Drinks-Extra-Skinny-Lattes Scary


I couldn't help the deep sigh of relief that escaped my lips when the last bell of the day went off at 3 o'clock. Finally, the scariest and most nerve-wracking part is over. I had lucked out during lunch, since the school counselor thought that it would be good for me to eat in her room so we could talk. She made sure to drill me inconspicuously about my previous schools, my condition, and my home life. But, I didn't complain, I would rather be given the third degree than try to find a seat in a cafeteria full of people who wouldn't want me there anyways. So with that thankful thought in mind, I gathered up my things in a hurried pace while everyone else did the same thing. Then got up to bolt out the door behind everyone else. My locker was down a whole floor and at least across half the school. I'm not exactly sure since this school is still pretty new to me yet. As I neared the stair-case, I felt another person start walking in pace next to me. I looked over and smiled, noticing the dark-haired, tall boy from this morning. He mirrored my smile as we descended the stair-case side by side.

"Hey Emma," He said in a polite, almost chipper, tone.

"Hi Noel." I replied back, in an equally as polite (but not as chipper) a tone.

"How was your first day at Rosewood high?" He asked playfully, nudging my arm with his. Although it was more like he was nudging my shoulder. Noel was very tall when he's compared to me. We had gotten off the steps and were now working our way down the hallway filled with eager and not to mentions sweaty teens. I nearly cringed at the familiar smell of BO that coated the halls of the high school.

"Well I didn't hang myself from a shower rod in the girls locker room so I think that's a good sign." I said light-heartedly. We both laughed as the halls got emptier and emptier with each passing second.

"Yeah, that's one way to look at it." He said, still laughing lightly. "But seriously, how did your first day go?" I smiled a tiny smile and noticed we were nearing the hallway that had my locker in it.

"My day turned out okay actually, better than most first days I've had." I shrugged, clutching my book tighter against my chest. He nodded, but the expression on his face was a questioning one.

"How many times have you moved schools?" I gave a hardy sighed at his question as we turned down the hallway that held my locker. He was obviously just going where I was going. I pushed down the feeling of flattery and pushed my hair behind my ear.

"This year, twice." I said. "In my life," I paused to do a quick count in my head. "Between ten and thirteen times." He gave me a sympathetic look as we neared my locker.

"That's rough." He said solemnly, letting his hand rake through his unbelievably messy-but-neat-hair. "I've lived here my whole life, I don't exactly love it here but it's a nice place to grow up." I nodded, reaching up to turn the dial on my locker.

"I grew up mostly in New York and New Jersey. This is the first time I've ever been in Pennsylvania." My hand pulled open my locker easily as he leaned against the locker next to mine. "It isn't bad here, but I can't help but miss New Jersey."

"Where are you from in New Jersey?" He inquired, quirking an eyebrow. I couldn't help the smile as I grabbed all the books and binders I needed to bring home with me. Thinking about New Jersey made me think of home, home-made me think of mom, and mom made me think of happier times.

"Most recently, Camden. But we also lived in Belvidere and Somerville before that." He nodded and pushed off the lockers as I closed mine. I slung my newly filled bag on my shoulder and looked at Noel. "Not exactly Jersey City but still, they were great places."

"I'm sure anywhere in New Jersey is a great place to live." He said as we started heading towards the front doors of the school. "Did you know that Frank Sinatra is from Hoboken, New Jersey?" I laughed and nodded, very aware of that fact thanks to Cake Boss.

"Yes I did." He looked down at me while we were walking side by side. But his gaze was caught by a girl standing at her locker. She had tan skin and dark hair that went to the middle of her shoulder blades. Her head turned towards us and I couldn't help but notice the look she had when she saw me. Her eyes were narrowed into slits and her arms crossed over the binder in her hands.

"Um," Noel mumbled, his mood taking a dramatic change for the worse. "I gotta go but I'll see you around tomorrow, Emma." He had left my side before I had a chance to respond as he sped off in the direction of the girl. They immediately started to argue. I decided listening in would be a bad idea as it looked like the brunette was out for blood as she practically spewed venom. Noel didn't look fazed though. So I shrugged while I headed off towards the front doors of the school to retreat to my car and drive home.

The front door unlocked with a soft 'click' as I entered into the foyer of this unbelievably impressive house. It will definitely take some time to get used to having a house this big. I closed the door behind me rather loudly as I ran in the direction of the stairs that led up to all the bedrooms, two bathrooms, and my dad's study.

"Emma?!" I heard Karen yell from, I presumed, the kitchen. "Is that you?!"

"Yeah, it's me!" I yelled back as I threw my backpack on my bed and turned on my heels to retreat back out of my room and down the stairs. Karen greeted me with a quiet smile as she stood at the counter, cutting up different vegetables for dinner.

