New Girl in School: Ana and Jaden

‎ ‎The afternoon sun hit the large glass windows of Hillside cafeteria. At the center of the cafeteria, Ana sat at a round table with her two new friends, Eva and Laura. ‎ ‎Ana was a pretty girl; even in a school full of wealthy students, people stopped to look at her. She wore designer sneakers on her feet and her wrists were adorned with bracelets and bangles. ‎ ‎She looked around miserably and pushed a piece of sandwich around her plate with a fork. ‎ ‎"I don't like this school," Ana said. Her voice was sharp. "It is so different from what I'm used to." ‎ ‎Eva looked up from her phone. "It’s an award-winning school, Ana. People kill to get in here." ‎ ‎"Oh," Ana replied. "That's exactly what my uncle told me. It's boring." ‎ ‎Laura sighed, "You’ve been saying that since you came. You have to get used to it." ‎ ‎"If not for you two, I'll be so sad here," Ana said as she bit a slice of sandwich. "Maybe, I would have enjoyed the school if I was not watched and over protected." ‎ ‎Laura looked at her keenly, "Ana, you will be fine. I'm sure he knows why he watches you." ‎ ‎"Why?" Ana rolled her eyes and sighed. "He tells me what to wear, I can't even eat what I like and after that, he controls my activities in school! I can't even talk to boys!" ‎ ‎"He’s just looking out for you," Eva said. She was tired of Ana's complaints but she liked her company and thought she was a nice girl. ‎ ‎"Is he that strict about the boys?" Laura leaned closer to whisper. ‎ ‎Ana scoffed, "Strict? That’s an understatement. He told me if he catches me talking to a boy, he will take away my phone and lock me in my room for one month." ‎ ‎As Ana complained, the heavy doors of the cafeteria opened. Three boys walked in. They moved slowly, like they owned the building and whispered to each other, their laughter barely audible. ‎ ‎After getting their lunch, they sat at a table directly opposite Ana and her friends. One of the boy sat in the middle, few strands of his dark hair falling across his face. He didn't laugh with his friends; he just sat there, looking calm and bored . ‎ ‎Ana stopped talking. She felt her stomach knot and started choking on her food. ‎ ‎Eva passed her a glass of water, "Here, drink." ‎ ‎"Who is that?" Ana asked after taking some sips from the glass. ‎ ‎Eva turned around to look. Her eyes went wide. "Oh, no. Don't even think about it, Ana." ‎ ‎"Why not?" ‎ ‎"That’s Jaden," Laura whispered. "His father is one of the richest men in the country. He owns the company that manufactures all those luxury sports cars you see on TV." ‎ ‎Ana watched Jaden. He was wearing a simple watch, but she knew it was worth thousands because her uncle had exactly that type. ‎ ‎"I like him," She said as she straightened her back. "He looks calm and reserved; my type." ‎ ‎"Ana, listen to me," Eva cut in, grabbing her hand quickly. "Remember the rule. Your uncle was so clear. No talking to boys. Especially not a boy like Jaden. If your uncle finds out, he will go crazy." ‎ ‎Ana felt the anger in her chest expanding; she would never like it here. Even the ones who call themselves friends care too much about her uncle than her. "My uncle isn't here. He won't know...unless somebody tells him." ‎ ‎Laura inhaled deeply, Ana was stubborn and difficult, "We are not the only ones here. Someone else might tell him." ‎ ‎Ana found her unbelievable. She stood up and smoothed out her skirt. "I’m fifteen years old and will turn sixteen in some months. I’m grown enough to say hello to a boy if I want to." ‎ ‎"Ana, sit down!" Eva hissed. ‎ ‎But Ana didn't listen. she turned away from her friends and began to walk across the cafeteria floor. ‎ ‎The cafeteria went quiet. Though Ana was new in Hillside, everyone knew who she was, and everyone knew who Jaden was. Seeing the "new girl" approach the "car prince" was like watching a movie scene. ‎ ‎Ana reached Jaden’s table. She put on her best smile. She tilted her head to the side, acting sweet and composed, but her heart did plenty somersaults. ‎ ‎"Hi," Ana said, her voice soft and melodic. "I’m Ana. I have seen you around but have not had the chance to say hi." ‎ ‎Jaden didn't move, neither did he lift his head. He was looking at his phone, scrolling through something and maintaining a smirk on his face. It was almost as if Ana was not standing there; talking to him. ‎ ‎Ana waited for a few seconds, swallowed and forced the smile even harder. "I said hi," she repeated, a bit louder this time. "I’m new here. Well, new this term." ‎ ‎Jaden finally moved; but he did not glance at her. His eyes moved from his phone to a glass of water on the table and he slowly took a sip. He set the glass back down. Then, he turned to his friend on his left and started talking about car paint. ‎ ‎Ana felt her knees grow weak and fought hard against the tears that tried to gather in her eyes. Nobody had ever ignored her like this. Especially not a boy. She had the looks! ‎ ‎"Are you serious?" Ana asked, her voice shaking. "I am standing right here talking to you. Is it that hard to say hello?" ‎ ‎Jaden finally looked up at her but only for a split second. His eyes remained cold and defiant and without muttering a word, he stood up, grabbed his bag, and walked away. His friends followed him immediately. ‎ ‎Ana walked back to her table weakly and embarrassed, wondering why he was so cold to her. As soon as she sat down, the first tear fell. Then another. She didn't try to hide it. She put her face in her hands and began to sob. ‎ ‎"Ana, don't cry," Laura said, moving her chair closer. "He’s just a jerk. He does that to everyone." ‎ ‎"No, he doesn't," Ana cried. "He looked at me like I was trash. In fact, he did not even look at me at all." ‎ ‎Eva handed her a tissue. "We told you, Ana. We warned you about the rules and about him." ‎ ‎"I hate him!" Ana shouted. A few people at the next table turned to look, but she didn't care. "I hate this school!" ‎ ‎"Calm down, Ana," Eva whispered. "You don't want the teachers to hear you. ‎ ‎Ana wiped her face, but more tears came. ‎ ‎"He thinks I'm cheap." ‎ ‎"You’re not cheap," Laura told her. ‎ ‎Ana laid her head in the table and continued her whimpering with her friends placing their hands on her soothingly. Back in the hood, everyone praised her beauty and boys always chased after her. She did not like it here. "We warned you," Eva said softly. "But, we can't blame you. Jaden is so hot and irresistible so it's okay to have a crush on him." "I don't care what happens but I will confront my uncle when I get home," Ana said weakly. "If he likes, he can lock me up for all I care. But, he has to tell me why he doesn't want me talking to boys."