1 1| The New Boy

MY FINGERS TREMBLED as I gripped the cold, golden ring in my hand. The sound of my labored breathing was the only thing heard in my small bedroom.

I couldn't keep track of my thoughts. Every time one came it'd get shoved out of the way by a new one. Was he really gone?

I felt a tear slowly rolling down my face. I just wanted to end everything. But we had bigger things to deal with.

------------------------- One Month Earlier ---------------------------

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I woke to the sound of my alarm, feeling tired and groggy and my head was killing me. I stayed up all night watching "My Little Pony" with my sister. She would not go to sleep no matter how hard I tried to make her. She eventually fell asleep because she heard my mom coming downstairs for work.

I reached for the Tylenol on my bedside table. It was old, or as mom likes to call it, vintage.

The drawers got stuck every time you opened them so it was difficult to get things in and out of them.

With the Tylenol in hand, I stumbled to the bathroom for some water.

"Allison."

I jumped in shock as the whisper-y voice made me tremble.

"W-who's there?" I said fearfully only to get no reply.

Rinnnggg.

The phone was ringing so loud...

"Hello?" I answered cautiously. It was my best friend. Daina Marie Johnson. Only the most loyal person I know. "I'm outside. Let's go."

"You couldn't have just texted me that?" I said. "Since when do we text." She repulsively replied. And she was right. We never text. Not in the 10 years of me knowing her.

See it all started in kindergarten when she bit me because I wouldn't let her use the swing. Which was kind of weird but we clicked. After a long incident report and our parents first.. talk-- okay fine, argument.

"Well I'm not really dressed yet." I said. "Allison Sky Martin, If you're not ready in 5--" I abruptly interrupted her by hanging up the phone.

What? Don't look at me like that I have to get ready. No time can be wasted.

I put on my best outfit-- A white and red shirt with blue jeans and my white, blue, and red converses.

I quickly ran outside and got into Daina's car.

"I can't believe you hung up on me." She said as soon as I sat down. "I had to get ready, no time could be wasted." I replied. "Yeah, but a little warning would've been nice." "Sorry." I said right before we both burst into laughter.

"Oh my god, do you know what day it is?" She beamed expecting an answer.

"Monday?" I replied. She gave me the "death stare" for a second, but as usual, her face lit right back up again. "Yes, it is Monday, BUT, it's the Monday that I've been talking about for the past few months!" I looked at her even more confused than before.

"The new kid's coming today. Like to Grove Valley High School." She said finally getting straight to the point.

"Oh yeah. The new kid." I was excited about it. A new boy. Someone not corrupted by the "Grove Valley System."

But then I really forgot about him because, Charlotte (another one of my best friends) already called dibs, and I really didn't want to fight with her about anything.

I looked over at Daina wondering how we became such good friends. Like, look at me compared to her. She was always happy and so gorgeous. She had long, dark brown hair, light brown skin, and green eyes. I was basic, and according to her "stale". I had long dark brown hair, and I was slender with brown eyes. I wasn't as happy as her but I was.. neutral.

But I guess that's what they say, "opposites attract".

"I heard he's super attractive." She gushed "And he has an amazing smile."

He sounds like just another stupid boy.

Daina could tell that she needed to change the subject because of the lack of interest shown on my face.

"You excited for the bonfire tonight?"

I smiled and nodded. I've been planning on going to a bonfire since my first year in middle school.

"What time?" I asked. Daina started grinning.

"8 o' clock, but I'll pick you up at 7:30." I could tell she was anxious to see what I was wearing.

We pulled into the school's parking lot and I quickly noticed that there were more people outside than usual. They were just standing, like they were waiting on something.

"What the hell is going on?" I mumbled. Daina looking just confused as I am.

I didn't really pay it enough mind. We quickly walked in the school unnoticed.

That was until we reached the hallway where my locker was.

There were girls everywhere. It was a matter of time before I'd end up getting pushed and knocked onto the ground.

I quickly got on my feet and finally saw what everyone was screaming about. There he was, the new boy.

And Daina was right.

He looked amazing! His pale complexion, strong jawline, hazel eyes, and straight, short, dark hair with a small lock of hair hanging on the right side of his forehead. His skin looked perfect, as did the outfit he was wearing. He had on a grey and red Levis shirt, black jeans that ripped at the knees, and grey and white vans.

Daina must've noticed I was staring because she gave me a little nudge snapping me back to reality. I gave her a look and it must've been a long one because when I looked back at the new boy, Charlotte was already walking towards him.

"Hi, I'm Charlotte." She cooed her face with fake happiness. He looked at her, then looked away. Daina giggled, loud enough for Charlotte to hear. She turned and started making her way towards us.

"It's not funny. He was supposed to like me back." She said in disappointment. "Not everyone is supposed to just, magically fall in love with someone. We have soulmates." Daina said.

We all burst into laughter. We didn't believe in that kind of stuff. The new boy passed all of us on his way to the office, but his gaze fell upon me. Only me.

He smiled and made his way into the office.

"Can we go to class now?" Charlotte asked impatiently. Daina and I laughed. We made our way passed the crowd of swooning girls and in to class.

We all made it to class only to be surprised by the new kid, sitting in the desk across from me. I know it took us a while to get here but he should still be in the office. How did he make it here so fast?

I awkwardly sat in my seat with Daina and Charlotte behind me. My heart was pounding. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, and he knows it.

Mr. Farrell started writing on the board. He was our history teacher. "Class we have a new student. Could you come up and introduce yourself?" He looked around. Like he didn't want to be here.

He finally got up and walked to the front of the class. "Hi, my name is Nicolas Valliant." His deep, alluring voice soothed my ears. It was like hearing angels sing.

There was an awkward silence, then he walked back to his seat.

"Okay class, so today we're going to be talking about The Mexican War. Can anybody tell me what year that took place?" No one rose their hands.

Then, he turned his head to me. "Allison? When did The Mexican War take place?" I just sat there, frozen in embarrassment. I didn't know the answer. "You don't know?" I shook my head. "How about any historical event, hm? Can you tell me any historical event and what year it took place?" He was railing me. Then all of a sudden, I hear a voice.

"April 25, 1846." It came from Nicolas. He knows his history.

The teacher quickly turned to him. "What date was it when it ended?" Mr. Farrell said. "February 2, 1848." Nicolas quickly replied.

"Hm, pretty smart for the new kid." Mr. Farrell said. That was the first time he'd ever called anyone smart in the entire year!

Nicolas started looking at me. I met his eyes and blushed before looking away.

There was something off about him. And it wasn't just the fact that he's different from all the other boys at our school. He had a mysterious vibe to him.. Something that made you want to get to know him. To find out what he was hiding.