Chapter 2 - Meet Mitch
“Oh God, sorry…” I hurriedly get out again.
He laughs, “Any time!”
I bend down so I’m looking in through the open door “Um… if the car’s full how am I supposed to catch a ride with you?” A thought occurs to me, “Don’t tell me you guys were bluffing!” I glare at Dylan who’s motioning for me to sit on his lap again. “No Dylan.”
“You’re riding with yours truly babe,” a voice says in my ear.
I jump up in surprise, hitting my head on the roof of the car as I straighten, “Jeez Jake, don’t freak me out like that!” I exclaim, rubbing the top of my head, “You know I hate people doing that!”
He gives me a knowing smile “Exactly why I do it. Anyways, I had to do something, you can see down your top when you lean down.” I pull the neckline of my shirt up with a huff. Jake starts to laugh so I shove him. “You’re gonna be riding with me,” he shuts the car door and the twins wave out the window as they immediately drive off. “Have fun!”
I wave back half-heartedly before turning to Jake reluctantly. “So where’s your ‘wheels’?”
“Right over there,” he points to the end of their driveway. My eyes widen in shock.
“No. Jake McLane, No. No, No, No, No! I refuse! Absolutely refuse!”
“Come on it’s not that bad,” Jake beckons me towards him as he walks over to his big, red, shiny motorcycle.
I start to back away, images of a pancake version of me flattened on the road flashing in front of my eyes, “I’m not getting on that freaking thing with you! It’s suicide! I’d seriously rather walk. There is no way in hell that I’m getting on it! No. Way. In. Hell.”
Jake grins at me “Well we’re on Earth, so I guess it doesn’t count,” he lunges forward as he tries to catch my arm but I dodge him swiftly and high-tail it down the street.
The distinct thwack of Converse’s along the side-walk follows me close behind and I risk a glance over my shoulder to see him gaining on me.
“I don’t care if you’re driving!” I shout over my shoulder, pumping my arms in a futile attempt to escape his out-stretched arms, “I’m not getting– HEY!”
Jake grabs me around the waist suddenly and before I can go ninja on his obscenely strong hands, I’m slung over his shoulder getting a good view of some very gorgeous legs wrapped up in denim.
I start to beat my fists against his back and kick my legs out, trying to get out of his grasp. “Let go of me! I swear to God, let go now!” The idiot keeps walking down the street while I continue to make a fuss.
I see some little kids in their yard, eyes as wide as golf balls as they see us walk by. An old couple is sitting on their front porch, watching us curiously. Curtains twitch as neighbors peak through their windows and a car actually slows down as it drives past us on the street.
I immediately quiet down. “Come on, put me down. Everyone’s staring!” I say a bit more quietly.
Jake laughs as he finally lets me down onto the bike and hands me a helmet. “And whose fault do you think it is?”
“Jake.” I growl warningly about 5 seconds away from letting his perfect face meet my fist.
“Hale,” he interrupts, mocking my voice, “We need to get to school so no more tantrums. Don’t want to label yourself as a trouble-maker on the first day now, do we?”
I glare at him for a second, knowing perfectly well that he’s absolutely right, before snatching the helmet from him and putting it on.
“Fine, my parents will kill me if I get a detention while they’re gone.” I justify, making sure he knows I’m not giving in to him willingly. “That’s the only reason why I’m going with you. I’m never doing this again! Got it? I’ll walk or something for the rest of the week.”
“Whatever you say babe,” he says as he sits in front of me and puts his own helmet on. Before he flips the visor down he turns a little to speak over his shoulder, “You better hold on by the way, or you might fall off.” I contemplate just jumping off now and running down the street again but the idea of being late for school looms over me so I grasp his t-shirt instead. I don’t really feel like we’re on hugging terms at the moment. “Suit yourself.” he mutters as he revs the engine.
I squeeze my eyes shut, Oh God, Please let me get through this alive…
And we’re off. I gasp as I feel the air whoosh past me. I grab Jake around the middle and press myself into his back, holding on has hard as I can.
Hugging terms or not, I think my priority is my life at the moment.
I just know he’s grinning his head off.
***
We pull up into the parking lot at my new school: Greensdale. Jake turns off the engine and tries to get off. He can’t.
“Um, Hale… You want to let go now?”
