3 CHAPTER THREE

"Alright, people! Alphabetical order, now! You, keep it moving! Starting from the left row!"

With loud, indignant comments, we all got to our feet, moving around like lost kids in a supermarket. Mr. Wilson was watching us carefully, knowing how "naughty" students can be and making sure he had everything under control. One of my classmates kicked a chair out of anger, swearing with a low voice, but our teacher caught that and with a "Hey!" he grabbed the guy by his shoulder, looking like he wanted to kill him right there, for defying him.

Emily came next to me for a second and snorted, eyeing Mr. Wilson and the poor guy. "He needs to chill, this old man. He doesn't get it. If you get angry, we'll get angrier. It's a sign of weakness."

I rolled my eyes and got a firm grip on my backpack. "I pity him. These kids really know how to piss someone off. God knows what I would've done if I was in his shoes."

Emily covered her mouth with her hand, theatrically. "Remind me to not piss you off ever again."

"You're already doing that." I scoffed.

"Hey! Enough chit-chatting. Get in your seats!" Mr. Wilson hissed, placing his hands on his hips and narrowing his small, black eyes.

Emily rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Lucky for her, he didn't notice it. I cracked up and shook my head.

I waited until most of my classmates sat down and, trying to understand where I should sit, I started asking them until the letter "M" came around.

Fortunately, Emily was sitting right in front of me. She turned around and saw me making goofy faces. She grinned and winked at me.

My partner was a strange guy, whom I've never seen until now. As he noticed me staring at him, he made eye contact with me and shook his head. I pursued my lips, disappointed by his cold welcome.

The class officially started and History was boring as ever. It was even more boring because I couldn't talk with Emily and make fun with her about Mr. Wilson's exaggerated gestures. I sighed, waiting patiently until the class was over.

As soon as the bell rang, everyone rose from their chairs, even though the teacher was shouting the homework and how we had an important exam to take in a few months.

I closed my book and put my things inside of the backpack. With the corner of the eye, I saw Emily getting even paler, the fake tan almost disappearing. My brows furrowed, not understanding what was going on. The guy next to her got to his feet, put his hood on his head, and stormed out of the class.

Confused, I walked to Emily's left and put a hand on her shoulder. She jerked, throwing me a scared look which made me get a lump in my throat. "Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost."

She blinked quickly and cleared her throat. She looked right into my eyes and plastered a smile on her face. I frowned. Why would she act like this? "Yea, I'm fine. It's just... that guy, my partner, he's scary as hell."

My brows furrowed, looking at the door, even though I knew he left already two minutes ago. "Why would you say that? Did he... try something?"

She shook her head and snorted. "Nah, it wasn't like that... Do you... do you, sometimes, feel like someone's just bad vibes? Like, they don't have to do something, but you just feel like they're bad."

I sighed, patting her shoulder. Her tense posture became relaxed. She put her hand on my mine, exhaling sharply.

I stared at the empty chair next to her, thinking about what she said.

Bad vibes, huh.

***

"Gabe."

I closed the door of my locker to see my partner from the History class standing right in front of me. He seemed... shy.

My brows furrowed.

"What?"

"Gabe. My name's Gabe. I just transferred. What's your name?"

I blinked slowly. He didn't look like a bad guy. Yeah, his shaved head, his big muscles, his intimidating posture made him look like he had escaped jail thirty minutes ago, but the way he lowered his head said the otherwise. "Ivy. Ivy Moore. Nice to meet you."

He raised his eyes, meeting mine and smiled timidly. I put on a grimace, realizing that I shouldn't make new friends. I didn't know if my problem would come back to me or not. It could've come anytime and I wasn't prepared to lose important things.

"I'm sorry I was a dick in the class. I was kinda pissed that my only friend here was not my partner. I'm not great at making new friends."

I giggled. We already had something in common.

He leaned against the locker next to him and folded his arms. I had to say, he didn't look bad.

"What's happening here? Already replacing me?"

Emily came next to us, smiling and playing with her long, blonde hair. Gabe bit his upper lip and lowered his head again. "Well... see you again, Ivy." With a shy wave, he left us, walking as fast as he could.

I chuckled. He was exactly like me in my first year of high school. I sighed and turned my face towards Emily.

She looked intrigued. She narrowed her eyes and grabbed my arm, dragging me slowly towards her Biology class, even though I had to go to Psychology next. "So... he's your partner? Nice muscles. Why didn't you introduce me to him?"

I rolled my eyes. "He's a shy guy. I won't force him to talk to other people."

"Oh my god, Ivy! I'm your best friend! I'm the exception, understood?" she said, letting go of my arm.

I stopped in front of her class door. "Next time, you introduce me to yours and I'll do the same."

Her expression changed. She stopped looking into my eyes and, with a burst of fake laughter she threw her hair on her back. "I don't think so. I think I should talk with Mr. Wilson. I can't sit next to that... guy again."

I studied her face, analyzing her terrified expression. "Is he that scary?"

