Ugh, A New Student

Kathryn

The weekend flew by fast and I think I managed to make a new friend, or at least I’d like to think so.

I greeted Marla, my next-door neighbor as she watered her plants. ''Morning, Marla. The plants look fresh and healthy.’’ She beamed at me, setting her watering can down and removing her gloves.

''Kathryn dear, how are you these days? You’re on your way to school, I presume.’’

I nodded, taking the box of cookies she prepared for me every day leaving only after waving her and her adorable dog, Waffles goodbye. After taking a few turns, I was finally in front of the magnificent building, Caine Academy. It was a well-known school and many would die to be in my shoes. Cue the eye roll.

Finally making up my mind, mentally and socially to enter this hell-hole called a school, I hoisted myself up the stairs leading to the main hallway of the academy. It was always a draining day at school for me since I had no form of support amongst these bunch of students.

Sure, Henry and a few friends I’ve made were here but it wasn’t the same without Zak ‘cos they’re stupid attention magnets. I walked through the hallways still sulking over the decision that was made years ago.

Walter had decided that I and Zak would never go to the same school seeing as our ‘being together’ always brought ‘disaster’. Walking past the endless row of lockers, I stopped in front of mine, putting in the locker combination.

5-6-7-8

Many people used ‘1-2-3-4’ a lot and the others were underused so I gave them a chance. I pushed my books and the box of cookies inside it and picked up my first three subjects for the day.

Mechanics, AP Calculus, and Biology 2.

Slamming the locker shut, I picked up my pace rushing to my homeroom, Homeroom 403. I twisted the doorknob, opening the door in the process before going to my attention-free seat.

The seat at the far back corner.

Before I could even settle down, a group of rowdy boys with letterman jackets entered the class making all the girls swoon and the boys glare. I made eye contact with a familiar redhead who seemed to be the one they were praising before peeling my eyes away and putting on my fake glasses.

I had a reputation. It wasn’t good but it kept weeds away from me. My platinum-blonde bangs covered my eyes giving me a loner-shy girl look.

Our homeroom teacher, Ms. Rachel finally arrived stopping the incessant chattering of students, and received a chorus greeting from us.

“Good morning to you too, students.” She greeted back with a big smile on her face, plopping her bag on the table before her eyes went towards the door. “You can come in now.”

That statement immediately resonated with all of us in the class. The boys were discussing how it would be good if it was a girl and vice versa.

I groaned in frustration throwing my head back at the mention of a new student. Why? Cos a new student would mean filling up the empty seat intentionally left empty beside me.

A boy wearing a white tee, red vans, and a face cap entered the class earning groans from the boys and squeals from the girls. He had forest green hair with turquoise eyes that sparkled under the sunlight.

My head landed on the table, my platinum blonde hair sprawling around it, groaning in frustration along with the boys.

“Class, meet Clayton Banner. Give him a warm welcome, ok? And no, I’m not talking to the girls, except Kathryn. You can sit at the back.”

I perked up at my name looking up to see Clayton walking towards me earning me unwanted glares from all the girls. I’ll admit he was good-looking but my line of work could never let me have a relationship.

I took a glance at him as he sat down, dropping his bag. He seemed to notice because he gave me a big smile exposing his beautiful pearly white teeth.

Show off.

“Hi, what’s your name?”

I glared at his outstretched hand like mud covered it whole. I looked away bringing out my journal and my pen getting ready to write some new ideas.

“Are you really leaving me hanging? Harsh.”

“It’s Kathryn.”

The sound of the bell rang through the school signifying we only had 5 minutes left until 1st period. I stood up shoving my journal and writing materials into my icy blue backpack, running through the door and into the hallway.

***

I entered the large room noting the fact I was the first person to arrive. I set down my bag and brought out my Mechanics project.

The Accurate Shot Gauntlet.

It was a blue and white iron gauntlet that I made to help me aim one of my mega blasts. As I began setting up my tools to see how I could upgrade my now 3 months project two familiar tallboys entered the room.

“So, Clayton, why’d you pick Mechanics over Arts? Cos to me, you seem like more of an arts person.”

“Well, I’m more of a Mechanics guy. Hey, Kathryn.”

He waved at me which made confusion seep into Miles’ expression. “You two know each other. Already?” he asked looking at the two of us.

Clayton chuckled shaking his head coming towards my table at the far end and took a seat uninvited. Taking a good, silent look at him, I noticed green mist seeping through beside his head.

That can only mean one thing.

My eyes widened slightly making his eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Is there something on my face?”

“No, I just remembered I had something to do. Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with your face.”

I heard him whisper a small ‘Thank God’ as I walked to the mahogany desk at the front of the class. Taking a chunk of A4 papers, I dropped twelve on each table as I passed by.

“Sometimes I forget you’re our teacher’s pet.” Miles plopped his bottom on his favorite table, reaching out to take the paper from me. “Gimme some.”

I rolled my eyes at him and skipped his table going towards mine. “Hey! Aren’t you giving me A4?!”

“No.”

Clayton’s eyes sparkled in amusement as he watched our interaction. “You know, when I first saw you this morning, I thought you were a different breed of tomboys.”

“I know right. Her whole aesthetic is just crazy. She’s got shy nerdy hair, tomboy clothes, and an emo-ish personality.” I stared at both of them sighing and shaking my head before going back to my duties.

“Miles Laufey, I do not like the way you treat my favorite student.”