"So how was your first day?" She asked as I sat down on a stool at the island. I shrugged and picked up an apple off the tray of fruit. My teeth sunk into the apple hungrily before I answered.

"Just like any other first day I've had." I said with a neutral face, not showing any distaste but also not showing any positivity. The look I've worn more and more lately. Karen gave me a side-ways glance as she dumped some carrots and broccoli in a pot on the stove.

"So in other words it sucked." She concluded with a short laugh. I sighed and eyed the long blue pill canister that rest on the counter top. Karen followed my gaze and gave me a look that told me not to disobey her. "You take your pills yet today?" She questioned accusingly. I huffed as I gently reached for the stupid thing.

"No." I grumbled, popping open the flap that said 'Mo' and dumping the pills in my hand. "Why do I have to take these stupid things at seven-teen but dad doesn't even need to take Viagra yet." My words came out rushed and mumbled, so I was surprised that Karen actually heard me.

"Hey," She scolded. "That's not funny. Don't play around about that. I don't need you jinxing him." She said, her voice dancing on the line between joking and serious. I let out a snort of a laugh and shook my head.

"Whatever," The blue container made a light clack on the counter top as I threw it back in it's place and stood up from the stool. "I'm gonna go change and see if that restaurant in town is hiring." She nodded as she continued to stir the contents in the pot on the stove.

"Kay, dinner's at five." She warned. "Don't be late." I nodded and trotted up the stairs to change out of this skirt that was making me itch all day and into something a little more comfortable. So I threw a pair of ripped shorts and an off-white shirt that stopped a bit below my mid-drift. It wasn't as formal as I wanted, especially since I was going to try to get job, but I don't know, the outfit was sort of calling my name, I guess. I didn't bother with my hair or make-up and just bolted out the door, cell phone and car keys in hand.

When I trotted out of the door, I nearly ran into, who'd have guessed, Emily standing on my porch. She was holding a basket of items that looked like soups and different wines and cheeses.

"Hey Emily," I said. "What are you doing here?" I questioned with a noticeable amount of curiosity in my voice.

"Um, my mom thought that we should properly welcome our neighbors to Rosewood." I smiled as she handed me the basket, that was complete with a blue bow tied nearly perfectly on the handle. "She was going to yesterday but she was a little busy." My head bobbed in understanding.

"That's totally fine. It's not like we were expecting a welcoming committee or anything." I laughed, popping back into my house to set the basket next to the door. When I came back out Emily was sitting on the rail of our porch, her leg bobbing like she was nervous about something, or she was becoming impatient with my lolly-gagging. I opened my mouth to say something, anything to break the silence, but she beat me to it.

"I saw you talking to Noel Kahn today." She said, as I began walking down the porch steps, her following. "Twice. Do you know him?" I shrugged, slowly walking down the path beside Emily.

"I guess, he was just being nice to the new girl." I laughed. "Why?" Her left shoulder lifted in a half shrug and she turned to me when we reached my car.

"He isn't exactly the nicest guy in town." She said, playing with the strap of her purse.

"But he sure is cute isn't he?" I giggled, readying my keys so that directly after this conversation was over I could get right into my car. She smiled slightly.

"I guess but he isn't really my type." I nodded, understandingly. Not every girl is into a tall, messy dark hair, olive skin, calming blue eyes, prominent jaw lines, with a hint of a bad boy aura, type guy.

"Off the record, he is definitely my type." She shook her head, as not exactly a frown crossed her face but it was not a smile.

"He has a girlfriend. And she's scary." She said. "Like, it-girl, ruin your social life, drinks-extra-skinny-lattes scary." I nodded, taking this under extreme consideration. "You don't wanna get on her bad side, trust me."

"Duly noted. Don't mess with Noel Kahn, or scary girlfriend. Got it." She smiled and glanced in another direction.

"I have to go, I have a swim meet tonight." She said, backing away from my car slightly. "But I'll see you at school, okay?" I nodded and clicked the unlock button on my remote.

"Yeah see you around." I made sure she was completely out of the way before I backed out of the drive way and made my way towards the Rosewood Grill.


A/N

Okay theres the second chapter. I hope Noel doesn't seem out of character. Please let me know what you think.

And I don't exactly have a set updating schedule. Just kind of, when I finish a chapter, I'll put one up. I'm only up to chapter three so it will probably be in about a week when I'm farther ahead. But, no worried, I won't leave the story high and dry.

PM me, review, whatever if you have a questions, critiques, concerns. If you don't agree with something I've done. I want this story to be successful, and constructive criticism is just what it needs.

And a special thank you to ForeverYourTruly19 for the review.

Thank you. xoxo