*Old Version* Running From Them, Running To You

Chapter 2-Running From Them, Running To You

"What's your locker number?" she shouted over the roar.

I looked down at the group of papers I had been given. At the top right, I spotted what I was looking for.

"304," I yelled back. Courtney nodded and pulled me behind her.

After pushing through the crowd for another few minutes, she lead me to a smaller corridor. I gasped as we broke through the thick cloud. The hallway we now entered was nearly empty compared to the previous one.

"Oh god," I put my hands on my knees. "Is it always like that?"

Courtney let out a laugh, "Always. Try doing that with five minutes to get to class."

"Oh god," I groaned again. I looked around. All the lockers bordering the walls were in the 300's. Thankfully mine was right near the main hallway; I wouldn't have to waste excess time between classes having to race all the way down the hall.

I put in the combination listed beneath the locker number on the papers. My locker door swung open.

"Joy." The top hinge of my locker was almost totally off. "Time for some duct tape."

I slung my backpack onto the floor. All the staples were already inside; pencils, pens, folders, notebooks and binders.

"well that makes life easier." I looked up at Courtney, "thanks."

"It was all Stephanie," she retorted. "But you should have everything you need except textbooks and your teachers'll give you those."

"Awesome." Now that I had a moment of peace, I looked down to the sheets I had. The first page had standard information; locker number, student rules, sport information, and clubs I could join. The two other pages consisted of my schedule and a map of the school. Suddenly a bell sounded.

"That's the first bell," Courtney warned. "Ten minutes till we need to be in class. What do you have first?"

I checked, "World History, Mr. White."

"Oh good, me too." She pointed to a classroom on the map, "It's right there. I'll meet you there; I've got to go to my locker. You should probably organize yours."

After she left, I shoved everything into my locker. What was I supposed to bring?

In the end I just grabbed a pen, notebook and folder. It wasn't my fault if I needed something else. I eased my locker shut, careful not to break the hinge and stood up.

I heard the second bell ring. Five minutes left. The hallways were emptying quickly with people scrambling to get to class. I held up the map, located where Courtney had pointed and set off.

Seven minutes later, after a late bell and a few wrong turns, I found myself before my first block class. Late my first class; just great. Well standing here's just going to make me later, I reasoned. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Oh please god no. Walking into my first class, the first thing I realized that the only empty seat was next to Will. I bit my lip. The teacher hadn't noticed me and I wanted to keep it that way. I was starting to attract attention, so I hurried to the seat, lowering my eyes to the stares of the class.

"Your Courtney's friend right?"

I looked up to see who was talking, but no one but Will could have possessed such a musical voice. The moment I caught his gaze I was captured by those eyes. After a second, I remembered that I had to answer.

"Oh . . . uh ya," I said, my face flushing. What is my problem? I never got like this. It was just another guy.

"Cool, I'm Will."

Before I could think, I instantly responded, "I know." It took all my willpower not to slap my hand over my big mouth.

Will cocked an eyebrow, "Talking about me already are we?"

I doubt my face could have gone any redder. "No, I mean . . . it's not . . . Courtney told me," I finished lamely.

He flashed a dazzling smile, showing a set of pure white teeth, "Hey chill, I'm kidding." It was impossible not to return that beautiful smile.

"So," he asked, "does Courtney's friend have a name? Or are we keeping it at Courtney's friend? I'm good with either."

"Auden."

"Auden," he sounded it out. I liked hearing my name from those lips more than I should have. He grinned, "I like it."

Too bad it's not my real name. I thought grimly.

I set my stuff down onto the desk and put my schedule down on top. When Will saw it, he motioned for me to give it to him. I passed it over. He brought out a pen and started marking it up. Great.

When he handed it back, I had a full report on each teacher, subject, and most importantly, the classes we shared. He's telling me the classes were in together? Does that mean he's actually going to talk to me after this?

I looked down at the schedule. We shared four classes; world history, study hall, art, and geometry.

I heard the teacher, Mr. White begin talking and I looked up. I needed to pay attention if I was going to pass this year. I'd missed enough school as it was, skipping the last month of school before summer, and then a month at the beginning of this school year. Something landed on my desk. A small square of folded up paper lay in front of me. I opened the note.

What ru doing? - Will

trying to listen. Obviously not one of ur strong points

listen? Well rnt u a goody 2 shoes

I stuck my tongue out at him and tossed a ball of paper at his head. He smiled. "Oh it's on," Will whispered, chucking the ball back at me. I tried to dodge it, but I lost my balance, falling off my chair. I landed on my butt, tangled up in the chair, and as I glanced up, I saw Will struggling not to laugh. My face went red as I realized that all eyes had turned to me. Quickly, I set my chair back up and quietly sat down, avoiding the stares of my classmates. Mr. White, continued talking, oblivious to the interruptions in his class. I sent Will a death stare, but he just grinned back. Ignoring the tingles it sent down my spine, I crossed my arms and ignored him the rest of class.

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