Chapter Two

"Rules?"

I shook my head and walked back into the room, what a strange boy… I quietly sat back down and resumed unpacking my bag. Reaching into the front pocket I pulled out a CD and shoved it into the laptop. Within seconds, a triumphant orchestra replaced an eerie buzz. As the metal desk looked more like a shelf; with all the photos and such, there was a knock at the door. I stood and pulled open the door revealing a short girl with spiky black hair and onyx eyes that burned through boxy looking glasses.

She puffed an unsatisfied sigh while flash of silver caught my attention. Loosely hanging on her bottom lip shone what looked like a metal ball. A piercing maybe? She rushed inside and plopped down the box in her arms onto the bed opposite to mine. She dusted herself off and faced me. She took three steps towards me her eyes scanned me from head to toe then with a disgusted look she stepped back, finally locking her eyes with mine. She scoffed and faced out the window. "Another newbie to endure. Okay here are the ground rules. First: no eating in here. There's a reason the mess hall and dorms are two different buildings. Second, no loud music; so if you don't mind…" I nodded and quickly muted my laptop. "Third, absolutely no guests. 'Kay?" She stated with a plastered grin. I shrug and nod saying, "Fine with me…"

She sits back on her bed and I quickly stand up. I stick out my hand and say, "My name's Juliet Sandoval. Jules for short." She looks at my hand then up at me, reluctantly she stands and grabs my hand and shakes it just like Benny. "Hi Jules, I'm Helena Kano. This is my second year at St. Catherine's. All the girls I've been paired with before usually want to transfer by now. Hope your ready to pack." I raise my eyebrows and tilt my head. "Don't worry about me! I'm gonna stick with you to the end!" I loop my arms through hers. "Hey you wanna go down to that meadow-y looking thing?" she scoffs and untangles herself from my hold. She pushes the box from her bed to the floor and grabs a blanket. She turns back to me and rolls her eyes.

Helena sat on the purple quilted blanket she dragged out. I sit close to her leaning against a near-by tree.

Helena's glasses fog up from the fog rolling in behind us from the wall of green trees and bushes. I can't help but chuckle. Doing this causes Helena to shot dead-on daggers to me. Why does she hate me already? I just came… I huff and start talking.

"So Helena, you say it's your second year here. You must've transferred in the ninth grade, seeing as how we're both tenth graders… right?"

Helena makes no attempt at replying. I shrug it off and begin again.

"I guess that means we get to be together for another two years…" Oh joy this seems like fun…

"No."

"What?" my head shoots up. Hey she's talking! Well, it's a start…

"I can change if I want. I mean if you make a bad roommate…"

What a… Argh! How can I be nice to this girl!

"Well on a less negative note, why'd you come here?"

Helena looked at me with a look that said, "You've got to be kidding me. That did not just out of your mouth…"

I gulped and said, " Well I came here because I wanted to…"

"So coming here was your idea not you're parents? Wouldn't your mom just be so proud her little girl is doing better for the world?" I wince at the tone of her voice. Helens sounds so angry. Mo- she wouldn't be proud of this would she? No. She wouldn't, she probably wouldn't have even let me leave in the first place… too protective maybe?

"But if that's true there has to be another reason. No one comes all the way out here from… San Diego, just for school." Helena pulled a portion of onyx hair behind her ear.

I sighed and then regretfully answered her question. "Well there's this guy." As Helena giggled I shook my head. "So yeah, that just might be another raison d'être…" I sucked on my teeth. She grabbed my hands and grinned.

"Were the two of you sweethearts? Did you guys meet while you were still in diapers? Oh! I know, he lived next door and never even noticed you!" Helena ranted on and on. Who would have known she was a die hard romantic?

I softly cleared my throat nudging her in the arm telling her that was enough. "It looks like the fog's getting heavier, do you wanna head on up back to the room? I don't mind but…" Helena looked from me to the overcast skies turning a light pink color.

"Yeah sounds okay, let just me grab my blanket."



I sprawled out onto my bed. I still needed to get a sheet. I'm feeling a bit lethargic though. Maybe if I spread out my blanket … Helena hovered above me straitening my frames and making room for others. A faint gasp came from her mouth. I quickly shot up wondering if she found a spider or something. Instead of finding a fearful Helena, I found a relaxed…

"Bertram!!" Helena ran into him hugging him tightly. I sat up straight in my bed. His dark green eyes looked as if they were flashing a "help me" sign. Without me even getting up she let go, smiling. "Oh how've I missed you and your… eww your horrible stench. Come on man there are ladies present!" they both chuckled and I felt somewhat out of place.I bent over to grab my shower bag and headed for the door. I nodded at Benny then walked out.

"Oh my gosh! I didn't even introduce you to Juliet yet! How rude of me!" Helena nearly yelled at the boy. I could just see Benny clearing his ear trying to regain his hearing. Helena giggled and said playfully "Wait, wait, wait... you're not supposed to be here, I just told her no guests… just kidding! You're not really one anyways…" "Its fine I'll come back after…" their conversation died as I reached my destination. I sighed and leaned against the door. I didn't need to shower. My younger brother refused from letting me leave the house without taking one. He said a kid in the third grade didn't take a shower on the first day of school and now he has no friends…

Sliding down the wall I pulled my legs up to my chin. I wonder how long I should stay out here.

"Knock, knock." A pair of red converse stared right through me. I rolled my eyes and scooted over away from the door to the wall. The feet didn't budge. My eyes trailed up the baggy blue jeans to a worn green shirt with the words "Mr. Left" in white writing. My eyes continue to a defined jaw line and a bright grin. I place my right hand over my eyes and softly shook my head. "So are you gonna keep me standing here or invite me to sit?" I patted the space next to me and Benny plops down before I can even move my hand. He chuckles then lifts himself up to release me.

We sat there in silence for about twenty minutes. Girls came took their showers and left whispering about what it looked like Benny and I were doing.

"So… I see you've met Helena. You having a good time?" he ran his fingers through the front of his shaggy brown hair. "Of course you are… you still here."

"You know, I had no idea you were gonna like her…I usually have to explain to well the new girl about her... you know… attitude?" I giggled at his attempt of small talk. I shoved him as group of freshman walked in front of us.

"And I had no idea you knew her. I can't believe I thought you were going to be my roommate! I mean all this is so new to me but…" he cut me off with a hug. When he pulled away he grinned brightly.

"I thought you were going to ignore me forever!" he glanced at his watch. "You know you should damp you hair before you go back…" my hand pulled at my hair. Standing quickly I pulled Benny up with me. I stared at him then ran into the bathroom. I took a slow deep breath. As I walked to the sink, I wondered why Benny followed me. I stuck my head under the tap and combed through my hair. I grabbed bag and slowly returned to my room. Waiting for me inside was a very impatient Helena both hands on her hips. Just as I sat down my things, she walked right in front of me.

"Why didn't you tell me you saw Bertram before? I thought you might have told me seeing how close we are!" I opened my mouth to reply but it didn't seem like she was going to let me. "And here I was trying to make Bertram befriend my new friend! But you already met!!" I could see why some girls might want to trade rooms… I sighed and slumped into my desk chair.

"The only reason I didn't say a thing was because I thought the two of you might want to catch up. It looked like you two hadn't seen each other in ages. I didn't want to be a bother. If it makes you feel any better I haven't officially met him, so you can do the honor." I sat up and faced her. She was smiling and running up to hug me.

"Really? Okay perfect! Can I tell you a secret though?" I nodded. "I sort of have a major crush on Bertram…" she blushed and we both giggled.