"So, first day at a new school." Haley's mom started, turning the corner and looking as the huge stone building came into view.
Wednesday had approached, against Haley's wishes, and she was finally going to be "burning in the fiery pits," as Trevor would have bluntly put it.
Haley just stared out the window, watching a few kids walk up the street with their schoolbags dragging on the ground. They didn't look too happy.
"Are you excited?" Her mother asked, looking over at her.
Haley rolled her eyes and stared at Rose's face. "Do I look happy to you, mother?"
"Don't get cocky. I just asked you a question." She stopped the car at a red light, easing back into her seat. "I could have sworn you would've gotten a ride with Lucas today."
"Don't start with Lucas, mom. I'm not in the mood."
Rose furrowed her brow. "What happened between you two? You haven't spoken to each other in days."
Haley sighed and leaned her head against the cold window. "Can we just not talk about it, please?"
"Sure, sweetie." Rose said softly, turning her attention back to the light as it turned green. "You look cute today."
Haley looked down at herself. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a purple glitter t-shirt with a rhinestone butterfly on the front, and her hair was pulled back with soft curls falling down her face. "Thanks."
"It's a good thing we did some extra shopping before summer was over or else you wouldn't have had any clothes." She laughed nervously, well aware that Haley wasn't in the mood to talk. Rose was thankful when they finally pulled up in front of the building. "We're here."
Haley took a deep breath and turned to her mother. "Be here at 2:15, and don't be late because I really don't want to stay here by myself. It's bad enough that I don't know anybody."
Rose nodded. "It'll be fine, Haley. I'm sure you'll love this school just as much as you loved Rosemont."
"Whatever." She grabbed her school bag from the back seat and exited the car, "Later."
This school was about the most enormous building Haley had ever seen in her whole 16 years of human existence. The halls seemed to stretch on for miles, and there were about four floors. Thank God she was late and there were no people in the hall because she felt intimidated enough as it is.
She glanced over her roster that she had picked up from the Student Affairs Office only a few moments ago. Her first class was science, which was in room 342. She was currently at her locker-and as luck would have it, was in the basement. So that meant she had to walk up about four flights of stairs. Oh joy.
Mumbling curses under her breath, she finally made it up the stairs and into the third floor hallway. She could have heard a pin drop if it wasn't for the repetitive sound of her heels clicking against the hard floor. It was something she wasn't used to, since her old school had carpeted floors.
After a few moments, Haley stood outside of her classroom. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, trying not to let the embarrassment that she was feeling seep out of her. All eyes were on her as she walked to the front of the room and over to the teacher.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I'm new and I wasn't exactly sure where to go." She handed him a slip of paper and he looked it over, nodding in approval.
"It's alright. First day is always the worst. Just don't let it happen too often." He smiled and stood up from his desk, grabbing the attention of the class. "Everyone, this is.." He peered down at the paper in his hands, "Haley James."
Instantly, Nathan's head shot up. Wait a minute...Haley? He wasn't paying attention, as usual, and didn't hear anybody walk in. He would have tuned out whatever the teacher was saying too but the name Haley broke him out of his intense thoughts..which weren't really that intense to begin with...to any other person but Nathan of course. Who knew what went on inside that head of his.
His eyes shifted to the front of the room and there she was, standing there looking utterly humiliated. "Holy shit." He whispered to himself. She was in his school..in his class. What the hell?
"Yo Nate." Tim whispered, nudging Nathan in the shoulder. "There's the chick on your cell phone! There she is!" he said giddily, jumping up in his seat a bit. "Don't you see her?"
"Shut up, dumbass. Of course I see her!" He watched as Haley walked down the aisle and took the only empty seat, that just so happened to be next to Nathan.
Obviously she was in a world of her own, or just completely embarrassed because her eyes refused to look around the room. She just took out her textbook and opened to the assigned page.
This is too weird. Nathan thought to himself before turning to Haley. "Hey." He said quietly, trying not to gain the attention of the teacher.
Haley really didn't want to speak to anybody. She didn't know a soul, and just wanted to get through this day in one piece. "Hi." She said, not looking up from her book.
"HEY." Nathan stressed the word more adamantly than the first time.
Haley could feel her body tense up. Obviously this person wanted to talk to her, and they weren't going to let up any time soon. She raised her eyes from her book and looked over, seeing Nathan in the desk next to her. Instantly, her eyes lit up. "Hey!" She said happily.
"What are you doing here?"
"Long story." She sighed and looked over at him. Damn he looked good. Almost too good for school.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" He asked, edging his desk a bit closer to hers.
"I was kind of upset about it." She said softly, looking down at the ground. "But at least I have this class with you. I guess I know somebody now." She smiled as he leaned over to kiss her.
"Mr. Scott." He heard the teacher call him, and he pulled away from Haley quickly. "I know you like fresh meat but please, save it for after school, alright?"
Haley looked down at her desk embarrassed as Nathan laughed like it was no big deal. "No prob, Mr. Perez."
They didn't see Lucas staring at them from the front of the room, his eyes holding more anger than they ever had in his whole life.