Luxor placed her hands softly on Ayla’s shoulders to calm her down before she plummeted into meltdown mode. "You can help."
Ayla relaxed and inhaled deeply and gave a slight smile. "Where shall we start?" She asked more to herself, surveying the courtyard. Luxor's bag leaned heavily on her shoulders, dragging her down. "I'll show you to your locker." She eyed the drooping bag.
Luxor followed Ayla across the yard and into Red Block. Inside it was one long hallway and the only objects were the lockers which lined both sides of the wall. Up above, the sunroofs allowed the sunshine to beam in which echoed the happiness of the students.
The hall was crammed as if she had entered an out-of-control jungle, like you would see on a National Geographic show. The cacophony of sounds ranging from, "your tan is awesome," to "I broke up with blah blah," to "I hooked up with blah blah," but mainly it was, "Is that her?" It was the same everywhere, and Luxor found it exhausting.
Normally she would have been like that, rehashing summer holidays, it was the only highlight of returning to school. But not being able to join in the excitement left her deflated. There was one thing all the students had in common, they stopped and stared as if she was prime meat ready to devour.
As Luxor continued to walk down the hallway, she couldn't help but feel something was missing, something important. "What classes are held here?"
"None, this is locker block, more like a social hangout than anything else. It is monitored... sometimes." Ayla moved ahead and pointed to a lone door in the middle of the hall. "But the school wants the students to have a relaxed atmosphere."
This is too strange, everybody just runs wild.
Luxor looked around at the small hall. A pinch struck her temple, and she winced. "There are only one hundred and eighteen lockers here."
"Yeah, that's right. How did you know?" Ayla's eyebrow knitted together.
A number had popped into Luxor's head, a brief flash, displaying the number, but she couldn't tell her that. The truth was how it happened was a questionable side-effect of her injuries. Doctors had explained her head injuries had caused anomalies in her brain in which they couldn’t fully describe. It was becoming more frequent. And downright scary.
When Principal Johnstone handed down her punishment, Luxor outed him as an alcoholic, even though she had never seen him drink. She had been suspected of spying on him, which only added to all the reasons he had to expel her.
"Lucky guess." She shrugged nonchalantly and peered down at the paper in her hands.
Why was I following her?
"New girl look out!" A guy yelled out.
A football hurtled in her direction. But Luxor didn't duck. It should have been an instinctual move, but she remained erect, frozen on the spot. She held out her hand and spread out her fingers and shielded her face as it spun in super slow motion, every inch of its movement travelled through the air. She waited for the smash, for the full force to smack her flat on her butt. Except it landed with perfect precision, single handedly into the centre of her palm.
"Nice catch new girl." A good-looking boy jogged up to her. He smiled, his dark brown eyes lighting up. "If you were a guy, I'd get the coach to put you on the football team."
She flipped him back the ball. "Lucky catch."
"Whatever, it was totally awesome." He juggled the ball from one hand to another. "I'm Jake, I'll be seeing you around."
Jake caught up with his group, which Luxor could tell were the top of the school hierarchy. Behind him, a slender brunette studied her before striding away, her skirt swaying from side to side.
Ayla gave her a small smile, not questioning what just happened. Any normal person would have gotten out of harm's way, but then again, Luxor was not normal. She would have welcomed the pain if the ball hit her, then she could feel something instead of the numbness which plagued her.
Students continued to stare, and it unnerved her as if being perceived as an alien species.
Luxor turned towards Ayla for answers. "Do I have a mark on my face? Why does everybody stare?"
"You're a genuine brand-new student, a rarity," Ayla chirped. "And catching balls like that will get you extra attention".
"Oh," was all she could manage, although she wasn't sure what 'genuinely brand new' meant. As for the ball, she had no answers to that as well. It would be added to the list of everything bizarre about her.
"Any other talents? Singing? Dancing? Playing the flute?" Ayla asked.
Causing mayhem.
"No, no, and definitely no."
