I ran down the stairs to see my mum holding an envelope, a smile on her face.
“What?” I questioned.
Why was she so happy?
“I’ve got it. I’ve got more money.” My mum exclaimed, almost giddily.
I pursed my lips in frustration. I’ve told my mum that she doesn’t have to get the money, but she wouldn’t listen.
“Mum” I stated firmly.
“I’ve told you, I don’t need-”
“Yeah yeah yeah” My mum interrupted, flapping the envelope at me irritably.
“You don’t need the money. I’ve heard you say this countless times. Why can’t you just listen to me and take the money?!” My mum finished, red in the face; her eyes frantic.
I know my mum was giving it to me because she cared for me, but I didn’t want it. Not anymore.
I walked over to my mum, giving her an empathetic look and hugged her tightly. She immediately hugged back, sobbing into my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, mom, but no” I said and with that I walked upstairs.
I had to say no. The money could be put to better use. I couldn’t be selfish.
One day, my mum would understand. Right now, I had a bigger problem at hand.
High school.
17- Danny And Justin
“Well, what if it is your biology teacher?” He said, amusement evident in his voice.
I turned around, trying to hold my laughter.
“Then I’d be totally freaked out because my biology teacher is a 57 year old woman” I said smirking.
Aaron smirked in response.
“Then aren’t you glad it was me?” He said, his arms were on my hips and it was taking everything in me not to blush.
“Very glad. What are you doing here?” I said smiling. I was so anxious in the morning, but now I felt completely fine.
He put his hand to his chest, feigning an incredulous tone.
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I don’t walk my ‘girlfriend’ to class?” He finished with a slight smile on his face, putting emphasis on the word ‘girlfriend’.
“An early boyfriend. You’ll get late for your own class, Einstein” I countered, shutting my locker.
He puffed out his chest and stood in a ‘hero pose’ .
“If a detention is what I get for being a good boyfriend, then so be it” He said, finishing it off with a salute.
“I can walk by myself, Aaron” I reassured him, smiling.
He smiled back.
“I know but-”
He was cut off by Danny coming up beside him, throwing his arm casually around Aaron’s shoulder.
“Hey bro! Who’s the chick?” He said looking at me with his head cocked sidewards.
Beside him, was Justin who was looking down at his phone.
Aaron turned around to face his friend, giving him a fist bump.
“This is Alexis. My girlfriend.” He said, gesturing towards me.
I smiled in return, giving a little wave. Danny looked at me before turning to Aaron, grinning widely.
“Oh ho! Nice dude! You got the new girl to go out with you on her first day of school. Awesome!” He said, slapping Aaron on the back.
The new girl?
Aaron looked at Danny, confusion apparent on his face.
“Er, she’s not the new girl. She’s been going to this school the whole time, Danny”
Danny looked shocked for a few seconds before turning his gaze to me. He squinted his eyes as if he was trying to remember seeing me before.
He then smiled.
“She hasn’t been going here this whole time. I think I would have remembered” He said airily, a hint of smugness in his tone.
Aaron raised his eyebrows at his friends strangeness before shaking it off and speaking.
“Anyway, this is Justin” He said , pointing to the boy who was still engrossed in his phone.
“Er, hi” I said timidly.
He looked up from his phone to me, the infamous scowl still etched into his face. He looked at me for a while, making me squirm under his stare, before looking back at his phone, carrying on whatever he was doing.
Okay, seriously?! Were none of these men gentlemen?! One devoured pancakes like a fucking pig, one didn’t even know who I am and the other one didn’t even have the common courtesy to at least give me a proper greeting. They were all ill-mannered. No wonder they were best friends.
I ignored his rudeness and stuck my hand out, trying to gauge a proper greeting from him.
“Hi, I’m Alexis” I said tentatively. I was still intimidated by his mysterious demeanour.
He looked up from his phone once again, but this time his heated gaze was on the hand I was sticking out towards him. He looked back and forth between me and my hand before sighing in exasperation and putting his hand in mine.
Yes, putting his hand in mine. He didn’t even put the effort in to shake my hand. It was called a handSHAKE for a fucking reason! I clenched my jaw and shook his hand.
He removed his hand from mine and turned to Aaron.
“So what time’s the party?” He said, his face expressionless.
Moody git.
“It’s at 8:30” Aaron said, interrupting my thoughts. He then turned to me.
“Do you wanna come, Alexis? It’s at my house” He asked.
My first party invitation!
I inwardly squealed. Never have I ever been invited to a party. The feeling was new to me.
Excitement. That’s what it was.
My squeals only lasted for a short whole. 8:30? I couldn’t go to the party. I couldn’t be late for...
“Erm, sorry I can’t come, but you guys have fun” I said, forcing a smile. I really wanted to go.
Aaron shrugged indifferently.
Of course, he wouldn’t care if I’d come or not.
“Okay, but if you change your mind, you know where I am, Lexi” He said with a wink.
Out of nowhere, Danny burst into laugher.
“Oh my god! Aaron you’re an idiot! You didn’t even remember her name. It’s Alexis. Not Lexi” he said, holding his stomach.
