Finding Myself

Chapter 2

I ARRIVE AT NORTH HILL HIGH SCHOOL A FEW MINUTES EARLIER BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS AND I ALREADY SPOT FEW STUDENTS RUSHING “We’ve finally starting our senior year and it’s going to be lit!” cheered a guy as I walked passed him.  

Then a few girls walked passed me discussing about homecoming which is just around the corner “ I don’t know about you but I’d better find a date.” 

“ Yeah, I’m not buying it.”  the girl with long straight brunette hair let out a chuckled “Knowing you, you’ve got a list of guys all ready to go.”

I frowned seeing them being cool and friendly, it’s weird. In my previous school, most people around me are just stuck up rich bratty kids.

That doesn’t make me want to be friends with them though, I’m not gonna run up to them and say, ‘Hi, I’m Ruth and I just moved here. Be my friend!’ that kind of make me sound like a loser. I pass by the students and walk into an interior courtyard, I look around awkwardly, not sure what to do seeing bunch of them laughing and chatting happily, gosh I feel like a loser now. 

Come on, Ruth! This isn’t like me! I know I didn’t want to make any friends but I’ve been the new kid at school before and this should be no big deal!

“Hey...you look like a deer caught in the headlight.”

I turned around see a girl with brown eyes and blonde hair smiling at me.

“I..uh.. I’m new here so I’m...” I trailed off nervously. 

I’ve never been nervous but why am I so nervous now. 

She let out a giggled “I definitely know what that’s like.”

“I almost had a panic attack on my first day here, last year.” she make a grimace face “ They made me go to the nurse’s office.”

“Yikes..” I mumbled

She shake her head smiling cheerfully “I’m Haley and I was wondering if maybe you could use a friend?” 

I look at her in shock, I didn’t expect anyone to say that but why would they? But since she asked, it doesn’t hurt me to say yes right?

“I’m Ruth and uh I guess..I could.” I rub the back of my neck awkwardly “ Look uh I have no idea where is my homeroom at.. 105B?” 

Her brown eyes began to widened “Wait..” She look at me excitedly “That’s my homeroom too!”

Haley began to walk towards the school fast “Come with me! Wouldn’t want you to be late on your first day of school!”

“Wow.” I stared at her back for awhile before following her to the homeroom. 

As Haley and I make our way through the bustling school hallways towards our classroom “So where are you from?” 

“I was from New York, grew up in the city.” I told her.

“No way! I’ve always wanted to go there after watching friends!” She glanced at me in amazement “Why did you move here?”

I gave her a shrugged “ My mom wants me to have a teenage life like her.” 

“Here it is.” Haley smile as we enter the classroom to find that most of the seats is occupied.

“Great, this is perfect.” I sighed in annoyance when I saw the only seats left are a few at the very front and two at the very back.

“It’s okay.” Haley told me “Let’s grab those ones at the ba-“

Before she can finish her sentence, a girl rushes past me and flops into one of the seats “Sorry, This one’s mine and that one is Ryder’s.” 

A guy with light brown hair in black hooded bomber jacket which I assumed Ryder since he was following her, tries to get by but he accidentally bumps into me. 

“Like what you see?” He smirk at me.

I blinked my eyes realising that I was staring at him blankly “I wasn’t..”

“Sure, anyway I was trying to get to my seat.” He gesture at the empty seat.

I raise my eyebrow “Your seat? Really? I didn’t see your name on it.”

What’s the big deal? I was here first, he can get the seat in front. 

Ryder let out a chuckled “You sure about that?” 

I look at the seat when he gestures to it where someone has carved “Ryder” with a knife.

“Oh.” I mumbled in defeated.

He gave me an annoying smirk before taking his seat, I sighed turn back to Haley “Looks like it’s the front row for us.”

Haley glance at the front row before looking at me “I..I can’t sit there!”

I look at her in confusion “What’s wrong with the front row?”

“Nothing is wrong.” She bite her lips before sighing “It’s just... I can’t sit next to Stefan.” 

My gaze shifts over to take in a guy with sharp facial features, gelled back dark brown hair with a pair of glasses with a huge smile talking with his friends in the front row “Oh.. He’s.. cute..really really cute.” 

Haley hummed “Kinda? But he’s one of the popular kids, football wide receiver and it makes feel like a loser sitting beside him.”

“I’ll take a seat for you.” I offered to her also since he’s really cute, I could enjoy school bit now. 

Haley smile appreciatively to me “You’re a life saver, Ruth.” 

I sat down and Stefan turns to me, smiling wide “You must be a new kid, I’m Stefan.”

