She Fell In love with Me First

Chapter 5.

Kayla's POV.

When the ball rang, I rushed out of the classroom, my heart pounding. I spotted someone familiar, sitting on a bench, under a tree near the soccer field, his hoodie pulled over his head. I hesitated, but gave up the thought and approached him.

"Hey, coffee boy?" I teased, with a smirk on my lips. He looked up, surprise flicking in his eyes.

" Great, just what I need" He muttered , under his breath.

"You survived the first week?" I asked and plopped down beside him. "Barely, thanks for asking" he replied, sarcastically.

"You know, I could help you navigate this place. it's a jungle out here" I said, with a playful smirk on my lips.

"I think I can manage without your 'expertise' " He said, scrolling through his phone.

"oh , come on, what's the worst that could happen? you get lost and end up in the art room?" I said mockingly.

"I'll rather take my chances with the art room, than with you" he said, smirking. "okay then, good luck on getting your ass lost in Greenfield high" I said, about to stand up and leave, when James one of Jake's friends walked up to us.

"Hi Kayla" he waved with a smile on his face "Hi James" I waved back.

"Yo, man! how are you holding up" He turned to Mr. grumpy pants, and shaked his hand. Come to think of it, I don't even know his name.

"I fell like a lost puppy, In the crowded subways of New York. What's even so great about this place?" he said, sounding frustrated.

"Chill man, there's so much to explore .... the art, the food, the people! you just have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone" James said, sounding pleased to talk about New York City.

"You two know each other?" I asked, surprised. "Yeah, we're cousins" James replied, and now I'm shocked. "And how did you know him" James asked, pointing his finger at Mr. grumpy. "She's the annoying girl I met at the coffee shop, last week".

"I'm right here, Mr. grumpy" I shot back at him.

"I can see you guys are quite getting along" James teasingly said,

"Oh , there you are!" Chloe interrupted us, "hi guys" she waved looking at James and Mr. grumpy. "Hi Chloe!" James waved back, grinning and staring at Chloe, while Mr grumpy only smiled. Chloe awkwardly sat beside me. I noticed the tension between Her and James when they looked at each other earlier.

I knew she has a thing for James, and this awkwardness in the air confirms something transpired between the two. I made a mental note to ask her later.

"I'm throwing a welcome party for this dude, this Saturday at my place around 6 pm. Nothing serious, just food, music and catching up. Would love if you guys could pull up". James broke the silence while making a quick glance at Chloe.

"sure, let's see" I replied, just then the bell rang signaling the end of break. we all stood up and went to our various classes.

Max's POV.

i slumped ony bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of frustration pinching at my temples like a vice. My phone bussed to life next toe, and I grabbed it eager to distract myself from the bussing thoughts in my head. It was a video call from my friends back in California - Jason, Luke and Blake. They were my lifeline, a trio of humor and support that I desperately needed right now.

"Dude! what's up?" Jason's face filled the screen, his messy hair bouncing as he leaned closer to the camera.

"I'm just... here" I said, glancing around my room. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. "You coming back for the summer?" Luke raised an eyebrow, his expression, a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"Don't know yet, dude" I replied, feeling down. Just then, the door to my room cracked open, and I turn to see my cousin James, standing there with a big grin plastered on his face.

"Hey buddy! Surprise!" I couldn't help, but smile back, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly.

"James, what are you doing here?" I thought, I'd drop by to see how you are doing " he said, stepping in to the room, plopping down on the bed next to me. "I heard you were having a rough time"

"Yeah, you could say that" I replied, still holding my phone. I told my friends I'll call them back, after they said hi to James and I hanged up the call.

"You look like, you just lost a battle with a pillow " James teased. "Very funny " I muttered, rolling my eyes. So how are you holding up?" Auntie Lila told me you've been sulking, What's up?".

With a reluctant sigh, I lunched into my tale of woe, starting with the coffee incident.

"so I went to this little cafè down the street last week, I ordered my coffee and sat at a corner. One random girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere, accusing me of stealing his favorite spot. I couldn't even think straight with her endless chatter. She was so annoying"

James chuckled, shaking his head. " sounds like you're not ready for the New York hustle yet" " Yeah well, I'm not ready for anything" I replied, feeling dejected.

"Listen, I have an idea" James said, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes "Let's get you out of this funk. I'm taking you to meet my friends" I raised an eyebrow, unsure of this. "Yeah, Trust me, they're cool. You need to get to know some people here"

Before I could protest, he grabbed my arms and pulled me up. "Let's go ".

Twenty minutes later, I found myself standing outside a brownstone, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. James pressed the door bell, and before long, it swung opened, to reveal a tall guy my age, with tousled hair and a big grin.

"James, you made it!" he exclaimed, pulling my cousin in for a bro hug. Then his eyes landed on me, And you must be the new guy! I'm Jake"

"Yeah, that's me" I said, trying to master a smile. Jake ushered us in, and I was introduced to his two other friends- Liam and Jaden. They were lively and warm, and I felt the tension in my checks start to ease a little.

As we chatted, I realized they were just as goofy as my friends back in California, with a shared love for video games and ridiculous memes.

"Hey! we should throw a welcome party for you" Liam suggested, his eyes lightening up with excitement. "A party?" I blinked, surprised, "Absolutely" Jaden chimed in. "we'll invite everyone, it'll be fun, and you can meet new people. What do you say?" I couldn't help but grin at the idea.

Maybe this city wouldn't be so bad after all. I looked over at James, who was giving me an encouraging nod. " Sure, why not" I said feeling a flicker of hope. As the four of us brainstorm ideas for the party, I felt a warmth spreading through me. Perhaps, I'd found a glimpse of a new life in New York. The one filled with laughter and joy. We stayed at Jake's house and played video game until late at night be we all retired to our homes. I collapsed on to my bed feeling lighter than usual.