She glanced up at the ceiling. Her eyes were glossy. "No, no, he just... makes me uncomfortable. I just don't want to stay next to him, that's all."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to think about how I could make her to open herself to me. It was rare to see Emily this scared and everything became worse because I didn't know how to handle the situation. "Okay, then... see you around at lunch?" I started walking backward, studying her face one more time.

She seemed tired. Like that guy stole her energy. But she still managed to smile, even though she was faking it. "Of course. See ya."

She walked in the class, shutting the door and leaving me alone in the hallway. With a sigh, I turned around and walked towards my Psychology class, which started five minutes ago. It was a last moment decision to take this class. I needed one more class and I thought that Psychology might be just fine. It would be the first time I met my new teacher and I was already late. Great.

As I was walking, I noticed that there was not even one soul outside of the classes. I took in a deep breath, trying to not scare myself. I laughed, not believing what I was doing. Calm down, Ivy. There's nothing to be scared of.

Or so I thought.

Out of nowhere, a loud and disturbing sound made me wince and tremble in fear. I didn't know where it came from. I started running without thinking.

Throwing a fast glare in my back, the hallway was empty. I slowed down, exhaling relieved. I turned my face right before the impact.

I bumped into someone. I screamed, jerking away, and massaging my nose. I hated this. Tears filled my eyes and I lowered my body, focusing on the annoying pain.

After a few seconds, I remembered that there was someone in front of me. I raised my head.

There was a tall, athletic, and intimidating guy. He was wearing a black shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. His black, tight trousers made his legs look really long. I looked up at his face, but the big glasses with its dark-shaded lentils made it hard to see his eyes. His full lips turned into a thin line like he was disgusted by me touching him.

"Are you fine?" He said, clenching his fists.

I blinked slowly, getting to my feet. His husky and low voice made me confused. "Yeah."

"I apologize." He mumbled, lowering his head. "I should've been more careful."

I massaged my hand, approaching him. "It's fine, really. It's my fault anyways."

He touched his glasses, making it look like one of those nerd's exaggerated gestures. If I thought about it a little more, he truly looked like a nerd. "Can I ask you something?"

I raised my brows.

I knew I should've run to my Psychology class, but something about him made me more curious than I should've been. "Sure. What's up?" My voice cracked a bit, making me cringe, but he didn't seem to notice. Or, maybe, he didn't care.

"Where is the Psychology class?" He asked, touching again his glasses.

I blinked quickly and cleared my throat. This guy was intimidating. "I-I-I can show you the way. That's where I'm going."

He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.

Oh! He was waiting for me to move. I chuckled nervously, passing by him and going straight to the Psychology class. I sensed him following me, but I couldn't hear his steps. I exhaled sharply, feeling how my hands became sweaty and I used my jeans to clean them. Ugh, I hated this. Becoming intimidated for no reason.

"So, um... are you new? Haven't seen you around."

It wasn't like I was the friendliest person that existed, but my mind was empty at that moment. I wanted to fill the embarrassing silence and didn't know how, but chit-chatting.

"No. I've been here ever since the first year." He seemed distracted. He answered my question like a robot. It looked like he rehearsed his speech, ready to be asked this type of question. Furrowing my brows, I turned a bit to see him right in my back, with his arms still crossed over his chest. His arms were veiny and masculine and it made me stare a little too much...

"...you?"

I raised my head so fast that I could hear my neck crack. I put on a grimace and start massaging my neck. "Sorry, what?"

If he was aware I was studying him, he didn't let it show. He looked like he was used to it. "I asked about you. Are you new here? Never seen you."

"Oh. I've been here since last year. I haven't really tried making new friends to be honest so that's why you've never seen me." I said, laughing at my own antisocial behavior.

"That's sad. Why haven't you?" He continued, talking politely but at the same time in a boring manner like he just didn't want to be considered a jerk by no talking at all.

I sighed, trying to think about a good reason to give him. I couldn't find one. "Guess that's just... because I don't want to hurt people."

He was walking behind me, which made me feel a bit awkward. But after I said that, I was happy he couldn't see my red and flustered face. I didn't know why, but I felt vulnerable near him. Why did I say such a thing to a complete stranger? I shook my head and chuckled, embarrassed. I bet he thought I was weird.

I didn't know what to expect from him. To ask me why did I think I would hurt people? To assure me that no one will get hurt because of me?

Maybe I expected something. Maybe a pat on the shoulder. Maybe a small smile and a sarcastic expression on his face.

But when I turned around to face him, there was nothing. His expression was blank and impassable. He ran his hand through his hair and stood still in front of me. His height made me look like a small kid next to him, but I couldn't care less. I was irritated by his nonchalant behavior. I knew it wasn't something to be furious about, but I couldn't help myself.

We stood like this for approximately a minute, when, finally, he said something.

"Are we there?"

I blinked slowly, not understanding what he was talking about for a few seconds. Suddenly, my eyes widened because of the revelation. The Psychology class. I pinched the bridge of my nose and snorted.

"Yea, it's right here." I said, pointing him the door next to me.

Without throwing me another glare, he opened the door and closed it as fast as a hare.