Ayla halted in front of locker number thirteen at the far end of the hall. "And this is yours."
Luxor rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh. Thirteen. Out of all the numbers, she was assigned the evil one. She compared the locker number on her itinerary to the one Ayla was in front of. It was the same one. "How did you know this was mine?"
"Lucky guess." Ayla shrugged her shoulders but didn't elaborate. Luxor crossed her arms across her chest and eyed her suspiciously, not believing her for a second. Ayla bowed her head and shuffled her feet. "I might have peeked while I was going through new student files. I'm a helper, I like to make the transition as easy as possible. I'm just glad I could help you and not the others."
Luxor didn't know whether to be disturbed from Ayla's lack of adherence to personal privacy or grateful for her assistance. And what was her problem with the other students?
The shrill bell rang before Luxor could question Ayla. Shoving her unnecessary books into her locker, she kept her backpack, a few notebooks, and pencil case. Luxor exited the locker block, and ended up in the centre of the quad, passing all the other blocks, Red, Blue, and Yellow.
Where the heck was Green?
"Does Green Block even exist?" Luxor asked Ayla, who followed close behind.
"Straight ahead." Ayla pointed to a block barely visible behind a large oak tree.
Just my luck, the building is camouflaged
"History, right? That's next to me," Ayla stated.
A male voice boomed an announcement sounded through the speakers. "Morning students. Can we all please make our way to the gymnasium? If you are a new student, cross the courtyard, and follow the path to the back where the football oval resides."
Luxor gulped. The gymnasium was the last place she wanted to be in. Surely Principal Wright had read her file before allowing Dr. Lawson to shred it into a million pieces. Around her, students drifted from Red Block and strode around the back in packs.
Ayla tugged at her arm and dragged her along. For somebody so tiny she sure had strength. "Hurry, hurry."
Luxor walked as slowly as possible, despite Ayla’s instance. Dread crept into inside her bones at the sight of the large bricked building, unlike the small and dated features of the school, this was grand.
Once they had reached the door, Luxor unlinked her arm from Ayla and halted. She had to take a minute to compose and convince herself entering wouldn't result in another disaster.
When the stream of students passing by had become fewer and fewer, time was up and Luxor made her way in. Even before opening the doors, the hubbub of the room echoed, abuzz with students and Luxor could hardly hear herself think. Inside was larger than she expected, a row of bleachers with twenty steps high spread across one side of the room, with a divide. One side of the bleachers was almost full to capacity, while the other had barely ten students there.
Ayla reared her head around and rose on her toes as if she was searching for someone. After a few head turns, she gave up and took the third row.
Luxor followed and squeezed in close to another student. "Why don't we sit over there?" She shouted over the noise and pointed to the sparse area. Being new, she felt as if she belonged in that group.
Before a response could be given, Principal Wright's lean, tall stature made his way to the microphone. The noise didn't decrease, if anything it became louder until all the words blurred into one sentence. As he tapped on the microphone, static shot out and silen
ced the room.
"Good morning students. I'd like to introduce myself, I'm Principal Wright. Like a selected portion of the school, I have transferred here from Queensland, the land of sun and sand, to a foreign place. Viewing the room, I see the students of Mount Beauty isolated, so if you could, please join the rest of the school."
Luxor understood all too well how hard transferring could be.
The Mount Beauty students glanced at each other, but not a single person moved. They were distinctly different, not purely in the way they dressed, but in the way they composed themselves. Rough and assured, as if high school wasn't daunting for them. Principal Wright gave them two minutes, and when they didn't move, he didn't ask again.
Luxor doubted they would have listened anyway, they oozed a certain “we don't take orders” flair to them which she found disturbing. She was relieved Ayla had picked this particular spot. She turned her head to the side and noticed the guy with the toffee coloured eyes. His head snapped up and jerked to the side. The moment his eyes trained on hers, his lips curved into a mischievous smile. It was for only the briefest of moments, but a bloom flushed within and her cheeks warmed up.
