Author's Note: I figured I owed everyone a quicker update so here you go. Thank you to those who are still reading!
Harlow dressed extra carefully that morning because it was her first official day at Eden Hall Academy and she wanted to make a good impression. She figured that her burnt umber suede skirt, white blouse with a long black bow around the neck, and a black blazer was the safest bet. Now if only just decide between the two sets of shoes that she was currently holding in her hands, she'd be golden like Ponyboy.
"Just go with the black ankle boots because I can't watch you lift them to your eyes anymore and resist the urge to grab them and throw them out of the window!" Julie exclaimed in exasperation. Harlow flushed and sent her an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. I get indecisive when I'm really nervous."
"Good to know. Come on, we're going to be late." That pushed Harlow into high gear. She forced the black boots onto her feet, zipped them up, and picked up her messenger bag from her bed, slinging it over her shoulder.
"Okay, I'm ready."
"Me too." Connie announced. Julie rolled her eyes.
"I've been ready for ten minutes." She muttered. The three of them left the room and joined with the other girls in the hall as they all moved towards the exit.
"Harlow!" Penny pushed her way over to their small group. Her eyes flickered briefly towards Julie's, but then focused on Harlow.
"What's your first class?" She asked.
"Economics." Penny wrinkled her nose.
"Boo, that sucks. I have World History."
"I have that third period."
"That's when I have Geometry."
"That's my last class."
"Oh no, I hope we have at least one class together." Harlow did a quick run through of her remaining four classes; they were both dismayed to learn that they didn't have any classes together.
"Well at least we have ballet together." Harlow offered. Penny nodded, though she was still pouty.
"True." They left the dorm building and stepped into the morning sun. The quad was full of students socializing before making the final mad dash to class. "World History is across campus so I have to go." Harlow offered her a grim smile.
"Well I guess I'll see you at lunch."
"Great. Bye Harlow!" Penny waved quickly before disappearing into the crowd of students.
"Who's our teacher for Economics again?" Connie asked as the three remaining girls headed across the quad towards the main entrance.
"Mr. Malcolm." Harlow replied, but Connie was distracted by someone calling her name. Harlow glanced around as Connie's name was called again.
"Connie!" Now the person came into view. It was a cute, blonde haired boy. Harlow guessed it was Guy and this was confirmed when Connie introduced him to Harlow. "Nice to meet you." Guy grinned with his arm around Connie's waist. "Welcome to Eden Hall."
"Thanks."
"What's your first class?" Guy inquired of his girlfriend.
"Economics. Harlow has it too."
"So do Averman and Goldberg. I've got World History." Connie grimaced.
"They're going to be after me for help." She explained when she caught Harlow's questioning gaze. "Even though I probably won't get it any better than they do."
"We'll muddle through it together." Harlow promised with a smile just as the first bell rang.
"I'll meet you after class." Guy promised Connie with a quick kiss before jogging off in the opposite direction. Julie said her goodbyes as well, leaving Harlow and Connie to sprint off to Economics before the final bell rang.
Harlow had a pile of homework by the time lunch rolled around and there were still three more classes to go before the day was over. With a sigh, she fell into a seat next to Penny who was sitting with her boyfriend. There were a couple of other faces that Harlow recognized from years of ballet lessons, but that still left nine other unfamiliar people.
"I can't believe how much homework I have already." Harlow griped, her head falling onto her books.
"Same here."
"I can't wait for ballet later. It'll be a nice break." The table of ballerinas and ballerinos were looking at Penny expectantly and she smacked her forehead as she realized that she had forgotten to introduce Harlow.
"Let me introduce everyone who you don't already know. Okay, let's start with Rick McCoy, Janice Peterson, Amanda Castle, Leonard Parsons, Macy and Lacy Brinks, Kelly Riggins, Leena Howell and Angela Palmer." Each waved in turn as his or her name was called.
"Welcome to our little school." Angela greeted with a wide, semi-fake smile.
"Penny's told us all about you." Kelly added. Harlow glanced at Penny with an eyebrow raised.
"It's all been good." She laughed. "I swear." Harlow smiled and stood.
"I hope so. I'm going to get some food. Watch my stuff for me please."
"Sure!" Weaving her way through the other students, Harlow reached the food line and settled in for the wait. She had just reached the first part of the food counter when an arm snaked around her and grabbed an apple. The obviously male hand flipped the apple up. Harlow had to grab it to keep it from falling to the floor when he tried to catch it again. She turned around to hand the apple to its owner.
"You almost dropped this." She said thinly.
"I'm not a doctor." The guy said to which Harlow frowned.
