Highschool ends and so will this.

I stood staring at the reflection that gazed back at me, my eyes seemed too big, my lashes thick and dark, my nose was small and I had the plain look of someone who was easily forgotten and I didn't mind at all. I pulled my thick hair back into a pony tail, the 2 elastics straining against the unwilling mass that was 3 foot length of hair. The wild look restrained into a resemblance of a horse's tail at the back of my head, I needed a hair cut to thin the mass soon. Dressed and ready, I looked in envy at the closed door of my wardrobe, thinking of the real me that lay behind those doors. Shaking my head, I grabbed my bag and phone, heading for the kitchen. I grabbed some things from the pantry and fridge, shoving them in my lunchbox quickly. I checked the time, it was still early, so I decided to walk to school. As I reached the corner, I checked both ways before crossing the empty street that would soon be busy with people rushing to school or work. I strode into the milkbar that was on the opposite side, heading for the fridges. I grabbed an iced coffee and then some chewing gum on my way back to the counter. I paused as a magazine caught my eye, reading the cover briefly. I didn't notice the loud voices of the boys that had just entered. I moved forward as I tore my eyes from the magazine, walking straight into someone's back. I stumbled but kept my feet as the person swung around with a steady hand on my waist. I looked up to apologise, only to freeze. It was the person I'd been doing my best to avoid, his piercing green eyes staring back at me, my breath caught. I blushed fiercely, mumbling an apology, I always acted like this in my uniform, shy, unthreatening and hopefully unnoticed, and it worked on most, but not Caspian. The first year of high school, I knew he saw me, as I was, not how I acted, his eyes cut through my facade with a glance. Something knowing lay in his gaze, something that unnerved me. I could not hide from him, something dangerous in the way he'd never call me out, but he also wouldn't accept this version of me. My heart beat wildly in my ears until he stepped back, accepting my apology. "It's all good, we all get into a space of our own." He assured me, I smiled greatfully looking up through my lashes as my heart slowed again. At that moment, his friend Dylan came up behind Caspian, smacking his shoulder in jest. He dragged him against him, his mischievous smile faltered as he noticed me. " What's up Pigieon?" He asked with a nasty grin. I restrained my emotions, wanting to smack him right in that smug face, or a good kick to the nuts. I hated Dylan. He was jackass. "Its Phoenix.." I replied quietly, a warning escaping into my tone, he snorted, before checking his watch. "s**t! Come on Caspian! We're going to be late!" Dylan remarked, dropping his arm and heading for the counter. My eyes watched his receding back as he went. I realized Caspain hadn't moved when he spoke. "Don't watch him.." He mumbled. Startled, I looked at him. A muscle flickered in his jaw, realizing that he'd spoken out loud. His face returned to its impassive mask he usually wore. "He's got a girl already." He continued, with a cold tone as his own eyes looked towards his friend. "See ya at school." he spoke over his shoulder as he headed for the counter too. It was then I realized he'd snatched my ice coffee at some point. I sneered, spinning back towards the fridge. Goddamn Caspian King. I was late, that 5 minute exchange had me space out so much, I'd taken the wrong street and ended up 10 minutes late for school. Jogging through the corridor, I made it to my art class, out of breath and seething. I tidied myself, and dropped my head a little as my ears burned. I was going to get scolded, I slid the door open, and met the eyes of my teacher as the room went silent. Ms Moore raised an eyebrow, clicking her tongue in annoyance. She surprisingly said nothing, only gestured at me to find a seat. I nodded, scanning the room, I found one at the back of the class, between two groups I would have liked to avoid, Caspain and his mates and Jetta and her friends. I sulked to the seat, cursing myself once again. As I sat, I looked up to see my friend Stella, giving me looks of sympathy. I sighed as she looked back towards the teacher and I made to do the same, when I heard some hushed whispers, then a scrap of chairs on my right, not thinking much of it, I continued to doodle on a blank page of my art book. It was only when I felt breath on my cheek that I froze. "Hey, I