002.

The remaining days of summer flew by quite quickly. It was the night before school started and to say I was nervous was an understatement.

These past few days being at home were better than I expected. Perhaps, my dad was genuinely trying to make amends with me but I knew this change wouldn't last that long.

I had practically finished renovating my room at this point and I was quite pleased with it. I can't lie, the past few days have just been shopping sprees which I cannot complain about.

I packed my school bag, laid out my uniform and hopped into bed.

-

Unluckily for me, I managed to get minimal sleep.

You know that subtle excitement you have on the first day of school which messes up your sleep? I woke up at like 5:30 instead of 7 so I got ready earlier but managed to lose track of time when face-timing Hadya.

"TEYANA, HURRY UP! COME DOWN AND EAT BREAKFAST BEFORE THE DRIVER DROPS YOU AND WILLIAM OFF FOR SCHOOL," my mum shouted from the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of being in that close a proximity to William. Unfortunately, William and I are both in the same year group. He is definitely the mistake of the family.

I rushed down the stairs, scarfed down my breakfast and hopped into the car.

"Should I introduce you to some people?"

"Pretend you don't know me whilst we're there - we look nothing alike anyways so no one would know we're related," I mumbled under my breath.

"Suit yourself," William shrugged.

The remainder of the ride was silent, thankfully. I fiddled with my hands anxiously as the car stopped.

"Guys, enjoy your last first day at high school,"

"Teyana, everything will be fine just try to loosen up a bit. I noticed you fiddling with your hands in the mirror," the driver chuckled and flashed me a little smile.

"Thank you David," I smiled.

I anxiously entered the gate to school but soon got lost in the vast amount of students packing the hallways.

A petite girl tapped on my shoulder "Hey girl, do you need to go to the front office?"

I shyly nodded.

She stuck out her hand, "My name is Annaliese. Your name?"

"I'm Teyana," I said as I shook her hand.

We made some small talk as she dropped me off to the receptionist at the front office. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Annaliese waiting for me.

"Hi dear, what's your name so that I can give you your form room?" the receptionist asked.

"Teyana Smith."

I heard a gasp behind me so I turned around to be met by an enquiring stare from Annaliese.

"Is William Smith your brother?"

I signalled her to be quiet as I turned around to continue speaking to the receptionist.

"You are in 13D which is in room E5, dear. You will receive your timetable there."

"Thank you," I responded as I smiled politely.

"Okay we're in the same form, let's get there quickly to get good seats then you need to explain yourself sis."

I rolled my eyes as a faint smile planted itself on my face.

-

"Okay 13D, we have a new student joining us, Teyana please come to the front and introduce yourself," Mr Jenkins said.

My palms became clammy as I pushed back the chair and slowly stood up to walk towards the front of the class. Annaliese gave me a thumbs up to reassure me as I took a deep breath before I started to speak.

"Hi everyone. My name is Teyana and I'm studying Biology, Chemistry and Psychology so if any of you are in my classes, I hope we get along well."

Some students started mouthing 'I'm in your classes' so I smiled back at them.

I walked back to my seat and heaved a sigh of relief. A girl walked over to the table Annaliese and I were sat at and handed us our timetables.

Annaliese scanned my timetable as I spoke to the girl.

"Hi, I'm Rayleigh. I think we're in the same chemistry class next period so let's go there together," she said as she smiled then walked away.

I turned to Annaliese, "We have the same free periods so I'll see you after chemistry alright?"

And just like that, form time had ended. The anxiety really started to kick in as I approached Rayleigh and walked with her to chemistry class.

We got up to the classroom door when suddenly Rayleigh's face became increasingly more cold and serious.

"I'm just gonna warn you. One of the guys in this class is an absolute prick so avoid interacting with him at all costs."

"What's his name?" I asked.

"De'Shawn Reynolds."

"Well it is what is," I shrugged as I tried to play off my nerves.

We walked into class to see everyone already standing at the back waiting for the seating plan arrangement to be called out.

"Zahariah and Rayleigh, you guys are sat in the corner at the back."

I looked at Rayleigh worried as there was only 3 more people waiting to be called alongside me.

"Jason and Maya, you guys sit in front of the two girls I just called out and that leaves me with Teyana and De'Shawn sitting right in front of my desk."

I walked to the front as I clenched my fist. Just my luck to be sat with someone I was immediately warned about.

He sat beside me as he eyed me up and down then went to sleep.

"Okay, guys take out your textbook for Organic Chemistry. We are learning about optical isomerism today," Ms Monroe spoke as she quickly turned to write on the board.

I turned to peek at De'Shawn noticing he was drooling on the arm of his blazer. I gently pushed a tissue underneath his folded arms to which he jolted up and turned to look at me.

He smirked at me oblivious to the fact that his lips were crusty from the already drying drool.

"You can't keep your hands to yourself already babe?"

"I was trying to help you not draw attention to yourself with your crusty lips, 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘦" I chuckled as he glared at me whilst wiping his mouth.

"You guys done with your flirting yet?" Ms Monroe asked as she frowned at us.

I politely nodded as I ignored De'Shawn for the rest of the lesson.

-

Finally lunchtime had arrived and I got my tray of food as I rushed to sit with Annaliese and her friend Zahariah. Unfortunately, their table was in the plain sight of De'Shawn's table. As I walked over to them, De'Shawn whistled at me prompting the boy he was sat with to turn and look over at me.

I locked eyes with the boy soon realising it was William. He gave me a cheeky smile as I mouthed to him 'you are a fucking bum'.

I rushed away from the set of eyes starting to stare at me and quickly sat down next to Annaliese. Her and Zahariah stared at me quizzically.

"Why does De'Shawn know y-"

Annaliese's question was cut short by my tray of food being flipped into my face.

I stood up in shock and looked at a girl folding her arms at me as she gave me a glare. Impulsively, I grabbed my carton of milk, opened it and threw it in her face.

As her make up started dripping off her face, I took a closer look at her soon realising it was my childhood 'bestfriend'.

"𝘒𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺?!"