The Boy Next Door

Chapter 2

I took a deep breath as I entered my new school.

People whispered looking in my direction which made me shy

This is the reason why I hate being the new girl; too much attention

I kept an eye out for Riley to mentally prepare myself just in case I bump into him

I brought out a piece of paper from the envelope I was holding and checked for my locker number

Locker 198

I checked through the line of lockers till I found mine. I created a combination and put my books in

A redhead girl came my way

"Hey, you must be the new girl" she said

"Yes and you must be um..., " I checked my envelope again for her name assuming she was the girl who'd be showing me around "Molly"

"Yes, and you must be Jade"

"Yes I am"

"Can I see your schedule?"

I handed it to her. She scanned it for a few seconds

"Your first period is English, follow me"

I followed her through the crowd of murmuring and whispering students till we arrived at the classroom

"Here we are" she said

"Thanks"

I was about to go in but she stopped me

"Wait. The English teacher's name is Mr Richardson, address him like that to create a good impression. He'll be glad you researched before coming to the school"

I chuckled

"Really?"

"Yes, listen carefully because he talks fast and try as much as possible to not sit in front, he spits a lot"

"Thanks for the tips"

"You're welcome, I'll keep an eye out for you so you don't get lost"

"Thank You"

"You're welcome"

I waved at her before entering the classroom. Class had already begun

''Good morning Mr Richardson'' I greeted

He smiled

"Good morning. You see class, she's a new student yet she knows my name which means she made enquires"

I smiled to myself. Molly was right

"What's your name?" He asked

"Jade Torrens" I said

"I like you already Jade. Have a seat"

"Thank you sir"

I scanned the class for a free seat. Free seats were in the front but I remembered Molly's warning

Fortunately, there was an empty seat in the middle of the class next to a guy in a hoodie. That should be far enough from his spits

I made my way there and sat down. Mr Richardson continued with his teaching

It seemed they had written notes before I came in so I decided to ask the boy next to me if I could see his book

"Uh excuse me" I said "can I see your notebook?"

"No"

The voice sounded familiar. I looked closer since his hood was hiding his face

It was Riley

"Oh hey Riley, remember me? You and your mom came to welcome us"

He didn't say anything. He just looked straight ahead like I didn't just speak

Feeling very embarrassed I decided to ignore him and listen to what the teacher was saying but I couldn't

Who does this boy think he is? This is the second time I'm trying to make conversation yet he keeps snubbing me

"What's your problem?" I asked him "I'm trying to be polite yet you just ignore me like I'm beneath you or something"

He groaned loudly. He packed his belongings, stood up and took a seat in the front

"Is there any problem Riley?" Mr Richardson asked

"My seat partner was disturbing me but its fine now"

"Very well then"

Did he just..? I took a deep breath trying to calm myself

This is my first day in a new school, I really wouldn't like to cause any trouble

What is up with this guy? All I'm trying to do is be nice but he keeps being annoying

That's how I spent the next forty minutes of the lesson, sulking and feeling embarrassed

When the class ended I asked a guy where to go for my next class; Literature

"Go upstairs, second door to your left" he said

"Thank you"

At least he responded

*

The periods went by fast which I'm really happy for. I was walking down the hallway unsure of what to do and where to go.

I'm pretty sure its time for lunch but I was scared to ask someone because of what happened earlier with Riley

I get embarrassed easily

''Jade'' I heard my name. I turned around to see Molly

''Hey'' I said

''How were your classes?'' she asked

''They were okay except for English'' obviously because of Riley

"Its time for lunch, let me show you the cafeteria"

"Okay"

She led me to the cafeteria. I looked around, it was way bigger than my old school

''That's where you buy food'' she said pointing to a long line of students

I nodded, taking note of everything she said

''I'll be at that table waiting for you'' she said "unless you don't want me to"

"Oh no, trust me I do"

I really need company right now

''Aren't you getting anything to eat?'' I asked

"Naah, I'm good"

I went to join the line of students which was moving very slowly while she went to sit somewhere

''Hi, you must be the new girl'' the boy behind me said

Maybe people in this school aren't so bad

''Yeah, I'm Jade, you are?''

