Hello my readers!

here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it.

So far the day had been manageable and his presence hadn't been as disruptive as it could have been fortunately. Alex had the basic classes; chemistry, English, history, algebra, gym class, free time, lunch and so on. In the first half of the day he survived history, english, and chemistry in that order and now he was facing the dreaded lunch period. He hasn't spoken to Sabina yet and they only nodded when they saw each other from opposite sides of the lunch room. He quietly got his lunch and found an empty table for some peace, while he was minding his own business, he saw the three girls he had met before classes were watching him.

"He's seriously cute," Clover cooed to her best friends, who rolled their eyes at her antics.

"Well I had English with him earlier and his last name is Rider," Sam told them, "he didn't talk to anyone and kept to himself," the three of them sat at a table with a clear view of where "Rider" was sitting.

"Did you find any indications that he's the British transfer student? I mean we haven't found out his name yet." Alex protested then took a look around to see several girls had the same thought that Clover was. "But girls have definitely noticed him," she comments.

"Yeah, a bunch of them stared at him during class, but he paid them no attention and didn't say a word about it." Sam noted that even now "Rider" was in his own world, very oblivious of the many hungry looking girls staring at him.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Clover announced as she stood up from her seat.

"Why? To scare him away like this morning?" Alex asked with humor of the memory, for once a boy wasn't swept away by Clover's beauty and flirtatiousness.

"Well, I learned from my mistake and I am gonna try again with a new approach, so wish me luck." she started walking towards him and sat down next to him, giving him some space, with a gentle smile on her face.

Alex was in the middle of chewing some of his sandwich when the blonde girl from earlier sat beside with a nice smile. He quickly swallowed and spoke first, "Can I help you?"

"I wanted to apologize for my rudeness this morning, I didn't mean to be so blunt about it," she apologized, from what Alex saw she was being sincere but there was else about her he was suspicious of which he did not let her see, he was new here so he had no right to be suspicious of everyone he meets. Though he couldn't help but be amused of her wording.

"Don't worry, I've met people who were more intentionally blunt than you were." she gave a small chuckle. Mentally Alex was glad that he was able to be honest without exposing too much while also talking to a fellow classmate lightly.

"Still it was a very rude way to start here so again, I'm sorry for that. Can we start over?" she asked sweetly and Alex made a face that looked like he was thinking about but was commending her persistence. He remained quiet for a moment to increase tension for the answer.

"Sure, I don't see why not." he said with a smirk while she smiled and put her hand for him to shake.

"Well then, hi, I'm Clover, and welcome to Bev High." he clasped her hand and shook it firmly but not crushing.

"I'm Alex, and thanks for the warm welcome, Clover." they dropped their hands to their sides and Clover seemed to look like she just won something.

"So how do you like it here so far?" she asked.

"Different, I'm still kinda new to the California scene,"

"Where are you from then?"

"D.C." he answered and as far as the school and local records are concerned, Alex Rider is from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, while moving around a bit up and down the east coast as a kid.

"So you're an east coaster?" Clover seemed intrigued by that. Before he could respond someone else approached his table, a girl with long black hair and lots of purple, even her eyes were purple.

"Don't even bother wasting your breath on her," the new girl advised with an awfully nasally voice that Alex had to fight the urge to cringe at. He looked to Clover and before she even turned he heard the almost inaudible growl in the back of her throat. Then it stopped and she was all smiles when she turned to look at the purple dressed girl.

"Do you mind, Mandy? We were having a nice conversation before you showed up," Clover said and Alex could see how she really wanted to get rid of Mandy in her own fashion.

"You seriously think you have a chance with him? That's hilarious," Mandy asked and let out a bark of supposed laughter that was really hard not to cringe at.

"She's doing a better job than you are," Alex spoke up, pulling the girls' attention to him and off each other before he is the reason for a fight. "Considering I actively avoid girls who think themselves as 'I am Miss Everything'." Clover seemed happy while Mandy was definitely offended. Alex then turned to Clover, "How about we continue our conversation on that tour you offered me earlier?" at first Clover looked confused then it clicked for her and the two of them stood and left the cafeteria, leaving a fuming Mandy behind as well as a few amused girls as well.

"I don't know how she did it, but she is gonna be doing some major spilling later," Alex said as she and Sammy watched the two blondes leave through the double doors.

"He has some good tastes if he rejects Mandy." Sam said with approval as she watched Mandy retreat to her groupies for comfort.

As soon as Alex and Clover were clear of the cafeteria she let out a breath she was holding in. "Thank you for that," she said as he chuckled.

"Wasn't really in the mood to be breaking up a cat fight," he said imagining Clover pouncing onto Mandy in a cat like manner.

"It wouldn't have much of a fight at all, just me clawing her eyes out as she screamed," Clover joked, she was thinking of how quick he thought on his feet.

"But I can tell an archenemy when I see one." Alex commented and Clover turned them down a hall where they were greeted by a coffee machine.

"In thanks, can I buy you a drink? I mean you kinda left your lunch back there in our dramatic exit." Clover offered, he accepted and told her to get him a black coffee. "You're really new here, huh?" she questioned his drink choice.

"Military thing," he stated.

"Your family in the military?" she asked, in truth they once worked for Military Intelligence and for a different country but-

"Sort of," Alex answered as he accepted the cup handed to him.

"How long have you been living in Beverly Hills?"

"Two weeks maybe, still a lot to transition to, you know?"

"Lots to do and see, have you ever been here before your move?" the two had started to walk again and they were almost outside now.

"Once, vacation with a friend's family, it was more northern California but they showed me how to surf so now I won't look like a complete idiot if I try again."

"I doubt you would, now that we are clear of Mandy, can I give you my number in case you need anything? I mean as a Beverly Hills native I could help you so you no longer feel like a tourist, and I know the smartest girl in school in the event you need tutoring. I don't think I should push and ask for a date, should I?" she asks and he shook his head slightly and thought of how to explain it to her.

"Look, you're a nice girl and all Clover, but I'm not into dating right now. But I can use a friend and I would accept your number. Don't look so sad about it, I said I don't want to date right now..." it took her a second before she perked up.

"So I still have a shot?" She asked, visualizing the two of them on a date at a cafe on a nice sunny date.

"Lets see how you do as a friend first, okay?" Alex asked reeling her in from her daydream.

"I can work with that," Clover said and then noticed the time, "what do you have next period?"

"Gym, why?"

"So do I, I'll take you over considering the bell's going to ring in two minutes." Clover said as they threw their cups out as they headed for the gym locker rooms.

When Clover left Alex at the boys locker room she saw that her friends were waiting for her at their respective locker rooms. As they changed for soccer Clover spilled as much as she could in non privacy, promising to give the more juicy details back home. Minutes later everyone was out and headed to the field where they were to play co-ed soccer.

It was definitely an interesting game, especially with how Alex Rider played, because he was good. He was fast and had a strong kick so it was no real surprise when the team he was on won the class game. After the game the coach invited him to tryouts on Wednesday, no surprise there either. And when he left school that day he felt like he was in a good place, he just hoped it lasted.

Please tell me how you liked it or didn't, I love reviews 3

8/29/15