Chapter 4 - Luke

It's Monday.

I woke up with a jolt and changed into a brown sleeveless shirt and black shorts. I then looked at the mirror. After styling my hair a bit, I looked at that guy staring back at me. I wasn't exactly ugly, but I wasn't very handsome either. I definitely wasn't someone you would notice in a crowded room. But still, I hoped I looked good enough for my first day of school.

Still staring at myself in the mirror, I said to myself: "You can do this. It's like every school year. Meet new people, make some friends, maybe meet a girl... No. This year is about studying and getting good grades," I scolded myself.

"Honey, come down for breakfast!" my mom yelled from the kitchen.

"Coming!" I yelled back.

After a healthy meal, I took my bag and left my house. After a while, I got lost and had to take out my phone to Google-map my school. It was pretty easy after that.

Luckily, as soon as I got to school, I was able to spot Nick and Will, who was already surrounded by girls. I walked over there when Nick spotted me.

"Hey!" he called.

"Hey, man," I replied. "Is this normal?" I asked, pointing at the mob of girls there with Will.

"Yeah, pretty much," Nick said, chuckling. "But as much as he pretends to like it, he's always exhausted when he comes to chill with me. I don't know what those girls do to him, but it must not be the best."

"Yeah," I said. "It must be awful to be literally surrounded by attractive girls."

Nick rolled his eyes in my direction.

I chuckled lightly, then made some conversation. "How's your schedule?"

He handed it to me.

English: 7.30 A.M. - 8.25 A.M.

Chemistry: 8.30 A.M. - 9.25 A.M.

Math: 9.30 A.M. - 10.25 A.M

Art: 10.30 A.M. - 11.25 A.M.

Social Studies: 11.30 A.M. - 12.25 P.M.

Lunch

Spanish: 1.05 P.M. - 2.00 P.M.

P.E. : 2.05 P.M. - 3.00 P.M.

"Aw, man!" I exclaimed. "We only have three classes together!"

"Oh, man, I'm sorry," Nick said.

"It's fine, actually. It'll give me a chance to meet someone new," I said, "At least we have English together."

"Let's go," Nick ordered. "Will! We're going!" he yelled into the crowd.

"I'll meet you there!" someone yelled back.

I followed Nick all the way to the English classroom. I walked through the doorway, and one of my questions was answered.

There, sitting in the back row, was Alexia. She was taking out her stuff when her head turned towards the doorway. Our eyes locked. I waved, and she smiled.

"Hey, Alexia!" I called as I put my things in a seat in the front row.

I could tell she was about to answer, but she was interrupted.

"Hi, there! I remember you! But, unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to talk. What's your name?" Vanessa asked me.

"Lucas. Lucas Jackson," I answered, a little uneasy.

"Can I call you Luke?" she asked.

"No," I replied. Luke is a name my friends call me. Vanessa Wild is definitely not my friend. By the expression on her face, I could tell that she wasn't used to guys telling her "no". She looked shocked.

I smiled. And Alexia giggled. Immediately she covered her mouth.

"What are you laughing at?" Vanessa snapped.

"Well... I... I was just..." Alexia muttered.

"It seems pretty easy to me," I interrupted, "Alexia thought I was funny, and laughed."

"Yes... but..." Vanessa stuttered.

Our teacher walked in just as the bell rang.

"Whatever," Vanessa said as she sat down on her chair next to Alexia's.

"Can everyone just sit down please?" our teacher asked. After everyone had sat down, she spoke. "Welcome back to school. I am Mrs. Depree, your English teacher. Before we start I would like to introduce, if you haven't already met him, a new student. Please stand up, Lucas."

I stood up and gave a small wave. "Hi."

"He will be staying with us until the end of the year," said Mrs. Depree.

A couple of people said something, mostly hi's, then I sat back down and the teacher added. "Let's begin."

I thought the English class was nice. The teacher wasn't so bad.

She didn't give us any homework, so I count that as a good thing.

Next was Math. I said bye to Nick and Will, who now had Chemistry on the other side of the school. Apparently, so did Vanessa.

"Vanessa, you have to go to Chemistry now. I have to go to Math," Alexia was telling her.

"But where is it!" Vanessa demanded.

"It's right there," Alexia said calmly. "Down the hall, to your right."

"Whatever," Vanessa answered. She turned around and walked away.

Alexia turned around and headed for Math class. I followed. After a while, I thought I was being a stalker. So, I quickened my pace and reached her.

"Hey, Alexia!" I said.

"Um...hi," she said uneasily.

"Sorry if you thought that I was stalking you. I heard that you have Math now, so I was following you to see where the classroom was," I confessed, then realized how creepy that sounded. Before I could give an explanation, though, she spoke.

"It's fine, Lucas. You have Math too?" she asked.

"Oh, please call me Luke."

"But I thought-" she started to say.

"Just my friends call me Luke," I insisted. She smiled.

"Can I see your schedule?" she asked me awkwardly.

"Yeah, sure."

She gently took the sheet out of my sweaty hands and observed it.

"So, what's your schedule?" I asked while she was still looking at mine.

"Actually... same as yours!" she said.

"Awesome!" I cheered as I took my schedule back. "I can follow you forever now."

We both smiled, then our eyes locked again. Hers were amazing. They were light blue but had tiny shades of green on the sides. I could have stared into them for hours, but she looked away.

"We should go," she said.

"Um... yeah," I said, still a little dazed.

We then walked over to the Math classroom and opened the door.