Invitation

"Wow." I stared up at the cream coloured majestic building in front of me. I've looked at the brochures of Twin Academy last night and I knew that the building was big from the picture, but... I hadn't expected it to be THIS big. I smiled at the sight in front of me, my heartbeat quickening from excitement. This was going to be my school! I thought of Aunt Elda's smiling face when she saw how ecstatic I was when I had heard that I was going to college. How did Aunt Elda manage to get me into such a good school?

I shook my head. This was my first day of school, I shouldn't be thinking about this now. I took a deep breath and walked in through the school gate. I was wearing my new giraffe-print red blouse I got from my aunt, and the faded blue jeans with a pair of white canvas shoes I found at home. I walked up the stone steps of the school and found a sign on a door that read 'General Office'. This should be the place right? I knocked on the door and went into the room.

The lady behind the desk looked like she was in her late forties, with the roots of her curly brown hair turning slightly white. She was wearing a pair of thick round glasses and a dainty blue collared button-down top. Up close, she was actually really pretty. She noticed my presence and looked up from her paperwork, giving me a friendly smile.

"Hello dear, how can I help you?"

"Oh, excuse me. I'm new here. It's my first day of school today."

"What's your name, sweetie?"

"It's Seline, Ma'am."

She typed something on the keyboard in front of her.

"Seline. That's a really sweet name. Oh, and call me Peach, I don't like formalities." She flashed me a smile.

I smiled back at her. "Of course, Peach."

I think I just made my first friend here. She was so nice, so sweet, that I couldn't help but warm up to her.

She passed me a pink folder. "Your daily schedule with your allocated places is in there, along with the map of the school if you ever got lost. Of course, do come look for me if you need any help. And welcome to Twin Academy, sweetheart."

I thanked her and stepped out into the hallway. I slid out the paper with schedule and looked at my first allocated class. Biology. I love biology. I took out the other piece of paper for the directions.

"Heylo, giraffe girl!" Someone had snatched my schedule out of my hands.

"Hey! What are you-"

I stopped mid-sentence. Those sky-blue eyes looked eerily familiar. His eyes met mine and his thick brows furrowed as he looked at me.

"You-!" Both of us exclaimed.

A good looking guy with light brown hair suddenly appeared beside him.

"Dude, you know her?" He was scanning over me from head to toe with a look of distaste unmistakable on his face.

The guy with sky-blue eyes gave me a dark smile and replied, "This giraffe girl? I would be dead if I knew anyone as ugly as her. Did you even bother showering by the way?"

He then threw my schedule on the floor and sauntered away, his friend following after him, laughing.

I gaped at them while watching my schedule flutter to the ground, dumbfounded. Many pairs of eyes were looking at me, whispers were spreading across the entire hallway. I felt tears accumulating in my eyes. I felt so embarrassed, so hurt at the harsh words thrown at me. How could he... say that? In front of everyone? I felt myself starting to tremble. My tears were threatening to overflow any moment when I suddenly felt a strong arm wrap firmly around my shoulder, urging me forward. I didn't resist, and I was led to an isolated corner of the school.

I looked up and saw a guy with hazel eyes looking down at me with concern. He was obviously well-built, and had fine facial features that were undeniably attractive.

"Are you okay?" He released his arm from my shoulder.

I couldn't say anything. I looked down, a tear escaping from my eyes.

"Skye has always been like that. He thinks just because he's good looking and popular he can go around shooting his mouth off. He's an insensitive, selfish bastard. Don't take his words seriously."

I still couldn't bring myself to say anything, so I kept silent.

"He's an asshole, he's not worth it for you to cry about. Here." He handed me his black and white checkered handkerchief.

I shook my head.

"Just take it."

"I... I can't." I finally spoke. "I don't want your handkerchief to be dirty."

He stuffed it into my hands. "Just take it, okay? I have hundreds of handkerchiefs at home."

I nodded gingerly and dabbed at my swollen eyes with his handkerchief.

"Feeling better?" He gave me a kind smile.

"Yes... thank you." I returned his smile. "But... why did you help me?"

He looked at me, then leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Because... I don't like that guy."

"That guy... Skye?"

"Yeah."

"Why?" I know I don't like him, but all the guys in this school seemed to idolise him, while all the girls were just head over heels with him, because of... Yes, his good looks.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "He... broke my friend's heart. She gave him her all and he just... treated her like trash. And it was all my fault." His voice started to tremble.

"How is it your fault?" I asked him in a soft voice.

"He... used to be my friend. I was the one... I was the one who introduced Skye to her." His eyes were squeezed tightly shut, like he was trying to erase the painful memory from his mind. His voice was dripping with regret, anger and guilt. His face spelled agony. I felt my heart wrench at the sight before me.

I instinctly went towards him and pulled him in for a gentle hug. His hazel eyes widened in surprise.

"It wasn't your fault, okay?" I patted his back comfortingly as I wrapped my arms around him. He didn't say anything more, and just hugged me back. We stayed like this for awhile.

After that, he pulled back and looked embarrassed.

"I... I'm sorry, I was supposed to be the one comforting you."

I gave him a smile. "You already did."

He returned the smile. "I'm Dylan, by the way." He held his hand out to me.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe I didn't ask for your name." I mentally smacked myself across the head. "Seline. I'm Seline." I took his hand and shook it.

"Seems funny after we just hugged, huh?" He gave me a lopsided grin.

"Yeah it sure does." I grinned back.

We went to our separate classes after that. Fortunately, everything went smoothly and nothing major happened. I was relieved.

RIIIING!

The final bell echoed throughout the campus and everyone was already packing their bags and leaving. I quickly shoved my books into my backpack and walked out of the classroom.

"Hey Seline."

I turned back at the sound of my name. A guy with hazel eyes greeted me.

"Oh hey Dylan, what are you doing here?"

"I was hunting for elephants."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I was waiting for you, duh."

"Waiting for me?"

"Yeah. Why else would I be standing outside a junior's classroom?" He raised his eyebrows at me. Oh, yeah. Dylan was a senior. Now that I realised it, Dylan looked way out of place here. Not to mention the number of girls fawning over him.

"So, um, why were you waiting for me?

"I know we just met like, this morning, but I have a favour to ask from you." He was looking at me apologetically with round puppy dog eyes, his hands pressed together in a praying stance. He looked so adorable like that, I had to restrain myself from patting him on the head.

"What is it? I'll try to help you." I smiled sweetly at him.

"Could you... come to a party with me this saturday?"

"A... party?" I have never gone to a party before. But I was certain I wasn't the party-kind of person. I've heard lots of rumours about parties when I was in high school - the alcohol, the dancing, the making out - though I have never attended one before. I wasn't ever invited to any, and I had too many things to do besides attending parties anyway. Parties just aren't my type of scene.

"You aren't going to say no, are you?" Dylan was still looking at me with those puppy dog eyes.

"I don't think-"

"You haven't attended a party before, have you?"

I was taken aback by his question. Was it that obvious?

"Yeah, well, I haven't but-"

"Then you should totally go! This party isn't like the rest. You should at least experience how a party is like, just once in your lifetime."

"Well..." I didn't know how to reply to that.

"Please, Seline! Please... for me?" He looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"But... I'm not invited." I tried to come up with a reason as to why I couldn't go.

"As long as you're with me, you'll be fine." Dylan gave me a reassuring smile. "So it is okay?"

I let out a mental sigh. "How can I say no when you're looking at me like that?"

"So it's a yes? Oh thank you, Seline!" He jumped up and wrapped me in a bear hug. I laughed and hugged him back. I guess it doesn't hurt to attend one party, right?

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