too. Thanks to you I guess we are going

  to his party!”

  “I was thinking of you. Alex may be there tonight?”

  “ What? Why would he be there? They don’t even hang out.”

  “I overheard him say to Cali that he might be there.”

  “WHAT!”

  “Yea, right after first period I heard him say he tries to go to all of his end of the year

  parties.”

  “No way!”

  “I would not joke about this. He said that. I bet he will be there. This is the last party

  before we graduate. He has to be there. Pretty much the whole senior class is going tonight,” Chloe tells me nonchalantly. Okay, now I would like to thank Sebastian. I thought he took my chance away, but he just opened a whole new door!

  Chris! Crap! We are so late!

  I look at Chloe, we start to run. We both know he won’t leave us, but he will be mad.

  Chapter 2 “Dude! Where have you been? Seriously, Selene. I almost left you, but you were saved because I was talking to my friends. I hear this party is not to miss. Your coming right?”

  How does he even know we were invited?

  “How did you know we were going?”

  “You can’t be serious little sister. Everyone knows Sebastian was going to ask you. You are the only person in the whole school who has never been to one of his parties. He had to get you there.”

  Oh, now I get it! I am the only girl who has ever turned him down. He thinks he is going to win me over with some lame party at his big beach house. Well, I don’t think so!

  “So, I am driving tonight right?” Chris swerves as he starts to laugh uncontrollably.

  “Your kidding!”

  “HEY! My Jeep is used to being on the beach, your precious car is not.”

  “Let’s get real. You want us to ride in your Jeep to Sebastian’s house?”

  “Yea, what’s the big deal?”

  “The big deal is this is Sebastian Andreas’ house. Not the ghetto, or the kind of beach party you think this is. You have never even been out there have you? I mean not even to see the house?”

  “No. It’s just a house, what is the big deal?”

  “We aren’t taking your Jeep. Sorry Sis.”

  “Fine. We will take
your precious car.”

  “Great. I knew you would see things my way. Oh, and don’t be late. I know how Chloe gets and I am not waiting all night for her.”

  “HEY! I will be ready. You just be here on time.”

  “Chris, not everyone can look as fabulous as you in ten minutes.”

  “I know, Selene, but they can try.” He grins. I see Chloe smile.

  He pulls in the driveway. “I am serious. Do not be late. I will leave you.”

  “Whatever.” I close the door to his 69 Camaro. This car is a beast. It has a 469 big block engine, which means you can hear it coming from miles away. For as long as I can remember Chris has always been a “gear head.”

  I am pretty sure Chris believes that one day he will be in the next Fast and Furious movie, which would be like number 17 or something?

  “Selene?”

  “Yea, Mom? Chloe is here. We are heading up to my room.”

  My mom is a registered nurse. Her hours are crazy. Most of the time we see each other in

  between me rushing to school and her going to bed.

  “Mom, what are you doing home anyways?” She peeks her head out from the wall of the

  kitchen.

  My mother is one of the most beautiful women I know. She has shoulder length brown

  hair, and eyes so blue they look fake. She always has this gorgeous smile on her face. I do not

  think I look much like my mother. I assume I look like my father.

  I would have no idea considering I never met the man.

  My mom says I have his god like features and his driving spirit.

  I still have no clue what that means, but when Mom says that to me, I feel like she must

  have truly loved my father.

  “Well, that’s nice Selene.” She giggles.

  “Sorry. I thought you were working today?” Chloe and I head towards the kitchen. “I am working tonight. I thought I posted my shift on the schedule?” She looks at the big

  calendar on the kitchen wall.

  “Sorry Mom. I didn’t look at the times.”

  “That’s ok, honey. So what are you two up to tonight?”

  “We are going to Sebastian’s end of the year party.” My mom suddenly stops cutting the

  tomatoes for her salad and turns to us.

  “Really? Sebastian Andreas?”

  Chloe pretends to faint. “Selene heard that Alexander may be there.”

  “Oh, yea?” My mom looks towards me. Before I can speak Chloe makes herself at home.