Five Years

Chapter 24

~Audrey's POV~

Today is my first day at my new school and I am incredibly nervous. I haven't talked to Mason since he ended our relationship despite his calls and text messages. Hopefully, being at my new school will distract me from my conflicts from my other schools and my past.

"Bye honey! Good luck at your new school!" my mom encourages as I get out of the car to enter the new school courtyard.

I clutch the strap of my bag as I face my new peers. I make my way to the school office to receive my schuedule. On my way to the office I receive many stares, smiles, and scowls. As I pass by classrooms and buildings I try to observe as much as I can so I don't get lost.

When I arrive at the office, one of the ladies in the office staff directs me to my first class and hands me my schuedule and a map of the school.

Luckily I arrive to my first class on time to avoid humiliation. As I enter the half-filled classroom, the students seem to light up with smiles at the presence of a new girl.

"Ah! You must be Audrey!" the female teacher welcomes setting a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Yes," I say shyly gripping my notebooks.

"Class, please welcome Audrey. She was transferred here from a different school so I expect you all to be kind to her," she advises as I turn to face the class sitting there with warm smiles.

"Yes, Ms. Clearwater," the behaved class obeys.

"You can take a seat here, next to Caleb," she says pointing to a brown haired boy who offers me a slight wave. 

I sit in my designated seat and set my supplies on the wooden desk trying to stay organized.

Caleb glances in my direction and whispers, "hi I'm Caleb. Nice to meet you Audrey."

"Nice to meet you too," I say softly with a small smile on my face.

Ms. Clearwater proceeds with the lesson and I have met some new people. I also talked to Caleb more in between classes and he explained the popularity hierarchy here. He said that the people in this grade genuinely care about each other and are very nice and welcoming. I also met Kelly who is an interesting girl and I think we will be good friends. 

 Apparently Caleb and Kelly are the popular ones of this grade but they are still incredibly kind to others.  Caleb plays lacrosse and Kelly likes to paint and draw and enjoys participating in theatre productions. They seem like very kind people but I am still going to be cautious because I don't want to get hurt  again.

By the time lunch is here Caleb and Kelly have invited me to sit at their table  lunch. They seemed genuine when they asked, but I still want to remain low-key to avoid any set-ups planned to embaras me.

I have also observed that Caleb and Kelly seem to have a crush on each other which I find quite amusing. They always engage in awkward conversations that can result in one of them blushing. 

At lunch I meet the two at the cafeteria where they told me they would be. As I make my way to the entrance I feel a rush of insecurity rush over me. I cross my arms in front of my chest as I enter the crowded cafeteria. I spot Caleb, Kelly, and their group of friends at a table in the back corner of the room. They see me and smile, waving their arms for me to join them.

Trying to gain some confidence, I take a deep breath andsaunter over to their table and take a seat next to Kelly.

"Audrey, hey!" she says enthusiastically.

She introduces me to her friends and they seem friendly. It seems like the people at this school care for each other and treat each other right and like family, but at my old school, people could care less about each other. It's sad.

I think I've found a place where I'm wanted and cared for. And I like it.

After school my mom picks me up and on the drive home I reminicse in my head of my successful first day. I've made two new friends and I actually like my classes.

My mom suddenly interrupts my thoughts and speaks, "Aleck and his mom will be our guests for dinner tonight."

"What's the occasion?" I inquire.

"Nothing. I just felt like having company for dinner. And I haven't talked to Anne, Aleck's mother in so long. It'll give us a chance to catch up. Then you and Aleck can talk too," she explains nonchalantly.

I nod my head after her explanation preparing for tonigt.

When my mom and I got home I helped her in the kitchen and set the table nicely. Then I marched up to my room to change my clothes. 

After getting ready I sit on my bed and check my phone notifications. I see that I have a text message from an unknown number. I apprehensively tap the icon to see what the message reads.

unknown: hey audrey! it's kelly!

me: hey kelly! mind me asking, how did you get my number?

kelly: when you went to the bathroom at lunch caleb and I grabbed your phone and got your number

me: oh aha ooo you and caleb! do you guys like each other?

kelly: omg! how did you know?!

As I was about to reply I hear a knock on my door. I set my phone down on my bed where I was sitting and casually advance towards the door. Twisting the knob I open the door to reveal Aleck.

"Hey Audrey!" he says happily with his hands at his sides.

"Hi," I respond, "come in," I gesture towards my room.

Aleck enters my room and we both take a seat on my floor.

"How've you been?" he asks with interest.

"I've been really good actually. I made some new friends at my school. But I'm still trying to get over Mason," I reply.

Aleck seems to flinch at the mention of Mason. His facial expression immediately changes and he puts a serious face on.

"Mason. There's something I wanted to tell you about involving him."

Author's Note: grr this took awhile to write because I was constantly editing it

I feel like I am always apologizing for late updates so I am not going to. I have a life that I have to live. And by life I mean blogging about One Direction. Anywhore, hope you guys like the chapter (hehe cliffhanger) and please read my new story "The New Age" 

~Olive Styles :)