CHAPTER 5: A NEW FRIEND
1699 Words
*DENNY'S POV......*
My alarm went off at 6:30am.
The sound was loud and sharp. I groaned and hit the snooze button once, then gave up and sat up.
I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got dressed. I put on my school uniform. White shirt, blue skirt, and black shoes. I tied my hair back in a simple ponytail.
I went downstairs. The house smelled like toast.
Mom was already in the kitchen setting the table. She had two plates out, two glasses of juice, and some bread.
I walked up to her and said, "good morning."
She turned and smiled at me. "Morning Den, how's school going?"
"School is fine," I replied. I pulled out a chair and sat down. "What about you? How's life at your new workplace?"
She poured me some juice. "It's great. I met new people and they are really nice. My boss is kind too. The work is a lot, but I like it."
"That's good," I said.
We ate quietly for a while. There was not much to say. I was thinking about my new school. It was only my second week here. Everything still felt new and strange.
After breakfast I grabbed my bag, kissed Mom on the cheek, and left for school. The bus ride was 20 minutes. I sat by the window and watched the streets go by.
---
The first bell rang and first period ended.
I checked my timetable. Next class was Physics. Room 12, second floor.
I was walking fast down the hallway with my books in my arms. I was trying to remember where Room 12 was.
I turned a corner too quickly and bumped into somebody. Hard.
We both fell down. My books scattered on the floor.
"Ow," I muttered. I was embarrassed. So many people were watching.
I stood up fast. The person I bumped into was a girl.
She was pretty. Average height. She had brown hair and was wearing glasses. Her books were also on the floor.
"I.. I am sorry," she said. Her voice was soft. She looked scared, like she thought I would yell at her.
I smiled at her and bent down to pick up my books. "It's okay," I said. "It was my fault. I was rushing."
She looked genuinely surprised at my easy forgiveness. Maybe people here aren't that nice to each other.
She helped me pick up the last of my books.
"Are you new here?" she asked while we stood up. "Because I don't think I have seen your face before."
"Yes, I am," I said. "I resumed this week. This is my second week."
"Okay, I'm Olive," she said and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."
I shook her hand. "I'm Denomia. You can call me Denny."
I looked at my wrist watch. "Oh shoot, I'm late for Physics class."
She smiled at me. It was a small but real smile. "That's where I'm heading too. We can go together."
"Really? Thank you," I said.
We both rushed down the hallway towards the classroom. We had to go up two flights of stairs. My bag felt heavy.
When we got to Room 12, the door was already closed.
We opened it and walked in. Everyone was already seated.
The teacher was standing at the front. She was a young lady, maybe in her late 20s. She had her hair in a bun and was wearing a blue dress.
She glared at us. "Why are you ladies coming late?"
The whole class turned to look at us. My face felt hot.
Olive lowered her head. "There was a commotion in the hallway," she said quietly.
The teacher looked at us for a few seconds. Then her glare softened. "Don't be late next time. Go and sit in any unoccupied chair you can find."
"Thank you, Miss," Olive said.
Olive and I quickly rushed to find an empty seat. The room was almost full.
On my way to my seat I spotted someone.
It was HIM. The hoodie boy.
He was sitting in the back row, near the window. Gray hoodie, earphones around his neck. He looked up just as I walked by.
Our eyes met for one second. He had dark eyes. Then I quickly looked away. My heart was beating fast. I didn't know why.
I sat on my seat which was the second seat on the third row. Olive sat next to me.
The teacher sighed and picked up her marker. "For the sake of those just coming, I will start all over again. My name is Miss Esher and I am your new Physics teacher for this semester. Welcome to Physics 101."
She started writing on the board. Force. Motion. Velocity.
I tried to focus but I kept thinking about the hoodie boy.
Miss Esher talked for 40 minutes. She explained basic concepts and gave examples. She asked questions and some people answered.
When it was almost the end of the period, she clapped her hands.
"Alright class, listen. For this semester you will do a project in pairs. It will be worth extra marks and you will submit it at the end of the semester. You can choose your partner, or I will choose for you."
