"Ashley!!!" A voice squealed from behind me. I stopped in front of my locker, spinning around to see my best friend Christina. Her wavy reddish hair bounced on her shoulders, and her light brown skin had turned much darker over the last few weeks.
"Chrissy!!" I squealed back, listening as her heels clicked quickly toward me. We kissed each other's cheeks, giggling about how our summer's were.
We had seen each other just last week, but it felt like forever!!
"Oh my god. Chrissy how was your date with... Jack last weekend? I heard you two went out after the party!" I smiled, excited to hear her
"Shhhhh!!!" She giggled, pulling me in close so my ear almost touched her lips.
"I went back to his place, and we went skinny dipping in the pool. He was really handsy. Not that I mind." She whispered, before we both pulled back in a fit of giggles.
I could feel someone's eyes boring into the back of my head, sort of like an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know something's not right.
I turned around, seeing one of the... let's say least popular students with a friend beside him. I didn't recognize his friend, not that I really cared.
The first thing I looked at was this unknown girls backpack, which she was holding in front of her. It was a solid white colour, bright enough to see in the dark. She was maybe my height, with shoulder length black hair and tannish coloured skin. I couldnt see too much of her face, as they were standing fairly far away. She was wearing just a regular t shirt stuffed into her cuffed jeans, with some popular skater brand shoes on her feet. Not going to lie, pretty cute. I'd be caught dead before I admit it though.
Her friend was nothing special. A tall, lanky boy with curly dark hair and braces that could put a shining star to shame.
"Can I.. help you?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows in annoyance and confusion.
The boy raised his eyebrow at me, scoffing. "Just showing Maddy around the school. She's new and I wanted to show her our most popular brats." He turned to maddy, whispering loudly: "Make sure to stay away from them."
"Whatever Ronnie, you're just jealous that the only thing close to having a girlfriend you've ever had is staring at us talking. Move along, losers." Christina rolled her tongue on the last word, shooing them away.
"Gross. Not sure why he's so obsessed with us." I rolled my eyes, and linked arms with Chrissy as the bell for first period rang.
"I'm sooo glad we actually have classes together. Stephanie is in our english class too!!" I smiled, my books in one hand. We were halfway there when I realized: I forgot my binder for english!
I would be in a whole other world of stressed if I was late to my first class of senior year.
"I forgot my English binder! Go without me, tell Ms Godwin that I might be late!" I rushed, taking my arm from Christina's and speed walking back to my locker.
Good thing it wasn't too far.
I wasn't even halfway back to class, binder in my arms, when I slammed into someone, sending my books and binders sprawling.
"Hey watch it-" I started, looking up to see who I rushed into.
Ah. Perfect. The new girl. I could see her face more clearly now. Definitely worth bumping into her. She had a natural blush to her freckled cheeks, her jawline sharp and her eyes a gorgeous warm brown colour.
"Wow I'm so sorry. I should have been paying more attention. I cant seem to find my class though. Can you help me? Please?" She asked, gathering some of my things that were closer to her, and passing them to me as I collected the ones on my side.
I stared at her for a minute, half registering her question and half taking in her beautiful face.
Fuck.
Wow I wish I was her. She must get all the boys.
I couldnt help but feel something strange, an achy feeling deep in my stomach and chest.
"So...?" She asked, staring back at me, eyebrows raising a little in anticipation to her question.
I could feel the heat creeping up on my cheeks and neck as I snapped back to reality.
"I mean, fine. But only because you asked so nicely." I muttered, a little embarrassed as I took her schedule from her.
English literature. Ms Godwin
"I'm actually going there right now. We have to hurry, there's two minutes before class starts!" I breathed out quickly, grabbing her hand without a second thought and rushing to the first class of the day, which was conveniently halfway across the school.
Once we arrived, we shuffled into class behind some other late students, not drawing any attention to ourselves.
I felt a soft hand on my bare shoulder, sending a chill down my spine, and I turned around to see Maddy staring at me, a small blush on her cheeks, which I kind of liked. Blush suits her.
I looked at her quizzically, and she gestured to our still-intertwined hands.
