2

My days have become repetitive at this point, nothing differing as a new day reveals itself. I eye my clock, noticing that I have thirty minutes before Nick would be coming to pick me up. After that we would wait together in the senior hall with his friends making plans for the weekend. Sometimes I was invited and sometimes I wasn't but I would still see Nick. That was a guarantee. He has made sure to see me every day since the beginning of our relationship. With my dwindling friend group, I don't ever get to make plans any more.

Something felt different about today, though sure enough Nick was punctual and irritated for ignoring his texts but luckily he wasn't too mad. Everything was falling into place as the schedule always dictates. We talked in the senior hall about this weekend, but in the middle of the heated debate on what movie was going to do better at the box office and why. I was called to the principal's office.

I looked at Nick, fully unprepared for this, was he going to let me go. I could see in his dark eyes he didn't want to.

"I thought she was the good half,"Zain, a barely there kind of person jokes, he wasn't Nick's close friend but he was good enough to keep in the group. Nick hesitantly pulled his arm off of me but still held my hand.

Nick looked at me in a way that asked if I knew what was going on. But I did not. He gave my hand a squeeze of confidence before reassuring me, "it's fine, why would you get in trouble."

"Right," I agreed, but that's not the truth. I have missed so many classes because of Nick. I'm scared that that is the reason why.

With the release of my hand I am briskly walking to the office. I can feel Nick's eyes on me until I turn the corner. I sigh with relief as I am gifted with a few minutes of alone time. I shuffle between my classmates walking towards their first class, and similar to yesterday I am caught feeling just as alienated.

The school has a simple layout basically a two story box with multiple rooms. The freshman hall is the lower left corner, sophomore lower right, junior upper left and the senior upper left along with the college classes. The school office is located between the freshman and sophomore halls.

I entered the office nervous and curious about the reason I got called. The secretaries were busy getting the morning announcements ready and the principal's door that was located just past the secretaries desks was wedged open. Mrs. Andersen, a happy older woman nodded towards the door mouthing with a smile "just go in". She was on the phone with her hand placed on her hip listening to the person on the other end her pleasant attitude gave me reassurance.

I knocked on the door and waited for Mr. George to welcome me before walking in.

"There she is," he smiled, gesturing with his hands from me to a new girl sitting confidently across from him. She smiled at me and I smiled back. "This is MaeBee Gamble, she is a part of our welcome committee. MaeBee, this is Louise McBride, this is her first day of school and I would greatly appreciate it if you could show her her classes during the first hour, thank you."

"Of course, Mr. George," I agreed with relief, "Louise it's wonderful to meet you, have they printed out your class list."

She stood up and crossed the room with an outstretched arm, handing me her class schedule. I studied over it noticing we shared all but three classes.

She is taller and skinnier than me. She looks like she had been stretched in a taffy pull, and her face was so kind. I'm too scared to assume that we could be friends but after yesterday I'm not sure I could do it.

We quickly dive into the tour, I explained how the school's block schedule works, that classes would be longer but every other day. I found a map and marked where her classes were while also showing her the locations. In some of the classes I could I pulled the teacher aside and introduced them. There isn't much to the school, so most of the time the tour barely last half of a class period, but I know Mr. George wants me to take up the time getting to know the new student. It's a way of making me the first friend.

"This is a lot to take in for just a day, you are a lovely tour guide," she complemented, with a nervous smile. Her arms were crossed and I could hear a subtle shaking in her voice.

"Don't worry," I tried to be assured but I'm never sure how I am perceived, "I'll be able to help you out no matter what, I even wrote my phone number down on the map. I was new almost two years ago-"

I felt hands grab my sides making me almost fall to the ground but two strong arms caught me under my armpits. I know who it is before I look up and when I do Nick gives me a quick kiss before assisting me to my feet. Why wasn't he in class?

"I thought you got expelled for sure," he joked, as he put his hand in my back pocket. He gets so possessive when I'm around anyone else but him. "But you're just doing your nerdy job."

I am flustered now but still try to make introductions "Louise this is Nick, Nick this is Louise."

I take a look at Louise. She doesn't seem impressed with the way Nick interrupted, but is nice anyways. "Nice to meet you, Nick," she greated evenly, she adjusted her weight slightly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

"I'm almost done babe," I smiled at him, "will you save a seat for me." He squeezed my ass and winked at me.

"Sure, bumble." He hesitated for a moment, then sauntered off heading towards class. He walked so confidently people just moved out of his way, I swear he has an invisible power.

I looked back to Louise, not realizing I was holding my breath. "I'm so sorry about that, sorry about the interruption too. Umm," I paused trying to form words, "do you have any questions?"

"No," she smiled, "thanks for the tour."

"Of course," I smiled, "please let me know if you need anything."

"I will, I do not have the confidence to figure this out on my own."

We continued talking about the first day, while I nervously checked for Nick. I walked her to her second class and explained that I would wait after just in case she needed help. The rest of the school day passed quickly even though the rest of the week did. Louise had been really kind to me, and we sat together at lunch. I was happy she didn't mind joining Nicks and his friends.

Louise is so feisty, she always has a comeback and was able to put Nick in his place a few times which made me admire her. In the moments when she catches Nick off guard, I wish so badly that I could be her.

"MaeBee, my parents were finally able to set up the theater room, and I think it would be really great if you wanted to hang out this Saturday?" Louise asked, leaning against the locker next to mine towers over me. This is a weekend that Nick was going paintball with his friends. He also seems to like Louise, I don't think he would have a problem with it.

"Yeah that would be great," I smiled, feeling a mix of a weight on my chest and excitement. "I might have to check with Nick, but I don't think he should have an issue."

Louise rolled her eyes, I couldn't tell if she was annoyed or if her body language was being sarcastic. "You don't have to check with him, I'm pretty sure you can make your own choices." She doesn't understand, but I also want to impress her. I want to be strong like her.

"Oh no, it's not like that," I tried to reassure her.

"Just don't check with him this time," she suggested, turning away as Nick came walking up behind me. I guess if he's already busy, it should be ok to make plans. I should be able to make plans on my own, I know she is right, but I can't help the tension that begins to take hold of my shoulders and works its way down my back.

Nick wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up.

"What was Louise talking to you about?" He asked when I turned to face him, closing my locker in the process.

"Nothing, just girl stuff." I replied, but I could feel my hands shaking. I didn't lie but I haven't ever kept information from Nick before. I've always been too scared to try.

"Good," he smiled, " I'm glad you're able to find a new friend. I never liked Kate."

I thought you liking her too much was the issue, I thought. I still can't believe Kate hasn't even tried to talk to me since. I see her occasionally, but she is always quick to get away from me. It's only been four day, maybe Kate did only want Nick and our friendship was just a step to get to him.

The image of Nick and Kate kissing flashed quickly in my head, inviting my chest to constrict. Breathing became difficult and my hands started shaking even more. I kept my facade pleasant though, I don't need Nick worrying. I began fiddling with the hem of my shirt to keep my hands busy, no matter how hard I tried Nick could sense my nerves.

His eyes cut through my horrible attempt to hide my panic attack. He grabbed my hands in one of his and pulled me closer. He had a look of desire when he whispered, "let's get out of here."

It was the end of the day and he was just waiting to see this group but decided to blow them off. He had other plans.