I’m paralyzed from the head down. That was the scariest 6.35 minutes of my life. I’m still clinging to Jake, unable to let go.
“Well if we want to make it official about our relationship then I guess you don’t have to let go.”
That brings me back to reality. I immediately release my hands from around his middle and try to scoot as far away from him as I can. Turns out it’s pretty much impossible when you’re on a motorcycle. Jake pulls off his helmet and tousles his hair before getting off it and putting a hand out to help me off. I ignore the gesture and try getting off myself. I immediately find out that my legs are pretty much fused to the bike.
“Stop being so stubborn.” He chastises as I grab onto his shoulder to try and help me up. He rolls his eyes at my determined behavior before lifting me up and placing me on the sidewalk.
“At your service me’ lady,” he says with a devilish grin and a small bow.
I ignore him and just thank God that I can stand up without collapsing. I start walking to the entrance.
“Hale! You’ve still got your helmet on!” I turn on my heels and head back to Jake. I take off the helmet shove it at him and start walking to the entrance again.
Happy thoughts Hailey, happy thoughts.
“Hailey you forgot your bag as well!”
I close my eyes momentarily before walking back to Jake once again. He’s just handing my messenger bag to me when someone puts their arm around my shoulder.
I look up in surprise to see Wes. “You guys took your time,”
I squirm under his heavy arm, aware of the chatter of the crowd as they walk around us, glancing at me in various ways. New girl plus probably the hottest guys at Greendale, perfect match – not. I duck out from under his arm, noting a certain willowy blonde who looks like she’s about to take off her heels and try to stab me with them. “Jake was being an ass.” I mutter.
“Well Hale ran away and I had to carry her back to our driveway,” Jake counters. Wes raises an eyebrow, “She’s apparently scared to get on or into any vehicle that’s being driven by me.”
“Especially motorbikes.” I retort with a glare.
Wes chuckles, ruffling my hair, “That’s the Haley I remember and love,”
I grab his wrist with one hand while I try to straighten out my hair with the other, “Well, guys, um, thanks for everything… I think I’ll just go find the office and you can –”
“What?” Jake interrupts, “You think we’re going to leave you by yourself on your first day back?”
I start to back away, “Yes. That actually would be the most ideal thing to do.”
“Not a chance, kid.” Wes says as catches my arm.
“No seriously, you don’t need to.” I wriggle, pushing at his hand, “You really don’t.”
Wes ignores me and drags me through the gates of the school Jake walking along looking pleased with himself.
I realize that resistance is futile and let Wes drag me up the steps and in through the front door. Realizing that I’ve given in he let’s go and I let out a huff as I shove my hands into my pockets and tilt my head forward to let my hair fall around my face.
It starts to set in for me that I’m the new girl at Greensdale now. I can feel stares and glares trained on me, assessing every single part of me, from my clothes to my shoes, from my untamed hair to the close proximity between me and my escorts. I watch my feet step one in front of the other as I try to make myself look less conspicuous, not that it’s working. I return Wes’ good-natured smile with an unhappy pout and I step on the backs of Jake’s heels on purpose just to spite him.
After what seems like an eternity we walk into a room and I look up slightly and see a short elderly lady sitting at a desk. Her salt and pepper gray hair is styled in a sort of wave and she wears deep red cat-eye glasses on a chain. Her eyes are a kind blue and she gives me a smile which I return tentatively.
I glance at Jake who I can see is studying my hair with a puzzled look on his face. Probably wondering how much product it would take to make it look less mutant.
Turning to Wes I tell him that they can leave.
“Nah it’s ok we’ll st-” he starts to protest before he’s cut off by a bell.
The receptionist turns to Wes, “It’s alright darlin’, I’ll get her sorted. You two get on back to class. We don’t want your teachers to give you a detention now, do we?”
“Ok, we’ll leave her with you then Mrs Pearse,” Wes and Jake made their exit with a hearty goodbye hug.
Mrs Pearse smiles kindly at my grimace. “You’re very lucky to have found such good friends darlin’,” she turns towards a filing cabinet “You’re Hailey aren’t you?” she says more to herself than to me, I don’t answer.
She takes out a fluro green folder and hands it to me.
It mocks me silently, as evilly colored stationary tends to do, ‘Good luck trying to stay hidden.’
