I walked down the hall with Layla, my best friend at my side. The black wedges I wore were starting to rub against my heels, creating unwanted friction. "Okay, what about him?" Layla smiled at the boy and waved. The brunette frowned in confusion before waving back shyly.
"He's not bad, but if you really want to make Sam jealous, you'll go for him." I smirked, pointing at the sandy haired boy leaning against his locker with a flock of four girls circling him like prey. We both stopped along the side of the hallway, watching him chat them up.
"Damian Pierce? You're kidding. Tell me you're joking," Layla said, looking at me with her disbelieving brown eyes.
"You wanted to make him jealous," I started, brushing her curly light brown hair over her shoulder, "I'm just telling you how."
Her eyebrows drew together as she pouted, realizing I was right. "You sure I can't just go for that guy?" She looked back, only to find that the brown haired boy had already made his way to class.
"Even if it isn't necessary, wouldn't it be a great ego booster to date the hottest guy in school?" I persuaded, smiling at her knowingly. Damian flashed his charming smile at the girls while running a hand through his floppy hair.
"Hottest?" She challenged, looking over at me with a quirked eyebrow.
"Oh, easily," I stated, laughing to myself lightly. "There isn't a doubt in my mind."
"So, what do I do?" She asked me, looking genuinely unsure.
"Do what you always do!" I exclaimed, turning to face her while blocking her view of Sandy McSanderson over there.
"What is that?" She questioned, sounding panicky. I sighed and rolled my eyes while she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning her weight onto one leg and sticking out her hip sassily.
"Be you," I said exasperatedly, "laugh, smile, half the time you don't even have to do anything! I'd kill for caramel skin like that..."
"Fair enough," she smiled shyly, "but your complexion is what I'm living for right now."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes once more. "Stop stalling and get over there." I gave her a push and she froze.
She turned back around to face me and asked, "What am I supposed to say?"
"Oh gosh." I face palmed myself. "Look, you have first period together, biology, right?"
"Yeah..." she replied quietly, putting her hands together and holding her binders under her arm.
"Look, you don't need to be this nervous! He's just a big oaf, like your dog, Rufus. He looks intimidating, but once you get to know him, he's a softy!" I explained, not believing my own words. I'd be surprised if Damian Pierce even had a soul. The way he treats women makes me believe he sees no one worthy of his affection but himself. Then again, maybe Layla is the perfect girl for him. However, this is a rebound, not a lasting relationship.
Layla laughed softly, smiling at me just as the bell rang. "See you later," Layla said, walking away.
"Bye," I replied, waving at her. I watched her walk away for a moment as I walked backwards before spinning on my heel to face forwards. I smiled before colliding with another person unintentionally. I didn't fall, but I stumbled back a bit and dropped my binders.
"Oh shit, sorry," I said apologetically, smiling up at the person. "Oh, hi, I don't think I know you." The boy —judging by his broad shoulders— wore a black hoodie that draped over his face quite dramatically. I could see his chiseled jawline and full lips, but the rest was practically covered by the tapestry of a hood. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was his fault for bumping into me, there's no way he could see anything with that on his face.
"Move," he barked lowly. I was so shocked that I complied with his order and took a step to the left. I watched his back as he continued walking, frozen. After a moment, my feet started moving again and I made it to my Social Studies class. Thankfully I wasn't late and Mr. Bacinski didn't have a reason to be angry with me, not that he needed one apparently.
I took my seat roughly in the middle of the class. I looked to my left where Jade sat and smiled at her. "So, did you get any acceptance letters yet?" I asked her excitedly, knowing that she'd applied to many universities. I, however, only applied to ones in Canada so that I wouldn't have to go too far.
"Not yet." She sighed, tucking her black hair behind her ear.
"That's okay, you'll have them piling in soon." I reassured her. "New streaks?"
I noticed the blue tint in her hair going from her roots to the tips. "Yeah, do you like them?" She inquired looking happy about them, playing with a blue strand as she spoke.
"Of course! You kind of look like that one smurf from the second movie though," I teased, laughing. Jade's expression morphed from confusion, to realization, to horror.
"Oh no, no, no, no," she panicked, putting her head in her hands. I patted her on the back awkwardly.
"It's okay, she was hot," I said even more awkwardly, grimacing at my own reply. "Best character in the movie if you asked me."
"Thanks," she muttered grumpily.
"Project. One week. Information is on the board, go." I glared at the teacher who sat in his chair, eyes half shut. He was leaning back, feet on the desk, relaxing while he should be marking the test we wrote over a month ago which we still haven't gotten back. Nevertheless, we all walked up to the board and checked the list. Apparently there was an information package that we all had to grab and when I checked the partners we'd been assigned, I found that I had none.
I walked over to the teacher's desk and said, "Mr. Bacinski, I don't have a partner."
"I know," he replied with no explanation, not bothering to open his eyes.
"Can I join another group?" I inquired hopefully, wanting to work with Jade.
"No, only pairs," he answered, his words slurring tiredly.
"But I don't have a pair," I repeated, getting frustrated. The teacher opened his eyes and proceeded to roll them.
"Well--" he paused as the door opened, revealing the hooded figure I'd met earlier, "—there's your partner. Amy, you're with that guy." He pointed to him before shutting his eyes once more.
"But Mr—" I began to argue but I stopped once I realized he wasn't listening. I looked over at the cloaked boy with barely concealed disdain. Everyone else looked at him curiously while he took a seat at the back of the class. I groaned quietly as I made my way through the classroom and sat ahead of him.
If I'm being entirely honest, I probably would've been nervous talking to him if he hadn't been so rude in the hallway. I may give Layla advice to go get the guy, but I'm terrified to talk to hot guys, and by the looks of his jawline, he fits the criteria. However, my previous encounter with him made me hate him more than fear him. Plus, I'm usually good at faking confidence. Fake it 'til you make it, right?
I sat in the chair in front of him and straddled it. "Hi, I'm Amy," I greeted, smiling, thinking that maybe earlier he was just lost or something and trying to get to class quickly.
Everyone deserves a second chance I suppose.
That second chance became null and void when he replied: "Great."