Wow, he’s nice.. what’s with everyone except Ryder being nice.

I gave him a small smile “I’m Ruth.”

He stare at me for awhile which makes me uncomfortable, I clear my throat to stop him staring at me.

He blinked his eyes before smiling at me apologetic “Sorry, it just.. you remind me of my girlfriend.” 

Of course, the popular footballer have a girlfriend. 

Before I could say anything the guy sitting behind me looks up from his phone and groaned “ Dude, stop talking about Jessica! You are way too hung up on that chick.”

Stefan let out a chuckled “Come on, Jack. One day when you’ll fall in love, you will not stop talking about her.” he look at me with glint in his eyes “Right, Ruth?”

“I’ve never fall in love and I don’t think I will.” I mumbled.

“That newcomer is right.” Jack smirk at Stefan “Who needs love when you can have many girls as you want?”

I rolled my eyes, gosh he’s gross and such a moron. 

Then he look at me, grinning “By the way, you’re hot and I’m throwing a party tonight, you should come.” he glanced at Haley who is sitting beside “But, uh, leave your little sidekick at home.” 

“No offence, blondie.” 

Haley look down while nibbled on her bottom lip “None taken.”

Jack gave her a shrugged “You’re just not up to standard.” 

“I get it..” mumbled Haley before standing up and starts to walk towards the door just as the teacher walks in.

The teacher sighed “Haley, if you didn’t notice... class is about to start.”

“I..I’ll be back in a minute.” said Haley sniffled before runs out of the door.

I was wrong, not everyone in this school is nice. 

Jack began to laughed hysterical “Come on, why is she gotta be so sensitive!” 

Stefan glared at him heavily “You don’t have to be such a d**k all the time, Jackson.”

“It’s hilarious.” Jack tries to stifle his laugh. 

I bite my lips before sighing, usually I would just mind my own business and let the girl cry but Haley was kind enough to be friends with me since I’m just a newcomer. 

I never thought I would ever do this so I raised my hand bring the teacher attention and everyone on me “Sir? Can I have the hall pass?” 

The teacher nodded, smiling a small smile at me “ Yeah, sure.” 

I grab the pass from him and standing up but before I could walk out of the class, he stop me whispering “Thank you, try to make it fast.” 

Out in the hall, I spot Haley heading into the female restroom, I quickly follow her to the bathroom. 

When I enter the restroom, I find Haley crying by the sink “Haley?”

Haley look at me in shock, wiping her tears away “Ruth? What are you doing here?”

“Checking on you, of course.” I said.

Haley sighed, shaking her head “You don’t have to check on me, I’ll be fine..”

“Just go back to class, Ruth.” Haley gave me a half smile.

“I’m not going anywhere.” 

She observed me for a while before smiling “Thanks.” but her smile faded “You still shouldn’t have followed me, you’ve still got a chance to be someone at this school.. to have a life..” 

“But me? I spent all of last year working on homework and reading twilights..” She mumbled.

“Sounds like me.” I told her.

It does, I spend my last year most of the time, in my room, watching movies, working on homework and reading books. 

“But you’re beautiful! Even Jack and Stefan noticed you and you got invited to a party!” exclaimed Haley.

“Haley, I’m a wallflower, I don’t even want to make any friends in the first place until I met you.” I shrugged “Trust me, Jack just sucks in general.” 

She let out a laugh “It’s nice to hear someone say that out loud.” 

“Most people are afraid to stand up to him.”

Haley let out a deep sigh “Sorry, I’m just tired..tired of feeling like a loser.” 

“I’m a loser too.” I grinned at her “We’ll be loser together.” 

“Listen, you gonna to the party with me, stick with me and you gonna have lot of fun with me.” 

Haley smile “Why are you nice to me?”

I let out a breath “Never thought I would say this but you’re my friend.” 

The next thing I know, Haley pulls me in for a big hug which caused me to froze, I’m not a hugger, I’m definitely not a big fan of it.

“Uh.Haley..” 

Just then, the restroom door opens. 

A girl with wavy medium hair wearing a preppy clothes look at us surprised “Whoops! I, uh, I hope I’m not interrupting anything!”

After the class ends, I’m at my locker, putting half of my books inside since it’s making my bag really heavy which I hate it also I’m lazy to carried it on my arms. When I closed my locker, I jumped to find Ryder smirking at me while leaning on the locker beside mine “Hey there, just wanted to say. That was pretty cool of you.”

“You didn’t have to go after her like that, I mean I wouldn’t.” He gave me a shrugged.

“Really? I’m not shocked.” I said pursing my lips.

A guy like him? I’m definitely not shock.