Seriously, was there no end to this guys intelligence, I thought sarcastically. I mean, I dropped 5 IQ points just by standing near him.
He was still laughing. Justin put his hand up, his eyes still on the phone screen and slapped Danny upside the head, making him pout.
Justin then turned to Aaron.
“Yeah, we’re going. You ..” He looked at me before speaking again
“have fun” he finished, before pulling Danny by his upper arm and dragging him away.
Danny turned when they were halfway down the hallway.
“It was nice meeting you. If you have trouble getting around this school then you can come to me, New Girl” By the time he had finished, he was already out of sight.
I sighed in exasperation. I would explain to him how I’ve been going to this school the whole time, but its probably a lost cause.
“Let’s go” Aaron said, before walking forward in the direction of my class.
No one was in the hallway because I was late, but I didn’t care right now. One good thing came out of it. No one saw me and Aaron together yet.
I rushed forward a little to catch up with Aaron and we walked in silence. That is, until I remembered a question on my mind.
“Hey... What did Justin mean ‘have fun’ ?” I said, hoping I wasn’t being to personal.
He laughed and I watched him, smiling as I did. He would close his eyes and tilt his head upwards slightly. I loved the way he laughed.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He said, waggling his eyebrows. I instantly got an idea of what Justin was talking about.
“So you always skip your first period?” I exclaimed, appalled.
He smirked.
“Glad you noticed by absence, Dawson” He said teasingly.
“Shut up” I muttered just as we reached the class doors.
I thought he�
�d leave and just walk off, but no. Instead he opened the door and gestured for me to go inside.
Everyone’s, even the teachers, attention was on us now and I hated it. I hated attention.
“Why did you do that?” I whispered harshly, making sure no one else heard. I mean, we’re supposed to be a happy couple. We can’t be seen fighting.
He rolled his eyes and spoke loudly, oblivious to the quiet tone I was trying to maintain.
“I was going to be a gentlemen and walk you to your desk, Lexi” He said, pointing to my desk.
I rolled my eyes in response and nodded my head, accepting his offer for him to walk me to my desk. I knew it was futile to fight him. He would inevitably win.
Before we could step one foot into the classroom, my teacher, Mr Wilson stepped in front of us.
“Sorry Mr Walker, but I cannot allow you to come in this class and disrupt everyone’s learning” he said, his nose flaring slightly.
Aaron smirked in response.
“Mr Wilson, I’m in this class” he said, bemused.
What? He was in this class? I haven’t seen him here before. He probably skips it a lot. I don’t know how he could skip it. It was English! My favourite lesson. Although, I do seem to recall English not being one of his best subjects.
Mr Wilson looked taken back. He looked at Aaron before walking to his desk, picking up a paper and reading through it frantically.
He looked back up, surprised.
“Well er.. I guess you are.. Have a seat” he said, shaking his head as if he was trying to escape a nightmare.
He walked me over to my desk, oblivious to everyone’s stares. I turned to face him and he put his arms around my waist. I immediately heard talking. No doubt, they were talking about planning my funeral.
I reddened at either his touch or under the scrutinizing glares. He pulled me closer and kissed my cheek.
“I’ll miss you” he whispered, but loud enough for people to hear. With that, he moved away from me and headed to the door.
“Mr Walker, where are you going?!” Mr Wilson said, trying to gain control of the room that was now erupted in fully blown whispers.
Aaron turned around and smiled, shrugging lazily.
“I never said I was planning to stay.” and then he was gone.
Mr Wilson looked at the door, his mouth hung open.
“What-but-no-gsjl-you can’t-” He babbled still staring at the door.
I sat down at my desk shocked that he had spoke like that to the teacher. I was most definitely going to have a word with him when I saw him. I then realised that everything was silent. I looked around and, sure enough, everyone was staring at me. The girls were glaring at me venomously.
Great, he just loved making it harder for me, didn’t he?
I hate you, Aaron Walker.
18- The Newbie
I made a mental note to punch Aaron in the nose for all the unwarranted attention he brought my way. I peeked out from above my ‘Othello’ book to see the heated glares of all the females in the class and I cowered back down, scribbling down some notes.
“Hey”
I turned around in the direction the voice came from to see a male on the desk beside me. His hair was chestnut brown, curly and unruly on his head. He was slightly tanned and there were a few faded freckles on the bridge of his nose.
I didn’t know him, but I answered him nevertheless.
“Hi” I said, smiling, albeit shyly for it had been a while since people approached me just to say ‘hi’.
His green eyes shone with happiness as he jutted his hand out towards me.
“I’m Elliot Heffley. I’m new here and was just looking around for a friendly face.” He joked, politely, with a small laugh.
I grinned widely at his politeness. Now, this was a gentlemen. I took his hand in my own and shook it.
“Hi, I’m Alexis. Welcome to Redwood High” I said, also being polite.
He let go of my hand and looked down, shaking his head.
“Can I just say... er.. I” He whispered, cutting himself off and dismissing himself with a wave of his hand.
