Chapter 3

LUCE

We got to the chemistry classroom and Ari found her seat. I looked around the room and noticed Olivia sitting in the back, she had change outfits. Her eyes met mine and she had a mischievous look on her face. She whispered to the girl sitting next to her and both of them snickered.

"Great", I thought, this definitely wasn't going to be good.

The teacher greeted me, she was around my mothers age and had a sweet smile. "Welcome to our class, I'm Mrs. Winters. Everyone already has a lab partner so why don't you pair up with Ari and Jacob for now."

I nodded and headed over to their table and pulled up a stool to sit next to Ari. Mrs. Winters began teaching class and I did my best to follow along. Chemistry was never my strongest subject and it seemed like they were ahead of what I was learning in my previous school.

I felt something hit the back of my head and fall to the floor, I looked down to see a crumpled piece of paper sitting at my feet. I picked it up and looked around, Olivia was glaring at me.

I unfolded the paper and scribbled on it were the words 'You're dead new girl', Ari leaned over and read it. She snatched it from my hand and wrote 'she did you a favor that dress was hideous' and threw it back.

Olivia rolled her eyes and threw the paper in the trash. I glanced at Ari and she gave me a small smile and whispered "Don't worry about her she's all talk"

"Tell me she isn't in our next class" I said hopeful

Ari shrugged, "It'll be alright, Dylan has next period with us too."

How was I going to survive the rest of the year with her plotting against me. Or maybe she'd get bored with me and just leave me alone. At least that's what I hoped for.

It was now time for gym our last class and then I was free to go home. Ari and I walked into the girls locker room, where we changed into our gym clothes. Nothing was more flattering than purple basketball style shorts and a grey t-shirt with Kettle Falls written across the front.

We headed inside the gym where the teacher was doing roll. "See isn't he a hunk?" Ari gushed looking at Mr. Wilson.

He was probably in his early 30's with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. He was lean but you could tell he was fit. "I mean I guess." I laughed

She pushed my arm, "Or is Dylan more your type?" she joked.

I blushed "That's your brother."

"I know he's gross and dated Olivia I can hardly forgive him for that."

I turned my head and noticed a guy standing in a group of people, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He had short black hair that was neatly styled. He was tall and thin but he had lengthy muscles that complimented his height. I think he noticed me staring because he turned around and our eyes met, his eyes were an emerald green which complimented his warm skin. His face was defined with angular cheek bones and thick eye brows.

He turned around and continued talking to his friends, "Who is that?" I questioned.

Ari followed my gaze, "Ha!" She sneered, she startled me breaking my trance.

"What?" I looked at her confused

"Don't even waste your time honey."

"I'm not planning on wasting my time but who is he? He could be a model I swear."

"Yeah tell me about it" She laughed a little harshly, like he turned her down and she was still upset about it. "His name is Parker Reynolds, he keeps to himself or that group over there. They don't really socialize with anyone else. I think he's dating the chick with the light brown hair, but I've never actually seen them be affectionate they're just always together."

"Interesting" I stated, "So no one has talked to them or really knows anything about them?"

"Yeah it's really weird actually. They've all lived here and grew up with us but no one even knows much about them."

I'm not sure why but I was intrigued by him, I actually wanted to talk to him but I knew that would never happen. He'd never notice a nobody like me. I wouldn't be surprised if he was dating that girl, she was gorgeous. Her skin was flawless and very light, which made her light brown hair stand out. She was tall and thin but had curves in all the right places. I was a little jealous of her and how beautiful she was.

"Luce." Ari said catching my attention again.

"Yeah?"

She smirked, "You're staring at them."

I shook my head "I was just spacing out."

"Uhuh" I knew she didn't believe me.

"What are you guys talking about?" Dylan asked from behind me making me jump a little.

"Oh nothing, Luce here is just admiring Parker."

I shot her an angry look to which she just shrugged and gave me a sly smile.

Dylan scoffed, "Parker. That guy thinks he's a hot shot. I can't stand him."

"Really? You've talked to him?" I asked

"Well" he said rubbing the back of his neck "Not really, the coach offered him a spot on the team and he turned it down. Said football wasn't for him."

"Maybe he doesn't like football." I said in his defense.

"Whatever it is about him, something is off. I just don't like him. I can feel it in my gut" he patted his stomach dramatically.

Ari and I both rolled are eyes at him. "Something is wrong with your gut if you dated Olivia for as long as you did"

I giggled "She's right. I'm new and even know that's poor taste."

"Yeah well maybe my taste is getting better." He stated looking me in the eyes. The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk.

I turned away embarrassed. Luckily the teacher blew his whistle at that moment making everyone turn. "Alright class, lets warm up with a couple laps around the track"

We headed outside the track was located inside the football stadium. The cold air nipped at my bare arms and legs sending a shiver down my spine.

