Chapter 3: Do I look like I care?

Alex

That Sunday was spent getting to know Tori and catching up with Dean. I could see how cautious he was with his surroundings, always scoping everything out before he comfortably settled in one room. That is one thing that didn't change. He always checked a room for anything suspicious because he thought he was a special "guardian". Our parents would tell us fairy tales about supernatural princes and princesses that were protected by guardians. They were protected because even though they had magical powers they were vulnerable since their powers weren't mean to be used to fight.

After the rest of the guests went home, Dean, Tori, my sisters and I went up to my room. Dean stood outside the door while us girls got ready for bed, and when we were done he was allowed to come in. Dean and I slept on the large window bench and, the girls decided to squeeze into the bed. Sleeping on opposite sides of the window bench was how we slept when we were little, since we both moved way too much. Well all fell asleep joking around and having fun.

That morning we woke up had breakfast and went out to the pool. Tori kept telling me about school, the popular people, the ones who couldn't care less, the bitches, the nerds. Overall she was a person that got along with everyone and she was popular but she didn't care. She immediately warned me about "The bitches" ,that was the group of people she didn't get along with. That was the group of cliché mean girls that attempted to rule the school. I was aware of how cliche it all was and so was she but she didn't care enough to change anything. We hung out the rest of the day while she kept going on about school and the groups there. She only said that I was allowed to hang with whoever and I assured her I wasn't too social. She went home and told me that she would see me after my tour with Steven.

"Alex, please come in the kitchen." I looked around my room. The sounded like my mom but she wasn't here and that wasn't a shout. "There is an intercom in every room, this house is too big for anything else." I looked up at the ceiling and saw a speaker beside the mini chandelier that lit up my room. It was small and barely noticeable. "Hurry up!" I jumped as my mother voice came through again.

I smiled and ran down. My family waited for me sitting around the big island in the middle. My sisters looked ready to burst, but my parents looked worried.

"We all need to talk honey, its about our family and its history in this town. Its a very long story and even though we held back from telling you until the time is appropriate we think sooner is better. Some complications have show up and its better for you to know. The time is coming where we have to tell you that we are a r-" my father suddenly turned around and started panting. He grabbed my moms arm and whispered something. She looked at him and then turned to me with a blank expression. I worried and she saw it.

"Alex, we'll tell you tomorrow okay? When you get back from school we'll tell you everything, right now don't worry about it though. Its nothing bad, promise." she started leading my father away. I just stood there looking at them wondering what changed. "He's okay his blood pressure is probably a little low right now"

"Okay, good night then." I wanted to ask questions and stay to make sure my dad was fine but I knew better. When my mother had on her blank look it was time to leave things alone. I just went back up to my room and got ready for bed.

The next morning I found myself in my closet, confused. I never liked to worry too much about looking perfect, but I definitely like dressing well and looking as best as I could that day. I looked at the clock, I had 15 minutes left until I had to leave. I picked black shorts, a purple tank top, a white blazer and some low heeled gladiator styled shoes. I just did the normal thing applied winged eye liner; brushed my hair letting it hand in the usual waves, and grabbed my bag. Before stepping out I looked at the time, 5 minutes left. I ran down to the kitchen, grabbed a bottled green tea, said goodbye to everyone, headed out to the garage, and grabbed the keys to my red jeep wrangler. I loved my Camaro but my jeep was an oldie and I loved it. I called him Oscar, he was given to me on my 15 birthday and I couldn't leave him even for a new shiny Camaro. That's the thing I enjoyed about being rich. The cars, even though I am not full of knowledge or capable of more than changing my tire, I still liked cars the way they looked and how my father spoke of them when he was with his friends.

In the drive I discovered that the closest I got to the school, my heart beat faster and my palms dampened. I felt my phone buzz and resisted the urge to look. I arrived at the school in 5 minutes, the parking lot was almost empty. Only a few cars were there. I parked near the main student entrance and checked my phone. As soon as I picked it up it buzzed again.

Tori: 'I gave Steven your number, hope you don't mind. Have fun! ;)'

Unknown: Hey, its Steven. I'm at school, just inside the student main entrance. See ya when you get here.'

I replied to Tori with, 'It's fine and thanks'. And him with 'I'm here ill see you in a sec.'

I took my bag with some school materials and left my car. I went over to the entrance which was on the side of the school. I opened the door and looked around, I spotter Steven leaning beside some lockers and checking his phone. He looked up and smiled at me, I smiled back and walked over to him.

"Hey, so where to tour guide?" I looked up and he blushed lightly. I looked at him in confusion, he just shook his head and motioned his hand to the right.

