First Day

*Tessa*

"Tessa hurry up! You are your brother are going to be late! You don't want that on your first day do you?" my mom yelled up the stairs.

"Give me a minute!" I shouted back. I gave myself one last glance in the mirror. I was wearing white jean shorts with a simple red crop top. For shoes I just slipped on my sneakers and called it a day. I let me hair fall naturally and put on some lip balm. I just wanted to fit in and hopefully this is how I could do it.

Without second guessing my outfit, I left my room and ran down the stairs. I still hadn't had time to do anything to my room or the basement, but hopefully I would soon.

"There you are. Come on, lets go." my brother said when he saw me. I rolled my eyes before following him to my car. He got in the passenger seat while I sat in front of the wheel. "Why are we driving? It's a ten minute walk."

"Well you can get out if you want to." I said extra sweetly. Mason grumbled some incoherent words as he buckled. "That's what I thought. I'm driving because I don't want to be late, and I need to go somewhere after school."

"Wait. Does that mean I have to go with you?"

"No. You can either come with me or just walk home. You don't have to decide now, just text me when you do decide what you're gonna do."

"Fine." We were silent the rest of the way and when I parked, I got out of the car as did Mason.

"You know where you go to right? The little kid building?" I asked, making sure I didn't have to escort him.

"It's not a little kid building."

"It has kids at the age of 6 in it. Pretty sure it's a little kid building."

"Whatever. I know where it is."

"Good. And Mason?" He raised a brow making me jealous since I couldn't raise one at a time like him. "Be careful. And be yourself. Have fun."

"I will. Bye Tess."

"Bye." I turned and walked up the steps I remembered from my tour. This time, people were rushing in and were everywhere. I shoved past a couple people and walked to the main office. "Hi." I said as I walked up.

"Oh hello dear. Tessa right?"

"Yeah, that's me. I was wondering if I could get my schedule."

"Of course. Let me just grab it. Ah, here it is." She handed me my schedule when I noticed something on the back. I looked at her in question and she smiled. "All schedules have a map of the school on the back. The school's big and new students including freshmen tend to get lost quite easily. On the top of your schedule is your locker number and combination. Don't let anyone have the combination. There's always one kid that tells people the combination and their things end up getting stolen. It is a five dollar fine if you need a janitor to break in."

"Alright then. Thank you." I made my way to the lockers and used the combo to get in. Inside, I saw a bunch of textbooks already in there. Seeing what was on my schedule, I grabbed my pre-calc, AP Language, and AP Physics text books. After lunch I would be able to exchange those textbooks for my World History textbook.

As I shut my locker door, I turned around and saw Rocky talking to a guy. The guy had brown hair that was gelled to more stick up on his head rather than fall into his eyes. I could his muscles as he was wearing a grey t-shirt and forced my eyes back to Rocky who was wearing black short, a grey tank, and a leather jacket. When my locker door shut, Rocky turned her head and saw me.

"Tessa! Come over here." she called. The boy she was talking to didn't glance in my direction one bit. I walked over to them and Rocky smiled. "Damn. You know how to put an outfit together. You look good."

"Thanks. Who's this?" I asked, gesturing to the boy.

"This is Spencer. Spencer this is Tessa. The one I was telling you about." Finally, the boy-Spencer- looked up at me. His eyes briefly glanced over me before his mouth twitched.

"Hey."

"Hi." I tried to be a little more perky than his quiet 'hey' but from his reaction, which was the narrowing of the eyes slightly, made me think I came out more annoying than just nice.

"He's not really a get to know you kind of guy." Rocky said, breaking the silence. "Anyway, let me see your schedule." I handed it to her and her eyes widened. "Just how smart are you?" I shrugged.

"I just try."

"You need to become my tutor. Spencer is super smart but he isn't good at teaching."

"Gee, thanks." Spencer said. I chuckled and Spencer looked at me. I stopped laughing. "I got to go." he said out of the blue and began to walk away when Rocky called out.

"You know you have almost every class with her right?" People began looking our way and Spencer just gave her the finger before continuing to walk. Rocky just laughed and looked back at me. "Well, we only have pre-calc together today and Spanish together tomorrow."

"I don't think he's my biggest fan."

