New Beginnings

chapter 4.

"Hello," I squeaked awkwardly, looking down at my feet,

"Hey," he casually replied I look up to find his eyes studying me, "I haven't seen you around before,"

"Yeah actually, I moved here just a couple of days ago." I say, trying to sound calm, "I'm Riley."

He nodded in response, still looking at me. "Nice to meet you, my name's Marcus." As he says this he turns and starts walking slowly towards the school's exit. I start to follow,

"So are you also new here?" I inquire, Marcus turned to me, a cloud of confusion briefly passing over his eyes, before explaining,

"Oh, no I'm not. I was only at the orientation with my little brother, who's just joining year seven."

That answers my question about being in Ben's year, "What a coincidence, my little brother is doing high school for the first time as well!" I say with enthusiasm, maybe his little brother could drag Marcus to our house so we could get to know each other better. Mum wouldn't be able to say I'm not making an effort with friends.

"Really?" He responds as we stop at the school gates where I nod in response. Marcus looks over, past my shoulder. I follow his gaze to where the parents are still mingling, including my own mother with Ben. 

At the chance of his distraction, I quickly study his facial features. His eyes were a beautiful mix of brown and blue intertwining with green, complete with long eyelashes giving them a kinder look. His nose was fit to his face, with his thin lips below which were resting slightly open.

Directing his attention back to the conversation, I notice his eyes light up

"Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" He asked, the question surprises me.

"Um, I don't think so, nothing exciting anyway," I ask before replying hesitantly, "why's that?"

Did this mean he wanted to hang out? A small smile crept onto my face but quickly disappears as I notice his unsure expression.

"Do you think you would maybe, be interested in grabbing some food?" He offers.

Score!

I can't help but feel my mouth stretch into an excited smile, "I would absolutely love to!"

As soon as I say this, his shoulders visibly slacken in relief, "Cool."

Before I know it, I'm walking down the road with the gorgeous stranger I just met.

**

Side by side, we walk down the pavement in a slightly awkward silence. In my head, I silently question myself where we are going. Can I really trust him? I was strolling around a city I didn't even know, with someone who I didn't even know existed a few hours ago. Looking over up at Marcus, I saw him looking up, taking in the details of the cloud in the sky above us. Our feet were walking in synchronised pace creating a steady rhythm. I broke the silence,

"So how's life at the moment for you?" I asked, looking over at me with a small smile playing on his face he replied,

"A bit lonely."

"Why's that?"

"Dad's always at work, so I'm basically home alone, for now." he said, before looking over at me appreciatively, "Thanks for coming, Riley." he added.

"Thank you for taking me," I laughed, "I need to start learning my surrounding so, this is a start."

As we walked, we passed many shops on our right, a hat shop, a souvenir shop, an IGA, a surf store. Continuing on, I expected to come across more stores, but instead, the brick wall we were following, suddenly parted into a wide alleyway of colour. Gasping in surprise as we rounded the corner, I took in the view before me. The air around us sounded as if somebody had turned the volume up on a soundtrack; of buskers singing and dancing, along with the noise of hundreds of people's chatter. Dozens of small food stores and toy shops were spread on either side of me. People clustered around each other to take group photos. More beings swarmed around a man painted as a gold statue, busking for money.