"This way ma'am. This is the sophisticated prison we call school. This is hall way A it leads all the way up to the main entrance through the right side of the school. I'll lead you to the front office for you to check in and well continue. This school is large and this is just one of four buildings. This is where we have our cafeteria, offices, and our Math and science classes are taught." we walked down the hall way until we reached a left turn. When we turned the main double doors were on the right and the entrance to the main office was to the left. He walked to the doors of the main office and opened them, he motioned for me to go in.

"Thanks." I stepped in and then turned to him. "It was nice of you to offer to give me a tour, its so early and I really appreciate it." he looked at me, he actually had to look down at me a little, and smiled. He was looking straight into my eyes and I found my self not wanting to look away, the dampness of my palms increased and I started feeling flutters in my stomach.

The trance was broken when someone cleared their throat. I snapped out of it and looked behind me. There was an older lady looking at us with a small smile.

"Alex, its no problem, anytime really." he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and turned to the woman. "Mrs. Lahm, good morning, you have a new student here, ill just wait over here." he smiled at me and turned to stand beside some plants.

"Ms. Gomez, nice to finally meet you. You'll only find out your core classes today, which according to your transcript will only be three, since you are done with your math credits. You'll be able to pick your other classes tomorrow, but for now you'll have 5 free periods. You can go to the library or chose to sit in some extra curricular classes you might be interested in. But come let me know first so I can let the teacher know. I am sure you will be a joy to have in this school, and I look forward to interacting more with you." she handed me some papers and smiled at me.

"Thank you Mrs. Lahm, it was nice to meet you. Have a nice day" I took the papers and smiled back. I turned away from her and looked at Steven. He was at the door holding it open for me to walk through, I went through and he followed.

"So let me see your schedule, so I can go directly to where your classes are." I handed him the paper I hadn't even looked at yet. "Okay, well we have the same classes. How did you finish your math credits early? I have to take Advanced algebra."

"Well in 9th grade I took math one and geometry and then after that I just had to take math 2 and 3 and I have my credits, but I was in the IB program so I was just told that I was done and I have that as a free period. And no I'm not good at math I just wanted to get it over with." he looked thoughtful.

"Well, here." he handed me back my schedule and I finally looked at it.

1st: AP World History Room, 60

2nd:AP Biology Room. 24

3rd: Free

4th: Free

Lunch

5th: Free

6th: AP Literature & Comp. Room, 74

7: Free

8th: Free

"Well, we have biology in this building. Its in hallway B room 24." We walked to a hallway on the left on top of the entrance was a large B. "It's the last class room on this hallway and luckily it leads to the courtyard where all the other buildings connect." we walked through the hall way, at the end of it on the right was room 24, and beside that class room were double doors leading outside.

"Some students eat lunch out side on the grass and some study out here only with permission can they study out here." We walked through the doors and on to a courtyard. While the outside of the main building looked modern, the hallways looked like they were made of stone and it all looked old and fancy. The courtyard looked like one from a castle. The four building were connected by long hallways. They were held up by pillars and in between then there were windows and doors. The buildings were labeled and all looked the same. Except one that was a four story building, labeled D, it was different from the other not in architecture but they looked almost like dormitories.

"Your history class is in room 60 in building B, there to your left is the entrance to the cafeteria." I looked where he said and say some people were arriving and seating down. There were large windows instead of a wall and everything could be seen from outside. "And building B is right over there." he pointed to the right and started walking to one of the doors of the hallway. He opened the door and we walked in. I looked to both sides, on the right there was a door leading back to the main building from hall way C, and to the left there was the boor to building B, Steven walked on and I followed. The hallways were filled with the light from outside and the design on the inside was just as grand as the outside but also more modern. It was a wide hallway definitely fit for a large school. We walked to the large double doors and he pushed them open. He led me through to room 60. It was the 5 room in the first hallway.

"This is hallway 1B and your lit class is in hallway 3B" we walked past three more classrooms and there two more hallways. To the left 2B and to the right 3B. We turned to the right , walking past a few class rooms before turning left. We stopped at room 74. "This is the other one, now building C is where all the electives are taught. And the library is actually right beside the cafeteria. Sorry I forgot to tell you that part." He started leading me back outside. "Wait, did she give you your locker information?"

"Yeah, its locker 1192." I looked at him, and then around. He took my hand unexpectedly and I blushed. He looked down at me and pulled me slightly to wards 2B. As we walked he kept his hand on mine and felt weird warmth flowing through my hand. It was pleasant and made my stomach do weird things again. I looked at him and I could see he was trying to keep his face as calm as possible. There were little jumps this muscles would make. The corner of his mouth threatened to turn in to a smile but he held it back. His eyes moved around and his mouth twitched once more as he shortly gland at me. I looked away, I could feel my cheeks burning again.

