FATE

4. She's Pretty

JONAH

"Were you able to submit it?", I ask Hailee as she walks up to me in front of my locker. I twist the little knob on it, turning the number combination in.

2407

My mom's birthday.

"Yeah", Hailee says frowning, "some stupid bitch almost delayed me but I got it done"

"Someone's cranky", I glance at her and chuckle.

"Dude, my head is killing me", she whines and I laugh.

I take out my English textbook and close to locker before slipping it into my bag.

"You shouldn't have drunk so much at that party then", I say to her, slamming the locker shut. She winces and i give her an apologetic stare.

"You're not helping Jonah"

"Let's go", I say, holding her hand as we walk towards the class. We're having English and it's one subject I genuinely enjoy so I'm punctual on most days.

"Thanks for driving me home last night by the way", Hailee says and I smile in return.

The atmosphere is rowdy when we walk in. Hailee groans in pain, the effect of the noise on her growing headache. Our eyes scan around for two empty seats as usual.

Hailee and I always sit next to each other in class even though we hardly conversate. The only time she's not next to me is when we're taking separate classes.

I look around and notice the brunette from last night sitting down in a corner of the class. Danny mentioned her name twice and I still can't remember it. I didn't like the way she stared at me at the party, but then again, I'm not a fan of people staring at me for too long.

Behind her is a girl who I've never noticed before. I would remember if I did because the look in those eyes almost puts a smile on my face. Dark blonde strands of hair frame her face lovingly. Her dumbfounded state is evident in the crease of her eyebrows and the curve of her full lips. She looks so innocent, with safe brown eyes. That's one way to put it. They look like a deep pool of pure innocence.

I smirk at her before looking away.

She's pretty.

Hailee and I make our way towards two empty seats in the middle of the classroom and she groans loudly as she sits before placing her head on the desk in front of her. I smile at how her hair falls over her face.

"Stop staring and being creepy Jonah", she says and I chuckle.

I look over to the pretty girl and see her engaged in a conversation with the brunette.

What was her name again? Celine?, Caramel?

It was definitely something that starts with a C.

I always have a problem with names.

"Does that face seem familiar to you?", I ask Hailee, "she's pretty"

"What the fuck are you talking about?", Hailee ask, sitting up. I glance at her before turning back to stare at the blonde.

"Her", I say again.

Mr. Dayton walks into the class and places a stack of books on the big desk in front as the noise dies down. He folds up the long sleeves on his shirt till they reach his elbows and runs his hairy hands through his hair before facing the class.

"Morning adolescents", he says and the class murmurs in response. He smiles back appreciatively and I can't help but smile too. Mr. Dayton is one teacher I won't call boring. His sense is humor is out of this world which is why coupled with my love for the subject, I never wish to miss this class. He is one of the youngest teachers in the school, I think in his mid-twenties.

"I'm very satisfied with your essays", he says, leaning against the table, "and I hope you're satisfied with the grades I gave most of you"

"That's the girl who bumped into me outside!", Hailee whispers as Mr. Dayton pulls out a stack of papers and distributes them around the class, making side remarks at some of the students.

"Accidentally or on purpose?", I ask Hailee.

"I don't care if it was by accident or not. She delayed me", she says, "and that's why I don't have my window seat today again"

"You're only cranky because you have a headache", I say turning to smile at her.

"Fuck you Jonah", she says, turning to stare at Mr. Dayton as he drops our papers in front of us. I notice a large 'A' drawn in the right corner of my essay, not that, I was expecting anything less.

"Good one, you two", Mr. Dayton says to Hailee and I. he always refers to us together- never separately.

Hailee forces a smile at him and he walks past us.

"Do you think she's new?", I ask Hailee, "I've never noticed her around so I'm guessing she's new here"

"Why do you care?", She asks flatly.

I shrug. I don't know really. I guess I'm just curious.

"I could ask her for her name and all if you want", she adds.

"Fuck no", I say.

"Why?"

"Because she's new and I'm pretty sure she's going to end up introducing herself sooner or later"

"You've never called a girl pretty before though", she says, giving me a sly smirk.

"I call you cute and pretty all the time", I say in defense.

"Yeah but I'm your best friend and you love me. You don't like pretty much everyone else"

I roll my eyes and turn to stare at the blonde again. Her eyes meet mine and her cheeks turn a light shade of pink before she looks away quickly.

"So, it seems we have a new student in our midst", Mr. Dayton says and I realize he is talking to her. She nods slowly and he smiles, "why not introduce yourself?"

I smirk at Hailee as if to say "I told you so" and she scoffs in response as the new girl stands from her seat and looks around nervously.

"I'm Brooke Collins and I'm from Seattle ", she says in what is probably meant to be a tone of confidence but it quavers unfortunately. She pinches and plays with the hem of her shirt. A nervous trait of hers, I suppose.

"Well Brooke, it's nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy Fenway High", Mr. Dayton says and she nods before quickly taking her seat again. The brunette in front of her turns to give her an encouraging smile and she smiles back.

Mr. Dayton walks to the front of the desk, leans on it and begins his lesson. I think he carries the books around for show because he hardly ever opens them unless he has an extract to read to the class.

"Okay, shall we?", he asks as I, along with the other students take out our books and the class begins.