''Christopher''

''Cool''

''So what brings you here?'' he asked

I tensed up. What lie can I give him?

''Uhhh my dad got transferred here''

"Is he in the military?"

"No but it has to do with his work"

''Oh, tough time huh?"

''You can say that''

We kept on talking until it became my turn. I took a tray and bought a bottle of water with chips, ketchup and chicken

"Well, I'll see you around......?" I totally forgot his name

"Its Christopher"

''Right...sorry forgot"

''Its fine, have a nice day"

''You too"

I went to the table Molly kept for us and sat across her

"You good?" she asked

"Yes"

I ate in silence for a while until she decided to speak up

"Made any new friends yet?" She asked

"Uh no"

"Don't worry, you will"

Should I ask about Riley?

"There's this guy that was super rude to me in class today" I said "his name is Riley"

She chuckled

"Just stay out of his way and you'll be fine"

"How so?"

"Let's just say he doesn't like people. As gorgeous as he is you'd think he'll be like the bad boy of our school but its the opposite actually. He doesn't even talk to girls"

Wow

"Do you know why?" I questioned

"No and I don't want to know. All I know is I wouldn't cross his path if I were you. He has a very bad temper"

I don't care what anyone says about you Riley. I'm going to get to the bottom of your case

*

That afternoon, I met Emma just as I was about to enter my house

"Hey Jade" she called walking over from her house to my yard

"Hi Emma"

She pulled me in for a hug. I couldn't help but notice the strong smell of alcohol or maybe it was just my imagination

"How was your first day of school?" She asked

"It was okay"

"You saw Riley?"

"Yeah"

"Look, I'm really sorry about my son's behavior last night. That's just the way he is, very anti social"

"Yeah I noticed"

I felt sorry for her. It seemed his attitude was really troubling her

"You seem like a nice kid. Could you help me keep an eye out for him please? I don't know, in case of anything. If he gets into any trouble let me know"

"No problem"

"I'd really appreciate it if you could break through him. I think he's just lonely. He hasn't really had a friend"

This just made me more curious about him. How come?

"Yes ma'am"

She patted me on my shoulder

"Thanks kid. I'll see you around"

"You too"

I entered my house and went straight to my room

There I saw my sister by the window looking outside

"Hey Jas" I greeted

''Shhh you're interrupting''

The first thing I did was to pull off my tight jeans then I put on a pair of sweatpants

Ah that sweet feeling of removing the jeans you had to wear all day

I stood beside her trying to see what she was up to

''So, what exactly are we looking at?'' I asked

''The hot guy next door"

Riley was in his room shirtless, his abs and toned muscles on full display. I rolled my eyes

''Oh Riley'' I said laying down on my bed

She looked at me excitedly

''You know him?''

''Yeah, we attend the same school. He even came over with his mom yesterday to welcome us"

"Really? Where was I?"

"Upstairs like you always are"

"He's so hot Jade!"

"He should be like half your age and he's a total asshole"

"Shut up"

She kept on staring at him. I shook my head

"How was work?" I asked

"Bad. I had a huge headache. I showed up on my first day of work with a hangover"

I laughed

"Sucks to be you. How was the party yesterday?"

"Good. Now leave me alone. I'm trying to focus"

That's how my sister spent her afternoon, lusting after Riley

That night I wrote down the day's events in my diary

Dear diary,

I started my new school today. I made a new friend(if I can call her that) ; Molly. She was assigned to show me around. I saw Riley today too. He was rude, as usual. I also talked to his mom today. She said I should keep an eye out for him, she also said he's never had a real friend. How is that possible? It just makes me wonder more about him

I tensed up when someone asked me why I moved here. I had to lie that my dad transferred here for working purposes. Nobody knows the real reason and I don't intend on telling anyone either