"Who? Spencer?" I nodded. "Don't worry about him. That's how he treats all new people. He's more of an onlooker. I wouldn't worry too much. You tend to grow on people more than you think." I gave her an odd look.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'll tell you some other time. Right now, you might want to run to class. I'll meet you here at your locker before lunch. I'll show you where we sit." I nodded and walked to my first class. When I entered the room, the teacher was at her desk and students were already seated. People were talking, friends complaining that they were back at school, people saying how they were afraid since this year was the hardest, and so on. I ignored it and went to take a seat that was open. I chose one in the back that no one had occupied and sat down. About two minutes later, the teacher stood.

"Alright class. I hope you had a good summer, but now it is school. You should all know the rules having been here for awhile. What you all don't know are your seats for the semester." once the teacher finished her sentence, everyone in the room groaned. "Oh, don't be babies. Now the seating chart is up on the board. Read it, find your seat, and sit. We will start our first lesson once everyone is seated."

Everyone began to stand hesitantly and walk up to the board to find their seats. I waited for people to clear before looking at my seat. I was still in the back, but then I noticed who I would be next to. Spencer.

I sucked in a breath and went to take my new seat. I sat down and took out my notebook. My notebook was something I cherished. It had all my music ideas: covers, mixes, lyrics, and notes. While playing music was something I loved, writing it was also a passion I had. My notebook was where I kept everything. No one looked in it and no one ever will.

I felt a presence next to me and I shut my notebook. I turned my head to see Spencer sitting down. He didn't look upset, but he didn't look over the moon either. His mouth was set in a straight line, and his eyes seemed to hold no emotion. Like there was nothing going on in his head.

"Are you going to keep staring?" I blinked in surprise at his question. When it registered in my head what he asked, I blushed a shade of crimson.

"Sorry." I muttered. His eyebrow rose which made me jealous again.

"I never said I was upset. I just asked if you were going to continue." My blush deepened.

"Sorry. I'll stop."

"Why do you keep saying sorry when you have nothing to be sorry for?" Instead of answering, I stayed quiet. Knowing I would probably end my sentence with another apology, I thought it best I didn't say a response.

Now, I'm not typically shy. I just get flustered in situations like this. Getting caught staring can be a little embarrassing and don't tell me you don't feel that way when someone catches you staring.

"Okay class, now that you have found your seats, I have an announcement." In that moment, I couldn't have been more grateful for the teacher to start talking. "We have a new student. Miss Golding, would please stand and state your name to the class?" I take it back.

I slowly stood and felt eyes immediately got towards my direction. Again, not shy. Just being stared at by strangers is not exactly a picnic. Especially when they look at you with judging eyes. "I'm Tessa Golding." I said, making sure I would be heard by everyone.

"Could you give us two interesting facts about yourself?" I kept myself from glaring at the teacher. Could she not see how awkward I felt?

"Okay. I moved here from California and I enjoy listening to music."

"Thank you, Tessa. You may sit down now. Okay class, I have an assignment for you!" Groans erupted from the class.

"Already?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Why did I take this class?"

"Of course we get an assignment on the first freaking day!"

"Oh hush! This assignment isn't due until December. Your assignment will be with be a partner assignment. You will be working with the person seated next to you." I didn't look up to see Spencer's reaction. I didn't want anything awkward to happen. Instead of looking at him, I looked around the room. Some were happy with their partner, others looked like they would rather be stabbed in the eye with hot needles.

"What do we have to do?"

"You have to discuss a talent on your partner. Let's say your partner is incredible at basketball. You have to write about that. If your partner is good at baking, you could talk about that. You can do a PowerPoint, video, or poster board. No essay. Also, if you had someone who could bake, bringing something that the person baked is always helpful and appreciated. I will leave you to discuss the project with your partner for the rest of class. This is the only day I will allow you to brainstorm. We start real work next class." I didn't immediately turn towards Spencer. I was afraid I would make a fool of myself again.

"So are you going to ignore me, or are we gonna talk about the project?" I relaxed my shoulders and turned to face him. He held no emotion in his features.

"Sor-I wasn't ignoring you." I said, stopping myself from apologizing. His mouth twitched.

"So apparently you can say something without apologizing." He said in a joking manner. I smirked while rolling my eyes.

"So when do you wanna work on the project?" He just shrugged.

"I don't think we have to worry about it now. It isn't due until the end of the semester." I nodded.

"So when should we start it?" I pushed. I needed to know my schedule.

