Auroras Academy

Chapter 1

This was my year. And I’m going to rock it. I repeat one last time before slamming my locker shut. Nervous excitement courses through me as I zip my bag shut, slinging it over one shoulder. I was going to join tons of clubs, get straight A’s, and most importantly make friends. Or at least one friend. Or maybe just to talk to someone. I was determined to put myself out there just like my aunt made me promise.

“You got this.” I mumble determinedly to myself turning to head off to my first class. Only to be quickly humbled by a firm WACK.

“Ow” I whimpered, clutching my nose. I furiously blinked my eyes to hold back my tears. No, no, no. You cannot cry on the first day of school. No; you will not.

“Oh… I didn’t see you there. Are you okay?” My gaze followed my concerned locker neighbors' voice finding a girl with thick dark hair tied back in a fluffy ponytail, her front pieces were purposefully pulled out to frame her face. However the frizzy strains poofed around her ears looking like two cotton balls.

“Yeah,” I groaned, my entire face aching from the reply.

“I’m sorry! I’m such a clutz.” Even as she said the words I knew they were a complete lie. Or at least a partial one. From her broad strong shoulders to her callused hands, every inch of her suggested poised athleticism. Each move she made was purposeful and confident. It always rounds to being my fault. I was the one that didn’t even notice her next to me and I walked into her locker.

“No, it’s my-“ I was interrupted by a gush of blood streaming down my face, a few drops rolling off my chin onto the polished tiled floor.

“Oh my god. Let’s get you to the office.” She gasped, her eyes shooting wide in panic. Quickly, she grabbed my arm dragging me along as I cupped my face. Thankfully the journey was short, the freshman corridor just a few hallways away from the front entrance and the office. Though without the girl's guidance I doubt I would have made it in a timely manner. The entire school was still foreign to me and I was eternally grateful not to be stuck wandering the halls with my nose dripping everywhere. Even as I struggled to keep up with the dark haired girls gate.

The office lady took one glance up before pointing back towards, what I assume, the nurse's office. Which was really just a room with a bed, swirly chair, and drawer full of bandaids like most schools. Though my experience of other schools was limited. The girl delivered me to the bed as a plump nurse rushed over.

“Oh girly, keep your head tilted up. You’re getting blood on the tiles.” I wanted to spout out that tilting your head up is actually not good for bloody noses but was interpreted with a firm yank as the nurse pushed my forehead back pointing my head up. I was too afraid to correct her and decided to hold it against her for caring about the tiles rather than my own well being.

“I have an idea!” The dark haired girl announced, rushing out of the room. I stared, astonished as she disappeared through office doors as quickly as she came. The nurse quickly slapped my head up again before it could fully tilt down.

“Wait here until the bleeding stops.” The nurses' nasally voice sounded exhausted even though the second bell for first period hadn't even rung yet.

Great, so much for “my year”. Lasted less than an hour at real school before being injured. My legs swish back and forth dangling over the nurses table staring up at the tiled ceiling. Searching for something interesting out of the textured tiles was a daunting task but soon I found one that resembled the shape of an elephant. Strangely this school didn’t allow any phones or social media. Which I didn’t mind when I first heard but at the moment my arsenal of phone games sounded nice right about now. I was contemplating if I should just drop out and quit while I was ahead when I heard a whoosh and a loud creeeek.

“So, how does it feel being the first war casualty of the year?” I peaked out of the corner of my eye to see a boy leaning back in a rolly chair tossing a stress ball between his hands.

“As well as one feels with blood draining down the back of their throat.” I tried to put on a sarcastic smirk but with my head tilted up it was more of a strained grimace. The boy chuckled. I heard the swoosh of his roller chair wheels as he scooted closer.

“You know you're not supposed to tilt your head back.” The boy grinned looking amused at the entire situation. I tried to get a good look of him but the textured ceiling tiles took up most of my view and he appeared as a blurred figure from the corner of my glasses.

“Yeah, try to tell her that.” I jetted my chin forward towards the nurse who went back to clacking on her computer already. She didn’t really seem like a nurse, just an embellished office lady. “And if I’m the first casualty, why are you here?”

“I’m an office aid. Trying to switch out but they don’t have many college classes this period.” I sensed a slight Southern tang in his accent but it was impossible to tell if he was actually from the south or if he is just a hick. In his uniform he looked like every other posh kid that went to this school. I was once again brought back to why my aunt decided to send me to this school. We certainly couldn’t afford it.

“You mean any college classes you haven’t taken already.” The voice came from the door where the dark haired girl leaned against it, a frown tarnishing her freckled face. I didn’t even hear her enter. She pushed off the doorframe, hands rested on her hips in a power pose as she glared down at the relaxed boy.

“Lauren,” Her name rolled off his tongue with disdain. “Always a pleasure to see you.” I could sense the energy cracking between them. And not the good kind. More the kind you see when you pull the plug on your toaster and sparks fly, scaring the crap out of you. With a soft swish of her hair Lauren ignored the boy turning to me.

“Here. This should stop the bleeding.” She ripped open the package and before I could protest she crammed the tampon up my nostril. My eyes water as I swear it touched my brain. Finally, I was able to tilt my head down. I managed a sarcastic “thanks” before an all consuming blush covered my face. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye boy became potentially the hottest guy I’ve ever seen boy.

And I currently have a tampon protruding from my nose.

He rocked causality in a rolly chair, his light blond hair ruffled in every direction and rounded glasses rested on the bridge of his straight noise. Oddly, I never found glasses an attractive feature until I saw them on him. His figure was slim but lean with muscle. I almost drooled when I saw a vein pop in his arm as he squeezed his stress ball before tossing it to the other hand. His long legs stretched out in front of him pulling his uniform trousers up a bit to see funky socks with robots on them. Of course, that’s what my mind focused on.

“Nice socks. Robots?” With my nervousness my tone turned even more sarcastic. Lauren snorted, covering her mouth in a muffled fit of laughter. Great, now he’s going to think I’m making fun of him. I open my mouth to apologize but he beats me to it.

“Yeah? My mom got them for me for Christmas.” Even as Lauren released a loud pig snort, I couldn’t help but find his honesty endearing. A smile broke out across my face. The air in the nurse's office suddenly felt hot as I tucked my hair out of the way.

A commotion sounded outside the nurses office.

“Late on your first day Max Grefford? I can’t say I’m surprised. Davis!” A male voice echoed down the office hallway. “Get Mr. Grefford a tardy slip.”

The boy sighed, rolling his chair back to its original spot and walking down the hall. Curious, I leaned forward peeking into the hall to only see the bane of my existence standing in the office window.