Chapter Three

*Author's note: Please remember that this is all a first draft. Excuse any and all errors. Feedback is always appreciated and I'm forever grateful to my readers.*

There are four white fold-out tables positioned at the opposite end of the auditorium than where we are sitting. Students who attended Lonhearst High last year are sorted into three groups based on their last names: A-G, H-P, and Q-Z. The fourth table, which is closest to the door, is for freshman, transfers and any other new students.

After orientation, Olivia and I split up. She goes ahead to her homeroom, where it's quieter, and I stand in line waiting for our class schedules. This has been our first day of school ritual since sixth grade. I look around to see if I can spot any of our other friends, but I don't. It's difficult for me to see past the people around me. Everyone is so much taller than I am, which isn't hard to be. I'm only 5 feet tall; 5'1 if you believe my driver's license.

I don't have to wait in line too long before I'm at the front of the first one. Sitting at the bottom of the bleachers has a few advantages, like getting to the tables before the majority of the other students do.

"Hello, Miss. Jordan! How was your summer?" Mr. Jefferson, my freshman English teacher, inquires. The corners of his eyes creasing as he smiles warmly up at me from his seat at the table.

Smiling back, I half-jokingly say, "Wasn't quite long enough, ha."

"It never is," he shakes his head and shoots me a wink, brown eyes twinkling, "hold on a moment and let me find your schedule packet."

Okay, I begin, "and can you make sure that Olivia's stuff is with mine as well?"

"Let's see," he says, drawing it out, "here's yours," I watch him sift through the packet for a brief moment before he continues, "and here is Olivia's as well." He extends the packets out to me and I take them from his hand.

"Thank goodness. I was hoping I wouldn't have to stand in both lines like last year. It took forever," I remark in relief, letting out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

"You take such good care of Olivia. She's very lucky to have you as a friend," Mr. Jefferson remarks, "give her my best."

"I will. Thanks!" I respond before walking away.

I maneuver through the crowds of people and head towards the door, but before I can walk out, something at the fourth table catches my eye. Not something, but someone. It's the guy from the parking lot. He's standing at the front of the line and appears to be receiving a schedule packet as well.

I was right, he is new.

I position myself beside the door that exits into the hallway so I'm out of the way of outflowing traffic, but I still have a good view of the guy.

I'll just wait here and I can thank him for earlier.

I can't help but admire how good-looking he is. I don't have a perfect view from where I'm standing but I can make out some of his finer features. Faint, dark stubble covers his cheeks and chin. His emerald eyes sparkle as he talks. Little cheek dimples pop up when laughs at something the woman at the table says.

"Hey, Mere, whatcha lookin' at?"

Jumping, startled by the voice coming from behind me, I whirl around.

"Jesus, Daniel, you scared the crap outta me!" I exclaim as I swat the back of my hand against my friend's chest.

"C'mon now, ouch,? he says, rubbing his chest, "you hit like a man!"

"I do not," I disagree, "you're just a baby."

We both laugh.

"Sooooo, what were you looking at? 'Cause I yelled your name a few times before I got to you and you didn't even budge."

Turning back in the direction of the table I'm filled with disappointment as I see that the guy isn't standing there any longer.

"Uh, nothing," I reply as I look around in the crowds of people around me.

I don't see him at all.

"I don't believe that for a second, but alright," he responds, rolling his eyes, "Where's Olivia? In homeroom already?"

"Yeah, I'm fixing to head that way if you want to walk with me. We were going to try to get the group together before we have to be in class so we can compare schedules."

"Alright. Ill text Jayde and see where she and Blaine are. I haven't seen them this morning."

"I haven't either. See if they want to meet in the courtyard by the cafeteria."