The G.I. Joe twins were on one side of him, chuckling, and on the other side, the girl with the emerald eyes. She leaned into him, her thigh as close as one could get without having them hanging over. As if the first time she stared at Luxor wasn't enough, this time, she gave the toffee guy’s knee a quick squeeze, and he responded by squeezing her hand back and placing his hand over hers. The girl whipped her head around in satisfaction when she caught Luxor staring. Immediately, she stared straight ahead and zoned back into what Principal Wright was saying.
“What do you think of them?” Jake said, his voice recognisable from Locker Block.
“They’re interesting. Definitely add some spice,” a girl replied, her voice with a high lilt.
Jake snorted. “There’s definitely something off about them. I feel it. Especially those three. I’ve heard they came from juvie. Or a group home.”
“Oh my god, you gossip more than a girl. Don’t worry Jakey, I’ll find out.”
“No doubt you will.”
Luxor tuned out of their conversation and dared another glance in the transfers’ direction, only to find their backs turned.
"Although this is my first time as a principal, believe me, I have been teaching for a very, very, long time, and I know all the tricks students get up to. I am firm, but reasonable, and know about of each and every one of you students." Principal Wright glanced towards the students from Mount Beauty for a moment longer than needed.
He rattled on further for ten more minutes, mainly about the importance of staying out of danger and adhering to rules, especially the "important ones from history.” When the announcement concluded, he dismissed them all.
Luxor held her midsection and suppressed her queasiness, sucking in the horrible sensation that flared up in the pit of her stomach. Intuition told her all wasn't right at this school, but she hoped she was wrong. She power walked away from the gymnasium, the soles of her feet changing from gravel to softness on the way to an area she hadn’t been in yet. She briefly glimpsed back and noticed the gymnasium was a fair distance away. Not moving any further, she exhaled sharply with a whoosh. Not only had she gone too far, but she ended up at the far end of the football field, instead of straight to the courtyard.
Wisps behind her made the blades of grass dance and tickled her ankles. “Taking a tour?" Ayla asked.
"Eager to get to class," Luxor said with a nervous laugh. "Kind of took a wrong turn."
Ayla linked her arms through Luxor's and guided her to Green Block. She seemed to sense her agitation. "I know it's hard starting over, but stick with me and I can show you the ropes."
"I'm okay," Luxor whispered, trying to convince herself.
"If you say so, but just in case, meet me at the massive oak tree outside the building after class." With a quick “good luck,” Ayla disappeared down the hall.
Room seventy-eight was a few doors away, but it might as well have been in another block. As much as Luxor wanted to get into class, her legs were heavy-laden and wouldn't move as if they were lodged in cement. She didn't want to start off on the wrong foot, it was bad enough being the new student, but being late would be a disaster.
Luxor wanted to slip in and make a quiet entry, but as soon as the door slammed behind her, she failed. Fifteen pairs of eyes stared in her direction, most with a look of curiosity, and a select few with contempt at her intrusion. Their books set out with pens poised and already straight into work.
Luxor's cheeks heated and her insides quivered. There wasn't a time in her memory where she felt so scared. The only saving grace was she had read once in a girl's fashion magazine if you displayed confidence, were in control, and above all had a big smile, everything wouldn't seem as bad. She pulled her shoulders back, mustered up a bright smile, and walked to the front desk hoping like hell no one saw past it.
Epic fail.
Luxor handed the slip to the teacher, a short, portly woman in her forties, who snatched it out of her grasp and let out an audible “hmmph.” Rolling her eyes, she tilted her head towards the clock on the wall.
The teacher read the slip and scrunched up her face, as if she had never come across a strange name before. "Everybody I'd like to welcome Luxor Everstone. She's just transferred here from Hampton Cove. Despite her tardiness, please make her welcome." She swung an arm out an indication Luxor should take a seat.
