Chapter 4:

Bertie's POV:

I finally talked to her. And I think it went well. Maybe I'll talk to her again tomorrow. Either way, I didn't care if I got a detention for being late to class. I walked into my Spanish class. The teacher scolded me and sure enough told me to see her after class so she could write me a detention. I didn't mind though. I just took my seat next to Harrison and spaced out like always. The rest of the day went by better. Charlotte was in my last three classes. The end of the day came around and I couldn't be happier. Dom Liam Dan and I walked home together since we all lived very close. Most of the kids that went to Sylvia Young lived very close to the school. A lot of us walked to school every day.

"But did you talk to her?" Dom asked as we walked home.

"Yes!" I replied. "For the fourth time Dom, we chatted in the hallway for like a minute but that's about it."

"Well that's better than nothing. I say we all ask her to eat at our lunch table tomorrow." Dan said.

"Are you kidding me? She would be terrified of us, we want her to feel welcome, not scared." Liam retorted.

We all burst out laughing. Soon enough we all went our separate ways and I was back in my house, in my room, where I liked it best. I had a good feeling about year 11.

Charlotte's POV:

My first day was great and the week continued on great. Until Friday. Well, it's not that it was bad, it just kind of made people notice me a lot more. Which I'm not sure if that's what I wanted. It was last period in Geometry and Bertie was sitting a few rows next to me. However, some snooty bitch named Ellen sat on the left of me and she was giving me dirty looks all week. I guess she couldn't take it anymore because Friday in Geometry…she pissed me off. Mrs. Miller, along with many of the other teachers had a habit of talking about America with me in front of the whole class. Mrs. Miller loved Chicago and asked me all these questions.

"So, you've been to the sky box in the Sears Tower? Have you been to that one famous pizza place on Michigan Avenue? I simply love American culture." Mrs. Miller said.

"Yeah, it is really nice actually. I kind of miss it a little" I replied shyly.

"Maybe you should just move back to America." Ellen said bitchily.

"Maybe you should shut the fuck up." I replied equally bitchily.

Everyone in the entire class laughed except Ellen and Mrs. Miller. I smiled a bit when I heard Bertie's laugh, which was loudest among the croud.

"Charlotte, see me after class." Mrs. Miller snapped.

I got a detention after that class on Friday. I had to serve it Saturday morning at 8:00 am.

I woke up Saturday morning dreading my detention. My parents didn't care that I got one because after explaining, they know that Ellen egged me on. I put on my skinny jeans, a green hoodie and lastly my white high top converse. I decided to eat an apple on my way to school. My parents were too lazy to drive me so I ended up walking. It started to drizzle and I picked up the pace. When I finally got to school, there were a few other kids waiting in the front entrance, including Bertie. I forgot he got a detention. He made eye contact with me and smiled. I smiled back. I didn't know anyone else and it looks like Bertie didn't know anyone either, so I walked over and sat down next to him. I said a quiet "hi" and he replied with a friendly "hi" back. But that was all. The detention monitor walked in.

"Alright, were just going to be cleaning certain rooms for the next hour so I'm going to split you up into twos. Supplies are already in the room that you will be cleaning" He said. He looked down at his clipboard. He began to list off last names.

"Bradley and Adams, drama room. Cooper and James, auditorium. Daniels and Reed, back stage. Gilbert and Dawson, art wing." He said.

Dawson was my last name. Bertie and I were together. Oh god, this should be fun. Bertie and I entered the art room together. The room was so messy. Paint was splattered everywhere, brushes were out of order, paper was crumbled and on the floor.

"Well, this is going to take awhile." I said.

Bertie chuckled.

"Let's get to work."

We started to clean the room and began making progress. Every so often the detention monitor checked up on us to make sure we were cleaning.

"What you said to Ellen yesterday was hilarious." Bertie chuckled.

"Oh my god, she was such a bitch!" I replied angrily, "Is she always like that?"

"Yeah, trust me, no one here likes her, she's just jealous because you're prettier than her." Bertie said as he swept the floor.

I felt my face turn a little red. "Well next time she says something I might hit her."

"You got a little violent streak." Bertie laughed.

I shrugged and grinned.

"Hey, do you want to listen to some music? For some reason cleaning is always more fun when I'm listening to music." I asked.

"Sure, put on whatever you'd like." Bertie replied.

I took out my phone and went into the only playlist I listen to. I first put on the Strokes which Bertie seemed to like because he knew the words to some of the song. We continued to clean and make small talk every now and then. Paper Knees by the Careful Ones came on my iphone. Bertie gasped.

"I love the Careful Ones! This song is so good, you have brilliant taste." He said.

"Thanks" I grinned back.

Detention wasn't that bad. It actually went by kind of quick by the amount of time Bertie and I spent talking. The detention monitor let us out and Bertie and I walked in the same direction.

"Do you live this way?" he asked.

"No I'm just following you home." I replied.

We both laughed and continued walking and talking. I asked Bertie different questions about Sylvia Young so I knew more about it and didn't look like a clueless foreign kid every time someone asked me a question. Either way, Bertie was becoming easy to talk to and I enjoyed his company.

"So, I don't know if you heard but my friend Dan Bridle is having a party at his house tonight, and it's kind of casual ya know? You should come." Bertie said.

"Yeah Tina, one of the girls I sit with at lunch, was telling me about it and asked if I wanted to go. I'll probably come, I mean what else am I going to do." I said. Oh god, I hope that didn't sound like I had no life.

Bertie grinned.

"Yeah, I'm an introvert so I usually don't go to parties but it's Dan's party and he's one of my best mates so yeah."

We arrived in front of my house.

"Well, this is my house." I said awkwardly.

"Oh, okay. So I'll see you tonight then?"

"Yeah, see ya later Bertie."

"Bye Charlotte." He said walking away.

After closing the door behind me, I ran up to my room and nearly jumped on my bed with excitement. He was so cute! And he was nice too! And I'm going to be seeing him tonight! I'm actually glad I got that detention yesterday. It was definitely worth it.