saw you were late. I should have offered you a ride earlier, sorry." the voice said quietly, I blinked and ignored it for a moment when a leg brushed mine, causing me to look. Sure enough, Caspain had swapped with Tye, and was now seated beside me, leaning too close. My eyes flickered towards Tye accusingly, he looked away guiltily. Tye and I were neighbors and he knew everything, including how I felt about Caspian. We were close and he knew I would scold him later, because this was not how I wanted to start the school year, I wanted back off the radar. Especially when I could feel the heat of a murderous gaze that could only be "Jetta's". "Phoenix?" Caspain pushed again. I met his gaze and I nodded before answering. "Thank you but I'm fine...It was my own fault. I got lost on my way." I finished. A chuckle rumbled from him, he quietly shook his head, his face impassive but his eyes sparkled. "The school hasn't moved after 4 years going on 5, how'd you manage that?" He pressed, my eyes flickered from him back to my page, my pencil frozen in place on the paper, as the heat on my left grew. "Umm..yeah just happened so.. I'm going to listen to my music now." I relayed, pulling out my earbuds. I tried to ignore him as the teacher finally managed to pull his attention away as she discussed our first assignment of the year. I tried hard to listen and got the jist of it, but when the bell rang, I burned rubber out of that class room. I sighed happily when I realized that my next class would pass uneventful as neither Caspian or Jetta's group would be present, no one wanted to take Advanced English, thankfully, apart from me and a few other lovers of literacy. Also, our teachers' love for poetry also kept the idiots at bay, but sadly, also Stella as she hated poetry and reading. I smiled to myself as I started, the work sheet that awaited on our desk breathing a sigh of relief, when a knock on the door echoed through the classroom, and I felt my heart falter. Everyone was here from last year.. There should be no one else. The class had started...I stared at the door willing myself to see through to the other side as my stomach churned, because somehow, after all the ' coincidents' of today, I already knew. As the door swung open, there he was, tall, tanned, ruffled jet-black hair. He made a gesture of apology to the teacher as he entered. He then scanned the room, finding me immediately as I sunk in my seat, not good. His face was blank, but with sparkling eyes, he looked at the empty seat next to me. Fuck. I was f****d. He said nothing as he sat and class began, but I knew as the whispering began round the room, that something had changed since the end of last year. Meaning I was on the chopping block next as far as Jetta and the girls were concerned, because Caspain had gone out of his way twice in one day. Because he'd always been a day-dream crush, and reality would be too much, especially not knowing the real me. Once, again class ended, I gathered my things quickly, when I felt a hand, still my own. "Hey Phoenix, can we study together later this week?" Caspain asked, his voice quiet but emotionless, giving nothing away. I swallowed my panic with a struggle as my heart picked up again, then calmly shook my head. "I don't think I can, sorry." I replied, my voice thankfully not betraying me. He dropped his gaze to our hands, as I removed my own after noticing their contact. I tilted my head at him as he frowned at his empty hand, smiled awkwardly as he caught me staring. "Ok um.. well see ya uhh Casper." I said as I walked out the door, thumping my head with my palm as soon as I was out of eyesight, Casper?! that's a f*****g cartoon ghost. I could not see my day improving. Fortunately it was recess and, after putting my books away, I headed for the canteen where Stella would be waiting. As I got to the canteen, the girls waved me over. I jogged through the crowd towards them, feeling a push from behind. I stumbled, only to be caught by a strong arm. I shuddered thinking of piercing green eyes when I looked up, but it was only the warm brown ones I knew well, Tye. "You alright shorty, do you fall into just any man's arms so willingly?" He chuckled teasingly. I smiled broadly. "Thank you Tye." His smile faltered for a moment, then he nodded without a word, he helped me stand, then turned around with a wave and sauntered off. I spun and continued on my own way. Thinking about how something felt off with our interaction just now and that I really needed to talk to him about art class after school.