Chapter 2: First day of school
Flora's POV
We all walked to school in brand new outfits we bought yesterday. We had completed the student part of the sign up the night before, each of us picking an extra physical activity. Stella had picked cheerleading, Bloom and I gymnastics, swimming for Tecna, and dance for Musa. "Bloom, I can't believe you wouldn't do cheerleading with me!" Stella complained as they walked along. Bloom just sighed.
When we got to school, we headed to the office to pick up schedules. "Ah, just in time, girls." a lady behind a desk in the front office said. "I am Linda, the secretary. Here are your schedules." She handed 5 schedules to Musa, who was in the front. "Class starts in 10 minutes, so you have some time to look over your schedules." Stella smiled. "Thank you," "You're welcome. Let me know if you need any help!" I followed the others out and Musa handed out our schedules. Bloom and I had gymnastics first. Then I didn't have any of my friends in any classes until lunch. We all had the same lunch period. After lunch I had a class with Bloom, a class with Stella, and a class with Musa and Tecna. I was worried! Being alone all through the morning? Oh well, at least I have gymnastics with Bloom first. We said goodbye to the others and headed towards the gym. I had found a map in the schedule, which helped a lot. I walked in with Bloom. I had to admit, I was kind of excited. I'd never done gymnastics before. I hoped I wouldn't make a fool of myself! The gymnastics teacher, Ms. Gray, looked friendly but stern and strict. She introduced us to the class and then took attendance. Everyone was here except a boy named Helia and a girl named Mitzi. Helia, what a cool name. I was snapped out of my thoughts when the gym teacher said my name. "Yes?" I answered. "You will be working on the bars to start." She said. I nodded and smiled. The bars. I'd seen people do those in the Olympics on TV. They looked like fun! I heard Ms. Gray say Bloom would go on the trampoline. Ugh! I so wished we were together. Bloom saw me upset and gave me an apologetic glance. I gave her a small smile in return. She headed off to the trampoline with another girl who was an expert gymnast. Ms. Gray decided to come help me on the bars. She had another girl do it first to demonstrate. We were working on the high bars today. It looked hard. Yet the girl turned a circle around the bar with ease. I hoped I would be able to do it. I hope she doesn't make me go next! "Flora, your next," Ms. Gray said. Darn! That didn't help. I climbed to the top of the ladder, trying not to look down. I grabbed the bar and started swinging. I looped around the bar easily! It was amazing! I felt like I was flying! I looped around again and again and heard Ms. Gray praising me. She said to hold on tight though, I wouldn't want to fall at the speed I was going. Just then I heard a door close loudly. "Helia! You're late!" Ms. Gray called out, distracting me. I turned my head to see, when suddenly my hands weren't gripping the bar anymore! I was flying through the air! I screamed and closed my eyes, waiting to hit the ground. But what I felt wasn't pain. I felt strong, muscular arms around me. I slowly opened my eyes, and there in front of me was the most beautiful face I had ever seen. "Are you alright?" He asked. I just nodded, too embarrassed to speak. I was right, I made a fool of myself."Helia, take her to the nurses office and make sure she isn't hurt." He nodded, looking concerned. He helped me walk, even though I didn't need it. We were both silent, lost in our own thoughts until we got to the nurses office. She asked what happened; I didn't look hurt. I only stuttered, still too amazed to speak. Thankfully, Helia came to my rescue (again). "She fell off the high bars in gymnastics, and she was going pretty fast. I had just walked in and, well, caught her before she hit the ground." The nurse frowned, and quickly examined me. "You don't look hurt, but you should stay here for a while just in case. Would you like to stay with her for a while, young man?" She asked, addressing Helia. He looked at me, asking silently for permission. I nodded slightly. He said he would like to make sure I was alright, and the nurse brought us to a small room with a hospital-like bed in the corner. Helia and I sat down on it, leaning against the wall. "Hey, I'm Helia," he said. "I haven't seen you around before, are you new here?" I nodded, feeling shy. "Yes, I'm Flora," I said softly. He smiled. "I'm new too. Where are you from?" He asked her. "I'm from a town called Gardenia." I replied. "Me too! Well not in Gardenia, but my town was just outside of it. It's called Ameril." He said. "I've heard of that place! I've never been there though." I said. He nodded and smiled. I liked him. He was very nice. I noticed a soft sound, like a pencil scratching paper. I looked up to see Helia drawing, staring at me. I blushed bright red. He noticed me looking at him and blushed slightly too. "Would you like to see?" He asked softly. I nodded and he handed me the pad of paper. I looked at it and gasped. He had drawn a very lifelike picture of me with lots of details. "It's amazing!" I said. He smiled. "You really think so?" I nodded. "Yeah, I do." Helia and I looked at each other smiling, enjoying the moment. That was when the nurse walked through the door. She ordered Helia out so she could check me for bruises and told him to go back to class. When he started to protest she said "Your girlfriend will be there in a few minutes." I blushed, once again. I saw that Helia looked embarrassed too, but he didn't correct her. He went to class, and I followed as soon as the nurse finished checking me for bruises. And guess what? Helia was in my next class! Unfortunately, we sat at opposite sides of the room. The class ended and I walked by Helia's desk as I headed out the door. On it was a sheet of paper with some writing on it. I was about to tell him he had forgotten it when I caught a glimpse of my name on it. What was it?