Chapter 20

_I am glad you guys made up, or else I would lose my mind with all the awkwardness, and I didn't get any thank you for that. What a life._ Coraline wrote

I laughed. "Okay, fine. Thanks, Coraline. If it wasn't because of you, we would've been awkward to each other. You are the real hero here. I bow to you." I sassed, and the co-couples laughed.

Coraline flipped her shoulder-length hair, and I poked my tongue at her.

Yeah, I might lose my mind too if the awkwardness was still apparent until now.

_Hey, did you know a new student is transferring to this school? I heard he is hawt._

Coraline wrote, and I just rolled my eyes.

"If you dare try to do something to me with that unknown guy, I will cut your trachea out," I said jokingly.

The co-couples looked at me with bewildered eyes. I just laughed.

"It was a joke guys, calm your skin hairs down."

"Oh my god, I almost fainted when you said that. Don't do again, please." Cody said while dramatically clutching his chest.

"Ahahahaha, I won't... Or won't I?"

Coraline just threw her hands up and made a weird face, and we just laughed.

"Hey, it's almost the first session," I stated whilst looking at my watch. "How about we head to class before the class rings? Same class, right?"

"Yep," Cody agreed, and Coraline just nodded her head.

~~

"Okay, class. As you all know, we will be have a new transferee in this school, and his first-class will be in my class. So please make him comfortable." The teacher said, and murmurs starting to form around the small room.

I looked over to my left side and saw the co-couples table. They were communicating through writing.

Once I looked up to the board, that is where my heart stops.

Have you ever felt once you were rejected by your crush who is now dating your friend and by the next couple of days you are now simping for a guy who just moved to your school?

Because that is exactly how I felt.

I felt myself staring at him. His blonde hair, strong jaw, a slim hand that was holding his bag by one side, tight thighs, nice taste of fashion...

I am checking him out from head to toe. When his eyes met mine I instantly looked away, feeling embarrassed.

Holy unholy shiet. What in the mother of all demonic cows is this?

"Everyone, meet your new classmate... Jace Lee Norman"

Huh, nice name.

"Jace, why don't you introduce yourself a little?" The teacher asked.

"Okay. Hmm... Hello, my name is Jace. I am 16 years old, and my last school was from Corrales, New Mexico. I like to play sports." Jace said casually.

Omaigod, his voice. So soothing ugghh.

"Okay.. mm seems lime the only seat left here is beside Monikka." The teacher stated.

My eyes widen as I looked at my side and saw... NO ONE.

Whoaaaaa... Is this fate? Actually no, people just simply don't sit with me since they are either scared or disgusted since I am an outcast.

In a few weeks after being in this school, Jace will probably think the same too.

No points on getting your hopes up, Mon. No points.

Suddenly all my hopes are gone.

For once I wish people won't think so bad of me.

Is this what you called love at first sight?

Why do I experience so much at a time?

I got startled when I realized human breathing beside me. I look to my right and saw Jace, preparing his books.

He looked up, caught me staring, and smiled.

I immediately looked at my front feeling my cheeks flaming as I tried to focus on the lesson as hard as I could.

Why am I so crae crae over him all of a sudden? Is he a wizard who potioned me or something? If he is... Why me?

Faith?

Nah, I don't believe in such things. I believe that your future depends on every single thing you do in life. That is why the world is selfish because they know no one is going to do it for them but themselves and people got big dreams and a hunger for luxury.

I looked to my right side and caught Jace staring at me. We both broke the awkward eye contact with flames in our faces.

From what I observed, seems like he is interested in me... like I am to him. But why? What is so peculiar about me? I mean, not that he knows of, we just meat for heaven's sake. It is impossible to have love t first sight like I am right now... I think. I don't think a gorgeous guy like him would easily find his love life like that.

Unless... he was hunting for me before I know it?

Ugghh, stop it, Monikka. You are imagining too much about boys. This is not normal for you. I won't let it be normal either. I sound like a slut.

It reminds me of my father. Okay, I am sickening right now.