People started talking and looking around.
Miss Esher started reading names. "Denomia and Olive."
Olive turned to me and smiled. "Yes!" she whispered.
I smiled back. She was the only person I knew now, so I was lucky.
The bell rang. Physics was over.
---
Soon it was lunch break.
The cafeteria was on the ground floor. It was big and noisy.
I was in the cafeteria with Olive. We joined the line.
"So... what is on the menu?" I asked, looking at the trays.
Olive pouted. I noticed she does that when she is thinking.
"Umm... burgers, pizza, French fries, burritos, chicken nuggets, fruits, vegetables and any drink of your choice except alcohol."
"Wow..." I said. My eyes were wide. "In my old school we were only served mashed potatoes and canned veggies. Every single day."
Just thinking about it made me want to throw up. The mashed potatoes were always lumpy and the canned corn tasted like metal.
Olive made a disgusted face. "Sounds like a shitty school."
I laughed. "It isn't. The teachers were good. It's just that when it comes to the aspect of food, they are not really creative. And the budget was small."
I picked a burger, some fries, and an apple juice. Olive got pizza and a bottle of water.
I found a vacant table near the window and sat down. I waited for Olive. She was still in line getting her food.
I noticed everyone was giving me a weird look. Some girls were whispering and pointing. Some boys were staring.
I ignored them and took a bite of my burger. It was actually good.
Then I heard loud footsteps. Click. Click. Click.
The cafeteria suddenly became quiet. Even the noise from the kitchen stopped.
"Hey you!"
I looked up.
A beautiful girl was standing in front of my table. She had long blonde hair, too much makeup, and a red jacket. Behind her were two other girls.
"Me?" I asked, confused. I put my burger down.
"Yes you," she scowled. Her voice was loud. "Who do you think you are to put your stinky disgusting butt on my chair?"
I looked around. It was just a regular plastic chair.
"Excuse you?" I asked. I was offended and confused. "This is a public chair."
She walked closer. She smelled like perfume. "Get up from my chair, you freak," she said.
My hands started to shake a little. I didn't know what to do.
Suddenly, Olive ran to my side. She put her tray down and pulled me up from the chair. Then she bowed her head a little.
"I am sorry," Olive said quickly. "She's new here. She didn't know."
Then she grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the table.
We walked fast to another table in the corner. My food was still on the first table.
"Please... try to avoid that girl," Olive said. She was still holding my arm. Her voice was low.
I rolled my eyes and pulled my arm away gently. "Who's she that she acts like she owns the place? It's just a chair."
Olive sat down and looked around to make sure no one was listening. "She is Blair Kensington. Her father, Michael Kensington, is the second largest sponsor of this school. She thinks she owns everything here."
Olive took a deep breath. "She is the leader of the B-Barbies. A group formed with her two minions, Bianca Cole and Beatrice Vex. They pick on people. Especially new students."
I scoffed. "B-Barbies? Sounds like clowns."
Despite everything, Olive smiled slightly. "I know. But please, Denny. Stay away from them. They can make your life very hard here."
I nodded. "Fine. I'll stay away."
But inside, I didn't like being told to run.
---
*AUTHOR'S POV......*
As Olive dragged Denny away, Bianca looked at Blair. Bianca was the short one with curly hair.
"Are you really just gonna let her go?" Bianca asked. She sounded disappointed.
Blair didn't answer right away. She walked to the table where Denny's burger was still sitting. She picked up the burger and dropped it on the floor. Then she stepped on it.
She turned around and smirked. Her red lips curved up.
"Do you really believe that I will let her stay in this school peacefully?" Blair said. Her voice was calm but cold. "New girls come here every year. They think they can just sit anywhere and be friends with anyone."
Beatrice Vex, the tall girl with glasses, crossed her arms. "So what are we going to do?"
Blair flipped her hair. "I will torment her until she begs to transfer school. Just wait, new girl. This is only the beginning."
The three of them laughed. The sound echoed in the quiet cafeteria.
And Denny, sitting in the corner with Olive, had no idea what was coming next.
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- Writer
