I remember it all too well

Prologue

"Hey Taylor! Wait up!"

I continued walking, blatantly ignoring the person that was constantly calling for me from behind.

"You're going to the wrong direction!"

I groaned; I had a map the school's office provided me and it surely was accurate enough. Unless he thought I was stupid. Just because I was transfer student didn't necessarily mean I needed help with directions from any random dude. I definitely wasn't showcasing myself as a lost puppy and whining, was I? It was getting really annoying I took in a deep breath and kept on walking, my eyes fixed ahead at the long stretch of rich velvet red carpet that gracefully covered the hallway tiles.

God, this school is very grand that -

"Taylor Allison Swift!" My mind snapped back into reality and I let out a sigh upon the thought of that guy following me for the last few minutes.

It was better to ignore him. 'Taylor, don't look back. Taylor, don't say anything.'

So, we had just only met today and immediately I really didn't like how this devilishly-flirtatious guy had those disgusting guts to hit on me with cheesy pick-up lines even though we were clearly strangers. Frankly I had been all tomato red because being awkward me I can't play it cool and handle such situations well.

I'd have verily appreciated if he could kindly get the hint and back off and afterwards just leave me alone but apparently that wasn't the case as he continued with his flirty remarks. I wasn't impressed a bit. Until finally, I decided it was no use being a motionless stone in which I walked away from him without a word.

He seemed rather egocentric and I had a very bad feeling he belonged to those cliché kind of popular dudes you read about in many books, and that was also another reason to avoid him.

I wasn't particularly fond of attention. Also I didn't intend on being in the spotlight in school, like this guy probably already was.

Bad memories.

Maybe after finishing high school the feeling of attention from many would finally be neutral- I aspired to to be an inspiring country and pop singer one day - but for now, attention was not for me.

As I fastened my pace, nearing the entrance of the brightly-lit hallway I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I flinched and let out a loud shriek.

Not again. Sighing in frustration, I stopped on my tracks and turned around to glare at the tall guy with nerd glasses. "What do you want?" I mumbled, holding back my frustration, already embarrassed about the awkward shriek earlier on.

He had a serious expression but one of his arched eyebrows shot up giving off a hint of amusement. As we held a staring contest for some moment, I couldn't help but let my eyes roam on his face for a split second. He had light freckles that scattered over his high nose bridge. He had perfect jaw line which admittedly were unique. I hurriedly returned my glare back to those light, ocean blue eyes of his hidden behind those plain glasses. They radiated a mysteriousness and seriousness and I broke off the mini-staring contest, feeling uneasy.

My eyes nervously darted sideways refusing to look back to his eyes. For a brief second it was as though he could perfectly analyse and look through my soul and it honestly creeped me out.

Suddenly he began to laugh, taking off his glasses. My heart started racing faster and I felt weird and scared. His laugh was unusually husky and oddly mesmerising and I felt blood rush up to my face.

'God, Taylor! Mesmerising? Seriously, wake up! This guy is just one nonsensical jerk and you know that.' A stern voice inside me demanded and I imagined it rolling its eyes. It was right, no arguments.

As he shook his head while pretending to wipe fake tears, I had to suddenly resist the urge to punch him. If he thought whatever he was thinking were funny, well, my grumpy grandfather whom I disliked the most had a way more better sense of humor than him.

I didn't smile nor laugh. In my mind, I had just already punched him a thousand times, and I imagined this time, the tiny voice in me having a smug face as it cheered me on.

After a moment he finally stopped laughing and gained his composure, his perfectly aligned teeth disappearing from view as a smirk formed on his lips.

"Listen, alright," he cleared his throat as he put on his nerdy glasses, "I'm already being kind enough to help you with the directions to the class," he paused for awhile and then trailed on, smiling, "the least you could do is to accept it, yeah?"

I snapped, my eyes narrowing at him. "Excuse me?"

Nickingkong or Nickolodean or whatever his name was called - I couldn't remember his name, not that I was bothered - apparently couldn't understand the fact that I already knew my directions well and that I could manage all by myself. And it was getting on my nerves.

"God, you sure make me laugh." He said, his words dripping in sarcasm. This time averting his stare at the wide and transparent window beside us. It was gloomy and rainy outside and water droplets pounded vigorously on the window panes, "You're new and you just seemed lost, you sure you don't need a guide?" He asks, his eyes lingering back on mine.

"I'm just early today, not lost." I muttered, half-smiling.

"C'mon, I was just joking around earlier on, Taylor. If that's what's making you irritated."

I just nodded.

"So..." he smirked, "what's my name again, nerdy princess?"

Urgh, there he goes again.

I shrugged, shooting him an annoyed look. "I'm sorry I don't remember."

Before he could speak I quickly added on "And if you could excuse me, please leave me alone. Thank you so much." I grumbled before  continuing on my way to my allocated class.

I sighed in relief as I heard no more footsteps from behind. At least that dude knew his limits. I glanced at the large windows aligned along the hallway and in an instant the cool and rainy weather outside brought me back to those memorable days when my beloved little brother, Austin, and I would match our PJs, bake cupcakes and watch movies together late at night while it rained outside.

I miss my family. I miss our times spent together. I miss laughter.

I was definitely grateful to my parents for sending me far away from home to another school which was to be my home for the next few years,even though it might have left a burden on their finances. Not only that, I was in a prestigious elite high school known for great reputation and that too explained why this school was massive and luxurious-looking, and why it had been compulsory to take up some part-time jobs for the school. I owed a lot to my beloved ones; they had been my strength throughout the years all along. I smiled gratefully even though they couldn't see me. At least they gave me a chance to see life in a fresh and different way.

I were early for school today so there had been literally no one else in sight except that Nickelodean guy. I brought up that paper I had been clutching in my hand to check for my allocated class name.

A-Star Rarity.

I couldn't help but chuckle - this school sure had a funny way of coming up with names for the different classes. I looked up ahead of me to the banners hung high by the various classrooms situated in the left side of the air-conditioned hallway and immediately spotted Rarity at the far end.

Conveniently there were rows of golden-plated lockers on the other side.

As I headed towards my new classroom, the bell rung marking the start of school. I inhaled a deep breath - what was in store for me today? I wasn't very ready, to be sure.