I felt all the heat from my body sneak onto my neck and face as I let go, crossing my arms and trying to appear nonchalant as I looked around for Steph and Chrissy.
"Sorry, I guess. Try to watch where you're going next time, new girl." I muttered, quickly hurrying over to where Christina and Stephanie were sitting and taking my place beside them.
"Thank god you made it on time. Me and Chrissy were getting worried." Steph remarked, giving me a concerned look before Ms Godwin started class.
"Me too. I bumped into the new girl on my way back. Almost made me late." I grumbled, although I wasnt that angry about it. She was just looking for her class anyways.
All Ms Godwin did that class- no, all any of our teachers did that day was hand out a syllabus and assign us a chapter to read, or maybe a small piece of homework.
I was just glad I had 3 periods, and no class after lunch.
Adjusting my off the shoulder top, I stared at the clock. Five minutes until lunch. I couldnt wait. Chem was hard, even if it was the first day of school.
"Alright, class dismissed." I heard from Mr Waldon at the front of the class, breathing a sigh of relief as I packed up my things.
"Ashley stay with us for lunch!" Stephanie pleaded, pouting her lip.
"Sorry Stephie. I have to get going. You know how busy the roads get during lunch." I sighed, giving her a quick hug from the side.
I made a final stop at my locker, shoving my books inside and taking my purse and keys to hold as I got the hell out of this place.
Tossing my blonde hair off my shoulder, I walked out the front door, only to be met with rain. Hard rain.
I squealed, rushing in my kitten heels to find my car in the mess of a parking lot. I quickly dove inside, breathing a sigh of relief.
How did I not dress for the weather? I always do. I SO did not expect all this rain out of nowhere.
I drove slow, carefully, not able to see too much in the rain. Out of the haze of the rain, I spotted a familiar bright white backpack bobbing along the sidewalk.
I slowed to a stop beside the person, making sure I was alone on the road.
Rolling down my windows slightly, I yelled out into the rain: "Do you need a ride?!"
Maddy, the wearer of said backpack, peeked in at me through the window and quickly jumped in after my query.
"Thanks. I don't think I could have found my way home in all of that." She smiled, showing off her brilliant sparkling teeth.
"Where do you live? Close?" I asked, starting up the car, slowly again.
"Lilygrove ave. Just up after greendale." She motioned with her hand, and I stared at her, shocked.
"Greendale?! That's so far! And you were going to walk? Nuh uh. I'll drive you." I offered, scoffing at how she even attempted to walk.
"Thank you. You're not nearly as bad as Ronnie made you out to be." She smiled, shivering a little. I cranked the heat up in the car, starting to peel off to Greendale.
"I wouldn't trust anything that loser says." I said, my distaste for him dripping from my words.
Ronnie was a creep. He asked me out constantly, and when I declined- at first very politely, he'd play the victim card. Yeah, alright Ronnie. I'm the bitch who never gives good guys a chance, and he'd "give me a second chance" if I just stopped being such a stuck up bitch.
Loser.
We pulled up to a red light, and I could see her turn to me.
"I don't know about that. He said you were popular, and well- it's not like he wasn't spot on. You're practically queen b. Not my style." She shrugged, and I gaped at her in response.
"He also said I was a popular brat! You're kidding!" I scoffed, and she chuckled in return, making me blush in embarrassment.
"Was he wrong...?" She smiled, I huffed, frowning at her, my blush furious although I really didnt have anything to say back to her.
We pulled away, sitting in silence for the most part, the heater in my car acting like a sort of white noise machine.
We drove that way, just enjoying each other's quiet company for, maybe ten minutes.
I was jolted by the sudden placement of her hand on my thigh, directing me to go left at a certain street. I blushed, although I enjoyed the heat that her hand radiated.
"A little up this road, and... this is my place." She gestured to the house on the right side of her, hand still resting on my leg, which made me squirm in my seat a little.
"Thanks so much. Let me know soon how I can make it up to you." She squeezed my thigh before letting go, covering her head with her hood before jumping out of the car and closing the door.
Make it up to me?
I wondered, watching her enter her house before peeling out of her street and going home.
I might just take you up on that offer.