"Welcome to Sexual Education" read the words written in chalk on the board of the classroom.
Underneath the title were two poorly drawn pictures of the anatomy of both a woman and a man. Although the drawings looked like they were created in the span of 2 minutes, everybody well received what was being depicted.
But that didn't make the picture any less disturbing.
I take my seat at the front of the classroom, as always, as more students trickle in through the doorway. I spot a few familiar faces and greet them with polite smiles. The tables of the classroom are long, with black desktops, seating two people at once.
Looks like we're being assigned partners.
I anxiously wait for Piper to come in through the door and take the seat beside me. Not only was she my best friend, but she was also just as intellectually driven as I was. We make a pretty impressive team.
I contemplate setting my bookbag in the seat next to me to indicate that I was saving it for someone, but I looked around, and nobody else had the same intentions. No way was I going to look like the desperate one on the first day here.
I pray that she claims the seat beside me before I get stuck with an idiotic and utterly lazy-
"Alright you pathetic Juniors, listen up!" Coach Donoghue's voice echoes across the walls of the tiny room just as he bursts through the doors.
"Coach Donoghue? You're teaching Sex Ed?" yells a surprised voice from the back.
"Do you have a problem with that, Jeremy? Shall I send you to the office so that you may continue your complaints in front of the principal?" Coach Donoghue sends a pointed stare towards the rear of the classroom.
"No, sir," replies Jeremy as he shrinks into his seat.
"That's Coach, to you!" He claps his hands and looks around the room. "But anyway, I hope you guys are ready to learn about your bodies!" Everyone simultaneously groans. "Oh, please. I expect you to be mature about it, you're all practically adults. Except you, Jeremy. I don't expect much from you."
"Yes, Coach." Jeremy sinks even further into his seat while everyone snickers.
"Now, before we get into what you've all been waiting for, I must introduce our newest student." Every ear in the classroom perks up at the idea of a new student. Even Jeremy decides to raise his head to take a look. "He has just moved here from Colorado. I'd like you all to give him a warm welcome, you petty brats."
Colorado?
Wait a second.
The classroom door opens and a figure walks in. He's wearing a blue plaid button-up shirt with its sleeves rolled up, faded black jeans, and converse that seem to have been to hell and back.
And that smell.
I know that smell.
Like a fresh summer breeze.
"Hey, guys. I'm Austin Moon." He smiles a closed smile, something more of a smirk, and does a quick scan of the classroom. The girls have made quite indiscreet sighing noises, and all the guys grunt in jealousy. Austin raises his hand and freely runs his fingers through his [somehow] perfectly messed up hair. Either he didn't notice the reactions of the people in this class, or he's used to it all.
And I'd bet my entire being it's the latter.
"Okay, Austin. You may take a seat wherever one is available." Coach gestures towards the tables.
I quickly scan the classroom, looking for an empty seat. The only one left is next to me.
Where's Piper?
A quick ding comes from my pocket. I check my phone while Coach's back is turned.
One new text message:
Hey Ally! Sorry I'm not there with you in Sex Ed. My schedule was changed last minute, so I'm currently in History. Don't miss me too much, love ;) I'll see you after class.
P.S. I heard Coach is teaching, isn't he? Good luck!
The chair beside me screeches against the floor and a bookbag drops into my view. I look up from beneath the desk and spot him.
Same stupid blonde hair.
Same stupid jawline.
Same stupid brown eyes.
"Hello, Ally." He smiles at me with a glint in his eye and a teasing in his tone.
Same stupid voice.
Austin leans his head a little closer to mine and whispers. "By the way, I may be new to this school, but I'm certain having your cell phone out during class is not permitted." He leans back in his chair with a smug look on his face.
Before I can return a comment, Coach looks at us and says, "Oh, great. Ally, you seem to already know Austin. You two shall be partners for the rest of the year." He turns his attention back to setting up the lesson for the day.
I speak up. "Wait, Coach-"
Austin interrupts. "That would be perfect."
Coach nods in approval. "Okay, class. Now, let's begin. Human reproduction is more than just a five minute session in the back seat of a car."
"Right, Coach. It can also be a five minute session in a bedroom," calls out Jeremy.
"This is why I don't expect much from you, kid." The class laughs. "As I was saying, sex is about getting to know your partner and understanding their body and their emotions. It is about being connected-" Everyone snorts. "God, you are all useless children of the devil," Coach sighs. "Today's lesson is about getting to know the person sitting next to you, otherwise known as your partner for the school year. You will each take out a piece of paper and write down whatever qualities you observe about each other. It can be physical, emotional, or personal-pertaining to their personality. Their likes and/or dislikes. If you do not finish during today's class, it will be assigned as your first homework of the semester. Begin!"
I reach for my bag at the foot of the desk to retrieve a piece of looseleaf and a pen. I turn to Austin, ready to make my observations, but see him already scribbling away on his paper.
I cross my arms and scoff. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"Yes, something is wrong. How do you already have a full page of notes on me when you haven't even asked me a single question to base them off of?"
"It's not like I forgot everything I knew about you, Ally." He leans back in his chair and raises his feet to cross on top of the desk, making himself comfortable.
"Excuse me? Are you serious? We may have been close before 8th grade, Austin, but you do not know anything about me now. I hate to break it to you, but people can change over time. Hell, you even left the state the very summer after 8th grade, leaving your entire life behind. Leaving me behind, without so much of an explanation or a goodbye. So tell me, why did you leave, and why did you even come back?"
He sends me a cold, hard stare with his teeth gritted behind tight lips. "Tell me, Ally. Do you no longer have brown hair? Do you not obsess over books, and write your own music? Have you suddenly lost the ability to play the piano, or your stage fright? Do you not carry your special songbook around everywhere you go anymore? Or has everything about you changed? I want you to look me straight in the eye and tell me that I do not know anything about you, and I'll rip this paper in half and start off fresh." My composure softens. I remember how close we were before everything fell apart. How he knew absolutely every little detail about me. How he knew me better than I ever knew myself. He notices my defeat and laughs-forced, hard, and void of emotion. "Exactly. Now how about you start on that paper of yours. Or have you forgotten all about me already?" His voice holds hurt, but is masked with a tone of mockery.
I huff in irritation and turn back to my own assignment.
I could never forget about him. No matter how hard I tried.
"I left for reasons you don't need to understand. And I don't have to explain my motives for coming back. Then again, why does it interest you so much, Ally? Is it bothering you?" Austin crosses his hands behind his head and stares at me again. But this time, it's full of arrogance.
"You stopped interesting me after never returning my calls, emails, and letters, never explaining why you ignored me, and never explaining what I ever did to you that made you want to erase me from your life."
"Not everything is about you. So quit believing that it is." He growls, and we both get back to focusing on our work.
"Alright, class. The bell will ring in a few seconds. I suggest you finish up your research at home and come back with notes ready to be discussed for tomorrow's session. Now pack up and get out, deadbeats!" Coach blows his whistle and the bell rings shortly after.
"Coach! This isn't the football field!" Jeremy yells as he exits the classroom.
"Do not tell me what to do, young man!"
sooooo
why are Austin & Ally fighting?
how close were they before the 8th grade?
why did Austin leave, and come back?
we shall find out as the story progresses :)
[and I swear the chapters will be longer next time, this was just to begin the story and set everything up]
p.s. I know this beginning was similar to that of Hush, Hush but I swear this is the only time it will be like this (I think, hopefully...haha...)