Eyes followed her all the way to the back of the room where she found an empty table near a window behind a girl with faded pink hair. Slipping in to the seat, she quickly scattered her notebook, textbook and pens, until it surrounded the table, prepared and ready to start. Just like the other students she had her pen ready to take any notes.
“Nice stars."
Luxor's head snapped up at the voice and she dropped her pen, coming face to face with the guy from the petrol station and office, or Toffee, as she had mentally named him.
“Hello, again. Is this seat taken?” He leaned casually against the table.
Luxor shoved her belongings towards herself to clear space for him.
Toffee tilted his lips up in an easy smile, and slid in with ease. His gaze burned into hers, and the tingling sensations began again. "I'm Hunter," his voice was low and husky.
Luxor hardly heard him so she simply nodded and bit her lip. An infusion of crackling popped into her ears, similar to the bonfire parties she attended with Verity. She bowed her head, her hands travelling all over the page at the multi coloured stars in all sizes, and in the middle was a large letter L. She picked up a different colour pen and concentrated on the deep urge to cover it in stars, lots and lots of stars. Strangely enough, until Hunter mentioned it, she was unaware she was even doing it and had covered the entire page.
Hunter inched closer infusing her face with the sweet smell of Skittles. “What's your name?" A hint of amusement laced in his voice.
She mustered all of her will power to avoid his smile and eyes, it was bad enough she burned up at his closeness. No longer able to put it off, she glanced over at him and opened her mouth to respond but words failed her. Instead, she fake coughed and peered ahead.
What was wrong with me? I’m no shy little wallflower.
“Don't talk much, huh? That's fine I won't bother you again," he said smugly and drummed his fingers on the desk. A few minutes ticked by and Hunter spoke again. "I thought with us being newbies and all we've got to stick together, but that's cool if you don't want to."
Luxor subtlety bent her neck to get a better look at him. The first thing she noticed was his hair. It glistened in the sun, offsetting blue streaks in his jet-black hair. He had an olive complexion, a strong jaw, full lips, and his nose had a slight bump at the bridge as if he had gotten into one too many fights, but that only enhanced his dangerous appeal. But his eyes-were majestic and she already couldn't get enough. He was pure
ly gorgeous. And he knew it. She quickly turned away. It would be too creepy if he caught her staring. Again.
Hunter cocked his head to the side. “Having a great perve? Don't worry, it's only natural, I get it all the time." He chuckled.
Typical, he had looks, but an over-inflated ego.
Luxor narrowed her eyes. "I was thinking, does this idiot ever shut up?"
“Oh, she talks, I was about to resort to sign language."
“That's not funny," Luxor hissed.
“True, but I wanted to make sure since you've been mute."
Luxor sighed. "Maybe I don’t communicate with rude people.” It was strange she was able to talk now.
Why hadn’t the words not come out before?
“Now that’s tragic." Hunter's broad shoulders leaned over, his taunt muscle in his arms and chest contracted under his black long-sleeved top. "Just borrowing it for a sec, I left mine in my locker."
A potent and earthy smell emanated from him, fresh and crisp, and completely intoxicating. Luxor's mind swirled, and she scooted further away just as he swiped a pen and her star drawn paper. Sure enough, he had come to class empty-handed, no pens, books, or any sign of normal classroom accessories.
Clearly, he wasn't academic, likely an actor, relying on his skills and looks to get through.
A hint of tattoos flashed on his knuckles, and she squinted to read the tattoo. GEN each letter atop the middle knuckles on his left hand. Other tattoos followed them, and if only he tilted his hand upward, she would be able to make it out.
“Luxor," Ms. Suarez said in a dour tone.
Luxor snapped to attention. “Yes. Here."
An eruption of laughter filled the room as stares darted in her direction and fixated on her.
From the front of the class Ms. Suarez gripped her wide hips, a gesture repeatedly shown by Meredith. This was not a good sign. She cleared her throat to shut the class up. "I understand you are new but I need you to keep up. Can you please explain what I have been discussing?"
Unveiled: The Chronicles of Luxor Everstone Page 6