CHAPTER 2 : Game Of Survival

Harrod dropped me off in front of the school with a promise to pick me up once the school day was over. I waited until he drove away before I started towards the school. Taking a deep breath of the autumn air I took in my surroundings. In front of me was West Chapel High, a three story building, built in red brick.

I tightened my grip on the strap of my book bag before I started walking. I hated first days. They were always awkward especially when you were the new kid. I really wasn't looking forward to this.

As I walked I kept my head down, trying to remain unnoticed. I hated attention more than anything. I walked all the way to the entrance where the roar of a motorcycle jerked my attention. Raising my head, I was just in time to catch a sleek black motorcycle wheel into the parking lot. The rider parked his bike beside the rest of the vehicles.

He swung his leg off the bike, took off his helmet and ran his hand through his golden mane. I stared at him as my breath got caught in my throat.

He wore dark ripped jeans combined with a dark green t-shirt and a black leather jacket. His hair was short on the sides and long and curly on the top. It stood contrast to his outfit. His skin was perfectly tanned and flawless except for the little birthmark on his chin. He was gorgeous and I was shamelessly staring at him. I watched in fascination as he crossed the parking lot. His expression was calm, neutral but his strides exuded confidence.

His eyes were green, forest green to be exact. The moment his eyes landed on me I jerked my head turning away with a slight blush tinting my cheeks. I walked into the building, with my book bag hanging over one shoulder, putting as much distance between me and the handsome stranger. I scanned the horde of teenagers making their way through the halls. No one spared me a glance as I navigated my way through the crowd. I tried to make myself seem small so I would go unnoticed. I kept my head down, my shoulders hunched and I kept moving.

I had no idea where I was heading. I was supposed to check in at the reception first. I figured if I wondered around long enough I was sure to find it somewhere. A bell rang before I even made it half way through the main hallway. Students started to clear up, each of them finding their way to their classes. Suddenly I was alone in the hallway.

Well not completely.

"Move!" A girl screamed startling me as a cart came speeding towards me. I jumped out of the way just in time as it crushed into the lockers behind me. I landed on the ground bruising my elbow but nothing else.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I was just taking it up to the library, then I lost my grip and it started rolling down the hall. It could have killed you. I'm so sorry..."

She took great gulp of air but before she could recover I said "It's okay, it was accident," I got back onto my feet, dusting off my black jeans.

"Are you okay?" She asked biting her bottom lip.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I assured her and she sighed in relief.

"Okay" she said, tucking a fat curly lock of her strawberry blond hair behind her ear as she flashed me a bright smile, showcasing a shallow dimple in her left cheek, "I'm Abigail"

"Marcus," I shook her hand, returning her friendly smile with a shy one of my own.

"Are you new here? I don't think I've seen you around before."

"Yeah, and I'm—uh, kind of lost," I said picking up my bag from the floor "you wouldn't happen to know where I can find the reception" my cheeks flushed as I nervously rubbed the back of my neck.

"Oh, I can totally show you where it is," she said her smile never wavering, "follow me."

She turned on her heels and started walking down the hall, I did as she said and followed her. We moved at the same pace and for a while neither of us spoke. I wasn't much of a conversationalist.

"So where are you from?" She casually asked.

"Here actually, but I was just at a boarding school."

"Sounds horrible, no offense," I laughed at that.

"None taken," I said as we rounded the corner and came up to a door with the word 'Reception' printed in front.

"Here we are," she said gesturing to the door.

"Thanks"

"No problem, maybe I'll see you around. I'll try not to almost kill you next time," she said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I'll see you," I said with a smile. She turned to leave. I walked into the reception, going straight up to the receptionist. She was a petite woman probably in her mid fifties. She had bluish gray hair and a wrinkly heart shaped face. She gave me a warm smile as I approached.

"Hello, how may I help you?" She asked.

"Hi, I'm Marcus Nelson. I was supposed to pick up my schedule."

"Oh yes," she went through the pile of folders she had stacked up on her desk before saying "here it is," and handing it over. I thanked her before heading out back into the hallway.

I scanned the paper noticing that my first class was AP English in room 24. Walking down the hall checking each room number I found the room in matter of minutes.

