Chapter 1 – First Day
Nikki Kastel walked down the crowded halls of Auburn Central High. She shoved her way through the nervous freshman, past the tight groups of sophomores who now thought they were the shit, and weaved through the few seniors who decided to show up early to school. It was the first day of her junior year and she was surprisingly excited as she bounced over to her claimed spot in the Mall, the common area of the school. It was right in between the arts hallway and the glass doors that led outside to the practice fields. And there, leaning against the glass doors, was her best friend, Jen Lawrence.
"Nikki!" Jen cried and rushed to give her friend a hug. She tried to encompass Nikki in her grasp, but she wasn't quite big enough to get her arms all the way around her backpack. "God damn, what do you have in there? It's only the first day."
Nikki blushed slightly. She hated when anyone brought to light her nerdy side. "I just wanted to be prepared."
"I know it's junior year, but it's ok to relax a little." Jen punched her friend in the arm playfully.
"I know, I know," Nikki sighed. She slid her backpack off her shoulder onto the ground and leaned up against the doors next to Jen.
"So," Jen started with a playful look in her eyes, "got your eye on any cute freshmeat yet?"
Nikki rolled her eyes and smiled at her best friend. "Dating a freshman boy would be like dating a 4 year old. I prefer my men older."
Jen raised her eyebrows at her. "Is that so? Well there are plenty of seniors on the lookout too, I'm sure."
"But I'm not looking to date at the moment. I really need to focus on my school work. This is the year that counts the most when applying to colleges."
Jen gave her a stern look. "There you go again. Nikki it is possible to do good in school and have a little fun on the side, you know."
Nikki opened her mouth to counter back when the bell wrang, the loud, offensive noise bouncing off the walls and stopping any conversation form being heard. She took advantage of the disruption to head off to class with a quick promise to meet Jen after school at their cars. She loved her friend to death, but sometimes she could be a little overbearing with the pressure to have fun.
Nikki glanced down at her schedule. She had Chemistry first followed by English, AP Psychology and finally Sociology. She sighed as she tucked her schedule back into her bag. At least Sociology was suppose to be an easy class.
She had started off the day excited but as each class went by she got more and more discouraged for this year. It was going to be one hell of a tough year. It was now the final block of the day, Sociology. She walked in, expecting the class to be free seating. Her face fell when she noticed small names written on sticky notes in the corners of each desk. After trudging around the room, looking like an idiot for a good five minutes she finally found her seat near the back of the class. She threw her bag on the floor and fell into the seat.
The teacher began class, introducing himself as Mr. Schneider. They had gotten about ten minutes into class when the door opened. A tall, handsome boy stood in the doorway. Mr. Schneider turned to him with an expecting look.
"Sorry I, uh, got lost." The kid shrugged his shoulders.
Mr. Schneider gave him a once over. "You new here?"
The kid shook his head.
"Then I'm sure you were late." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Please take a seat Mr…?"
"Cooper, Axel Cooper." He offered the teacher a crooked smile.
"Well, Mr. Cooper," The teacher said, grabbing his roster, "I hope you know I won't tolerate tardiness, especially from a senior."
The entire class had been suppressing giggles throughout this exchange. Nikki glanced at the empty seat beside her. In the top right hand corner of the desk on the sticky note was the name Axel Cooper. She groaned internally. She did not need some cocky, annoying senior to fuck up her chance at an easy A in this class.
Axel found his way to the desk beside hers and slid into the seat. He slouched down a bit and then turned and threw that gorgeous crooked smile her way. Nikki couldn't help but smile back before quickly turning away. He had short reddish-brown hair with golden brown eyes and a smile that could light up your world. And Nikki despised him for it.
XxXxX
"So, how were your classes?" Jen asked, hoisting herself up onto the hood of Nikki's blue Ford Explorer. "Still excited for this year?"
Nikki leaned against the front of her car. "I don't know. I may be in a bit over my head."
"I told you not to sign up for such hard classes!"
"Yea, but I really want to get into a good college." Nikki was tired of defending herself when it came to these things.
"Alright, well, did you meet any cute boys?" Jen grabbed a strand of Nikki's dirty blonde hair and twirled it around her finger.
"No," she immediately replied, but then paused. "Well…"
"Do tell!" Jen urged.
"There was this one senior in my Sociology class. He made an entrance by coming in late. Probably one of those class clown fools." She shrugged.
"What does he look like? What's his name?"
"Axel Cooper. He's really tall and-" But Jen cut her off.
"Oh my God, I've seen him around before! He's not the most popular kid but damn is he cute!" She gushed.
"Well I'm not really sure about him," Nikki commented.
"Just you wait Nikki!" Jen grabbed her shoulder and gave her a shake.