He let out a laugh “Sorry, I’m not used to giving compliments. Bad upbringing, you know?”

I rolled my eyes before walking away “I’m not interested in your excuses.” 

He began to follow me “Heh, that’s what Mr Thomas tells me every time.” 

I narrowed my eyes on him as we walk “Are you.. joking?”

“You tell me, cupcake.” He smirk. 

“See you around, cupcake.” He winked at me before walking away from me leaving me to gape at the nickname. 

After my history class, I join the rest of the students at a welcome back assembly in the basketball court, Haley waves at me as I take a seat next to her.

“Welcome back to your first day of school,  since it’s a fresh start, I hope you can have a fresh day year with your friends and everyone.” 

Throughout the assembly was consist of speeches that everyone get bored fast. After it end, as I leave the assembly, the girl that I saw in the restroom runs up to me and Haley looking all flustered “As a class president and homecoming committee, I’m here to ask a few survey questions!” 

“Shoot?” I look at her confused.

She clear her throat before asking the question “Are you currently planning to attend the Homecoming dance?” 

I gave her a shrugged “I’ll think about it.”

Then she glare at me in annoyance “That doesn’t answer my question. Is it yes or no?”

I raise my eyebrow “It’s a maybe?”

“How on earth am I supposed to plan a dance if everyone at this school might come?” She let out a huffed “Should I buy ten gallons of punch or fifty? A single bag of chips or a thousand?”

“Thousand would be too much, don’t you think?” asked Haley while we exchange a look.

“It was a rhetorical question!” she said before storming off.

“That’s Rachel, she’s just really stressed since homecoming is coming.” Haley told me.

“Noted.” I nodded before walking to the cafeteria for lunch.

When I walked in, I stare at the wide eyed at the sea of everyone laughing, talking in the cafeteria “ Uh crap.”

It’s obvious there’s a clique, one a cheerleaders group, another is the football which have Jackson and Stefan, another is the band and lastly is the group of gamers.

But thankfully we managed to find a sit for us, as we eat.. a group of cheerleaders walk towards us, smiling “Hi! Haley!” 

Then the one that I saw outside school smile at me “You must be new, Welcome to North Hill! Please tell me you’re planning to try out for the cheer team.”

I look at her baffled “W-what?”

The asian girl look at me pleading “We’re desperate for fresh recruits.”

I let out an awkwardly laugh “Sorry, I don’t think I’m fit for cheerleading.” 

The dark skinned girl frowned “You seem fit and cheerful!”

“Trust me..I’m not.”

The brunette grinned at me “Nice try but we gonna get you to the field now and check out your moves.” 

Before I could stop them, they began to drag me towards the field.

A few minutes later, we in the field. Haley cheered at me “Go Ruth!”

I look at them desperate to get out of this “I don’t think this is a good idea.” 

“Nonsense! You will be fine!” said the asian girl.

“Just follow Elle’s lead as she shouts out commands!”

Everyone began to make a formation as Elle who is the brunette starts to shout an orders.

I began to follow her moves and some cheerleading moves, I would love to screwed this up but something tells me to try it so I did.

When Elle shoots up into the air and lands gracefully in the asian girl and the dark skin girl’s arms

 “Ruth? Ruth was it? You’ve got to join the team!” said the dark skinned girl.

“I agree with Leah.” said Elle “ I’m impressed.” 

Before I could say anything “Who the hell is this?” 

Elle turn around and smile “Britney! This is Ruth who we will be recruiting.”

Britney has tan skin and a nice wavy brown hair, her fashion was definitely some kind of mean girl “Ruth? Hm... you’re the one that Stefan was talking about.”

She narrowed her eyes on me “I admit you look good but not as good as me.” 

“Thanks?” 

“Do me a favour and stop talking to my boyfriend.” She snarled at me before stomping off. 

“She’s nice.” I said sarcastically. 

Leah shake her head “Don’t worry about her.”

Elle nodded “Leah is right, I’m the head cheerleader and official tryouts are next week, if you decided to go for it.. I hope to see you there.”

Oh crap.

Later, as I leave the school, I bump into Stefan and Haley who are chatting “I’m sorry about Jack. He’s just... got a weird sense of humour..”

Haley nodded sarcastically “Yeah, definitely.”

Stefan then smile at me “Hey Ruth.”

Then Britney walk towards Stefan “Thanks waiting for me babe!” she throw her arms around him, planting a kiss on his lips.

Britney glare at me before hissed at Stefan “ Why are you chatting with these two losers?” 

I smile sarcastically “This two losers is about to go now.” I nodded at Stefan “See you around.” I dragged Haley away from them leaving those two arguing.