~ Chapter 1 ~

I stare at the highschool grounds with a looming sense of dread filling me up to the brim. I was already late. The first bell had rung ten minutes ago, or something like that, and I was still frozen out here.

The second bell rings and I jump, not realizing that I had spaced out for another five minutes. I hurry on to my first period with my head down and my steps quick. Science.

Ms. Kole gives me a warm smile when I come in. I try to ignore everyone and go straight to my seat in the back, but Ms. Kole holds me back. I suck in a breath as she makes me turn and face the class.

Everyone stares at me.

"Welcome are brand new student, Amaya Walker! She's going to join us for the rest of the senior year here. I do hope you will all fit her in wherever she works best!"

Yeah, that's if I work best anywhere, I think.

The class is dead silent. I shake Ms. Kole's hand off of my shoulder. Great. What a wonderful first impression.

I'd never been a people person. I was petite, blonde, pale skin and bright blue eyes. People tended to take advantage of my looks, and I didn't appreciate it very much. Who would? So I learned to just distance myself.

I take my seat next to a taller boy with messy brown hair and dark eyes. He gives me a smile. I sort of smile back (it can't really be called a smile, more of a grimace) and sit down quickly.

"Steve Harrington," he whispers to me, leaning over closer to me.

I swallow, unsure of what to respond with. "Amaya," I finally reply. "Walker."

"I know," Steve winks at me. I stare at my hands for a moment, confused. Was that supposed to be flirting? Friendly conversation? I steal a quick glance at Steve. He's fiddling with a pen and staring absentmindedly up at Ms. Kole.

alright then.

. . .

I barely make it through the day without completely breaking down in tears. Steve hadn't spoken to me at all, which I didn't mind, but I wouldn't object to company. Maybe not his specifically. Although that would be nice. Would it? What are you even talking about? You literally just met this boy.

I shake my head. Stupid, stupid, stupid. You should be worrying about school, not worrying about whether you like a boy or not. You exchanged what? Not even two sentences? I guess he was attractive. No, no 'I guess'. Just make it through the day and you'll be fine.

But, as it turns out, Steve hadn't forgotten about me at all.

"Amaya!"

I turn around to see Steve jogging towards me.

"You going anywhere?" He asks. I hesitate before shaking my head. The Farbers wouldn't notice if I vanished for a while. Not like it's the first time. "I have a place you might like. If you're looking for a job, I mean. I know, it might be too soon, I just met you and all, but you look like you need something to do in your spare time."

I stare at him for a moment. "A job?" I ask. Why would he be offering me a job?

"She speaks!" Steve exclaims. I smile a little. "Anyways. I just got a job myself at Scoops Ahoy at the Starcourt, they need one more cashier behind the counter. Only if you're interested of course." He gives me that little wink again.

I raise my eyebrows. "'Scoops Ahoy'?" I question. "What is it, an ice cream place?"

"Precisely!" Steve grins.

I can't help but laugh a little. "You, working at an ice cream place? You seem like the type of guy who would go for a lifeguard or a gym instructor."

Steve shrugs. "What can I say? A man needs that ice cream discount." He looks at me. "So, whaddya say? You in?"

. . .

"Heyeah!" Steve shouts. "Robin, come out, come out! I got someone!" I stand nervously next to Steve, tensing a little when he throws his arm around me. Another girl, about my age, swings the back door open, a bored expression on her freckled face.

"Lemme guess, you're gonna try and shoot your shot with her now too?" She gives Steve a fox-like grin. "I got my marker just hovering over the 'You Suck' category." I glance in between the two, wondering if there was some sort of rivalry. But Steve just rolls his eyes.

"Come on, Robin, at least try to be welcoming," he says. I force my face into a small smile, and Robin stares at me for a second before looking back at Steve.

"Mkay…" she raises her eyebrows at him and he does the same thing back. They stand there in silence for a moment until Robin finally glances back at me. "Hey. I'm Robin. You'll find I'm much cooler than that dingus over there."

"Hey," I murmur, before I realize that Steve's arm is still slung over my shoulder. I step away hurriedly, feeling my face redden.

Robin lets out a cackle at that. "See, she's already friend-zoning you."

"Shut up, Robin," Steve mutters.

"Here's your uniform for the three day trial," Robin says, leading me to the back laundry room. "Put it on. Don't worry, this place becomes like a changing room. No Steve allowed."

I put the uniform on as quickly as possible. "There's no interview?"

Robin shakes her head. "Nah. The Boss trust's Steve and I—goodness knows why—to find a suitable person. I personally think you'll do great, but don't tell Steve or he'll let it get to his head." She picks up a clean ribbon from the bag. "Here. All hair falling below the shoulders has to be tied back."

"I have a clip in my bag, I could just use that…" I say uncertainly, unsure of how strict this place was on uniforms.

Robin just shrugs and walks out. "Come on, I'll show you how to use everything!"

. . .

I get home after Scoops' closing hours at eight. Robin said that the uniforms stay at the small shop to be washed overnight, which she handles before she leaves.

I try to walk in quietly, hearing the television on in the living room, but before I know it, Suzie is in the hallway, hands on her hips, a furious glare on her face. I sigh. Oh, boy, this ought to be fun.

"Amaya Walker!" she shouts. "We have been up for four hours waiting for you to come home, worried sick something might've happened to you! Did you even realize how long you were gone for?"

"Wow, didn't notice you guys cared so much for me," I mutter, stalking past her. "And yeah, I do realize. Calm down, I was at my new job."

"Amaya– wait, what? You got a new job?" Suzie stutters.

"Yeah, I'm not completely worthless after all," I grumble. "Some guy came up to me after school and said the ice cream shop at Starcourt was hiring, and asked if I wanted the job. He works there too by the way!"

I don't hear Suzie's response, because I slammed my bedroom door shut and flopped down on the bed.

I plug in my earpods and blast my music, tuning out the rest of the world.

How did I already acquire a new job and possibly made some friends within the course of a single day? I mean, I doubt they can hardly be counted as friends. Robin and Steve. Fairly certain Robin is one of the weirdos at school at Steve in the popular one. Hell, does that mean I'm the weird kid too now? I furrow my brow. No, Suzie and Dave, this doesn't mean I'm suddenly a major overachieving extrovert. It means that Steve was nice enough to get me a job. I could already hear them making plans for me to start a whole new ice cream club or whatever. Something stupid like that. They jumped from one idea to another real quick when it came to me.

I let out another sigh and stuff my earpods in a drawer, realizing how exhausted I was. I barely have time to get dressed in my sweats and a t-shirt before I'm knocked out on the bed.

. . .

Alright, first chapter's out! I hope you guys enjoyed this. I also apologize for any mistakes made, I'm posting this really late at night and am not feeling into editing right now ToT

Bye guys, let me know your thoughts! Constructive criticism, theories, ideas for the storyline, and other things are always welcome.