"What would you risk for me?”

- The Best of Me, coming to theaters October 17

Chapter Two

Ramsey

The sun had begun to set as music started to play around the complex. There were sure to be parties tonight, but I didn't think I would be getting into too much. I figured I'd hang out with my neighbors and maybe go out. It was okay to have fun once in a while. The weekend before classes start, I smoke one cigar before having a few beers with my roommate. I had always been strict on myself but now that medical school is so close, I was harder on myself more than ever.

A red jeep with the top down pulled up in front of my complex with four sorority girls piled inside. I knew they where sorority girls from the Greek letters embroidered on their shirts. The guys did tell me that two chicks moved into the vacant apartment upstairs, but I hadn't seen them yet. Wes already marked his territory, but I doubted that he wanted to hook up with a sorority girl.

I puffed on my cigar, attempting to blow a smoke ringlet as I heard one of the sorority girls holler, "Come on, Josie!"

My hand froze with the cigar in mid air. It can't be.

"I'm coming!"

My heart stopped beating. Footsteps echoed down the concrete steps. I peered up and spotted her legs, and then high school flashed before my eyes. There was one time in three years where I almost talked to her. I was a senior and she was a junior. I had heard that she and her boyfriend had broken up. I had always been around her, but I didnt think she knew who I was. I was quiet with my head in the books and she was just ...

...everything that I had wanted. When I decided to finally approach her, her ex had intercepted and I lost my shot. I convinced myself that I was graduating and I wouldn't give her a fair chance even if she had said yes to a date. But now as I stared at her long legs and her short jean skirt came into view, I had no idea why I never tried to talk to her. I hid back in the shadows of my porch and saw her face light up when she hopped into the jeep. I rubbed my hand across my chest as they pulled away. I didn't know how it was possible, but I fell in love with Josie Stevens years ago. Not seeing her for three years didn't matter. I was in love with a girl who had no idea who I was. And this was my own damn fault.

• • •

The rest of the weekend I stayed inside my apartment. The guys migrated over here, but I just didn't know what to do or how to handle this new situation. I was pretty certain that she had no idea who I was, but this wasn't high school. She lived upstairs from me. She would eventually get to know me especially if Wes would be seeing her roommate. These were the guys I tailgated with and went to football games with. How would I be able to focus on anything involving school when I knew she was upstairs?

A knock rapped on the door while we were watching baseball. Well, the guys were watching baseball. I was having trouble focusing on anything except Josie being upstairs. Philip hopped up to answer it, and it was Wes's girl holding four boxes of pizza.

"Hey, Sara," Wes said as he approached the front door. The guys went out with her last night but I was in a state of confusion so I stayed behind.

"Y'all come eat. I bought dinner." She smiled and turned around. "And bring beer."

I chuckled. She was perfect for Wes. The guys hopped up and Philip grabbed some beer. I stayed seated and watched them close the door behind me. I continued to stare at the door.

I had my chance. For the first time since high school, I had a chance. I ran my hand down my face as I sighed. She was a sorority girl who had obligations to party all of the time. I couldn't compete with that lifestyle. But she was upstairs and I was invited. Maybe if I just sort of stayed hidden and didn't talk too much. Maybe she wouldn't pay attention. I doubt she'd recognize me. I never spoke to the girl. I sighed and stood up. Maybe this would help me to get over her. Maybe once I got to know her, she would stop being a stupid infatuation, because it was only an infatuation. I didn't love the girl. I did not love her.

After what seemed to be the longest and shortest flight of stairs, I stood outside of her apartment. I would just ignore her. That was the only way.

I barged in without knocking and I immediately saw her. Her chestnut hair was in a messy ponytail and she wore a T-shirt with gym shorts. I exhaled as I took in her blue eyes. She was beautiful. Just as her eyes met mine, I tore them away and headed over to the table with Philip, Wes, and Sara. I opened up a box of pizza and grabbed a slice.

"Help yourself."

I looked up and met her questioning eyes. I was being rude. The first time she ever spoke to me and I was being an ass.

"Thanks," I replied and continued to eat. Ron steared the conversation away from me, but it was hard not to keep looking at her. I was beginning to feel like some crazed obsessed stalker, that was until she locked eyes with me. A warmth spread through my chest. I had no experience with girls ever besides a few random moments, but the look in her eyes gave me some sort of hope. I didn't know if she liked me or not, but I at least got her attention. She returned back to her pizza as the guys focused on baseball. I had a shot; although, the question was: would I take it or not?

"Josie is it?"

She looked up at me with a smile and a nod. I stole one of the chairs from the table and brought it over by her. I say down and extended my hand toward her. "Ramsey Drew."

She eased her hand inside mine, and I knew that this would be okay. I could at least get to know her.

"It's nice to meet you, Ramsey. What are you studying?"

"I'm pre-med. What about you?"

"English right now."

I smiled and asked, "Right now?"

Her cheeks quirked and she answered, "Yep. I've changed majors five times already, but I started with English so I figured that's probably what I wanted all along."

"What do you want to do when you graduate?" I couldn't believe I was actually having a conversation with Josie Stevens.

Her eyes met mine and she tilted her head slightly and asked, "Why do you look so familiar?"

"Because we went to the same high school."

She gasped. "We did?" I nodded, and she asked, "Do you remember Sara?"

I shook my head. "No. I just remember you."

Our eyes locked again and neither one of us broke away. Her bottom lip curled ever so slowly in between her teeth, and of course, my eyes were drawn to it instantly. A rough hand landed on my shoulder and broke my stare away from Josie. I looked up at Philip who seemed a bit ... off.

"We have class at 7:30. We should probably get going."

The guilt snuck up on me. I turned back to Josie, and said, "Thank you for the pizza. We'll buy next time."

I hopped up and followed Philip downstairs to our apartment. He stalked across the living room, seemingly pissed off.

"What's up, Philip?"

He stopped and turned around. "Why is it that you never pay attention to any girl ever until I show interest in a girl?"

Well, hell.

I shook my head. "Phil, you can't like her."

"The hell I can't." He turned to walk away, and for the first time ever, I told someone the truth.

"I'm in love with her."

He turned back around and said, "You just met her."

"I've known her for six years. She just doesn't remember me."

He rested his hands on his hips and he asked, "So, I really have no shot?"

"I will take you down."

He laughed. "Alright, bro. I'll help in anyway that I can."