Chapter 4: Invite

It's been a couple of months since the arrival of the new kids, and to say the least; it could've been worse.

Manny is now known as the school flirt and every girl is willing to talk to him in hopes of getting laid. While he also joined our little friend group, much to Corbyn's disliking.

Naomi has made a name for herself as one of the smartest girls in school, behind me of course. She's been okay, never really bothered to talk to her knowing that we don't really have anything in common, but at the same time she was never a hindrance.

Gabe's been different. A good type of different.

When we're surrounded by other people he's known as the emotionless, cold, poker-faced guy, but it's different when we're alone.

He makes me laugh. He makes me forget about the issues that are usually associated with my friends and I. He even made me forget about Daniel, which is surprisingly easier with him around.

I was sitting in the library, a period before lunch, studying for the upcoming exam knowing how important it would be for me as college comes closer and closer.

"Guess who?" Soft hands covered my eyes.

"Hmm. I wonder who else does this except for a certain, too-much-hair-gel boy, that goes by the name of Gabriel," I smirked as he removed his soft hands and sat next to me smirking as well.

"You catch on quick," he chuckled.

"I try," I laughed, "What're you doing here?"

"Can't I study?" He asked while opening one of my textbooks that were laid out.

"When do you ever study?"

"Whenever I'm with you," he caught my eye for a second before quickly looking back at the said textbook.

"Cheesy," I looked at the book and quickly stifled a laugh.

"What?" He asked, chuckling slightly.

"You don't take music theory, yet you seem so intrigued." I pointed out.

"Well, I actually wanted to. But they said it was full, though the dude did say that he was looking into switching me in." He shrugged.

"You know I'm kinda glad that we became friends," he started.

"Glad to know you consider me a friend," I chuckled.

"You are. The only person who I can smile with, at this dumb prep school." He looked intensely at the book, as his ears reddened. "I mean Manny's been my friend since we were kids, but he's already forgotten about me to try and fit in with you guys," he shook his head.

"It's an honor to be your one and only friend, for real," I rubbed his arm as I turned and tried to focus on my laptop screen. "But don't be so hard on Manny, it's hard to adjust to this life, I guess."

"How would you know, you were born into royalty." He laughed.

"When I was a kid, we weren't as rich as we are now. We were a lower classed family, my father was a janitor, and my mom was a housewife. I got into this school because of scholarships." I quietly explained. "But no one really knows that about me. They all think I'm some rich, spoiled brat, which I'm not. Well wasn't up until my dad got some business and connections into the political world." I smiled at him.

"Glad to know you trust me enough to tell me that, Nessie." He smirked slightly before going back into the book.

"Nessie? Really?" I asked while looking at him with a weird look.

"What I think it's cute," he chuckled while turning to face me.

"Nessie sounds like a grandma's name. Why can't you call me Ness? Nessa? Or anything other than that?"

"Fine, how about," he paused before continuing, "Babe?" I gave him a look before looking back to my paper.

"Hmm love? Baby Herrera?" He chuckled.

"Whatever floats your boat," I struggled to look at him as my cheeks reddened.

"Babe it is then," I heard him mumble before continuing on with whatever he was reading.

Before I could continue, another pair of figures sat down in front of us, causing the atmosphere to drop.

"Hey Agnes, Gabe," I smiled at the couple, while Gabe only nodded his face turning back into emotionlessness.

"What's up?" I asked as I continued to read my book.

"Well Daniel, and I wanted to invite you both to the annual party tonight. It's to celebrate before finals!" Ella exclaimed happily.

"You down?" I looked to my left, catching the boy's gaze.

"Sure." He said with a bored look.

"We'll see you there then," Daniel said as they walked away.

"Annual party, huh?" The gelled man asked me.

"Yeah we have a few, like the one for Halloween, where you didn't attend," I pointed out.

"I wasn't comfortable dressing up in front of people that I don't know well yet."

"Well welcome to Isla. It's literally all we do," I laughed as I began packing my stuff. "But you have to go to this party. It's always the best party of the year. Aside from end of the year ones though." I laughed.

"I'll go." He said quietly.

"Great I'll pick you up. And Naomi if she decides to go," we stood up as we headed for the door as the bell rang.

"I doubt it. She's a prude." He chuckled.

"You never know. I thought you were a Greek statue, but then you actually showed emotion so I can't really judge." We reached my locker and I put in my stuff.

"Touché" he inquired.

As we reached the cafeteria, we sat at our usual table. Jonah and Jack were already sitting down engaged in a conversation.

"Hey guys," I sat down and greeted them.

"Hey Nikki, Gabe." They smiled over at the both of us.

"How's it going Gabe?" Jonah asked.

"It's been chill." He muttered. "How's it going for you guys?" He's improving, everyday he talks a bit more than the previous days.

"It's nice to hear your voice for a change." Jack chuckled.

"It's been great, thanks for asking." Jonah smiled over at him.

"Guys!" A wild Zach came over in a rush, wearing a huge smile.

"What's up?" We chorused.

"Guess who I asked to the party,"

"Irene?" Jonah asked, talking about the transfer student from Canada who spoke mainly French.

"Nope," he scoffed.

"Kristen?" Jack mentioned the girl who had taken interest in Zach a few months ago, as well as the tumbler of the cheer squad.

"Nah," he shifted in his seat sitting in a more comfortable position.

"Addison?" I asked knowing that the girl did have an obvious crush on the blushing boy.

"No way," he shook his head rapidly knowing that that would be a nightmare for him, and for us. Though they were close years ago, it the total opposite now,

"Naomi?" Gabe asked.

"No- oh actually yeah." Zach chuckled.

"Naomi? As in, this one, sister Naomi?" I asked confused while pointing at the calm male next to me.

"Yeah, how'd you know Gabe?" He asked.

"She texted me about it." He shook his phone out indicating that she did indeed text him.

"When?" I asked.

"When you were organizing your locker,"

"You guys we're together?" Zach asked, his eyebrows wiggling.

"When are they not," Corbyn's voice rang out as he held Christina's hand in the process.

"It's disgustingly cute," Christina mumbled.

"Oh please." I rolled my eyes playfully at them.

"It wasn't by choice at first" Gabe pointed out the tiniest smile peaking his lips.

"But now it is." I smiled over at him.