"I'll tell you later. For now, I have other stuff I want to worry about, like things due early than December while we are in August." Spencer stood up and went up to the teacher before leaving. I huffed in anger, but took out my notebook. I wasn't going to dwell on some kid that didn't want to work on an assignment we had to do together. English class was gonna be rough.

*****

The rest of the day went by quickly and let's say that this year was gonna suck. Apparently teachers here think it is such a great idea to have assigned seats where you sit next to the person closest to you in the alphabet. Turns out Spencer's last name happens to be Garcia which falls right next to mine, Golding.

Not fun. At all.

Every class, he feels the need to ignore me. Like come on! If we are gonna sit next to each other every class we may as well talk, but no! All he does is go on his phone or drums his fingers against the desk. Now normally I can understand if the person doesn't like me because I gave them a reason, but I can't think of a single reason he has to not talk to me. Oh, and it doesn't help that I sit with him at lunch because I sit with Rocky who is his friend.

"Just relax. I'm sure it isn't as bad as you think. Spencer just isn't good with new people." Rocky said.

"I don't know. In English, he just left. We were given time to work on the project, and he just left. Something tells me that I'm the reason for his random disappearance to God knows where."

"Do you want me to talk to him? I could probably get him to tell me." I though about her offer before shaking my head 'no'.

"That's alright. I'd prefer to find out myself. Now I got to go. I'll see you tomorrow. I really need to clear my head."

"I see you girl. Bye." Rocky left and I looked at my phone. Mason decided to come with me instead of walk home since he and nothing better to do. I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder and began walking to the little kid building where he was. I had texted him to meet me at the front office and when I realized they hadn't let any kids out.

"Hey sweetheart. Can I help you?" I turned around the desk lady.

"Oh, I'm just waiting fro my brother. When is everyone released?"

"They are released in about five minutes. Who's your brother?"

"Mason Golding. We just moved here. I'm Tessa."

"Hello Tessa. I'm Mrs. Davis. You can just sit in one of the chairs if you want." I nodded and sat down. Then I heard the door open and I looked up and saw Spencer. We locked eyes, but I just looked away, not in the mood to look at him.

"Well that's a greeting I love." I glared at him.

"Says the guy who ignored me the whole day. What is your problem anyway? What did I ever do to you?"

"You didn't specifically do anything."

"Then why did you ignore me the whole day? Look, I could talk to the teachers about switching seats if you hate me that much. I just don't want to sit next to someone who can't get over himself enough that he won't talk a single word to me and blows me off."

"Look, I'm sorry okay? You just reminded me of someone."

"Who I could I have possibly-" I cut myself off knowing exactly who I reminded him of. "Your ex. The one that cheated on you. How do I remind you of her? You don't even know me."

"You look almost exactly like her. I saw you at your locker and though you were her. I got nervous since my ex is supposed to be in Florida. But then you turned to face me and I knew you weren't her."

"What do you mean?"

"Besides all the little details, your eyes. You have ice blue eyes while hers were dark brown. Most people put brown with soft and ice blue with cold, but it's the opposite with you two. Hers were always cold, but yours are soft and warm. It couldn't have been her even if she was wearing eye color changing contacts."

"If you knew I wasn't your ex, then why did you continue to ignore me."

"Eyes didn't change everything. You just brought back way too many memories. Wait. How do you know about my ex?"

"You're just now asking about that?" Spencer glared and I raised my hands in surrender. "rocky mentioned it. I promise I won't tell anyone. Your business, your drama, your choice. I understand that." Spencer looked like he was about to say something when the hell went off and kids began storming through the small space.

The rush calmed down and my ears were practically bleeding from the bell and all the squeals from the little kids.

"You should've heard them this morning. They were fucking loud. Who's the dude?" I turned around to see Mason with a smirk on his face. There was a girl standing next to him. She was smirking too.

"I don't know. Who's the chick?" I teased. His ears went red while the girl's cheeks went pink.

"I'd prefer you not call my sister a chick." I glanced at Spencer who made the comment.

"I'd prefer you not tell me what to do. Plus, I didn't know you were related." Spencer opened his mouth, but was cut off again, this time by Mason.

"As cute as your banter is, Lena was gonna help me with homework. Is it cool if she comes home with us?" I raised my brows and Spencer's furrowed.

"Absolutely not. You are not going somewhere with a boy." He had a glare set on Mason.

