"Thanks for taking me to school, Clara!" I gave her a nervous smile as I closed the car door.
"No problem. It's on the way to work for me anyway." She must have noticed how nervous I felt. Her smile turned sympathetic and she leaned towards me. "Lia, don't be nervous. Sure, it's a new school and the middle of the semester and people already made their own circle of friends..." Okay. This isn't the greatest start on the pep talk. "You'll be fine. I mean you're wearing a rocking outfit and don't get me started on your hair." I knew she was just trying to butter me up to boost my confidence. All I wore today was a loose black and white striped sweater and black leggings paired with my worn out combat boots. But surprisingly enough, it's working. "And if anyone does anything to upset you, kick their ass."
A loud honk sounded behind us. An agitated look crossed her face as she huffed. Clara poked her head out the window, "Can you wait just one second?! I'm giving my sister a pep talk here!" She screamed angrily before turning back toward me with a big smile. "Go rule the school for me, Ophelia." And with that she drove off.
Even though she can be a pain in the ass, Clara has her shining moments.
I confidently walked up the steps of Midtown High. This school is bigger than I thought it would be.
Striding through the door, I noticed a couple of people look my way.
Okay Ophelia. You are confident, calm, and cool. This is a ginormous school, how would people know I'm new? There's so many people who attend this school. You'll blend in just fine.
Looking around, I didn't see the office anywhere. Crap... I thought school offices are always at the front? Just great...
"Um, excuse me," I placed a hand on a boy's shoulder as he almost passed in front of me. He looked at me wide eyed. "Hi! My name is Ophelia Hale. I'm a new student. I was just wondering if you know where the office is," I introduced myself to the gaping Asian boy in front of me. He didn't say anything. Oh great... already made a fool of myself... "If you're busy, that's totally fine! I can manage." I shot him another friendly smile before walking off.
"Oh n-no! Umm," he nervously chuckled. His face slightly flushed before giving me a smile. "I can show you where the office is. It's just right around the corner." He started walking off as I trailed behind him. "I'm Ned by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Ned." He let out another nervous laugh before smothering it with a cough. We rounded a corner and the glass door with a sign above indicated that we stood in front of the office. "Thank you, Ned. Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Yeah, hopefully! See you later, Ophelia!" He waved before walking away.
Opening the glass door, I approached the front desk, "Hello, I'm Ophelia Hale... the new student."
I wonder how many times I will say that today.
The lady gave me a beaming smile, "Oh yes! Principal Morita informed me of this earlier. Just give me one second to get your schedule and then take your picture for your student ID." I just nodded at her with a small smile as she turned toward her computer. "Okay. Look at the camera and smile." Flashing a smile, the bright light blinded me. She wants to blind me. I can feel it.
The sound of a printer buzzed to life as it printed out my schedule and another printing my ID card. Plucking both from their respective trays, she slid them in front of me and a map.
"Here is your schedule, ID, and a map of the school. Also, have the teachers sign this and return it to the office at the end of the day. Hope you have a wonderful first day!" I thanked her before walking out of the office.
Looking down at my schedule, I skimmed for my locker number. Locker 1185.
Consulting the map, I made my way for the stairwell. Weaving my way through the crowded hall, I made my way toward my locker.
Seeing a backpack I saw just minutes before, I couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Ned!" I called over the crowd. He whipped his head and saw me making my way over to him. "Hey!" Walking over, I saw him quickly turn around before facing me as I approached. "Is your locker here too?" I asked as I walked over to my locker and opening it. Taking out my lunch, I placed it on the top shelf. Since I didn't have anything else to put in, I closed the locker door and turned back to him.
"No. This is my friend's locker. Ophelia meet Peter Parker. Peter, meet Ophelia Hale," he introduced. I felt my eyes widen a tad and a blush forming on my cheeks as they settled on to a cute boy with tousled brown hair and big, brown eyes. He sort of reminds me of a puppy.