"What?" He leaned forward slightly.
"An apple a day won't keep me away." Harlow snorted and turned back around. "Okay that was lame, but you can't blame a guy for trying." Harlow concentrated on moving forward in the line and getting her food. "Are you at least going to give me your name?" Harlow shot him a look over her shoulder.
"You didn't even give me yours."
"You give me yours; I'll give you mine." Harlow picked up her tray before replying,
"That's not how it works. The harasser is supposed to give the harassee his name first." She gave him a wide, playful smile. "Enjoy your apple." She couldn't resist putting a little extra sashay into her hips as she walked back to her table.
French I came after lunch and, thanks to a talkative Averman who had to ask her eight billion questions about Economics, she was the last one into the classroom. There was only one seat left and it was next to the guy who she had talked to earlier in the lunch line. He broke out into a grin and leaned back in his chair as he realized that she was going to have to sit next to him. Adjusting her books, Harlow walked to the desk in the back and took the seat.
"So we meet again, babe."
"Babe?" She repeated. He shrugged.
"You didn't give me your name. What else am I supposed to call you? You don't look like the 'chick' type."
"Fair enough and I'm not." She held out her hand. "Harlow." He shook her hand roughly.
"Dean." He motioned to the guy sitting in front of him. "And that's Fulton."
"The Bash Brothers." Harlow said suddenly. Both Dean and Fulton beamed with pride and a fist bump.
"Alright! Our reputation precedes us!"
"Actually I saw you two dancing through your window last night." The smiles disappeared from their faces. "Connie and Julie told me who you were."
"How can you see through our window?" Fulton asked suspiciously.
"Our room is right across from yours so our windows are lined up almost perfectly."
"Oh." Fulton turned away, clearly embarrassed.
"So you're the ballerina Connie told us about." Dean alleged.
"I am."
"She didn't mention how pretty you were." Harlow flushed, but sent him a frown.
"You're a flirt."
"I am what I am, babe." He replied, leaning back in his chair even further. The angle was too great and the chair promptly tipped over. Fulton guffawed as Harlow giggled behind her hand. The rest of the class was snickering too as Dean scrambled to his feet, but his glare shut them up and turned them back around in their seats.
"Are you alright?" Harlow asked, still giggling quietly.
"He's fine." Fulton answered for him, still grinning at his friend's expense. "He's taken worse dives than that." Dean smacked Fulton who went to smack him back, but the teacher entering the classroom nipped that in the bud.
"Bienvenue à la class française. Je suis Madame Maxwell." When no one said anything, she smiled, shrugged and said, "Ah well, you'll get it soon enough. I said welcome to French class. I'm Mrs. Maxwell." She motioned over to a side table where a bunch of textbooks sat. "Get yourself a text book and we'll get started." Everyone stood to retrieve a textbook. Harlow found herself trailed closely by Dean who in turn had Fulton right behind him. She handed Fulton and Dean their books first.
"You seem to have a knack for things falling out of your grasp." She teased as she placed Dean's book in his hands. "I wouldn't want this to fall on your toe and hurt you." Fulton snorted; Dean elbowed him.
"I'm having an off day." Dean replied as they headed back to their seats.
"Oh yes, I'm sure that's it."
"It is!" Dean insisted.
"Pas plus parler s'il vous plait!" Madame Maxwell called in a sing-song voice. Dean scowled and Harlow turned towards the front. (No more talking please!)
When the French class ended, Dean – with Fulton close on his heels – followed Harlow into the hallway. Harlow pretended not to notice.
"You interested in hockey?" Harlow glanced back at him briefly as she sidestepped around a group of cheerleaders.
"I've never seen a game." She replied. It seemed nicer than saying 'not really'. Dean maneuvered himself in front of her – causing Fulton to roll his eyes – and started walking backwards.
"You should come watch us practice some afternoon."
"I can't. It's at the same time that I have ballet." Dean frowned before he slammed into Julie who gave him a little shove.
"Watch where you're walking, Portman." She grumbled before smiling at Harlow. "Hey Harlow. Ready for Geometry?" Harlow shrugged.
"Do I have a choice?" She turned to Dean and Fulton. "See you tomorrow I guess."
"Actually, I have Geometry too." Fulton announced.
"Oh cool." Harlow glanced at Dean. "Looks like you're on your own."
Fulton managed to tell Dean a 'see you at practice' before being dragged into a nearby classroom by both Julie and Harlow. Frustrated at his lack of coolness, Dean pushed his way to his English class.
Author's Note: This one was a bit longer than the last chapter so hopefully that makes y'all happy. Thanks for reading!