'Creepy much.' I thought.

"Here we are, locker 1192, its right beside Deans. Tori's is right across and mine is beside hers." I smiled at him and turned to my locker. I slipped my hand out of his. I unlocked it and put my tote bag in. I took out a binder, two notebooks, a pen, and my small shoulder bag. I turned back to him, but he was at his locker, he took out only one two notebooks and a biology book. I walked to him feeling bold, and I hugged him right as he turned around. He tensed up but the put his arms around him.

"Thanks Steven." I pulled away and turned the way we came. I didn't want him to see me blushing again. I heard his foots steppes follow me, then he caught up with me. I don't understand why I was doing that, why my stomach reacted that way and why all of a sudden I was bold enough to hug him. I'm not shy around people but I don't get as much male attentions as some might think. This was probably just a crush and I would be over it. Its too soon to go down that road again, but I couldn't help that I was attracted to him.

We reached the exit and he once again opened the door for me. Once we made it out to the courtyard I noticed there were more people around. The cafeteria looked almost full and there were people hanging around. Steven led me to the double doors of the cafeteria and as he opened the door for me to walk through people turned in our direction. I stopped, looking around for a familiar face. I spotted Tori in the middle of the room and she waved me over. I felt a hand at the small of my back pushing me forward. I looked back at Steven and he nodded towards Tori.

We moved to wards her as fast as possible with out trying to look like I was desperate to get to someone familiar. I could feel Steven was just relaxed. He was ignoring the stared but they were nagging at me. I looked around, it wasn't quiet but it definitely wasn't as loud as it was when he opened the door. People were looking straight at me, confusion, wonder, and attitude. We got to Tori and she pulled me into a hug.

"So what do you think? Let me see your schedule. Ill introduce you to everyone once they are all here." I handed her my schedule.

"This school is actually beautiful, quite big though. And a bit like a college don't you think?" I looked around again, people were still staring but now it felt less over whelming, I kept my face friendly. There were people that looked younger, my age and then other who looked like they shouldn't be in high school.

"Oh, that's because it is. Its an academy of sorts. There are also college students here and dorms its a joined school. We have the same classes, you have so many free periods. Oh you can sit in my drama class." she looked up at me excitedly and the frowned. "You have that Social smile on again." then she looked around and frowned again.

"DONT YOU ALL HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO?" she yelled out annoyed. She turned back to me with a proud smile. People turned away, others jumped but they seemed to go back to minding their own business.

"Thanks, that was weird. I'm hungry, where is the breakfast." I told her clutching to my books as my stomach rumbled. She grinned and took my books out of my hands. She placed them on the table and took my hand. I heard Steven chuckle as he followed us.

"The food is on me by the way but you are buying me lunch, sorry about all the stares it is a large school but still a small town. Not many people come here from other places most of the students here have lived their whole lives in this town or nearby towns. You are the most exciting thing that has happened here since 1985. Literally." we arrived at a line leading up to where the food was. What she said stuck to me.

"What happened in 1985?" I asked her.

"It was the first year that this school mixed with the academy, it was a big achievementfo-" I didn'thear the rest of her sentence because I was pulled into a hug.

"Lex, I saw your schedule, sit in a class with me. It will be fun, promise." Dean pulled away and smiled at me. I nodded and looked at Tori. She had he arms crossed and a small pout formed on her lips. "Stop pouting I'm sorry for interrupting you but you were probably boring her. She doesn't need to know about the history if this school yet. She just got here."

"Whate-" she was interrupted again by a muscular guy pulling her into a kiss. She gave in and then he pulled away. They smiled at each other warmly and then she hit his arm. "I'm tired of getting interrupted! Hey babe." The guy beside her laughed.

"So you are Ben, Nice to meet you I'm Alex." I stretched out my hand and he took it laughing lightly.

"No need to be so formal, you have that same tone she gets around her dads friends. Nice to meet you too though." he had a friendly kind of voice and relaxed smile. He was tall and built. He looked a lot like dean except in his facial features. He was more boyish and instead of green eyes he had blue eyes. He was tan and dark haired too.

"Sorry, its a thing that happens when I meet new people." he just nodded and went to talk to Tori. The line moved along faster and then we were back at the table. I sat at the edge and then more people started sitting with us. The table fit 10 people.

