In love with the boy next door

Sudden change

Abby’s POV

“Good morning class. I hope you all had an amazing holiday.” The teacher greets as he walks in with a box in his hands which he immediately puts down on his table.

“Good morning, sir.” The entire class responds.

“We have a new student in our midst.” He smiles while looking in my direction.

How on earth did he figure out I was the new student so quickly? Unless you tell me, he knows all the students in this class.

“Miss Abigail Fisher please stand so that the class may see you.” He gives me a smile.

Oh my this is the part I always dread the most. I hate being the new student in class or anywhere else. The process of introducing myself in front of a crowd makes me sick a little. I can already feel the knots tying in my stomach as well as butterflies flying around in my stomach. My forehead feels hot, and I will probably start sweating.

Lord help me.

And the worst part about being new is making new friends and letting people get to know me. I am the most vulnerable at this stage because I have no idea who to trust and open too. The last group of people I thought were my friends turned out to be fake.

Lucky me I already have Emma who seems like a good friend and Dylan who has just pretended to not know me or is something up with him. We have not hung out in the past few days too. God knows what he has been busy with.

I stand up and face the class with the little courage I have in me. Here goes nothing, “Good morning, everyone. I am Abby.” I say to the class with a small smile before I turn to face the teacher who nods allowing me to take my seat.

“Good morning.” A few students respond to my greeting and introduction with smiles.

“Welcome to our class Abby, I am Mr. Lawrence your grade teacher as well as teacher of English and Literature.” He introduces himself.

Mom mentioned she met my grade teacher who was very friendly and polite, I see what she meant.

“Now that we have met our new pupil, let us get down to business.” Mr. Lawrence moves from behind his table and starts moving around the class. Everyone has a notebook and pen out ready to scribble notes and so do I.

“For the next three weeks I want us to read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.” He says.

Nice, one of my favorites. I am glad I started reading it. Lucky for Dylan who already finished the novel. If we ever do get back on talking terms, we could exchange some notes.

“I am going to evaluate your progress in a week when we shall have a random verbal quiz. Every piece of information should be accurate. I want to hear your views and opinions about Jane Eyre’s Life.” He says while distributing a copy of the novel to each pupil.

“In the second week I hope we shall all be done so that we attempt the written quiz.” He goes on telling us what we shall be doing.

Everyone gets busy with getting started with the novel. I browse through trying to remember the last page I was on with my personal copy.

************

Lunch time

The school class schedule is well laid out. Whatever classes we have on Monday are the same as Wednesday while Tuesday and Thursday have the same schedule as well. Friday is different, we have clubs and sports after lunch.

Emma is still trying to convince me to join her cheer leading squad. Which I still do not want to join. Learning about her being the cheer leading captain explains her choice in clothes and the amazing body she has. Emma is wearing a short red and black patted skirt with a white crop top showing off her flat stomach and a bit of cleavage. The boys must enjoy staring at her all day.

Speaking of sports and clubs I need to submit at least one club or sport I will be doing on Fridays after class before the end of tomorrow. I hope I can narrow it down to something I will enjoy doing for the rest of the year. I will most likely settle for a club and not any sport, I do not like any form of exercise. The only thing I do is yoga and that’s with mom.

“I don’t really like cafeteria food, so I pack something to snack on at lunch.” Emma says while putting her backpack in her locker then bringing out a khaki bag from it.

“Usually, I just grab a bottle of water and a fruit from there.” She says.

“I will trust your judgement on the food, my mom packed me something to eat as well in case I didn’t like the food.” I say.

“Great.” Emma brightly smiles with her eyes closed.

“Hey B.” I hear a female voice approaching us from behind.

I turn around and see a girl approaching us. She has red hair, green eyes, pretty face, about my height and a fit body just like Emma but with a bit more flesh.

“Hey Liv.” Emma says excitedly.

Of this must be her best friend.

“Hi, you must be Abby.” She gives me a smile when she stopes right in front of me.

“Hi.” I respond.

“I am Olivia, but most people call me Liv.”

Nice, pretty name.

“Abby this is my best friend the one I mentioned to you before.” Emma says while holding on to my arm.

“Oh yes I remember you mentioned your best friend was in the next class.” I say to Emma then turn to Liv, “Nice to meet you.” I smile at her.

“Let us go an eat I am starving.” Emma says to both of us.

“Let me put my bag away.” I say to her before taking a few steps away from Emma and Liv.

Lucky me I have been given a locker right opposite Emma, and now I see Liv’s locker is next to Emma’s. This is great, we get to be here at the same time.

“So I was telling Abby about giving her a tour of the school after lunch and maybe after our last class too.” Emma fills Liv in as we walk hand in hand to the cafeteria.

*************

“There is my princess.” Dad opens his arm wide to give me a hug.

I voluntarily move in and hug him.

“Hey dad.”

“How was your first day? Made any friends?” He asks after kissing the top of my head.

“It was alright my new friends showed me around school which was nice.” I tell him with a smile.

I bet Dad is as happy to learn about me making friends as mom was a while back when I told her about Emma and Liv.

“Wow that’s amazing princess.” He says with a huge smile then pulls me in for another bear hug for half a minute then let’s go.

“And the boys?” dad asks mom who just walks in.

“Right behind me.” She says before stopping to give dad a kiss on the lips.

Aiden and Alex are not pleased to be in separate classes. This is the first school they have been enrolled in where they have been separated. Based on their aptitude test results, the school has put them in different classes to build on their interests.

Alex will be taking Art because he expressed his interest in drawing and painting while Aiden has been placed in a class that has drama. I think it’s a good idea, having both in one class is trouble for the teacher.

“Let me freshen up then help with dinner.” I say to excuse myself.

“No worries princess, I have already prepared something that is already baking in the oven as we speak.” Dad responds.

“Awwww thanks honey.” Mom hugs him from the side with her arms wrapped around his waist.

“You are welcome baby.” Dad leans in and plants a soft kiss on her lips.

“Please tell me its shepherd’s pie.” Aiden comes in from nowhere.

“Good guess.” Dad winks at him.

“YES!!” the twins say in sync.

I swear there isn’t a single person in this family that can’t cook good food. Well the twins are only starting to learn but even what they can prepare on their own is good.

“So take your time and I will let you know when dinner is ready.” Dad smiles at me. “The boys will help me set the table. Right boys?”

“Aye aye captain.” They both respond.

“Thank you.” I say then leave for my room.

Dad should be resting after his 24-hour shift but instead he decided to cook dinner for his family. How sweet is that?

I toss my bag on the bed then walk to the bathroom after taking my denim jacket and pump off. After using the bathroom, I return to my room throwing myself on the bed then taking a deep breath.

“What a day.”

“How was your first day?” I hear Dylan’s voice that startles me a little.

I sit up immediately and find him seated on the edge of my window.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

Every time I see Dylan I get butterflies in my stomach and my legs feel all jelly like, but now, I am just wondering what happened today.

“I came to check on you.” He says.

He again seems different from the way he was before while at school. Now he is back to his usual self.

“So how was your first day at Middleton high?” he asks as he walks towards my bed.

“It was alright I guess.” I shrug.

“I see you made new friends.” He says before sitting at the edge of the bed.

“I had to make new friends since the one person I thought was my friend was giving me a cold shoulder.” I say looking straight into his eyes.

“What!” he acts surprised.

“What was that all about Dylan? You have been distant of late and today when you saw me in class you just went on with whatever you were doing.”

I need to know why he suddenly just switched up on me.