friendships

Chapter Two

I can feel people looking at me as I walk in. I keep my head down avoiding all eye contact directed my way. I find an open seat near the back by a window and decide to sit there.

A minute later I hear someone sit down next to me, I look over to find a boy. He gives me a bright smile. He has short, messy blonde hair that I have to resist the urge to run my fingers through his locks. I look away, not wanting him to catch me staring for too long.

"I haven't seen you around, you new?" He asks. There goes me trying to go unnoticed...

"Yea, I uh, moved here not too long ago." I look up to meet his striking blue-eyed gaze. Damn, he had beautiful eyes.

"My name is Luke." He smirks.

"E-Emma." Shaking my head. Get a grip, he's just a boy.

"Nice to meet you, Emma." I couldn't believe this boy was talking to me, I would laugh at you if you told me this would happen. Maybe this school won't be as bad as before... I hope so. I can't let my guard down.

My thoughts are interrupted by the teacher starting class. We end up having to read in our history textbooks for the rest of class, boring.

I look at my schedule to find where my second class is before the bell rings. Room 1508.

Biology.

Yay, more mindless wandering.

→ → →

Minutes pass before I actually find my class, I feel so awkward. I knock on the door and wait patiently for someone to answer it. I would walk in but I'd rather just knock.

A man in his late 40s I guess, answers, I assume he's the teacher.

"You must be the new student?" He asks

"Yea, that's me.."

"I'm Mr. Morgan, you may take a seat anywhere." He smiles.

I step inside and spot an open desk alone in the back.

As I sit down, a boy walks in, he has hazel eyes, curly hair, and he's wearing black and I can see some tattoos peeking through the hem of his clothes.

I can tell he's a typical bad boy, and it's quite intimidating.

"Late again I see." Mr. Morgan says to this mysterious boy.

"Yup." He says showing no emotion, he looks over at me and I quickly look down. He starts heading my way, and I get really uneasy. Oh god why me...

"That's my spot." He says. Instantly all eyes are watching the interaction.

"Oh, sorry... Can't you just sit there?" I say pointing to the seat next to me.

"Fine. Only for today though. I sit there tomorrow. Okay?" He says more as a command. I nod. Why is this seat so important?

"Good." He sits down and I start doodling in my notebook as everyone focuses back to the front. I watch him in the corner of my eye, he has his feet up on the desk and hands behind his head.

"You know you should really pay attention to the teacher." He tells me and I laugh.

"Says you." I roll my eyes.

"Hmm, sassy." He smirks. I ignore him and continue to doodle in my notebook.

My morning classes go by fast and soon it's already lunch, I've been dreading lunch, I never know where to sit.

I decide to just go outside and find somewhere I can be alone without people staring at me every second.

I look around and find a big tree that's absolutely beautiful, I think I just found my new favorite place. I sit down and take in everything around me. Only a few people are out here scattered around the grass and some are at the tables by the basketball court.

I grab my book that I grabbed from my locker earlier and continue where I left off.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and set my book aside to see a message from Alex.

A: hey, wondering where you are and how you're doing

E: I'm good, Alex. I'm outside, don't worry

A: ok, jw

E: I know, make any friends?

A: a couple, you?

E: Not really

A: well, you still got me :)

I smile to myself, I had a feeling he would text me all worried. He gets super protective sometimes, but I still love him.

I continue with my book waiting for the bell to sound, but my peace ends when someone else joins me. I look up to find the boy from biology.

Great.

"Hey." He smirks at me.

"Hi." I continue to read my book. I stare at the school, I can see my brother staring at me closely from inside, has he been there the whole time?

More people come sit by the mystery boy, I assume his friends, I instantly feel awkward and out of place. I can feel them staring at me.

"What?" I ask at the strangers causing them to look away. Good.

The bell rings indicating it's time for class. Thank god, I think as I hurry away.

→ → →

The rest of the day goes by just as fast. But I don't mind. The last bell rings, and I hurry to my locker.

As I'm walking there I bump into a girl and my stuff falls to the ground.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." She exclaims getting down to help gather my stuff.

"Thanks.." I mumble, unsure how to respond.

"I'm Isabel." The girl says sticking her hand out.

"Emma." I reply taking her hand.

"You're new here, right?"

"Yeah." We start walking and continue our conversation.

"So how was your first day?"

"It was boring, but overall okay." I laugh.

"Same, I mean, not that I'm new here too" she laughs with me as I stop in front of my locker.

"Well here's my locker." I say.

"Cool, mine's a couple down from here." She smiles peering over my shoulder,

"That dudes staring at you" She comes closer to me then discreetly points to the mystery guy.

"He's in one of my classes... Do you know who he is?"

"No, but I think his name is Ashton..." She says unsure. At least I know his name now.

I grab my bag and lock my locker. Alex soon makes his way around the corner and meets me at my locker.

"How was your day?" He smiles.

"It was good, not bad." I repeat truthfully.

"That's great!" He shouts for no reason. I shoot daggers at him as people around us are staring now.

"Was that really necessary, Alex?" I say embarrassed, I can feel my cheeks burning.

"Sorry," He says quietly.

"Oh whatever, let's just go home."

I say a quick goodbye to Isabel as we pass by, and head home with my annoying brother.

→ → →

"How was school?" Mom asks me as Alex heads down the hallway

"Fine." I say rolling my eyes.

"Make any friends?"

Yeah, Isabel, she's really nice."

"That good."

"Well, see you later" I nod, trying to escape.

I head up to my room, shutting the door behind me to start on my homework.

After an hour of nothing that makes sense, I decide to go on a walk. Who even assigns homework this early in the year?

I grab my phone and walk downstairs.

"I'll be back in an hour, I'm going on a walk!" I scream to my mom and brother. I don't bother getting an okay as I open the door and start walking.

I eventually come across a park on my walk and sit on one of the swings.

A few kids are running around having fun, laughing.

"Hey." I jump, not knowing someone had sat down on the swing beside me.

"Oh my god, you scared me." I look over to see Luke swinging next to me.

"Hi.".

"You live over here?" He asks.

"Yeah, a few blocks away."

"Cool, I live a ways away ." He says.

"Then what're you doing here." I question. Why would he come all the way over here for a park?

"I can't be here?" He feigns hurt. He lets out a small laugh. I join him, giggling a little.

"You're different." What?

"How so?" I laugh in uncertainty.

"You're nice and not like most girls."

"And how are most girls exactly?" I ask.

"You know... Snotty and only care about themselves." He explains.

"Well, I'm glad I'm not like most girls."

"Me too." He looks at me smiling,

"Would you maybe like to hang out with me after school tomorrow?" He asks.

"I'd love to." Oh my god mouth stop, why is my brain going against me?

"You can catch a ride with me after school." He states.

"Okay." Why did I agree again? I don't know him.

"Well I got to get going, it was nice seeing you again."

"Bye." I wave to him. He smiles and I watch as he walks to what I assume is his car parked on the curb.

I just continue swinging watching the kids run around pondering over what we'd do tomorrow and what I just got myself into. And why did he happen to be here?

I take my time walking home, the sun has just started to set, bright, pretty colors everywhere. I stare at the sky in awe.

Once I find myself home, I take one last glance up at the sky before opening the front door. I am greeted with Alex smiling at me. I return the gesture.

"Enjoy your walk?" He asks.

"Yes, it was lovely." I say, making my way up to my room and get ready for bed.