Chapter 3

"Jaye wake up you're gonna be late for school" mom was practically yelling over my ears so early in the morning. I groaned getting off from the soft bed dragging my feet to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I looked myself in the mirror prepared to find dark circles from the lack of sleep. My eyes looked tired, but to my advantage, I saw no dark circles or bags underneath. My god, her skin is amazing even after last night's restless, it still held a radiant glow. After a few seconds spent admiring my new face, I went back to my room finding my school uniform neatly set on the bed. The uniform looked straight out of some preppy television show - white collared blouse, with a matching khaki blazer and A-line pleated skirt that reached a few inches above my knees and a delicate small red bow tied around the collar giving it the ideal 'preppy style'. I was wearing a pair of white knee socks and blue converse when mom burst in wearing her nurse scrub and low messy bun.

"Wow you look so smart and pretty in your school uniform, may I style your hair?" I happily agreed because I was still having trouble handling so much hair. I sat crossed legs on the bed while mom worked on my hair.

"you know, I used to style your hair everyday right up to your first year of high school. You said that the other kids made fun of your big hair and you begged me to stop. From that day on, you always kept it in a tight bun." Mom sighed and brushed some curls from my face. Her touch was so gentle that I was trying so hard not to fall asleep in her arms like I did at the hospital.

Slightly turning my head to face her, "Mom from now, do my hair however you'd like. I don't care what anyone says anymore." I said smiling meaning every single word.

"Okay hun. But don't complain about my choice of style then" We both laughed and joked about my hair turning out to look like a doll with a mini afro. After some pull and tug, she was finally done. I rushed to see the final look, my hair was styled in a half up and down with the sides neatly braided finishing the look with a huge white bow. The rest of my hair hung loosely around my shoulder while some curls were effortless loose in the front. I looked adorable with my tiny freckled face and big hair. I happily hugged mom thanking her for the amazing hairstyle. This was the first time I remember someone caring about my appearance, when I was a kid I was used to all forms of neglect yet, I craved for someone to smother me with silly clothes and embarrassing hairstyles.

"Lets go now, you're getting late for your first day back. Don't forget your reading glasses hun." Wiping a tear from the corner of her eyes.

Without wasting time, I quickly had breakfast because I never said no to food. We fast paced to the car and once inside, I asked mom about the private school I was attending. She told me how I got a full ride scholarship sponsored by the STEM department and explained how I wanted to study medicine and eventually become a doctor. I cringed at the thought of all those science and math classes required. I can't picture myself in college nevertheless studying medicine. Once we arrived, I kissed her goodbye and grabbed my bright yellow backpack and books from the back seat. I looked like I was going to preschool instead of high school from the huge bow on my hair to the bright yellow backpack decorated with tiny white flowers and pink bunnies. Any normal teen would be embarrassed but not me because I didn't get to have a childhood with a loving mother. Either way, I've never been the person to care about others' opinions. I wouldn't be surprised if someone mistaken me for a child, this body was petite with a small innocent face. I quickened my pace without knowing where I was going, the building looked like a castle; it had trees planted in rows that followed the path to a main door. I pulled out the class schedule from the side pocket and my reading glasses as my sight blurred. My electronic watch showed that it was 8:25 am and according to the schedule class starts at 8:30 am. Shit! I cursed at my tiny legs for not striding farther - oh how I missed my long legs I thought and began to slightly jog while looking down on the schedule. Suddenly, bumping into a hard wall stumbling backward and falling on my butt. My glasses and books flew out landing somewhere I couldn't see well. I took a moment realizing I bumped into a person not a brick wall.

"What the fuck! Can't you see I was walking that way" I cursed the person who was culpable of my fall. “At least apologize rude asshole!”

I heard giggles from nearby students and someone took a snap of me on the ground. I fell on my ass and instead of helping they're taking pictures how humiliating! I started rambling more curse words when the person turned to face me. Cool grey eyes glare down at me clearly triggered from all the cursing. I don't know why my heart began beating uncontrollably when I stared at those piercing grey eyes. He was handsome and could easily pass for a model, from the sharp jawline down to his broad shoulders and long legs with pitch black hair that contrast with his already gorgeous gem eyes.

"You bumped into me. Learn to pay attention, perhaps you would've seen me standing here. You're the one who owes me an apology" His words echo in my brain making me quickly snap from his charming face.

