"Shit." I mumbled to myself as I tumbled towards the ground, dropping my books onto the ground, including many loose pieces of paper, and falling over. Someone had run into me, and I was too concerned at getting to my first class to even care if they did it on purpose or not. I just didn't want to cause a scene. I quickly started grabbing my books and paper, tucking my hair behind my ears because it was dangling in my face.
If your thinking I am a nerd, please think again. I guess a side of me is pretty nerdy, like I love reading and old romance movies. But I don't wear glasses, I have a social life and I was pretty popular at my old school. I do get good grades and I care about school, I just don't go totally study and homework crazy – I have a good balance.
It was my first day at my new school. I moved from Brisbane because of my dad's job. I really didn't want to move because of all my friends and because it is halfway through grade 10. I had just started crushing on this boy, Kyle, but it didn't go anywhere. My little selfish inner-voice was telling me that Kyle had a bit of a crush on me and to convince my dad to stay. I knew better than to listen to that voice.
I'm 15 by the way, the normal age for a grade 10er. I have dark brown eyes, so dark sometimes that people think they are black which for some reason makes me super angry. I have dark brown hair that has a redish tint to it. I'm not a ranga. It's like redy-brown hair… if you catch my drift. I am average height, maybe a little bit too short but I don't really mind. My skin is nice and tanned, something I really like about myself.
Anyway back to the story, now that you have a general idea of me…
As I'm picking up my books and paper, I notice another pair of hands helping me. It's a guy, and he is really good looking. He's one of those boys that you would walk past at the shops and then do a double take. That kind of hotness. I just stop and look at him. I can feel myself tensing up, because it's my first day and I guess you could say I am a bit of a loner.
"Sorry about that," he says with a smile on his face as he hands me the last bits of paper. "My clumsy brother Jai fell into me."
I chuckled. The classic pushing-your-friend-into-someone act. I knew it well. "It's okay, thank-you for helping me pick up my books and stuff." I started to relax a little, falling into my usual self that would love a conversation; I was really talkative.
He nodded, "Yeah it's all good." I smiled and started walking off to my class.
The boy (still hadn't got his name) ran after me and starting walking beside me. "Do you have a name?" He asked.
"That depends," I say, playing along with his dumbness.
"On?" he asks.
"Whether you have a name," I smirk.
He laughs. "Yeah I have a name, Luke Brooks." He flashes me a warm smile.
"Well in that case, hi. My name's Annabelle Hart." I say, returning his smile.
"I'm new here, do you know where room G15 is?" I study my timetable, trying to figure it out. He grabs the paper and scrunches it up and dunks it in the closest bin.
"NO!" I scream, running to the bin and trying to flatten it out. "Are you crazy?" I look at him and he's cracking up laughing. I start laughing, but I'm trying not to. "You dick, that was my bible to try and not get lost in this huge school!" I exclaim, punching him in the arm.
"Just think of me as your personal guide." He says, bowing.
"Fine." I say, relaxing even more. I link my arm in his and he takes me to the class which luckily he's in too.
Let's just say this was the start of an amazing friendship.
"You are the leaders of this school, dedicated to the learning and wellbeing of those around you. You are role models. You are what everyone looks up to. So be someone that makes the school proud," Mr Dunne concluded. A faint round of applause sounded through the auditorium. I looked beside me at my best friend, Luke Brooks. He looked so bored, but secretly I was interested. But like the sheep that I was, I was clapping like I would much rather puke my brains out and eat them for dinner. Erm, yeah.
It had been two years since I moved here, and as soon as Luke and I became friends, everything felt a lot easier. There was nothing awkward about us, no urges to be… flirty or whatever. It was just solid friendship; best friends.
The bell rings and all the students immediantly stand up, and there is a huge stampede to get out the door and go home. Today was the 'leadership information day.' This is a full day dedicated to teaching us students how to be leaders, but personally, it was boring and a waste of time. I sigh as I hold my knees up to my chest to let all the people shove past. I honestly can't be bothered to fight with the crowd.
About 10 minutes later, nearly everyone has left the auditorium so I grab my bag, sling it over my shoulder and head out the door.
When I walk out I see Luke standing against the wall outside the auditorium, waiting for me. I laugh. "Why are you waiting for me?" He gives me a look that says, we always wait for each other?
"Beau's coming to pick us up and go to Maccas cause I'm starving.. they said they would provide food and all we got was some packaged cake and apple crap." He whinges.
I elbow him playfully, "Fatty." I mumble under my breath. He rolls his eyes. We always do this, kind of a brother-sisterly love thing.
"OVER HERE!" we both look up to see Beau jumping up and down and waving like mad. My eyes grow wide and I feel my face going red. He knows this embarrasses me. I see a lot of turned heads and giggles. Luke acts like nothing is wrong. Pfft, boys.
When we get to the car I hit Beau (playfully) and he just grins, "hop into the party bus!"
I don't know how he got his license, but he is a responsible driver. Just sometimes, you wouldn't know it.
"Why are you picking us up? You never pick us up…" Luke says suspiciously.
"Erm…" Beau coughs, "just felt like being nice today I guess. But don't get used to it!"
"Wasn't planning on it," Luke mumbles. I smile to myself. They are so stupid, but I guess all boys are. I wish I had a sibling. I did. But then… "No." I told myself. "Don't think about it." So I pushed it to the back of my brain, and continued to smile and laugh at the boys, but inside, I was slowly dying at the pain of what had happened. Luke didn't know.
"AND WE HAVE REACHED OUR DESTINATION!" Beau shouts. I whack him and laugh as I get out of the car and hear Luke complaining that they didn't stop at Maccas.
"When you can drive go wherever the hell you want, but I'm driving so," he pushes Luke pretty hard, making him stumble back a bit, "shut up and stop complaining." Beau concludes.
Luke just rolls his eyes and goes into the house, dropping his bags and saying, "Uh, what the hell is this about?" Me and Beau are right behind him, Beau not seeming as confused as I was feeling when I looked at the scene infront of me.
