2
My heart was racing as I sped to my next class. My first day here and already some thug proposes a booty call to me. As if. Sure he was handsome, with adorable chubby cheeks and dark, possessive eyes and reeked of alpha status, but I was not someone you could casually offer sex to. No, you had to earn me unless I wanted to use you.
My next class was chemistry and I eased my way through it. The first day was going smoothly aside from my little lunch encounter. As I rummaged through my locker, a flash of blonde was beside me and I looked to see Betty.
"Hey. How's the first day going?" she asked and I shrugged giving a polite smile.
"It's going." I replied. She nodded and continued smiling.
"Well my parents are going to be out of town so I am having a small pool party at my place if you would like to come. You know to start off our school year right." she offered. I thought about it before nodding once.
"What time?" I asked as she ripped a piece of paper from her binder and scribbled on it.
"Four. Give everyone time to get situated at home." she said. "Here's my number, you know where my place is." She handed me the piece of paper and I noticed her pretty handwriting. It was a perfect row of digits.
"Thanks. I'll be there." I replied and she smiled and nodded and waved before leaving. Guess I was already making friends. By the end of the day, I was walking through the halls taking note of the nice lockers and tiled floor. It's very clean here. As I passed classrooms and came upon the gym doors I heard chanting and talking. I merely peaked in the door and just saw that girl, Cheryl Blossom and some other girls practicing some type of cheer dance. It would make sense she was a cheerleader. Airheads, I thought of them. I left the school and entered the school parking lot seeing the football field across from the lot. Boys were there practicing and doing exercise drills.
I got in my car and took off. Since my parents worked long hours, it would give me time to relax and empty some unpacked boxes. Mom wanted to get everything done in one day. She was such a planner. Once home, I quickly emptied the boxes of clothes and shoes. I guess the thought of this pool party made me a tad excited. Usually I wasn't a big people person, but I was curious of who these other kids were. If they weren't good for me then I can at least say I tried. I slid on a navy blue and white polka dotted bikini. I had my back to my full body mirror tying the top.
My large dragon tattoo was bare. It was of a red and black dragon that resembled Drogon from Game of Thrones. My mother was furious when I had gotten it in Egypt. I was grounded for six months, and my parents were the perfect example of a firm duo. I was not allowed to go out or tour places when we traveled. I was only allowed the pictures on my phone. Plus, with the service my dad has, he cut off the wifi to me and only cut it on when I wasn't with them. I deserved that punishment, but it was worth it. I pulled my hair up in a high bun, and slid my feet in my sandals and grabbed my thin swimming cardigan from the closet along with my beach towel and beach bag.
I grabbed my sunscreen from the bathroom and headed over to Betty's home. She was only a few homes down so it wouldn't be a thing to walk. I stuffed my phone, cars and towel inside the bag as I walked. A very nice silver car began to drive up beside me. I looked over to see a strong jawed, creamy skinned boy smirking at me.
"Hey you're the new girl in school, Leyna Summerstone, right?" he asked. I arched a brow at him and kept walking.
"I don't talk to strangers." I replied dryly as I kept walking. His car moved slowly as he looked forward to watch where he was going.
"That's fair. I'm Reggie." he said. I nodded slowly keeping my eyes forward.
"Charmed." I replied.
"So I guess we aren't strangers anymore." he said.
"When did we agree on that?" I asked.
"Just now." he said cockily and I snorted. I paused in my walking and looked at him now. "So listen, we have the same algebra class and I was told by Ms. Spellman to offer my excellent services to you for review to make sure you're not behind when we continue our course from last year. I figure a beauty like yourself doesn't need my help, but I was thinking maybe you and I can be study buddies after school one day. What do you say?" he asked. I looked his face over. He was handsome, but I think a lot of women probably think so.
"Alright, Reggie. Fine. Tomorrow after school. The library. Don't keep me waiting." I said and he smirked, biting his lower lip.
"I wouldn't dream of it. See ya then." he said and sped off. I rolled my eyes and kept walking until I was at Betty's front door. I rang the doorbell, but could hear laughter from the back and thought maybe I should just walk around. However the front door opened and I was immediately met with the rippling chest and broad shoulders of Sweat Pea. My face tilted some as I took in his tall muscular form, abs perfectly carved, hair swopping over his face some. He smirked and leaned in the door way, propping his arm on it.
"Well well, little miss sunshine has graced me with her presence again." he said and I tensed some and cleared my throat.
