Pearl of Mine || Grayson Dolan

Chapter 1

Kora's POV

"Hmmmm. My favourite is princess Tiana," I chuckled to Alaya in the car next to me as she held my hand. She always liked doing that in the car, it made her feel safe.

"Why?" She asked.

"Well, she's a hard worker. Remember the beginning of the movie? She worked all day and night for that restauraunt she wanted. Isn't that amazing? ... But she did kiss a frog though. Gross."

"Yea ew." She scrunched her nose which always made me laugh.

Mom finally pulled up to the driveway of Kornell High and I could instantly feel my social anxiety kick in. I had butterflies in my stomach again but I didn't want to look weak in front of Alaya. I had to be a good role model for her. Alaya pouted once I let go of her hand.

"Hey missy, I'll be home soom kay? We're going to the movies remember?"

Instantly, that put a smile on her face. She squealed with excitement, "MOANA!"

I promised to take her to the movies for her birthday. She was turning 6 I couldn't believe it! I giggled and kissed her on the cheek bye.

"Have a lovely first day baby," mom smiled.

"Will do! Bye! I love you."

I waved mom and little Alaya bye, took a deep breath, and made my way through the school grounds. It had been one hell of a long summer. Everyone was excited to be back. Everyone was either hugging their friends or blabbering about their holidays. But the familiar school atmosphere always made me nervous, especially on first days. I walked a couple paces more and suddenly felt myself relax once I saw my group of friends. Chatting at our usual spot at the park table.

"... Like proper togue kissing..."

"Hey," I interrupted from behind them.

"KORA!" Yasmin instantly jumped on me, tackling me into a hug, making me laugh and I hugged her back. I definitely missed her the most. "I missed you so much and holy shit. You look amazing-"

"Kora oh my god like yeah, who are you trying to impress?" Trixie snickered. Audrey chuckled with her and I scoffed back at them.

Yasmin, Tessa, Blake and Ryan on the other hand, kept staring at me in awe. Did I really change that much over the summer?

"Anywayyy, tongue kissing?? Who???" I raised my eyebrow thinking of the sentence I interrupted earlier. I placed my bag down and sat next to Trixie on the bench.

"So apparently, Blake, made out with Miss Thorne two weeks ago and he didn't even tell us." Tessa darts her eyes at Blake.

"Yeah, because you'd go and make a big deal out of it, and I told her I wouldn't say," Blake bites his lip.

"Wait, he kissed Megan Thorne?" I raise my eyebrows even higher.

"No, Bella Thorne. Of course it's Megan Thorne, Kora. Who else would it be?" Trixie rolled her eyes. I suddenly thought of Yasmin and snuck a look at her, who was now on her phone minding her own business, but she definitely heard our conversation.

Just in that moment the bell rang and it was time to head to class.

"You have Mr Bates for English right?" Yasmin gave me a weak smile.

"Yeah let's walk together," I smiled back as we headed into the building, into the English block. "...Hey, I'm sorry about Blake. I had no idea they were a thing now."

Yasmin breathed a heavy sigh. She gulped which made me panic. I didn't wanna make her cry on the first day. She must have saw this and chuckled, "Don't worry I've cried it out already. I'm good."