Chapter 2

I have to stop thinking of Oliver during classes. 

This was what Nyla kept telling herself for the past minutes she stood in front of her locker forgetting she came for her History textbook. This wasn't what she envisioned when the Principal asked her to tour a student around school. "What did I even come to get from my locker?" She asked herself as her eyes searched through her locker. Her books were neatly stacked which was one thing she could thank Rae for. 

"Hey, you've been standing in front of your locker. Are you ok?" She could recognize that voice from anywhere probably because she has been thinking about the owner of the voice since first period. "Hey" she said a little nonchalant not to sound or look excited to see him. Her history class suddenly popped into her head reminding her of what she had forgotten moments ago "Um I have history class next….. I came to get my books" His eyes were steady on her while she glanced around the hallway not wanting to have eye contact with him. 

"I actually have history too. Let's go together that's if you don't want to miss class standing here".

During lunch break...…

"Guess what?" Nyla asks Rae as they both seat down at the table with their trays. "Hmm?" Rae said grabbing her sandwich.

"I know you won't even bother guessing" Nyla took deep breaths as though she was going to announce something big. "I talked and also sat next to Oliver during history" She sounded like she had just received an achievement award or something. Rae holds her gaze. There was no trace of the unconcern on Rae's face anymore. "Seriously? No way...I'm happy for you".

"That's not even the big thing. He saw me standing in front of my locker and asked why I was standing there for some time. That means he's worrying about me and has been watching me for that long".

"What if that wasn't the case? You're getting out of hand; if you like him so much then tell him". She followed Nyla's gaze when she noticed Nyla wasn't paying attention to what she was saying.

A smile formed on Nyla's face as she watched Oliver from her table. He had joined the hockey team after sometime of getting used to the school. There was no sign of Nyla stopping until someone's body blocked her view. A light brown haired girl sat next to Nyla with her tray of food.

"Who is it this time?" She says almost immediately as another girl with bottle blonde hair joins the table.

"The new guy. Thought you were into Korean men" the blonde says bluntly answering Mia's question.

"Puh-lease. I totally like the fact that hot stuff should be acknowledged" Nyla countered finally looking away from the table of hockey players. "Mia, Ash. What's happening in your romantic lives? Finally decided to sit with us and not your boyfriends". Mia was dating a junior in our school while Ash was dating one of the hockey players.

"You should just get a boyfriend. You should confess to your crush" Ash said in her usual dry tone. Mia nodded in agreement.

"That's definitely not possible. I'm never going to confess what if he doesn't even like me. I'll just till whenever he falls for me just like in my romance novels." Nyla glanced over her shoulder at Oliver's table". Mia and Rae rolled their eyes in unison while Ash looked around confused since she wasn't paying attention. Nyla scrolled through her and checking out Oliver's instagram page.

"Jeez, even checking out his page while eating" Mia said dragging the phone from Nyla and proceeds to look at some of his pics. "Liked some of his pics" She said with her eyes still glued to the phone.

"Huh- please tell me you're joking" Nyla looked at Mia hoping she would give her a positive answer.

"By mistake" Mia's words didn't match what she just said. She snatched the phone from Mia's hand "Shit. Now he's going to think I'm a stalker" Nyla's eyes seemed restless as she scrolled through her phone trying to reverse what Mia had done. A notification popped up on her phone making her eyes grow wide.

"Guys, Oliver just followed me."

"Act cool and chill" Rae said.

"Don't follow back immediately. Wait till school's almost over" Mia added.

Nyla silently prayed that she didn't have any of her remaining classes with Oliver. She couldn't bear the shame of facing him.

Thankfully, she made it through her first class after lunch now her second class biology. She brought out her textbook from her locker and left for her class. She scanned the class as people came in for the lesson.

"I made sure to find a sit in between lot's of people; he can't even sit next to me if he wanted to"

Her eyes followed him as he entered class and sat down. She'd stare at him at intervals during the class.

"I have to concentrate in this class after one more glance at him" She scolded herself before turning to look at Oliver who was already looking at her.

"Well that was unexpected" Rae commented after hearing Nyla's story.

"I mean if like the boy you should confess" Davina, Rae's elder sister suggested. Rae's mother surely had a thing naming her kids by different book characters. She preferred everyone calling her 'Vina'. She was THE perfect student; good grades, cheerleader, kind, took a lot of AP classes and also helped out in the library. To add up, she was also blonde like Rae. Of course Rae was usually compared to her sister but she didn't care at all since her sister was in her senior year.

Nyla would sometimes wish she could exchange her younger brother Brett who was still in middle school for Vina. It would make it better for her to get to school since Vina usually drove her to school and back home.