Chapter 7: A New School
Kenzie's POV:
Don't you just hate that awkardness when you're in a new place and you have absolutely no idea where anything is? And you have to ask everyone for help all the time?
Well, I do.
My alarm woke me up. When I woke up, I had no idea where I was. Then I remembered. I was at Grams house. In Rhode Island. Away from my room. I sighed and looked down at my splatter paint comforter. I smiled when I remembered the day mom decided to "jazz them up".
My mom is an artist. A crazy-mad-always-has-to-be-artsy artist. My family always says I get my artistic side from her. Well anyway, my mom just decided she hated my comforter one day. So me and her went to the store and got a white bed set and every color in the paints. We hung the comforter and pillowcase in the backyard and let loose that paint maniac that hides in all of us. My mom was one of those crazy, fun moms who still thinks she's a teen.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I grudgingly got out of bed and opened the door a crack. Olivia looked startled for a sec, but then asked if I was ready for that torture chamber they call school. I nodded curtly and shut the door. After I was ready, I went downstairs for some breakfast.
Remember when I said I hated that awkardness in a new place? Grams place was no exception. Luckily, Olivia saw my distress and came to my recsue.
I felt bad about putting her out of her way. So I thought I just say thanks and then I wouldn't say anything else. Ever. So I said thank you, very quickly and quietly. And then we left for...gulp...school. Hopefully, God's not on break as I pray for safety.
Olivia's POV:
It's a good thing Gram kept my old bike, or else Kenzie would be walking. Well, as we neared the school, I saw Wen climbing out of his dad's car. My heart skipped a beat and I lost my breath when I saw his messy strawberry blonde hair and his mischievious smile. I had since had a growing crush on him ever since we had started the band in detention. But of course he doesn't like me back. Why would he like a girl like me?
He waved and ran over to us.
"Hey Liv! Hi Kenzie" he said with a huge grin on his face. I couldn't help but smile back and say "Hey Wen".
"So Kenzie, ready to get school over with yet?"
Kenzie looked at him, shrugged, and walked past him through the double doors.
"What's up with her? Is she still mad about yesterday?" Wen asked with a look of confusion.
"It's nothing. She's probably still trying to get used to the idea of living with me and Gram" I replied, patting his shoulder.
"Hmmm... Oh yeah! Uh, can I ask you something?" Wen asked looking down at me.
"You're asking me if you can ask me something?" I laughed, "Sure Wen."
"Well, I was thinking, I mean it's ok if you don't want to, but I was wondering... if you'd like to... look over a song during study hall" he asked hastily.
"Of course. You know I wouldn't mind. I love writing songs with you." I said cheerfully.
Snap. I didn't mean to let that last part slip out. Great Olivia, now he's going to think you like him. Oh wait, YOU DO!
He smiled at me and said, "Great! Then I'll write even more songs just for you." I could feel myself blushing deeper shades of red.
"So, shall we?" I looked up and saw him waving at the door. I smiled. "We shall."
Wen's POV:
Why couldn't I just ask her? It's not that hard is it? But, noooo. I freaked out, thinking she would say no, and instead asked, "look over a song". They're just 6 little words. "Would you go out with me?" And to make the situation even worse, I said "I'll write many songs just for you" Where did that come from? Now she probably thinks I like her. Oh right, I DO!
Olivia's POV:
We walked into the office to see Kenzie talking to Ms. Dumbler, the school's secretary.
"-in Ms. Reznick's homeroom. Do you already have your schedule hon? Oh let me get that for you then. Can't just wander in the halls all day can you? No of course not. There it is. Here you go dear. Oh Olivia, Wendell, can you show this young lady to Ms. Reznick's class? You just follow them sweetie, ok? Oh wait one sec, Hello, Marian Dumbler, how may I be of service to you?" She turned her back to us as she twiddled the phone cord around her fingers.
Kenzie looked down at her schedule card, then looked up at us.
"So, what classes do you have?" I asked.
She handed her card over to me. She had pre-math, and PE with me, I knew she had social studies with Stella so she wouldn't be bored in that, science with Mo, and-
"You're a musician? And take art?" Wen asked her. I hadn't noticed, but he had been looking over my shoulder, reading. Thinking how close he was suddenly made a chill go up my neck. I self consciously stepped to the side just the teeniest bit.
Kenzie's face turned a slight pink, as she looked down and gave the smallest of nods.
"Cool. What do you play? Do you like to do anything specific?" We were now walking down the hallway. I suddenly realized what Wen was doing, and smiled. A little small-talk was Wen's specialty.
Kenzie hesitated, seemed to think about it, and looked to me. I smiled and gave her a nudge. She looked back to Wen and said in a whisper loud enough to hear, "I... um, play the guitar, piano, and... sing a little bit. But nothing that special, you shouldn't bother yourself about it."
"Well, I'd love to hear you play sometime. I'm sure the rest of the band would too, right Liv?"
"Of course! Especially Ms. Reznick. She's always looking for new prodigies. Who knows, you could even be in our band, since Mo and Scott broke up, we've been looking for a new guitarist."
Kenzie shrugged and kept walking.
"Um... Kenzie, the Music Hall's this way." I called out to her. She turned around swiftly, blushing. This'll be a long day.
~Lunch~
"Hey Kenzie, sit with us!" Stella yelled from across the cafeteria. I sighed inwardly. Stella should know that everyone would look at this so called Kenzie girl Stella Yamada's yelling at. At that, my friend, is the number one thing every new kid does NOT want happening.
"Stella, could you be anymore dense? That poor girl doesn't want everyone staring at her!" Mo said quietly, yanking Stella down to her chair. "What?" Stella asked innocently.
Right then, Kenzie walked over to our table, her hair in front of her face as she looked at her feet. But even that couldn't hide the fact that her face looked like a traffic light
"Hey sorry 'bout that. I usually don't think before I act. So, how was school?" Stella said, sounding like a mom who had just picked up her first grader.
Kenzie was about to answer, when, of all people, Ray called out to us. We looked over Kenzie's shoulder, to see Ray smirking over at us.
"So, who's the new chick in your group, eh?"
"Her name's Kenzie, and don't call her a 'chick'!" Mo said.
"Aw, no need to get all mad about it Mo-Mo." the smirk grew, as a sad look came over Mo's face. Scott used to call her that...
"Hey, leave her alone Ray!" Charlie said."
"What? You gonna hit me? Oh and 'Kenzie' was it? I just wanted to give you a little welcoming present." And with that, grabbed the apple on his tray and threw it straight towards Kenzie's face.
...
But at the last second, Kenzie's hand shot up and grabbed the apple, an inch away from hitting her in the cheek. She stood up with a tiny smirk on her face. "Thanks for the gift. I did need a snack." and promptly took a bite. My mouth dropped open. And so did Ray's. What I wouldn't do to see that look on his face one more time.
After she was finished chewing, her hand shot the apple back to where it came from. And hit Ray right in the forehead.
Ok we couldn't hold it in any longer, we burst out laughing, and then the other tables started laughing, and before you knew it, Ray was stomping out the cafeteria door.
When we finally caught our breath and wiped away our tears, we turned to Kenzie. She was sitting there reading a book and nibbling on a sandwich, as if nothing had occured just moments ago. Feeling our stares, she looked up and flushed a light pink.
"What? I was hungry."
