"Chris, are you ready?"
I clip my fringe to my side while my father is calling out for me from the kitchen for school. I don't feel nervous, excited or scared like every high schooler out there who is starting their first day in school. I feel nothing. My father and I moved to London two weeks ago to start our new lives. Initially, I thought that moving to London is terrible because of the lack of sunshine and the accent. How the hell am I going to adapt to it after living in LA for 16 years?
"Christina!"
He calls out once again but this time I am already standing at the breakfast bar with my bag slinging on my shoulder. He smiles at me and collects his briefcase. He is like every father out there except that he might be too young to be my father. He and my mother got me when they were 17 however my father is only the face I saw for the rest of my life.
"Ready for school?"
I narrow my eyes. "Dad, are you really asking me that question?"
He thinks about it for a moment and chuckles. "Yeah that is just a stupid question. Come on, you are going to be late."
I sigh. As we get into the car, I couldn't help but feel grateful to have a father like him. He may be too young to handle such a huge responsibility and to be the only parent to bring me up, he handled it pretty well. He didn't screw up and he certainly didn't leave me. 16 years of being a father and I have to say he did a great job.
"I won't be back until 10 tonight, do you think you can handle your own dinner?" His voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Yeah sure."
Ten minutes later, he parks outside the school. I look at the building and I still feel nothing. I should be feeling nervous but nothing. I feel his hands on mine, squeezing it slightly.
"Good luck."
I turn and give him a hug before getting out of the car. I am not a fan of affection but I just feel that I needed it. I hear the car engine purring away as I watch the car drives off. Now I am all alone.
I make my way into the compound with all the other excited students pushing behind me. I was about to turn back to curse them when I told myself to stop before I create any trouble and shine any spotlight on myself. I am going to be just a ghost for the next two years and make my way out of this school. I am not really big on making friends so it doesn't matter if I am alone. I like it better alone. Besides, I am a newcomer and everyone in this school practically knows each other so it just makes my job so much easier.
I turn around the corner to collect my timetable at the office when a guy walks up to me. In my mind, I am hoping that he is not trying to talk to me.
"Christina Graham?"
Shit.
I nod my head and smile slightly. "Yeah?"
"I'm Kian. I am your tour guide and I am asked to bring you around the school, get you familiar with the surroundings."
"I don't remember anyone telling me that."
"Your dad requested it."
Double shit.
I guess Kian could feel my vibe that I am not really into this tour guide thing. "Don't worry, I am only your guide for a day so you can get rid of me after today."
"Lucky me." I whisper to myself while he passes me everything that I need. He mentioned that the school assigned him to do the job since he is the only person who has the same timetable as me for today. He is not into this whole guide thing as well but he is happy to help. I am just glad this is only for a day.
"So uh… LA huh?" Uh oh, I don't really like talking about personal life. I just nod and look at the school map so that he doesn't try to talk to me. But no luck, he seems like a very talkative person.
"Why did you move here?"
I hesitate for a moment but it doesn't hurt to tell a white lie. "My dad likes the simple life and the both of us like a change in scenery."
"To cold London? Too much vitamin D?"
He chuckles at his own joke but I could only just roll my eyes. When we are heading to our lockers, two guys and a girl wave at him. When they see me with him, they wolf whistle and start shouting his name. I resist the temptation to just turn around and walk away.
"Sorry about my friends. They can get a little rowdy."
"A little?"
He shrugs and a grin crawls onto his face. "Come on, I will introduce you to them."
"Oh no, no, it's okay." I try to come up with an excuse. "I don't need…" I don't need friends? Honestly, I sound like a pathetic person who builds too much walls around her and she thinks that she can survive on her own in school. I wish I don't have to do this but it is the best for everyone.
"Don't be shy. They won't bite."
Before I could even walk away, he pulls my hand and drags me to the guys.
He points to the girl with brunette hair who looks happy to see another girl around her group of friends. "This is Sam, we think that she is the one with the balls." The other two guys start laughing.
He points to the guy next to him with his fringe covering his forehead and his hands tuck in his pockets. "Dan. Talks too much and one giant awkward machine. Sometimes sarcastic so you will like him." He didn't smile at me but he just nods his head.
"Lastly, we have Alex. Not so lucky with the girls." Alex hits Kian in the head and he retaliates.
"And guys, this is Christina."
Before they could say anything, I cut in. "Chris."
They look at me with a funny look on their faces. I have been down this road many times and whenever I asked someone to call me 'Chris', they think that I am crazy but I am used to it. For my whole life, everyone calls me Chris and I am used to it. It is much shorter and who cares if it sounds like a guy?
"Chris." The four of them said it at the same time. I didn't want to stay in this conversation too long in case they start asking about my life once again so I make my way to find my locker.
After I organize my locker, Kian appears behind the door and I jump a little. "You are not a people person, aren't you?"
"I am not used to it." I blurt out. And it is true, I didn't have any company in school since last year.
"Ah, then you shall join us for lunch today and no backing out okay? Don't be intimidated by them or me, we are all kind of idiots." I couldn't help but snicker. I wish I could come up with a great excuse but none is getting into my head so I am left with no choice.
He snaps me out of my thoughts. "Chris, you okay with it?" I nod and just go with it. When the bell rings, we make our way to our first lesson. As we make our way to the classroom, I realize that Dan is staring at me and I don't like the way he is staring at me. I had my fair share of looks people give me in my previous school and he is doing exactly the same as those people. Kian interrupts my staring session when he pulls me into the classroom.