~~

The school bell rang. The co-couples went before me and I tried to catch up to them. But something grabbed my hand.

My scary psychopath instincts came. I pulled the guy's arm and flipped him to my front, I grabbed my nearest weapon, which is a pen but deadly, I aimed the pen at his vital area on his neck with my right arm and my left arm choking him.

Just by the time I wanna interrogate him whilst threaten his life and his family's lives including his pets and their family's lives, I realized it was Jace.

Suddenly realization struck me like a lightning and I let go of him. An extremely weird thing for me to do it but it just felt like he is just a vulnerable human being confused in this cruel world.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I thought someone was harassing me and I got all scared and-and-and-" I began to blabber some weird things.

"Hey, hey, hey," Jace cut me off. "It is okay, I am the one who is supposed to be sorry. If I were you I would do the same thing." He laughed nervously while rubbing his neck.

I had to look away for the sake of my sanity.

"Soooo, why did you, you know, pulled my hand is such force?" I said. Goddammit, I sound like a fool, imagine the whole school seeing this side of me.

My reputation = Ruined, gone, POOF, nothing.

"Oh yeah, since I am new, I was wondering if you could show me around the school? Unless you still wanna have lunch. I don't mind." Jace said and smiled at me.

Of course, I need to have my lunch, my friends are waiting for me.

But Jace...

I need to refill my empty stomach.

But Jace...

I need to see people being scared of me when I walk into the cafeteria.

But Jace...

I need food.

But Jace...

Food is life.

"Yeah, I don't mind. I am not in the mood for eating anyway." I said.

But my stomach betrayed me.

The sound of grumblings was heard around the classroom. Was I that hungry?

Jace laughed. "Your stomach says otherwise."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said, feeling embarrassed.

"No, no, it's okay," Jace shrugged. "I can go alone. Besides, if I were you I would be prioritizing food first."

"Uhh, how about like this," I said, desperately trying to find a solution. Suddenly a light bulb popped up on top of my head.

"You know..." I said. "I have an empty lunchbox with me. Give me a minute to set up my food/ Then I will walk while eating with you... if you don't mind." I explained.

He smiled again. "Yeah, sure. I am fine with that."

Sparks of happiness flew through my body.

"Just give me a minute, and I'll-"

"I'll just follow you."

Suddenly fear jolted through me.

"You might not want that..." I said softly, lowering my head.

"Why so?" He asked, feeling concerned. "Are you bullied here? Should I kick their asses?"

I laughed nervously. "No, no, not that I am afraid of them... they're afraid of me."

It is weird how he doesn't seem so about it, which made me shocked. People would just run away from me, but he didn't seem to care. Or it is like he knew about it.

"Why are they afraid of you?" Jace asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Well, they made bad and scary rumors about me. But the reason why it is still there is that I didn't stop them, it is useless to fight back anyway, and I like it when they are afraid of me, they gave me space," I shrugged. "That is why I am quite surprised when you talked to me."

"So it is like you're a nerd, but everyone's afraid to bully you?"

"No, more like I am the bully, but I don't have a good reputation here."

He nodded as if he understood, but he never will.

We stood there in awkward silence.

"Look, let me just get my food then we can start a tour," I said.

He nodded a yes and just stood there.

I rushed back to take fetch my food. As I entered the cafeteria, it went from extremely loud to very quiet, just a few coughs from shock.

I placed my cold facade, looked around, and found co-couples. They were looking at me too with a why-are-you-not-having-lunch-with-us face. I just gave them a smile and went to take my food.

As I was taking my food, loud gasps were heard, wait, I haven't done anything sudden. I turned back and saw Jace standing at the cafeteria door, I could see girls whispering at each other, giggling whilst looking at Jace and he winked at them.

For a second, my blood boiled from jealousy so I grabbed my tray and rushed out the cafeteria door, bumping shoulders with Jace. I heard him shouted my name.

What the hell is this feeling, it was just as sick as what I ever felt before to Cody. And I really hate it.

I am scared.

Scared my heart will be broken by some boy.