However, his good looks doesn't justify his asshole behavior and I couldn't stand these types of boys. I was about to reply, but he just walked away going inside the school building before I said anything. Based on his appearance of an expensive bag and shoes, it told me that the guy was wealthy and popular in school as to why people started filming our confrontation. I care less who he was or what people thought of me, I stuck my middle finger to the receding back of his body. I started to gather my stuff from the ground then, I felt someone's wrapped a hand around my arm lifting me up in a swift motion. My body turned into fight and flight mode and I swung my arm free.

"Sorry to startle you, I was trying to help you get up. Here's your glasses." Said a blonde guy offering my now broken glasses. I know I'm a small girl, but that didn't give him the right to touch me. I rolled my eyes at his so called kindness. Goddamn did my mom accidentally drop me in a model agency instead of school? This guy was also good looking with baby blue eyes and sun kissed complexion.

"Thanks. I don't need help." I said snatching my broken glasses from his hand and heading inside. Based on my interaction with the first snobby dude, it's best to assume all these rich folks were all the same and I need to keep my distance.

Within a second, he caught up to me. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around. What's your name? Mine's Nicholas, Nic for short. I know Rye was an asshole just now, but he didn't mean to harm you." He talked fast, throwing a lot of information at me.

"Oh. At least we both agreed on something, that guy is an asshole." He quietly nodded at my reply.

"Name's Jaye, could you help me find my classroom?" I handed him my schedule while I struggled to balance textbooks on my short arms. Taking a moment to examine my schedule, he then let a small chuckle returning the paper back to me.

"Follow me, my lady. Looks like we're in the same class." He offered me his arm which I declined instead I ignored him and walked in front.

"That's the wrong way. Is this way, sorry I've been told that I'm too forward." he was turning a rosy shade from embarrassment and I hope his intentions were friendly. Feeling bad about how rude I treated him so far, I decided to link my right arm with his left arm. What the fuck Alexa you don't even know this guy. He also was taken back by my action because at first he flinched at my touch. I started to mentality hit my head against the wall, regretting my decision to hold arms with a stranger.

"Yo Nic. Wait up." A deep voice called behind us. We both turned around facing the voice that belonged to an icy blonde with the most beautiful deep blue eyes I've seen. At this point I was convinced I'm in alternate reality where only good-looking people exist.

"Is this your girl?" He casually asked.

"Nooo. Just a friend I've just made. She was lost and it turns out we have class together. Jaye, meet Geralt Rockwell aka G. G this is Jaye." I had to bend my neck back, he was even taller than Nic. I nodded my head agreeing to whatever Nic said.

"Don't call me that" Geralt said, annoyed at Nic's nickname.

It took a moment for my brain to process that he thought Nic and I were a couple, and he assumed that just by us walking beside each other. I've watched enough dramas and this could easily turn into a cliche rumor.

"Why not? It's cute. Better than that dumbass name Geeerrr-alt." Nic giggled like a schoolgirl.

I could tell these two were close friends by Nic's constant picking and mocking. Before I knew it, the three of us reached the classroom almost walking past it. I forgot that Nic and I were still arms linked, when we entered the whole class stared at us, murmur quickly filled the room. My subconscious told me that all kinds of glare were staring at us jealous eyes from girls and some boys too, making me quickly retrieve my arm back from Nic's grasp.

"Mr. Rockwell and Mr. Clark, tardy again I see. Oh, Ms. Lee, you're back in class. Please take your seats immediately." With a bored tone the old man instructed who I presume was a teacher.

I went to find an empty seat then, I remembered that I didn't know where Jaye sat. Just when the day couldn't get any worse someone scoffed as I stood facing everyone. Turns out the grey eyed prick is in this class too. I wanted to punch him on the nose. Relax, you can't get kicked out. I tighten my fist choosing to ignore him.

"Um, where do I sit again?" I was stumbling on my words like a kid who got caught doing something they weren't supposed to.

"Ms. Lee stop wasting everyone's time. Take your assigned seat next to Ms. Gomez in the back" I was grateful he pointed to a brunette girl sitting in the last row.

I followed his finger taking my seat indicated- while the teacher settled the class down from the commotion. Once I sat down, I offered the girl next to me a sympathetic smile and in return she gave me an awkward one. Finding a pen and notebook, I was ready to take notes looking up to the board, then quickly realizing I couldn't see from this distance. I pulled out my glasses and the crystal was damaged from the incident. I sighed, unable to see the board. Damn it and my clumsy self.

"Are you and Nic together?"