“What is it?” I questioned, leaning closer, a concerned look on my face.
He smiled nervously and looked me in the eyes.
“I never expected the first person I meet on my first day to be so pretty.” He said bashfully, a tint of red on his cheeks.
Wow. No-ones ever called me pretty.
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself” I teased, laughing at the end, but inside I felt a bit awkward and didn’t know how to take the compliment.
He smiled at me, but then it dropped off and he directed his gaze at the floor, twiddling his thumbs together.
“What’s wrong” I asked, concern evident in my voice.
He looked at me once before dropping his gaze back to the floor, twiddling his thumbs even faster than before.
“It’s just that- no, I can’t say it. You’ll find me weird”
I put a reassuring hand to his upper arm.
“Don’t worry, I won’t. Just tell me.” I said gently.
He smiled, but still looked nervous.
“Well, I was wondering if maybe I could see you again? I’m new to the town and it would be nice to get a little tour” He muttered quickly, fidgeting a little in his seat.
“Of course, just let me know when.” I chirped sweetly.
“I don’t know what’s worse, sitting through this boring lesson or trying to listen to a nerd trying to catch a date” A sharp voice sneered from behind us.
Me and Elliot both turned around to see Britney, in all her golden glory.
I wanted to answer back and say that ‘it maybe wouldn’t have seemed such a boring lesson, if her brain cells cooperated’, but I stopped myself because I knew that I was too mature for this. I wouldn’t stoop to her level.
She looked me up and down, a sour look on her face.
“I see you’re looking ugly as ever” she sneered. She then walked to the front on my desk and came close to my face, smiling sweetly.
“Don’t be under the impression that Aaron likes you and remember where you stand.” She said lowly, so only I could hear her.
Elliot’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Leave Alexis alone. We don’t want any trouble” He said firmly, his arms folded across his chest.
Britney laughed loudly, showing all her pearly whites. She then mock pouted.
“Aw, is Captain BookWorm sticking up for his friend. So, Alexis has hired a nerd patrol?” She questioned, hands on her hips, a cruel smirk playing on her lips.
I stayed quiet. I wanted to defend Elliot, but I had to keep one of the vows I had made. To always stay quiet when I was bullied. Talking back would instigate them further and I didn’t want that.
Another vow I had made to myself was to never cry. I made this one to make sure that I never seemed weak in anyone’s eyes. I had to remain strong.
Britney was about to talk again, but Mr Wilson told her to go back to her seat. She sent me one last glare before returning to her seat behind us.
For the first time, I actually loved something Mr Wilson did and to make matters better, the bell rung only a few seconds after. I ran out, glad to escape the whispers and glares.
I raced all the way to the end of the corridor, in the direction of my locker.
“Wait!”
I turned around to come face to face with a panting, flushed Elliot. He must have been running.
“You ran out of there so fast. I kinda wanted to ask you for your number” He said sheepishly.
I wanted to be at my next lesson on time, so I smiled at the sweet gesture and grabbed his arm, writing down my number in blue ink.
“Here you go!” I said happily.
He grinned widely in return.
“Thanks. See you around Alex” He said and with that he walked away.
I laughed at the nickname he gave, shouting bye in his direction. This new guy had come out
of nowhere. He complimented me, defended me and took an interest in me without an agenda. He was different from Aaron and it got me thinking-
Alex or Lexi?
19- Lunch Time Madness
It was lunchtime now and I had a bigger headache from Miss Sarcrovy’s class. She always managed to give me a headache.
I was currently putting my books away in my locker when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see Danny coming towards me, a grin on his face.
“Hey, New Girl, shall I take you to the lunch hall?” He offered, the grin never leaving his face.
This boy needed to be held back a few grades.
“No thanks. I think I’ll find my way” I said, forcing a smile.
He waved off what I said with his hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take you. After all, you probably heard, I’m a nice guy” he said, popping his collar.
I turned around to shut my locker.
“Listen, Danny. I’m not new here. I’ve been going here for a while. Now, I don’t want you to argue with me on this matter. I think I know if I have, so just take my word and let’s just get on with our lives. Understood?” I said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
No answer.
I turned around to see him talking to two girls. He was putting his arm out in front of him and they were touching his biceps.
“No, ladies, I’m not on steroids. These guns are the real deal, baby” He said smugly, flexing his arm muscles.
The girls giggled and carried on touching his arm, making me roll my eyes. He didn’t listen to a word I’d said
I walked away from the weird scene and made my way to the lunch hall.
As soon as I got in, all eyes were on me. No doubt, they were looking where I was gonna sit. If I sat with Aaron, it would confirm that we were in a relationship like most people had been gossiping over for the past few hours. If I sat alone, the rumours would be tossed aside and a new rumour would start.
That’s how high school worked.
I sighed and searched the tables until I found Aaron. He was sitting at the table with the largest group and was talking to a girl next to him whilst she smiled at him flirtatiously.
I walked up to the table, hearing people whisper with every step. Aaron, and everyone on the table, looked up at me. The girl next to him glared.
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