"What are you doing at Betty's house?" I asked. He clicked his tongue and pointed down at his green trunks.
"What do you think? I'm here to swim." he said. His hair was still dry and I was secretly stunned to smell the pure nature like scent of his body. The scent of a man, one of my many turn ons.
"I'm sure the neighbors love that." I muttered. I saw Betty coming and hitting Sweat Pea's side.
"Stop scaring my guests." she said and he just laughed and moved back so she could take over. I watched him disappear into the back. Betty smiled.
"Glad you could make it." she said and I smiled warmly.
"Yeah me too. I didn't think the Serpents would willingly want to come to a northsider's get together." I said as she invited me in.
"Well, they're mostly here for Jug. They like to stick together. Plus there was a small incident at school so they're just trying to blow off steam and swim it all away." she said.
"What happened?" I asked curiously.
"Someone painted a green snake on the floor right over the school's seal. So Principal Weatherbee said no more Serpent jackets." she said. I arched a brow. Already trouble brewing.
"You think they did it?" I asked. She shrugged.
"I don't know. It wouldn't make sense to spray paint the floor and knowingly get your gang in trouble." she told before her smile spread back over her face. "Anyways, everyone's in the back. Come on." I smiled and followed her through her nice, polished home. We moved past the kitchen to some back doors and she opened them and in the back was a very nice oval shaped pool with chairs on the side. There was a nice round table with a huge umbrella over it. Veronica and Archie were sitting there. Veronica in a nice black two piece and Archie in blue trunks. Jug was in the back next to a grill, cooking something.
"Hey Leyna!" Veronica called and I walked over to them.
"Hey." I replied.
"Sit. Jug's making some burgers." Archie offered. I sat down beside Veronica and pulled my sun screen from the bag. Across from us was Fangs and Sweat Pea and two other Serpents I didn't recognize. Sweat Pea was watching me from his seat. It was a challenging stare and I gave it back before Betty was walking in front of me.
"Nice pool." I complimented her as she walked by. She smiled her thanks and headed over to Jug. I looked at Veronica. "As you know this sun is not good for the melanin. Can you put some on my back, if that's not too much to ask as a new girl?"
Veronica chuckled.
"Of course." she said holding her hand out for the bottle. I smiled and handed it to her before shedding away my cardigan.
"Woah! Nice ink!" Archie said as Veronica's eyes popped as if impressed.
"This thing is huge! Did it hurt?" she asked and I laughed some as she rubbed the sun screen over my back.
"It was like having open back surgery for six hours." I replied.
"I bet your parents were pissed." Veronica said and I nodded.
"They were. But at least I'm still the favorite child." I said.
"Oh you have siblings?" Archie asked curiously and I nodded looking at him.
"A brother… Darius." I replied.
"Does he go to the school?" Veronica asked and I shook my head.
"No. He's out in the world chasing the rush of life." I said softly before standing up and looking at the couple. "Thanks." I let my hair lose now and dove right into the pool. The cold water devoured me and I shivered immediately, my skin crawling. I saw flashes of my older brother in my mind as I kept my eyes closed under the water.
My parents were always trying to shield us from each other with their words. I didn't really know why for a long time. I finally stood up, my hair stuck to the front of my face. With my arm I swiped it over my head and looked around. I was the only one in the pool and I scoffed. Archie still looked at the Serpents with distrust and the Serpents were shooting back glances and glares.
"Some pool party." I said out loud.
"Can you blame us, that would mean northsiders and soutshiders in the same pool together." Fangs said and I looked over at the Serpents.
"But you're all here, in swim trunks. You mean to tell me you're just here for Jug head?" I asked. Sweet Pea scoffed some.
"We're doing to save face." he said.
"Oh hey Josie, Kevin and Toni are here." Betty announced as she walked over to the back doors.
"Well if this is how it's going to be, I can spend the rest of my day at home." I said moving over to the steps of the pool. Sweet Pea sighed and stood up.
"Okay, don't get your panties in a wad. If you want someone to swim with I'll make the sacrifice." he teased.
"I'd rather swim with leaches, which I have." I said with a mild scowl. He smirked.
"Sexy." he said before jumping right in the pool. Fangs smirked and stood up.
"Ah what the hell." he said and jumped in. I was at a loss of words now as I watched them ascend from the water.
"Wow the party is already starting!" Toni said as she moved over to the other Serpents. She wore a purple bikini. "And it's the new girl who is starting the fun. You'll fit right in here." I gave a polite smile before noticing a dark-skinned girl come in with Kevin, wearing a cheetah print one piece. They moved over to Archie and Veronica.