"Okay, so Alex. This is everyone." she pointed the the other end of the table. Harry sat there with a girl in front of him. They looked similar. Both had bright blue eyes and similar shaped lips, but she had silver hair down to her waist. "You know harry, but that's his sister, Alice. Next to them are Jace Michelson and Kate Winter." A blonde and blue eyed boy nodded at me, he was skinny and boyishly cute. Dark thick glasses framed his face. He smiled at me warmly and I smiled back. Kate was a dirty blonde beauty with shinning hazel eyes. She seemed friendly too. She waved and I waved back.

"You know Steven, that's Jo in front of him." The girl in front of him had flaming red hair and dark blue eyes. She was beautiful too, but she had a slightly intimidating vibe. She just nodded at me. "Well you know everyone else. Jo, harry Alice and Kate are in the college part of the school though, so we will only see each other in lunch."

"Nice to meet you all." I smiled and sat down beside Dean. He leaned close to me a chuckled. I looked at him questioningly.

"You have been taught and forced to be charming and social at major event, with intimidating business people and you are so awkward." I scoffed and hit his arm.

"Whatever, shut up." I glared at him and he laughed. I sunk down into my seat a little.

"Hey, Alex. Tell us about you. You know the basic stuff. We can get into the deep stuff later. Oh by the way has harry hit on you yet? I'm just warning you here, he tends t-. Ouch! You idiot." Alice reached across the table and hit Harry after he kicked her. I laughed and answered her questions.

The bell rand after a while, signaling breakfast ended. Tori took my arm and pulled me with her. Dean, and Steven walked behind us as she kept on talking about he experience with the teachers last year. I looked around as she spoke and spotted a bathroom in the front of the hall way leading to our class..

"Hey, I have to use the bathroom, ill see you in class. I know where class is save me a seat." I disconnected our arms and made my way to the bathroom. They nodded and kept going.

I opened the door and found a stall. I quickly did my business and stepped out to wash my hands. As I was washing them the door opened. Two girls walked in. One with platinum blonde hair and a curvy body. Her dark green eyes widened when she saw me. She smirked nudging the girl beside her. She was a red head with light brown eyes. She looked at me and smirked.

"Well if it isn't the great Alex Gomez. People have been buzzing about your family's arrival and I have no idea why. Its not a big deal. There are more interesting people here." she said my name in a mocking tone and spoke as she put her hands on her hips. She tried to look tall and threatening.

"You know Cat, I heard some people talking about how beautiful she was. I honestly don't see much." her friend spoke in the same tone as her.

"So tell me Alex, its been what an hour and you are already whoring around with both Dean and Steven huh?" she sneered at me

"Listen Cat. I don't know or care who you are. Steven has been my best friend since childhood and I just met Steven. This bother you though. Did they both turn you down? You sound quite bitter. Doesn't really suit you." I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Stay away from Steven, he is my boyfriend. If I see you with him again ill ruin in you." she neared me pointing her finger at me. She had on red nail polish that was slightly chipping.

"Does it look like I care, ill talk to whoever I want, and I don't think you were important enough to him. On the tour he gave me this morning he didn't even mention you. Or Saturday night." balled her hands into fists. "Such, anger. Excuse me, I have to get to class." I smiled at her sweetly and then shoved her and her friend put of the way.

I walked down to my class and entered as the bell ran. The teacher looked at me and smiled. She asked me to take a seat and started with her lesson. Her name was Mrs. Macy. I looked around the room and saw Tori wave at me. She saved me a seat beside and and between Steven and Dean. The class went on. And I kept thinking about what Cat said. Steven was her boyfriend but he never bothered to mention it to me. Was she lying or was he hiding that from me.

The two periods went by in a blur. When it was time for third period, Tori drug me to the from office to ask Mrs. Lahm about me sitting in her drama class. She notified the drama teacher and once again I was pulled rapidly though the school.

We arrived in building C and then turned to the end of hallway 2C where the theater was. The teacher welcomed me and started a lesson on theater history.

Tori nudged my arm. I looked at her and she leaned close to me.

"You look distracted, whats on your mind." she looked at me in concern and I bit my lip, debating on asking her.

"I met this girl, Cat." her eyes hardened with anger. "She sort of insulted me in a stupid way and then told me to stay away from her boyfriend Steven." she looked at me knowingly.

"Oh that's whats bothering you. Steven and her dated last year, just for a few months but he dumped her when he discovered she was just using him and she was a total bitch. She didn't take that well. She's a whore and Steven was the first guy she slept with that actually brought her more attention. But they are over, and he wants nothing to do with her. This explains why she has been glaring at you ever since you stepped foot in here." Tori turned to her and flipped her off. Cat glared at us more until she tuned away. " What did you say, tell me everything." I told here everything that was said and she said she was proud of me.

"I'm going to the library for fourth period. Meet me at your locker at lunch okay?" she nodded as we parted ways.