Confusion

My first day of school went by very smoothly, thanks to Mark. He accompanied me to most of my classes, even the ones that we're not taking together. I was grateful for his hospitality because he made me feel comfortable and helped me settle in. I did not really expect it to be a breeze and I was glad for my newfound friend. I also met some nice kids who invited me to hang with them later. Maybe it won't be so bad here after all.

As I was making my way to my last class, Raiden Patterson approached me.

"Hi, you're Cassie Jensen, the new student, right?" He asked while walking alongside me, flashing me a killer smile.

"Yeah," I managed to croak that I had to clear my throat and repeat it. I suddenly feel like I'm drowning. I was having trouble breathing and my stomach did a big flip.

"I'm Raiden Patterson, by the way," He introduced himself extending his hand. "So, what's your next class?" he added as I shook his hand. My knees turned to jelly and I was just glad I did not fall right then and there or I would have died of embarrassment.

"Trigonometry with Mr. Smith."

"That's my next class too! Do you mind if I walked to class with you?"

"No. I mean, I don't mind at all." Mind? Me? Mind walking to class with the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen? Is he kidding? I had to suppress a giggle that's threatening to explode anytime. Despite the giddy feeling, I can't help but wonder where Taylor is. I assumed they're a couple and that they would take classes together. I'm dying to know but of course, I don't think I should ask since it will feel weird (stalker weird).

"Hey CJ wait up!" I heard a familiar voice yell behind me but paid no attention to it until I felt a hand in my shoulder. "Ignoring me now?" he quipped.

"Oh!" I was a bit startled.

"What's the rush?" he asked smiling. "You can't even wait for a friend?" Then his gaze fell on Raiden, noticing that he's beside me for the first time. Then he looked at me again. There was an awkward atmosphere and you can feel the tension building.

For some reason, I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks as if I was caught doing something I was not supposed to. "I'm sorry, I..." I stammered, "I didn't know I'm CJ. I mean I didn't know it was me you're calling earlier." Then I stupidly added, "By the way, this is Raiden Patterson, but you guys probably know each other." I want to just bonk myself in the head.

"Yeah, he used to be on the basketball varsity team", Raiden offered.

"Yeah." Mark echoed Then he turned to me and said rather coldly, "I was looking for you 'coz I remembered that we have the same class and I thought you needed help. It seems you found someone to help you. I guess I'll catch up with you later then." He glanced at Raiden and then he was off.

When Raiden and I got in the classroom, Mark was talking to a bunch of girls in the front of the room. He just glanced our way and gave me an icy smile as I entered the room and resumed his conversation. The girls giggled simultaneously at something he said like it was the most amusing thing.

As I looked around the room I was surprised to see Taylor sitting with her friends. She glanced flittingly from me and Raiden then back again. When she saw me looking she turned her attention to her friend again and started talking to her. I wonder what's going on? The situation seems a bit freaky for me. "There's a vacant seat here Cassie, you can sit next to me if you want." Raiden said, patting the seat beside him. He gave Taylor a sweeping glance then gave me another killer smile. 'What the heck is going on here?' I mused. My senses are telling me that something is off but I chose to ignore it. Heck, if he wants me to sit in his lap right now, I will.

The situation kept playing in my mind that I didn't even hear most of what the teacher was saying. I was trying to figure out what is going on here. Am I on camera on some prank show? Maybe Raiden and Taylor had a fight earlier and he's trying to make her jealous; Or maybe they're just friends - with benefits; Could it be that they're not really together? No, that can't be, because they were acting lovey-dovey earlier. Mybe Raiden's just trying to be nice to me 'coz I'm the new kid. I glanced at Taylor and she was looking right at me. It wasn't a mean stare but it seems like she's scrutinizing me, sizing me up. 'Whatever it is they're going through Cassie, stay out of it. I don;t think you want to start drama in this new place,' I told myself.

I glanced at Mark and he seemed focused on whatever Mr. Smith was saying. The teacher was discussing some online resources that might help us understand the lessons when we get confused.

I have resolved to stay away from drama just as the last bell rang but glancing at the cutie beside me, I know it's not gonna take a lot to turn that resolve to dust.

"Can I drive you home?" Raiden surprised me by asking.

"Huh? What? Oh, no thanks for offering but I still have some things I have to finish before I go home. Some other time, maybe." I replied causing me to mentally smack myself in the head. 'Some other time? Really? Like there will be another opportunity that he will ask you dumbass! I got up and left the room hurriedly, pushing through the crowd to get out of the crowded doorway. I cannot be in the same space as him or my knees will turn into jelly. He is messing with my body chemistry turning my solid body molecules to liquid.

Just as I left the room, I saw Mark get up to leave too. In just a few seconds, he was walking beside me. "So, I heard you turned down Patterson's offer to give you a ride. Can I have the honor of walking you home?" He bowed like I was royalty and I laughed.

"Yeah, sure. I just need to stop by my locker first. Is that okay with you?" He nodded.

"I'll grab some stuff from mine too. I'll meet you in front of the school in 10?" I nodded this time.

I went to my locker and deposited some of the stuff I don't need and took out the books I needed for homework.