The Unrecognized Beauty

Chapter 2: New school

ATHENA'S POV

We're now heading to my new school. Springfield International Academy.  It's in Bardford.  We came from  Wimborne, where I studied for 11 years. Technically, I'm a transfer student. I'm now in 12th grade. One more year, and I will be entering college life. That sounds exciting, but I have to survive my high school life first before thinking about that. One at a time, as they say.

I had a few friends in my previous school, and they were sad when they knew that we would be living in a new place. They didn't want me to leave, but I said I had no choice regarding the matter. My mom wants me to enjoy a peaceful life, so she decided to rent a house here in  Bardford. It was a sudden decision that my mom had to make for us. She said that it was the best for me. She's been through a lot, but she still thinks of me.  I know she wants to save me from the people who bully me because my father is a cheater. I don't know what's wrong with those people. I am not the cheater; it was my dad. I don't have any idea why they are throwing hurtful words at me. It's not like I am the reason why my father cheated. It was his choice. It wasn't my fault but his.

"We're here, sweetie." mom said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

This location appeals to me. Along the journey, there are a lot of trees. While we were driving to my school, I couldn't help but stare out the window. It's a world away from the hustle and bustle of  Wimborne  .

"I'll go ahead. Keep safe. I love you!" I kissed her on the cheeks as I bid her goodbye.

"I love you too! Good luck! I'm rooting for you, sweetie." 

"Thanks, mom!" I say to her and get out and start walking to the school entrance—the gate filled with students entering and hanging out before classes start. 

As I entered the main gate, I heard students, primarily girls whispering.

"Oh my! He looks more handsome!" I heard one girl say

"Yeah, right! His uniform looks good on him too! How I wish he's mine." another girl said

"You wish, girl!" the girl replied. 

I don't know who they are talking about, but one thing is for sure, I need to find my classroom as soon as possible.

I checked the location of my classroom on my phone. I saved it there.  I also have a copy of my schedule on it. 

After a lot of walking and asking, I finally found my classroom. Thank God!

There were some students inside, so I got in already. I guess it's okay, right? 

I sat in the back where there were no students. Gosh! I'm super nervous. I hope everything turns out well. 

After a while, some vacant seats were starting to be filled by other students. 

I'm just killing time with my phone since our teacher is still not in the classroom. While scrolling through my f*******: newsfeed, I overheard the girls on the third row discussing someone. They have loud voices, so I can still hear them even when I'm in the fifth row.

"Girl! Markus was walking down the corridor when I spotted him. He's on his way here! He's a hottie!" The girl said to her, "I presumed friend," with tremendous excitement.

"I know, I know! I'm looking forward to meeting him." She reacted with a chuckling response.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed the girl. "Look, there he is!" The girl stated once again.

They're now staring out the window, where I counted at least ten individuals. Three of them are guys, while the others are girls who encircle the three boys. Now I'm puzzled as to why they're surrounding those guys. Are they the so-called "campus heartthrob"?

As the boys entered the classroom, the girls in the third row caught my attention once again. They were glancing at the boys and whispering to each other, which I noticed. Perhaps one of them has a crush on the other. That's typical, particularly at our level. I think they're adorable.

When I saw where the boys were going, my thoughts came to a halt. Gosh! The fourth row is empty, and the fifth row is also empty except for me. I'm hoping they sit in the fourth row.

As they move closer to where I am sitting, I look at them intently. I observed that the two men in front of me were both attractive. I can't quite make out the face of the man in the back. The two guys are covering him. They're both taller than the person in the back.

The man on the right, gazed at me. Maybe he realized I was staring at them. I lowered my head and gave him a shy smile. He unexpectedly returned my smile. I'm not going to deny that he has a lovely smile. OMG! What's going on with you, Athena?

They stopped in the fourth row. I'm guessing they'll take up that row. As a result, I exhale a sigh of relaxation. That's a wise decision, boys! I think they are not just good-looking guys; they are also good decision-makers. I laugh at that thought.

The guy on the left goes first, followed by the one on the right. I was looking at the guy on the left when the guy on the back of the boys earlier caught my attention. Now I can see his face.

I'm not sure what happened to me, but I was stunned for a second. I was staring at the man as he walked by. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about him that I can't explain or describe. He appeals to me more than the other two. His aura, on the other hand, appears to be heavy. Quite different from the two boys' aura.

When he caught me, I was so focused on him.

"What?" He asked, his cold stare fixed on me.

"I-I'm sorry." I stuttered while I apologized to him. That was humiliating. I can't believe he managed to catch me.

After that, I pick up my phone and return to browse through my newsfeed to distract myself from remembering that very awkward moment.