Chapter 4

First day of High school freshman year. Wanda got her schedule from the front office and started towards the classroom. She was waiting in the corridor for Ian. Ian, two years back she met him on the same day. What if she hadn't met him? What if Ian hadn't become her friend? What if all of this had been a dream? Can a single person change your whole life completely?

After the day at science tour in seventh grade, Ian never left her side. At first everybody bullied them and he defended her. Wanda thought that this would never end. But what happened was the opposite. With Ian's initiation many students gathered courage to stand up against the popular crowd (Lacey and her mean friends). They started speaking to Wanda and became friends with her. Wes, Ian's friend was the first one to join them. Then Lily, Trudy, Heidi, Walter, Heath and of course Melanie was there. Wanda was happy. Soon she and Ian became best friends. They had been inseparable ever since. Wanda always got good grades and tutored Ian. They would usually hang out at his home or the park near by Wanda's house. She got to know that Ian has a older brother named Kyle. He was living in LA with his uncle for the past two years. Ian's parents were so nice to her just like him. Melanie was first suspicious of Ian, but she eventually understood that he truly cared about Wanda. Jamie and Ian bonded very easily as if they were siblings.

Wanda watched Ian approaching her with his stupid sideways grin. "Hey bestie" Ian greeted.

"Hey, do you know how long I have been waiting?" Wanda shouted.

"I am sorry, I had to enroll myself in football team" Ian sounded with a childish tone and added "Don't be angry. It doesn't suit you princess". Oh, here he goes again. Ian was constantly changing the nick name for Wanda, who doesn't seem to care. Now her new nick name was princess.

"Don't call me princess"

"Okay then what should I call you cute girl"

"Don't flirt with Wanda" A voice shouted. It's none other than Melanie. She was glaring at Ian.

"Oh Mel, I am not flirting with her and FYI she is my best friend" Ian replied putting his hand over Wanda's shoulder. Wanda noticed that she not even reached his shoulder. How come all the boys become tall all of a sudden?

"Whatever" She shrugged and turned towards Wanda."Have you got your schedule?"

"Yeah" Wanda showed her's to Melanie.

"We have three classes together" Mel said.

"Well, I will see you in second period then. Don't be late for your first class" She said and walked away.

"Is she always this bossy?" Ian asked Wanda

"You have no idea" Wanda replied in their way to the first period.

A few months later…

"OMG" Ian exclaimed. "I can't believe this, you hang out with me all the time, study with me, play with me but you got an A, I got F. How could this happen?"

"Ian you shouldn't blame me for your mistake. I warned you about history" Wanda said.

"No, you just said that I need to prepare from the beginning, but you never helped me with it. This is your entire mistake. Now I have to write it again" Ian said.

Wanda glared at him. How can he say that this is her mistake? Stupid boy.

Ian understood her mood "Okay don't sulk, this is my mistake too. I should have prepared well. At least will you promise to tutor me?" Wanda's mood lightened.

"Okay meet me at the park on Friday after school"

"No Wanda, you are teaching me today"

"Ian I "Wanda started but cut off by Ian "Please don't refuse" He used his innocent puppy face.

"Okay fine". Wanda said. She can't stay mad at him for too long.

Ian smiled at her and said, "I know you will princess"

"Don't call me that" Wanda said.

"Ms. Lincoln, pay attention to the class" Her teacher said

"Sorry Mrs. Juliet" Wanda replied and Ian chuckled. She nudged him with her elbow.

After school, Ian took her to his home. They entered inside and found Ian's mom all dressed up.

"Hi Wanda" Ian's mother wished her

"Hi Mrs. O'shea"

"Come on, just call me Hayley honey"

"Mom, where are you going?" Ian asked

"I am going to attend a business party dear, your father will join me there. Can you two stay by yourself until we come back?"

"Sure" Ian said.

After she left, Wanda and Ian started studying in the living room. Ian is not remembering the years properly. Wanda has to push him for the answer. After one hour, Ian asked Wanda "What do you want for dinner?"

"I am not staying for dinner"

"No way" Ian said when someone knocked the door.

Wanda watched Ian moving towards the door. When the door opened, Wanda saw a boy who resembles Ian except that he was somewhat older.

"Kyle" Ian shouted. "You are supposed to come next week"

"Surprise baby brother". He entered inside." Oh God Denver is too hot" He said adjusting his jacket

"Wanda this is Kyle my brother you know right" Wanda smiled shyly at him.

"Kyle this is Wanda my best friend" Ian told Kyle.

"Whoa finally I got to meet my brother's pet. How old is she 9 or 10?" Kyle laughed. Wanda tensed and sucked in breath.

"Kyle, shut up" Ian was furious.

"Wanda, he is just kidding" Ian said to Wanda

"I am not you idiot. See look at her"

"Kyle, I said shut up"

"Ok ok where is mom and dad?" Kyle asked him and sat in the couch

"They were at a party"

"I am gonna watch TV bro, if you don't mind can you move your things to your room and study"

Ian glared at him but he complied. As soon as they reached his room, Ian apologized to Wanda for his brother's behavior.

"It's alright, it's not a big deal" Wanda said.

"It is" Ian said. "Dammit, he is gonna join our school next week. He is a junior"

"Why is he joining in the middle?"

"Mom said our uncle got a job somewhere else and he can't keep Kyle there. But, I am sure that bastard would have caused some trouble for them. He always causes trouble" Ian said.

"Ian, he is your brother"

"You don't know about him Wanda. He is something"

"But"

"Why are you defending him? Seriously, he is not worth it. You have seen today how he humiliated you" Ian said.

"That is not his fault. What he said was true. Look at me, how small I look" Wanda said.

"You never say that Wanda. You look small so what? Your heart is big. That's what everyone should see, that's what I saw. What Kyle did was wrong. You never ever think that you deserve all this pranks okay" Ian explained to her.

Wanda's eyes watered. She nodded unable to speak anything. Did Ian thought so highly of her?

She smiled at him and said "Come on, let us complete that lesson"

"Oh yeah I forgot that" Ian said and climbed on his bed whereas Wanda sat in a chair nearest to the bed.

"How about I read everything aloud and you listen to that" Wanda asked him

"Sure" He said. Wanda started reading and Ian listened to her. When she completed she was surprised to see Ian asleep on his bed. She watched him and noticed that he and Kyle looks the same expect that Ian has a perfect sharp nose but, Kyle has a crooked nose. He is shorter than Ian and stout too. She thought about what Ian said to her and she realized that Ian was nothing like Kyle at inside. He was too kind and gentle. Nobody can take his place. Her best friend.

AN: Did you like this?