"Spencer, it's fine. I'll be home and they will be in the kitchen or living room and I'll watch them. Plus, she's thirteen, almost fourteen. I'm sure she will be behaved and is old enough to help my brother with homework."

"I don't like it." I gave Spencer an unimpressed look. " Fine. I'll pick you up at 5." I raised my brows. "Fine 7. That's as late as you are staying." I rolled my eyes. "Does 8 work for you Princess?" He asked glaring at me.

"Don't ask me. I'm not the little sister you are so overprotective about."

"8. That's it."

"Yes!" She squealed. I chuckled and looked at her.

"You good with pizza for dinner?"

"Yep."

"Hold up. Dinner?" Spencer asked,

"It'll be 8 when you pick her up. You going to have her watch me and my family eat?" I said in a bored tone.

"Fine. I'm leaving." Spencer left and I nodded at the two.

"You ready to go? She does know what we are doing before we go home right?" Mason nodded and we walked to my car. They both sat in the back and I raised both brows since I can't raise one at my brother. He stuck his tongue out at me before buckling his seat.

"So how did you meet Mason?" I asked, looking at them briefly in the back view mirror.

"We are in the same homeroom which means all the same classes." Lena answered quietly.

"I forgot how middle school classes work. So what are you helping Mason with?"

"Science."

"So how did you meet Spencer?" Mason asked. I chuckled since I knew he was embarrassed. I put on my turn signal and took the turn before answering.

"We have all our classes together. Teachers thought it would be a great idea to sit alphabetically and we are right next to each in the alphabet."

"You know, Spencer doesn't talk to a lot of girls. Only Rocky and Maya, but she's gone, thank God. She as a bitch. All she did was go on her phone and talk bad about people. She treated me and Emma like servants."

"Maya was Spencer's ex?"

"Yeah. Emma is our other sister. She's a sophomore."

"Yeah, well Spencer didn't really talk to me. Personally, I don't think he's my biggest fan."

"You probably remind him of Maya. She looks a lot like you."

"Spencer said that too. Do you have a picture?" Lena nodded and gave me her phone. Looking at the picture, I did see a resemblance between me and the girl, but it wasn't as big as they made it out to be. Sure we have blonde hair and the same height, but she had a smaller wait, bigger brown eyes, full lips, and a cold expression.

"We aren't that alike." I said, handing the phone back. "She has more prominent features."

"I think you're prettier. Honestly she did a lot of stuff to her face. You have softer features that are more natural." I blushed at her compliments and smiled.

"Thank you. Now, I'll be right back. Don't have too much fun." I smirked and got out of the car. I entered the music school and saw someone sitting at the front desk. Okay, is it just me, or am I meeting too many front desk ladies? Anyways, I walked up at to her with a smile on my face.

"Hello, what can I do for you? Are you here for a lesson?" The lady asked. I saw she had a name tag on the said Bridget.

"Actually, I'm here to apply for the position to be a guitar instructor." I said, shyly.

"Are you Tessa Golding?" I nodded. "That's wonderful. Elise came in a couple days ago to put in a good word for you. Follow me, I'll show you to our hiring manager." I followed Bridget and she led me to an office. In the office was a man that was probably in his mid 40s. "Mr. Bridge, I have Tessa Golding here applying to be a guitar instructor." Bridget left and I walked in the room.

"Hello Miss Golding, you can take a seat." I sat down suddenly anxious. "So Tessa, tell me about yourself."

"Well, I'm 16 and I just moved here recently. I've been playing the guitar for twelve years now and I have played piano for ten and have taken singing lessons for three. I have worked at a coffee shop and a piano instructor for a couple years before I had to move."

"Well, you are certainly a musician. Twelve years?"

"Yeah. I love it."

"What is your regular grade average? Since you are still in high school, I would like to hope you can keep up with your work and school. If you are already struggling, there will be problems."

"I have always been an A student. I am currently taking three AP classes as well as Honors classes."

"Well, I see no reason not to hire you. What days would you work?"

"I can work afternoons on weekdays and morning on weekends."

"I'll see what I can do. Can I have your phone number to send you the hours and days you will work?" I nodded and wrote down my number on the sticky note he gave me. "I think this has been the easiest hiring job I've ever had. You are free to go."

"Thank sir." I exited the room and went to my car. Yeah. Today was a good day.