With a smile, I stuck out my hand, "Nice to meet you, Peter."
He just stared. Okay... Internally sighing, I awkwardly put my hand down. Ned elbowed him, making him snap out of his reverie.
"O-oh!" He grabbed the hand I had offered and shook vigorously, making me jostle a bit. "Nice to meet you too!" He sputtered out. I couldn't help, but laugh. His face flushed in embarrassment.
"Hey, Ophelia. What's your schedule?" Ned asked. Handing him my schedule, both boys looked it over. "Let's see... English, Algebra, Drama, Chemistry, Lunch, Gym, and French. Okay, so you have English with me."
"Chemistry with me," Peter chimed, giving me a smile before looking back at the paper. "Then, we all have lunch and gym together."
Just hearing them say we have some classes together lifted my spirits immensely. At least I know a face in some of my classes.
"Great!" The bell rung, signalling everyone that they have a few minutes before class starts.
"Shall we head to English?" I asked Ned as he nodded. "See you in Chem, Peter."
"Bye," he waved as he walked the opposite way.
Today is going to be great.
"Wow, reading Romeo and Juliet... how fascinating," I dragged as Ned and I exited the classroom.
"I thought chicks dig romance?" He questioned. Quirking an eyebrow, I gave him a crazy look.
"It's not a romance. It's a tragedy," Michelle stated, her nose in a book as she strode by.
"She's right. Sure, they're star crossed lovers, but it was short lived because of the family rivalries. It's a great Shakespearean play, but there are better ones like Othello and Macbeth," I ranted.
"You already read this?" Ned asked, gesturing to the book in his hand.
"Well, yes. I have a lot of free time," I replied with a shrug.
"Hey, I'm going to the restroom so I'll just see you later." He took off before I could even reply. And there goes my tour guide. I don't even know where the classroom is…
Tucking a stray curl behind my ear, I made my way back upstairs toward my locker.
Dumping my books on the top shelf, I shut it to find a boy leaning against the locker right next to mine with his arms crossed.
"Word around school is that we scored another hottie." I couldn't help, but roll my eyes. "I have to agree with that." His eyes roved over my form as he bit his lip making me uncomfortable in every way possible. "I'm Flash by the way. You probably heard of me." Flash? What kind of a name is that?
"I'm sorry to say that I haven't. If you'll excuse me, I have to head to class," I told him as nicely as I could even though deep down I was ready to punch him in the throat.
Walking right past him, I felt his hand on my shoulder. I clenched my fist as I turned to face him. Don't punch him in the face. Don't punch him in the face. This is your first day and you don't want to land in detention.
"Woah, woah. What's the rush? We still got two minutes before class. I could walk you there," Flash offered with a cocky grin.
"I'm perfectly fine with finding it on my own."
"Oh, c'mon. I'm pretty sure th-"
"Flash, leave her alone," a voice demanded.
Looking behind Flash, I saw Peter emerge. Flash rolled his eyes before turning around.
"Or what, Penis Parker?" He tauntingly asked, crossing his arms to seem tough.
Peter didn't say anything. They stared each other down.
"Just leave her alone, okay? It's her first day and-"
"Which is why I elected myself to escort her to class," Flash threw back. I sighed.
"Hey, Flash." He turned around to face me again, the smirk back on his face again. This boy is too cocky for his own good. "Thank you for offering to walk me to class, but I can manage." I've never seen a smirk drop so fast.
The warning bell sounded, signaling everyone that whoever still roamed the halls had a minute before class began. Shooting Peter a quick thankful smile, I turned around before hurrying off to class.
Author's Note:
Hi everyone! I bet you're all shocked that I didn't take another couple months to update.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
We finally got some Peter Parker!
Hopefully I channeled his nerdy, awkward self okay haha!
Please leave a review and tell me how I'm doing.
It brightens my day reading your comments!
Until next time!
-YoullBeAvenged