Chapter 23: First day at school 2

Shawn and I walked into the school together. The hallway was large, the students in it seemed so little in it. Shawn was right, I definitely couldn't suffocate in here.

I realised people were staring at us. Well, they were staring at Shawn. Later on, their gaze shifted to me. I wasn't afraid anymore. Maybe because I had Shawn next to me, or because I'd finally decided to say 'Fuck you' to fear. Shawn then handed me a piece of paper.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Your schedule and on top is your locker number." I curled an eyebrow at him. 

"How did you get this?"

"Perks of being extremely famous and charming." I rolled my eyes. But I was glad he did this for me.

"You're having your first period with Karla. I believe she'll be your tour guide for today. But first, let me bring you to your locker." He motioned for me to follow him and I did.

When we got there, I saw that Karla was already waiting for me.

"Looking like an Hawthorner already. Shawn, thank you for bringing her safely."

"It's my pleasure." He then turned to face me.

"I'll see you by third period, new blood." He gave me a smile and walked away and I turned to Karla.

"If you or Shawn weren't here, I'd be completely lost."

"Good thing you have us. Come on, let's go." She gave me a weird smile that made me wonder what was wrong. 

Our first class for the day was history. We took a seat in the fourth row. The classroom was quite large and there were at least twenty seats here. I brought out my book and so did Karla. Then, the bell rang.

"Beware of Mr Smith. He can be quite cranky. And there's a forty percent chance he's going to give us a test."

"Tests during the first day of the term?"

"Hmhm. He loves to torment us. Just like the subject." She said in a dull voice. Students had already begun taking their seats. Then, a man with an olden days glasses walked in. 

"First day of the new term. Let's see if you pitiful teenagers can make it through." He said. I frowned a little.

"You see what I mean?" Karla whispered. I nodded slightly. He turned back to face us and his eyes caught me.

"Ah, another pitiful student. Rise and tell us your name." All eyes were fixed on me. I took a deep breath before following his command.

"Emily Hernandez, Born and raised in San Francisco." I said simply

"Interesting. Can you tell us some history about San Francisco?" He said in the voice of someone from the 1900s

'Is he for real?'

"Ok. San Francisco, originally called Yerba Buena, was founded by Spanish settlers in the year 1776. But its name was changed to San Francisco in 1846. The Ohlone's were the first people to settle there, before the Spanish people, who became the first Europeans to settle in San Francisco. San Francisco is Spanish for Saint Francis." I said in one breath. 

Yes, when most people hate history, I live for history. I know the history of literally every state and city in the United States. At least their brief and major history. I could feel Karla's wide eyes on me. Apparently, 'Mr Smith' was looking forward to embarrassing me, but he failed woefully.

"Hm, very good Miss Hernandez." I had my seat and I looked at Karla who was still staring at me like she had seen a ghost. In fact, all of the class was staring at me.

"What?" 

"You are my mentor. I will forever lend you my service, ol' wise one." 

"You're overreacting." 

"I am not. No one has made him speechless like that. God this is gonna go wild! " She semi squealed.

"I doubt it." And like Karla said, he did give us a small test. Not before belittling us with his words. Finally, class was over.

"That was torture." I mumbled when we got out of the class.

"Yeah, and we have to suffer that for the rest of the school year!" 

"What's your next class?"

"Algebra, you?" I took a quick look at my schedule.

"Same." As we walked, I realised that people were whispering when we passed by. And I think I heard someone say my name.

"Is it just me, or is everyone talking about me?"

"Hmhm. You're new here and most importantly, people saw you walking in with Shawn."

"So?"

"So! The new girl with the school's biggest heartthrob! It's breaking news! And also, I heard some people say that you two kissed!" She wriggled her eyebrows at me.

"What!" I literally screamed. I then pulled her over to the lockers. Thankfully, we had reached my locker, which was actually next to hers. She gave me a dirty smile.

"I was planning on asking you. So, are they true? Are you getting down and dirty with Shawn?"

"Of course not!" She pouted a little.

"Come on Emily, you can tell me. I swear I can keep a secret. And the girls can too."

"Oh my God, we didn't kiss! At least it wasn't on the lips." I mumbled the last part out.

"You see! There was a kiss!" Thank God for the student's loud chattering, or else everyone would have heard our conversation.

"He only kissed me on the cheek. But it means nothing!" I immediately said. 

"Nope, it means everything. Do you know how many girls would die to even have him look at them?" I sighed tiredly. I've heard this a thousand times.

"Yeah, I know. But you're pinning a name to something that is nothing."

"So you don't like him?" I was shocked at her question. I then turned to unlock my locker.

"You can't even give me a reply." I could literally imagine the goofy smile that was on her face. 

"No I do not." I said sternly.

'Keep deceiving yourself.' My brain told me causing me to groan internally.

There is a big difference between finding someone attractive and liking the person."

'Then what about the tingles you get when he touches you or the butterfly feeling in your stomach?' My brain was being very pushy today.

"Alright, I won't force it out of you. Come on, we'll be late for algebra."

"Yeah sure."

'I do not like Shawn Anderson. I can't like him'