“Sorry about the color sweetheart, it was the only one I could find.” Mrs Pearse apologizes. I open the folder and inspect its contents. “In there you have all the things you should need. There’s your schedule on top, and there’s a map of the school so you can get familiar with it. If there’s anything else you need help with just stop by.”
Thanking her, I give her a small smile and then hurry out the door.
I open the hideous folder again and flip to the page with my schedule on it. I should currently be in room D8 having homeroom. I check my watch to find that I’m typically late. Awesome. Hurriedly flipping to the map, I start to jog in a random direction. Once I’ve placed myself on the piece of paper I realize that my class is actually in the opposite direction and swiftly turn around and crash into someone else. We both fall to the floor.
“I was only going to ask if you wanted some help,” A voice says “don’t need to go all aggressive on me.”
Looking up, I come to find a tall red haired girl rubbing her head as she gets up. I look at her in horror, as I mentally smack myself for already making a bad impression.
Way to go Hailey.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to! I just didn’t watch where I was going… I’m really sorry!”
“Hey, hey calm down. No need to apologize I’m just messing with you.” She smiles and holds her hand out to help me up, “I’m Michelle, everyone calls me Mitch though.”
I take her hand, grateful that she’s not pissed at me and give her a small smile. “Um, I’m Hailey. Nice to meet you.”
She hoists her bag up her shoulder, “So, where do you need to go? I can get you to class if you’re lost.”
“Oh you don’t need to… but if you could just tell me where it is that’d be a great help,” I hand her my schedule and point to what I think I have right now. “I think I’m supposed to be here, with… Um Mr Gold-hore? Wow. Nice name.”
Mitch laughs “Whoa, sweetie, no one gets away with calling him Mr Gold-hore, not even newbie’s. It’s pronounced ‘Mr Goldore’. The ‘h’ is silent, make sure you don’t slip up or you’ll regret it.”
“Why? Is he mean or something?”
She laughs again “Not really but he is a bit strange…” I give her a puzzled look “You’ll see, don’t you worry. Anyways you’re in my homeroom so that just makes everything easier.”
We start to walk in the direction I was first going in.
Great, looks like I can’t even read maps now.
Mitch walks beside me, a picture of confidence. Her wavy red hair swings from side to side in a ponytail, reminding me of the some old television I vaguely remember watching when I was really young. She’s wearing a white t-shirt and shorts, even though it’s not exactly warm enough for them and a pair of soccer shoes hang on her right shoulder.
We stop outside a bright red door and Mitch grabs the handle. Before she opens it though, she turns to me “Do you mind if I use you as a cover story for why I’m late?”
I smile at her “Nah, it’s fine,”
She grins back, gives me a wink with one of her brown eyes, “I can tell we’re going to be besties!” and then opens the door.
She steps inside and I walk in after her my ‘first-school-day’ fear rushing back to me.
“Welcome to Mr G’s room, G’s room, G’s room. Welcome to Mr G’s room, come inside!” My eyes widen as the middle aged man in front of us, sings boisterously as he plays a small keyboard. Mitch does a little twirl, to end in a ridiculous pose that makes the class laugh. She fists bumps our teacher, “Hey Mr G! Wassup?”
“Nothing much home dawg,” he replies crossing his arms and leaning back.
“Mr G, nobody says ‘home dawg’ anymore. You really should act your age.”
He immediately straightens up from his mock laid-back position, a serious expression on his face, “Why are you late.” He grins, “Any better?”
She shakes her head, “You’re getting there.”
His expression grows stern again, “I’m serious though. Why are you late?”
Mitch throws her hands up in surrender, “Ok, this time I’ve actually got a proper excuse. I swear!”
“Oh, please tell.” He says sarcastically like this isn’t the first time.
Mitch crosses her arms, “What’s with the attitude? I’m not always late!”
“47th time and counting.”
“Oh come on! Give me a bit more credit Mr– ”
“Ok Mitch, get on with it.” He interrupts, “Tell us what happened to you this morning…”
“Well I was actually helping out a new student today.”
I recognize that this is my cue so I step out from behind Mitch and give a little wave “Um hey,”
His mouth shifts into a grin, “You must be Hailey!” He turns on his wheelie chair towards the class whom I haven’t had the courage to look at yet. With a deep breath I finally turn towards them too. “Well guys, this is our very own new student! I hope you make her feel very welcome to Greensdale and help her out.” Mr G turns back to me. “I’m Mr Goldore, but you can call me Mr G like everyone else, it’s much easier, trust me… Anyways, would you like to introduce yourself to the whole class?”