Ari and Dylan jogged next to me at a slot trot, I wasn't very athletic and slow jogging was enough to get me out of breath. I was thankful to have 2 friends in gym though because there's nothing more awkward than being by yourself in gym class.

We jogged around the track making small talk, my arms and legs no longer noticed the cold as my heart rate sped up.

"We should race!" Dylan exclaimed

"No!" I shouted in disagreement

"Why not?" Ari asked

"First I know I'm going to lose and second I hate running!"

"Come on! It'll be fun! Loser has to buy lunch tomorrow!"

"Well I don't like want to buy lunch so fine" I shrugged I knew I was probably going to lose still.

"Ready, get set, go!" Ari yelled as she flew ahead of us.

Dylan wasn't too far behind her as he gained momentum and speed. I was still far behind, most of the class was already heading back inside of the gym at that point.

We rounded the corner and I was clearly going to lose but I was having fun still racing. I was catching up to Ari as I pushed my short legs to their limit when I felt someone kick my heel to the side.

I lost balance and went flying forward. I used my arms to brace my fall so I didn't land on my face. I crashed to the ground, my arms scraping against the ground. My knee slammed down and I did a front flip landing on my back as it knocked the wind out of me.

I coughed harshly and struggled to breathe. My lungs desperately needed air.

"Uhhhhh" I groaned, my arms and legs were on fire and my back was throbbing.

Olivia ran past me with a grin "Clumsy are we? You should be more careful next time"

I laid there for a second contemplating if I should just lay there until the end of school. I stared up at the sky unable to move from the pain that radiated throughout my body.

As I stared up, I saw a pair of green eyes looking down at my quizzically.

"Do you need help?" His voice was husky but had a concerned tone to it.

"No just go on I'll be okay" Great this is how the cutest guy I've ever seen gets to notice me. If I could just die right there I would have.

"You're bleeding, like a lot. You should probably go to the nurses office" he said ignoring my plea for him to leave me.

"It's okay really. I can't even feel it" I lied. No wonder it hurt so bad, I didn't want to see the blood though.

"Here." He said extended his hand to me.

I reluctantly took his hand in mine as he helped me up. I felt shockwaves radiate from his touch, my fingers tingled with a fire. Our eyes locked and it was like he felt it too.

He pulled his hand from me quickly and walked off. I turned to follow him to see Ari running in my direction.

"Luce! Are you okay?" She asked as she got to my side.

In that moment I had forgotten the pain until Ari stood near me. "Yeah I'm okay"

"What the hell happened?" She asked concerned

"I tripped" I lied. I didn't want it to be an all out war with Olivia. Maybe she would forget about the incident and call it even now.

"You tripped?" She looked at me like I was hiding something.

"I told you I was clumsy."

"I guess you really are. Let's get you to the nurses office and get you cleaned up."

We headed inside, I looked around but Parker was nowhere in sight.

"It looked like Parker was talking to you"

I played coy, I didn't want to make it seem like a big deal even though I was freaking out about the connection I felt to him. "He just helped me up and told me I was bleeding a lot"

"That's it?"

"Yeah I told him to leave me there but he helped me up and then just walked off. Nothing happened. I'm actually really embarrassed that I tripped right in front of him." I wanted to blush at the thought of him touching my hand again.

"Wow that's kind of exciting" she laughed.

"No not really more like mortifying. Now let's change the topic because I don't want to discuss him or this incident anymore"

"You're so red right now! You have a crush on Parker!" She teased.

"I do not have a crush! I hardly know him. He was nice and helped me out and then just walked off. I didn't even get to tell him thank you." I huffed

"See you're getting all weird just talking about him!"

"Ari! Shut up!" I playfully smacked her arm, "please leave it alone. I'm in pain I just want to go home"

"Alright fine."

The nurse finished cleaning me up, about 10 bandaids later and an ice pack I was good to go back to class and get changed.

We headed back into the gym where everyone was finishing up the exercises the teacher had them doing.

Dylan looked over and his eyes widened at the site of me. "What happened to you?" He asked really concerned

"I told you I didn't want to race!" I laughed

"Are you okay?"

"Eh I'm okay. I don't need stitches and I got some cool bandaids. Nothing some ibuprofen and a hot bath won't fix" I said reassuringly

"Well I'm glad you're okay" he looked relieved but still guilty.

"Does this mean you're buying lunch tomorrow Dylan since this was your idea?" Ari asked

He sighed, "Yeah I guess I will"

Ari slapped her arm around him, "Great!"

Ari and I headed into the girls room and got changed. The final bell rang and it was time to go home.

"I'll see you tomorrow Luce. Take it easy and go get cleaned up" Ari waved as she hopped into her car.