Sorry it's been so long! Much love xx enjoy.

Chapter 3

Monday rolled around and neither Marissa nor Eve had learned of the accident. I intended to keep it that way. When they noticed the gash across my forehead, I told them I accidentally walked into the corner of the cabinet. They didn't question it.

I pulled my long hair into a messy bun on top of my head and slipped on a white peacoat, jeans, and boots before heading downstairs.

"Good morning, Alexi!" Marissa exclaimed, calling me by her nickname for my middle name: Alexandria.

"Morning, Marissa," I answered, sitting at the table set with plates, forks, and waffles.

"Don't eat everything now," she smiled. "I'm going to go get the kids so they can say good-bye to you before you head off to school."

"No promises," I joked. A few minutes later, as I was finishing up my waffle, I heard several small footsteps running down the stairs.

"Alexi!" a chorus of voices exclaimed. Each of the kids called me by Marissa's nickname for me. As I stood up to grab my backpack, I bent down to kiss each of them on the top of the head.

There were five of them. Benny was the oldest, being five years old. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes, loved helping others, and was thoroughly convinced he would be a superhero when he grew up. Mikey was also five, just a few short months younger than Benny, and was a blonde haired, blue eyed sweetheart. Charlotte was four and a half with chestnut hair and brown eyes. She was never far behind the boys, just as fast and nearly as strong, and was sassy and confident. Chris was four, a red haired, green eyed, clumsy and uncoordinated goof. Cassie was the youngest, a platinum blonde, blue eyed three year old who laughed a lot and awkwardly waddled to keep up with the rest of the kids.

After receiving their good-bye kisses, they each ran to eat their breakfast while I said good-bye to my aunt.

"Have a good day at school, dear," she told me as I walked out the door. "Kids, say good-bye to Alexi one more time!"

A chorus of muffled "good-bye"s rang out as I closed the door behind me. As I walked, I wondered if the boys would remember me. I wondered if they would find me at school and talk to me. Little scenes ran through my head as I imagined them becoming my friends. Realizing I was becoming too hopeful and not wanting to risk disappointment, I quickly shook the images from my mine. Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan were the four hottest and most popular boys at school. And I was just London. A loner. A loser. An orphan. They would never want anything to do with me if they learned who I really was.

I arrived at school, same as every other day. I watched as friends greeted each other eagerly. Boyfriends welcoming their girlfriends with sweet kisses and warm hugs. Even teachers waved to each other as they walked by on campus. I sighed, burying my numb hands into my pockets. I had a chance to be a part of that- to be welcomed every day at school. Any hopes I had quickly diminished as I walked alone to class.

Just as every other day, a large group of teenagers stood in front of my first period class. Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan stood in the center of the crowd, laughing along with them. Just as he always did, James caught my eye.

But that day wasn't like every other. As soon as James saw me, he called my name.

"London!" Carlos exclaimed, seeing me too. The four pushed through the crowd to welcome me. I was taken aback.

"Hi, guys," I smiled shyly.

"Found you!" Kendall grinned.

"Um, yeah," I laughed lightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Popsicles stop dead in their tracks. Whether they thought I had died on Friday or they were just surprised to see who I was talking to, their dropped jaws gave me a bit of satisfaction.

"Is this your class?" Logan asked, pointing to my AP Physics classroom.

"Yes-no!" I quickly exclaimed.

Logan raised an eyebrow. I sighed and looked down at my feet, muttering yes. That was it. I blew it. They knew I was a geek and now they would never want to be seen with me.

"I have this class second period," he told me. "We should study together sometime. The test next Friday is gonna kill my grade if I don't study."

"I'd like that."

"Beauty and brains," James smirked. A small blush crept up to my cheeks. The bell rang then and the boys were immediately panicked.

"If I'm late again, Mr. Jones will have my head on a plate!" Carlos yelped. He quickly ran off, followed by his three frantic friends.

"Wait, London!" Kendall ran back towards me. I turned to him.

"The guys and I are hanging out at my house tonight. You should come."

"Oh, I don't know-"

He interrupted me. "Sounds great. I'll give you the details at lunch." With that, he ran off. I sighed, tucking a strand of stray hair behind my ear. Joke was on them though. I had no idea where they ate lunch and they didn't know where I ate mine. There was no way they would be able to find me and give me the details of their get together after school. I would be saved the embarrassment of them realizing I wasn't friend material. At least, not for them.

Somehow, Kendall and James were waiting outside of my fourth period class at the start of lunch.

"How did you-" I stopped in my tracks when I saw them. "Are you stalking me?"

"Funny," Kendall laughed.

"We were talking about you in class third period," James told me. "We realized we didn't know where you sat at lunch and some kid overheard us. He told us he had class with you this period and so we ran here after class hoping we could catch you before you left."

"Well, you caught me."

"Come along," Kendall said as he and James each hooked their arms around mine. "You're eating lunch with us."

I sat quietly, listening to the boys talk about their plans for after school.

"You're coming, right?" Carlos asked me.

"I-I don't know," I stammered. "I mean, I have homework and I have to help Marissa with the kids and-"

"Do you just not want to be friends with us?" Logan asked slowly.

"No, no, no, that's not it!" I exclaimed quickly. "It's just… You guys have been so nice to me lately and I hate to intrude."

"You aren't intruding, silly!" Carlos laughed, slapping me lightly on the arm. "You're our friend!"

His words echoed in my mind. Friend.

"So what time tonight?"

"5 ok?"

"Sounds like a plan."

As per Carlos's decision, we watched Rise of the Guardians. Kendall, Carlos, and Logan took up the bigger couch. I sat down on the loveseat, expecting to be sitting alone when James sat down next to me.

He sat so close. His body brushed against mine every time he breathed. His arm was draped comfortably over the couch behind me. His scent was intoxicating. He adjusted himself and ended up closer to me than before. At one point in the movie, we looked at each other and shared a quick smile. I could easily see why James was the ladies' man of the school. It was no question why he was always the one to catch my eye at school. I would have to be careful around this one.