“It’s a rhetorical Q Hailey,” Mitch says over her shoulder as she walks down to her seat. That earns a few laughs.
I glance between her and Mr G and after an encouraging nod from the latter, I turn towards my class again. I can feel my face going an unattractive shade of red under the curious stares from the girls and the intense stares from the guys.
I clear my throat before blurting out, “Well, I’m Hailey Parker. Uh, I used to live here in America but I um, moved to Australia because of my dad’s work. We came back only, like 2 weeks ago. And….” I look back up at Mr O who’s watching me with an interested gaze. “Um, what else do I say?”
“Well, how about we let the others ask any questions?” he turns back to the class, not waiting for a reply, “Anyone got any questions?”
“Yeah I do,” A hand rapidly shoots up “I was just wondering if it’s true that you still stuff your bra with tissues?”
There’s a few seconds of silence before the class bursts out laughing. I feel my cheeks burn up and my teeth clench together. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. Jake.
“Can I sit down now?” I ask Mr G as I hear Jake slap high fives with his friends and low wolf whistles. My homeroom teacher nods at me and I make my way down the row to an empty desk at the back. I feel relieved when I realize that the desk is next to Mitch. I slump down next to her and she gives me a sympathetic smile.
“Ignore him, he’s just... words fail me.”
I smile slightly at her, glad she’s not laughing, “That happens to me a lot too.”
I feel eyes on me but I refuse to look up and instead I open my messenger bag and take out my notebook, pencil and eraser. I start to sketch.
“McLane, stay back after class,” Mr G says above the laughter. “That was not on.”
The laughter turns to “Ooooo’s” and remarks like “Busted”.
I let my dark hair fall around my face and just keep sketching. I feel better when I’m sketching. It calms me down.
Mr G gets everyone to quiet down and he continues with the morning announcements. My teeth clench and my pencil digs into the page.
Why isn’t it working?
I sketch more furiously, an angry face starting to take form.
The bell rings just as I finish the detailing in the eyes and I’m just about to close my sketchbook when a hand stops me. It’s Mitch.
“Wow…” she breathes “Amazing…”
“Thanks…” I say uncertainly. She hands my sketchbook back to me with a smile. Her brown eyes are sparkling.
“So what class do you have next?”
I pop my sketches into my bag and take out the hideous green folder.
“Ok. We really need to get you a new one of those.” She takes it from me gingerly as if it’s either going to grow a mouth and chomp her hand off or explode right in her hands. These are two very plausible concerns due to its radioactive color.
“Hey, well what do you know? We were both dumb enough to pick Geography.” She puts her hand on my shoulder, “I’m so glad jumping out the window by myself doesn’t have to be an option anymore.”
“Is it that bad?” I ask, taking the folder back and stuffing it back in my bag.
She shrugs, picking up her things, “Not really, it’s more the teacher.” She lets out a sigh, “I must have had the flu or had some sort of delayed brain damage from soccer the day I picked my subjects. Geography’s not even the worst of it.”
“Why’s that?”
She gives me a flat look, “Two words for you. Ancient History.”
I smile uncertainly, not sure what to say.
“Once you’ve had Mr Krill for the past few years you begin to dread just waking up in the morning from just the thought of him. He can’t even remember my name.”
I laugh. I can’t help but laugh. Mitch’s a sweet girl. She grins back at me before pushing me towards the door.
I’m suddenly aware of eyes boring into the back of my head. I know it’s Jake without even turning around. Nothing’s that funny anymore. My mood plummets as I remember what he said to the class. Mitch glances over at me noticing my sudden change in behavior.
She catches on quickly though, “You know,” she says loudly, “I’m pretty sure most of the guys here will agree you don’t need to stuff tissues down your shirt anymore.”
“I second that!” a random guy says as he casually slings an arm around her.
She leans in a little closer to my ear after shoving away randomly overdosed hormonal teenager, “Don’t worry Hailey, people here are usually forget about these things by lunchtime and have something else juicy to gnaw on.” She tugs my arm, “Come on we’re late for Double Geo – Not that that’s a bad thing!”