Escape my ruthless past.

Chapter Two

As I sat down in the designated chair, I couldn't help but notice the colourful posters on the walls, advertising various school clubs and events. The woman, whose name tag read "Mrs. Thompson," went back to typing on her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard with a speed that belied her gentle demeanour. I fidgeted with my backpack straps, trying to distract myself from the growing sense of unease in my stomach.

Just as I was starting to wonder how long it would take for my chaperone to arrive, the door swung open, and a tall, lanky figure strode in. He had a friendly, if slightly goofy, grin on his face, and his messy blond hair looked like it had been styled by a hurricane.

"Mauve Nichols, right?" he said, extending a long arm for a handshake. "I'm Mr. Jenkins, your orientation guide for today. Sorry, I'm a bit late. I got held up in a meeting with the principal."

I shook his hand, trying to hide my surprise at his informal attire – a faded band t-shirt and ripped jeans. Mrs. Thompson gave him a knowing look, which he returned with a wink.

"Don't worry, Mauve," he said, clapping me on the back. "I'll make sure you get settled in and introduced to all the right people. And maybe even show you some of the school's hidden gems."

I smiled, feeling a tiny bit more at ease. Maybe this day wouldn't be so bad after all.

As we set off down the hallway, Mr. Jenkins regaling me with stories of the school's quirky traditions and legendary pranks, I couldn't help but notice the way the students we passed looked at him with a mix of admiration and amusement. It was clear he was a beloved figure around here, and I found myself relaxing in his presence.

We stopped in front of a large bulletin board, where Mr. Jenkins began pointing out various clubs and groups I might be interested in joining. I nodded enthusiastically, trying to take it all in, as he rattled off names like "Debate Team" and "Robotics Club." When we reached a poster with a cryptic message about "Mystery Mondays," he grinned mischievously.

"Ah, that's one of my personal favourites," he said, winking. "Let's just say it involves puzzle-solving, snacks, and a healthy dose of intrigue."

As I walked into my first class at my new school, I couldn't help but feel every eye in the room on me. It was as if I had walked into a spotlight, and I immediately felt self-conscious. I had hoped to slip in unnoticed, but that was clearly not an option.

Just when I thought I couldn't handle the pressure, a girl with bright pink hair caught my eye. She offered me a warm smile, and I felt a small sense of relief. At least there was one friendly face in the room.

"Class, this is Mauve," Mr. Jenkins announced. "Please make her feel welcome."

With that, Mr. Jenkins left the room, and whispers began to float around me. I started to feel nervous and fidgety, twiddling my fingers as I tried to calm myself down.

But then, the girl with the pink hair saved the day. "Hey, I'm Rose," she said, introducing herself. "Don't be nervous we don't often get new students. Stick with me, and I'll show you around."

I couldn't help but feel grateful for her kindness. In just a few short moments, she made me feel less alone in a room full of strangers.

The bell rang, signalling the end of class.

As I followed Rose out of the classroom, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances from my new classmates. But with Rose by my side, I felt a sense of protection, like I was shielded from the scrutiny.

"So, what's the deal with this school?" I asked Rose as we walked down the hallway. "Is it always this... intense?"

Rose chuckled. "You have no idea. This place is like a pressure cooker. But, hey, at least the food is decent."

I laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "Glad to know I can look forward to that, at least."

We stopped in front of a row of lockers, and Rose spun her combination lock with a flourish. "Okay, so this is my locker. You can stash your stuff in there if you need to."

As I thanked her and began to put my things away, I noticed a guy leaning against the lockers across from us, eyeing us with interest. Rose caught my gaze and rolled her eyes. "Don't mind him, that's just Jax. He thinks he's God's gift to this school."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what's the story with him?"

Rose grinned mischievously. "Let's just say he's got a bad rep, but I think he's secretly a softie."

As I continued to observe Jax, he pushed off the lockers and sauntered over to us, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. Rose shot me a warning glance, but I just shrugged. I was curious about this guy who seemed to command attention without even trying.

"Hey, Rose," Jax said, his deep voice dripping with charm. "Introduce me to your new friend."

Rose raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Jax, this is... um, sorry, I didn't catch your name earlier."

"I'm Mauve," I supplied, feeling a bit like a specimen under a microscope.

Jax's gaze lingered on me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Well, Mauve, it's nice to meet you. I hope Rose is showing you the ropes around here."

Rose snorted. "Yeah, because you're the expert on all things Lincoln High."

Jax chuckled, unfazed. "Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here."

I exchanged a look with Rose, who just shook her head. But I had to admit, there was something intriguing about Jax – a sense of confidence that bordered on arrogance yet seemed to be laced with a hint of vulnerability.

As the bell rang, signalling the end of our break, Rose grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Time for our next class, Mauve. Let's get out of here before Jax corrupts you completely."

I laughed, feeling a sense of belonging for the first time that day. "I think I can handle myself, Rose."

On our way to the next class, my friend Rose and I were deeply engaged in a conversation, getting to know each other better. We shared stories about our interests, families, and aspirations. The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was already lunchtime.

Rose headed towards the cafeteria, but I had other plans. I told her that I had to be somewhere and that I would meet her after. She jokingly replied that I seemed to move fast when it came to making plans. I then revealed to her that I was planning to attend tryouts for the school's track team. I had always been interested in athletics, and I thought it was the perfect time to give it a try.

Rose seemed surprised but supportive of my decision. She mentioned that sports weren't really her thing, but she would meet me in gym class after lunch. "Good luck," I hear her scream as I head out.