The class had already begun evident by the shut down. I knocked and waited until someone came and let me in. A middle aged man with dirty blonde hair, presumably the teacher was the one who opened the door for me.

"You must be Marcus," I nodded and he stepped aside to let me in. "I'm Mr Sheerly."

All eyes were on me as I stood in front of the class, my cheeks heated up at the unwanted attention. "Class this is Marcus, our new student," there were a few murmurs between the class, which made me a little uncomfortable. "You can take your seat."

I scanned the room finding only one empty desk, which I quickly made my way to. As soon as I did the teacher, Mr Sheerly barked for the class to settle down, bringing the murmurs to a halt. I sighed in relief as the lesson resumed. I got out my note book to jolt down notes only to be distracted when I glanced to my left.

How had I not seen him coming in?

Sitting beside me was a guy who had me nearly choking on air. Which I not so smoothly covered up with a cough, drawing the attention of several other students. My face flushed a bright shade of red, as I flipped open my notebook and trying to act as natural as possible. Everyone drew their attention back to the lesson. And I tried to do the same but my eyes drifted back to the guy after only a minute.

He seemed not to be paying attention as well. His eyes were focused on the sketch on his desk. I settled my eyes back to the front of the class and only occasionally my eyes darted back to him.

He was on his feet and out the door as soon as the bell rang. I collected my stuff and I was on my way to my next class. But as soon as I made it into the hallway, a girl popped up in front of me.

"Hi, I'm Paige," she said putting out her perfectly manicured hand for me to shake. She batted her long dark eyelashes, spotting me a overly friendly smile with her lipgloss coated lips.

"Hi," I replied as I hesitantly shook her hand in my own, releasing it too quickly, "I'm Marcus," my characteristic nerves flared to life as I introduced myself.

"I just wanted to formally welcome you to West Chapel high."

"Um, thanks," I said, taking a step back as I shrunk under her intense gaze.

"What's your next class?" She asked, maintaining her friendly smile.

"History."

"Me too," she said excitedly, "Hope you don't mind if I tag along," she wrapped her arm around mine and looked at me expectantly with her big brown eyes and I couldn't refuse her. I let her walk me to my next class. She seemed friendly.

"So what do you think of the school so far?"

"It's okay."

"Well, if you ever need help, I'd be happy to assist," she was really nice and I appreciated that. I gave her a thanks before we stopped in front of our history class. Once inside she joined her friends who were seated up front, I made my escape to the back of the class.

.....................

The cafeteria was packed, this was the part I hated most about being the new kid. Everyone had their table to sit at and I was all alone. I couldn't just walk up to a table and sit there. At least I didn't think I could. I didn't have the confidence.

"Marcus!" A familiar feminine voice called out for me. I turned around to find Abigail waving me over to her table. Thank the goddess. She was a life saver. I walked over to her, setting my tray on the table. She wasn't alone though.

Sitting beside her was the same guy from the parking lot and my English class. He looked up at me his forest green eyes meeting mine. They were streaked with amber and adorned with golden flecks. My cheeks heated up. He dropped his gaze with a bored expression and I took my seat.

"This is my friend, Adrian," Abigail introduced.

"Hi," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He simply nodded my way then his eyes shifted back to the sketch book in front of him. He was working on the same sketch he was earlier.

"So how's your first day going?" Abigail asked in between bites of her pizza.

"Okay, I guess," I said taking a fork full of my salad into my mouth.

We talked for a little longer, nothing serious just ordinary teen stuff. I liked Abigail. She seemed like a very cheery, a little clumsy but generally a sweet person. Adrian was reserved. He hardly said anything the entire lunch period, only nodding whenever Abby said something. Lunch hour ended soon and I found myself walking to my next class with Abigail. Adrian's class was in the opposite direction.

The rest of the day was pretty mundane but as for first days go it was okay. As I walked through the parking lot I felt eyes on me. I scanned the area to find Adrian leaned against his bike staring at me. Our eyes met for a brief second before I jerked my head away.

I scanned the parking lot again, this time in search for Harrod. I found him easily enough, he was already here waiting for me. I walked to the car and quietly settled in the backseat. I caught a glimpse of Adrian as we drove past his bike, our eyes met again.