Ch 3 – New GuyI had just gotten into my math class when I realized I didnft have my study sheet for the exam we had in twenty minutes. I asked if I could borrow Rensf. She lost hers after school last week. I asked Ms. Janis, the Mrs. Sunshine of Math, if I could run to my locker and get it. I was rounding the corner when some guy staring at a schedule runs into me, and knocks me into the trash can full of breakfast plates and wrappers. Litter went flying everywhere, and I rip a hole in the knee of my where youfre going next time.h I look up to see him towering over me holding out his hand. gWhat?hgCan I help you up?h He leans down to grasp my hand and pulls me up, with absolutely no effort at all. Ifm not obese, but Ifm no feather either. gAre you ok?hgIfm fine. My knee hurts, but I guess other than that no damage.h I start dusting off my front, and he pulls a muffin wrapper out of my hair. gBlueberrya muffins are my day, because this is...h he turned it around showing me the label, gis banana nut.h He smiles as he drops it and looked around at the rest of the trash I knocked over. gI didnft mean to knock those you mean to knock me over?hgWell, no. I think Ifm glad I did whyfs that?hgBecause I think Ifm are you going?hgTo Burton in the math wing. I grabbed his arm, which was ridiculously ripped, and pulled him to look down the hall. gItfs down there on the left. Itfs across from Janis.h I pointed to where the math classes were and looked to see if he was watching. He was looking at my she a good teacher?h he folded the arm I was holding. He or Janis?h I let go of his arm and smiled back. I donft normally flirt, but this guy was hard to .hgYeah, shefs pretty cool for a thirty year old math ?hgYeahc shefs new.h I bent down and started to scoop the trays back into the trash can. I wanted to face him, but I was too afraid I might be blushing since all this wasnft something I said and did on a day to day how old does that make you?h he handed me a tray, and started to help clean.g17. Ifm a senior, and you must be , except Ifm whatfs your name?h I tipped up the trash can while he piled a huge bunch of wrappers and milk cartons into the Demitri. Whatfs yours?hg Elizabeth or Lizzie depending on what fits your seems to formal for my liking, but I do like your eyes. They stand out against all ring of hair you have going you mean my mane?hgItfs a mane?h He reached out and wiped a piece of hair from the wrong side of my part. gYou know only male lions have manes right?hgWell, the females deserve them since theyfre the one who really rules.h I wanted to ask him what his last name was, when Mrs. Janis rounded the hall and began her Ms. Elizabeth, I understand that you needed to run to your locker for your paper. I understand that he is a very handsome man. I donft understand, however, how you standing here chatting with him will help you on your test.h She grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards her class. gCome on, girl. Hefs not worth failing my class, is he?h I turned and caught one final glimpse of him. He smile, and just for a moment I saw his eyes. They were beautiful and full of wonder. A million thoughts shot through my head as I was pulled into class and returned to my were you?h Ren asked from a row away. gYou were gone for half the period.h She passed a notebook towards me and I summed up everything in two words: NEW GUY. I slid back the notebook as we were passed out our test. I was so concentrated on spelling my name right that I didnft see the new guy walk into class and sit right in front of the windows. We were practically across from each other. He waved and smiled. He pulled out his spiral and wrote something on it. He flipped the notebook up and it read: gHi. Howfs class?h I pulled out my spiral and wrote on the first page: gBoring. Wefre taking a test.h I turned it so he could see it and he wrote back: gOk. TTYL then.h He added a big smiley face and started taking note. I went back to my test and glanced at him one more time. He was looking at me. He winked, and looked away. I wanted to write another note, but the bell rang. I finished choosing answers on my test and ran to catch him at the door. He was already down the hall and taken a turn. I wanted to catch up to him, but I thought better of it. Ren pushed me out the door and we hadnft gotten to the end of the hall before she asked, gOk. Whofs the new guy?hgJust another new guy; He pushed me down and stalled me in the hallway forever and then Janis came and pulled me away.h I smiled to is that why you stared across the hall this whole time?hgI didnft stare.h I gave her an almost convincing look. She bought it, so I wrapped up the subject.h I was getting the answers from some kid over gave me one disapproving, final look. gOk, whatever works, I guess.h She parted me at my English class and I walked in to see my boyfriend standing therewith his arms , there you are.h He smiled and forced his embrace upon me. Cameron and I have been friends forever. Last year we went to the school dance together, and kind of started going out, but only kind of. Yes, we were together, and yes we made a good couple, but I didnft love him. I didnft even like him, at all. gHow was your morning?hI played a fake smile and emotion filled my face with what I know he would recognize as care. gIt was really boring without you there.h I hugged him back because I wanted a hug. This wasnft the kid of guy I wanted to be hugging, but it made me feel normal again. He followed me to my seat and sat in the desk behind what are you doing after school?h he asked as he attempted to rub my shoulders. I went to reply but was interrupted by the , we have a new student here with us today. Make him feel welcome. gHe left, and shoved Demitri into our class. Mr. Brice handed him a syllabus looked over the class to find open chairs. There was one in front of me, beside me, and one behind Cameron. He pointed in my direction. He turned down my row and I looked down to avoid his stare. He passed me in hopes for the seat behind Cameron,gSorry, new kid, but this chairs taken.h Cameron turned and hung his arm across the , all thatfs occupied is your arm, so Ifm sure I can fit my body into the seat.h He gave a defying glare at Cam, and clenched his jaw. I stared at Cameron and saw him accept the fight offer. gWhat?hgYou want to really call me out, boy? Letfs go then new kid.h Cameron stood up and pushed the new kid against the wall. gLetfs go!h He threw a punch and Demitri slid down the wall so Cam missed. Demitri was behind him before he knew it, and pinned Cameronfs arm behind his back and forced him upon his are too easily caught up with one arm. So who called who out?h He let go of Cameron and stepped back. gIfll sit somewhere else.h He grabbed his stuff that he dropped by the seat he was leaving, and Cameron stood up and threw another punch. Demitri swerved and I got the full blow of Cameronfs punch in my stomach. My body went hurling towards the front of the room and I couldnft breathe. My chest was twitching and pulsing with pain. I heard Mr. Brice yell at Cameron. I was surrounded by people who were spinning. I was getting dizzy and lightheaded. I heard Demitri tell everyone to get back and suddenly I was flying. I was floating out of the class and down the hall. I heard a door open and I was set down on the tile floor or the girlsf bathroom. I heard the door open and close again, then the sink ran and stopped. I waited to hear a womans voice, but only Demitrifs came through.