A/N: This story is an entry for Target's #onceuponnow Contest. Thank you for dropping in for a read. If you enjoyed this story and wish to support its advancement, voting for the top 25 begins June 14th through the 21st. Please either hold your vote or revote for this first chapter during that time to push Betwixt & Between into the next phase. Cheers and happy reading!

The first time I saw Adam Garner, it was raining flowers.

Mom insisted we take our own tour of the town. I wasn't overly thrilled. Rothsdale was another new town, another new school, and another awkward wade through the social hierarchy of high school. She promised this was the last move until I finished high school. Two years in one place, the entirety of my junior and senior year to make a few friends. I wanted to believe her but I wasn't completely sold. Not after four different schools for sophomore year alone. As a research scientist and adjunct professor, mom followed the grant money, though she swore the position as Rothsdale's local college wouldn't be so temporary. Maybe I'd believe her in a year or so. Right now, I'd be happy if we could just agree on dinner.

"How bout pizza, you love pizza," said Mom, eagerly eyeing an Italian family restaurant across the street.

I don't love pizza. I pretty much hated it. Anyone would if it made up the bulk of your diet for two years. Yet another example of the emotional disconnect between us. I was tempted to tell her the truth except I didn't want to spend such a rare evening with her arguing.

"Pizza will be fine," I said, managing a small smile.

"This is a college town! I bet they have all sorts of crazy concoctions!" She was already half way across the street, leaving me to bring up the rear. I started to follow, shaking me head. Sometimes she was more of a teen than I was. The wind picked up, blowing my hair into my face. I blew it out of my mouth, trying to shove it up and away when something damp and slippery stuck to my fingers. 

I pulled my hand back, a pale pink petal plastered to my skin. I glanced around, searching for the source when I saw him. A cobblestone avenue ran through the heart of the main drag, bordered by cherry trees in full bloom. That sight was breath taking enough without the boy, hands in the pockets of his jeans, a navy blue shirt tight across his shoulders, smooth and slender. His head was titled back, eyes closed so the sun frosted his blond hair and lashes with hints of gold. Beautiful, an earthbound angel chained by a swirl of petals. I was so transfixed by the sight of him I didn't realize I was standing in the middle of the road until the car mirror clipped my arm.

The vehicle's angry horn chased me to the ground as the driver sped off without stopping. Distantly, I heard my mother shrieking obscenities at the departing car as she ran for me. Someone else got there first, dragging me up off the ground and out of the road. I rolled my head, looking up into light brown eyes.

"Like toasted cinnamon."

They blinked at me. "Are you okay?"

"Oh damn, I said that out loud didn't I?"

A grin pulled his full lips over even white teeth and my heart beat double time in my chest. I wanted to ask his name but my mouth couldn't seem to form the words.

"Riya! Oh, sweetheart," said Mom, yanking me to her. Her hands searched for injuries as she eyed my white knight. "Thank you for helping her up. Did you happen to catch the plate number of that maniac?"

"Sorry, no, my attention was on other things," he said. He had a nice voice, husky, melodious even; I could listen to it for hours. His grin widened.

"I said that out loud too, didn't I?"

He nodded, valiantly trying not to laugh.

My mom frowned, her fingers gently prodding my skull. "You didn't hit your head too, did you Riya?"

My cheeks were burning. I shook my mom off and straightened myself. "Just a bit of a shock, ma, I'm fine," I said, forcing myself not to wince at the ache in my arm. Mom made a face, clearly not buying it but she turned to my rescuer anyway.

"Thank you again. I'm Dr. Lina Chapman, and this is my daughter Riya. What's your name, young man?"

"Oh, uh," his stumbled, a hint of red on his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Adam, Adam Garner."

Mom smiled with me, as if she found his flustering as charming as I did. "Well, Adam, my daughter and I were about to go for pizza. Care to join us? My treat."

I didn't know whether to be mortified or kiss her.

Adam's blush deepened. "Well, I--"

"It would be wonderful if you joined us," I said. My mind defogged at last. His eyes met mine. A frisson of sparks went off inside my head. Did he feel it too? He wavered, a moment of hesitation before that endearing grin lit up his face.

"Sure," he said.

"Great!" My mom hooked her arm through his. "We're new in town. You can recommend what's good."

Adam shot me another look with renewed interest. "Welcome to Rothsdale, Riya," he said with a wink.

Oh, we'd better be staying here for two years.