"Josie, this is Leyna, Leyna, Josie. Her mom is the mayor." she said. I waved calmly.
"It's nice to meet you." I replied. She smiled back.
"Likewise." she replied. I noticed she stayed on the northside while Toni was on the south side. I didn't like such segregation. I had missed so much, but even before I left, I did not know of the feud that was happening here. Suddenly a burst of water hit my face and I spluttered some as I wiped my eyes.
"Come on, sunshine, gotta pay attention!" Sweat Pea called out with his hands out. I growled and began to splash water furiously onto him. With his height I mostly got his neck and chest. He splashed me back and now Fangs joined in and began to splash all of us. Toni jumped into the water and joined in the splashing.
"Yo! Food's ready get em while they're hot!" Jug called out. "We got burgers, hotdogs, chips and soda!"
"What no beer?" Toni teased.
"Only if you want the neighbors to call the cops on you." Jug responded.
"Let's eat!" Fangs barked and they began to pull themselves out of the pool. I did the same and rang my hair out as I walked over to Jug along with the others.
"Hey, Leyna, your phone's buzzing!" Veronica called.
"I'll make you a plate." Toni offered. I looked at her stunned before nodding.
"Thank you." I replied before moving over to the other side and rummaging through my bag.
"I am starving." Veronica said as she, Archie and the others moved over to the grill as well. I found my phone and saw it was my mom. I answered it.
"Hey, Mom." I replied.
"Hey are you home?" she asked.
"Yes. But I am at Betty Cooper's house having a pool party. I'm sorry for asking." I replied.
"It's fine, hon. Just be in before the sun goes down." she said. I smiled and nodded.
"I will. How's work?" I asked.
"Busy. I can't talk long but your father is going to bring home pizza and I'll be home around nine. How was school?" she asked. I looked over at the group of teens, my eyes locking with Sweet Pea's for a split second before I looked away swiftly.
"It was fine. I think I made friends." I replied.
"Good. That's what we all need, a good set of people in our lives. Anyways I have to go. Love you." she said.
"Love you too." I replied before hanging up. I sat my phone back in the bag.
"Yo Leyna, got your plate!" Toni yelled and I looked at her and smiled before heading walking over to the group of people. As the hours went on, I got to know a little bit about the northsiders. Archie liked music and sports, Betty and Jug had the school paper. Veronica, loved to shop and cheer. Kevin well I wasn't entirely sure about him yet. Josie liked to sing and had her own band, the Pussycats. I didn't get much from the Serpents, but I didn't expect for them to tell me anything.
We were all in the pool now, backs to the wall.
"So, Leyna, tell us about you." Veronica said kindly. "You know a bit about us, but we don't know much about you or your family."
I grinned some.
"Not much to say. I was born and raised here with my family. I'm sure my parents went to school with some of our parents, maybe." I replied.
"Well you're back now. You gonna join any school programs?" Josie asked. I shrugged.
"Maybe. I have yet to know all the clubs of the school." I replied.
"So what places have you been to?" Fangs asked. I looked at him.
"France, Germany, Asia, Africa, really anywhere my mother went. She worked for a lot of people, sometimes being a personal doctor to rich families who trusted her. She delivered babies and cured a lot of sick people when their government wouldn't help." I replied.
"Is that what you wanna be? A doctor?" Sweat Pea asked and I looked at him and shook my head.
"No. When I graduate I'll probably move somewhere far, just to say I lived somewhere on my own." I replied. After another hour and a half, I decided to call it a day and it seemed some of the others were doing the same. As I placed my swim robe over my body, Sweet Pea was walking over to me.
"Hey uhh you mind if I walk with you?" he asked. I looked him over.
"What so you know where I live so you can get even? I haven't forgotten about earlier." I said firmly and he nodded, eyes showing mild guilt.
"And I'm sorry about that. I… won't be inappropriate like that again." he said. Now I felt I wanted to challenge him, I wanted to see if he's really tough.
"Unless I ask?" I asked. He looked me over some before giving a smirk.
"Unless you ask." he replied.
"Why do you want to want to walk me home?" I asked. He shrugged.
"I just want to talk." he said and I looked him over once more before noticing Toni, on the other side of the pool nodding quickly at me and giving me the thumbs up, like I should accept his offer. I sighed and shrugged.
"Sure." I replied holding my bag over my shoulder and leaving the Cooper's back yard.