Love Beyond Chaos

Chapter 4

LEXI'S P.O.V

The moment I stepped through the school gates, a soft wave of murmurs floated towards me. It wasn't wild or hostile – just curious.

Eyes lifted, conversations paused, and for a second it felt like someone put a spotlight directly on me.

Girls looking at me trying to figure out if I'm a transfer student or some celebrity's daughter.

Some guys looked stunned, mouth agape like they haven't seen a fine babe before.

Keep flattering yourself, Lexi.

I kept my posture straight and my walk confident. I kept repeating in my head:

"Confidence, baby girl. They don't know you yet, but they're about to."

Everywhere was buzzing with energy. Girls gathered at a corner gossiping, chatting and laughing too loudly. A typical school scene... but being the newbie and outsider made everything seem amplified.

I followed the printed map they'd emailed me before, walking towards my assigned locker.

When I reached the locker row, a girl with soft milk – chocolate skin that seemed to glow gently under the hallway lights and dark brown knotless braids dipped in soft black was standing next to my locker.

She had a small mirror in her hand and was adjusting her lip gloss.

She had this warm and friendly vibe around her and was effortlessly beautiful.

"Hey... you're new." She smiled, her white teeth standing out beautifully against her milk – chocolate skin.

"Yeah... I'm Lexi." I smiled, feeling comfortable around her.

"I'm Laurey." She extended her hand out for a handshake and I took it. It was warm and soft. "You have this warm, confident and beautiful aura around you. Like.... You-walk-in-and-the-hallway-freezes kind of aura.

A deep blush rose on my cheeks. "Really... I don't think anyone noticed me when I entered."

She snorted. "Are you serious? Some guys were gaping at you and forgot how to breathe."

I chuckled feeling shy.

"Anyway," she closed her locker with a loud bang. "What are you having first?"

"I haven't collected my schedule from the principal yet."

"Oh... come on, then. Let's go together." She linked her arms with mine smiling. "From now on, we're stuck together."

I smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.

As we walked to the principal office, she spoke about a lot of things. The teachers that were "vampires" always sucking the life out of students, the boys who were heartbreakers, and the girls who were drama factories.

We reached the principal's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I walked into the office, my arm still linked with Laurey's.

"Good morning." I greeted with a nervous smile.

"Oh, good morning. You must be the new student." The principal, who looked around his mid – fifties, was sitting in a swivel chair smiling at us.

"Yes sir. I came to get my schedule."

"Oh yes!" he nodded and fiddled with his drawer bringing out a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Thank you sir." I bowed my head respectfully.

"You're welcome, Lexi. I hope you enjoy your stay here." He turned his head to Laurey and smiled. "Why are you here, Miss Okwuka."

"Oh... nothing sir. I just accompanied Lexi here."

"Oh. That's nice. Already making friends on your first day. Laurey, do well to give her a tour around the school."

"Of course Mr. Alex."

"Have fun and welcome to ASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL."

"Thank you sir." Laurey and I chorused and walked out of the principal's office heading to our first class.

"Your principal is really cheerful. I was expecting someone strict or boring." I said looking at my schedule.

"Yeah... he's very lively. Everyone loves him." Laurey replied, swinging our linked hands back and forth. "Anyway... what's your first class?"

"Math..." I groaned, throwing my head back.

"Same... let's go together before she eats us alive for coming late."

~~~~

We walked towards the class with confidence and aura. The door to the classroom opened with a loud bang and we stepped in with our chin high and posture straight. Everything around us seemed to slow, because everyone just turned their heads towards us. Even the teacher stopped her lecture to look at us. It looked like a scene straight up from a movie.

Our little runway walk was interrupted when the teacher cleared her throat and looked at us with a stern glare.

"Why are you coming to the class now? You're ten minutes late."

"I just received my schedule minutes ago." I replied politely.

"That doesn't matter. If you had come earlier, you would have received your schedule earlier. "She said, noting our name in a book."

"But, Ms. Cathy we just told you that- " Laurey interjected but was interrupted by the teacher.

"I don't want to hear your stupid excuses. Not another word." She spoke sternly.

My blood boiled and I couldn't help but speak up. "I just got my schedule- what was I supposed to do, teleport?"

Oops... I did not just say that!

She looked taken aback by my outburst, even the students gasped at my words.

"Did you just talk back at me? I can't believe it... kids nowadays."

"That's cleaning duty for both of you after school tomorrow." She sternly said, adjusting her glasses.

"Unbelievable..." I muttered under my breath.

Control your mouth, Lexi!

A few students snickered.

"What did you just say?" she asked with a glare.

I froze, heat rushing to my face. "Nothing ma'am."

She shot me one last look before continuing her lecture.

"That was totally badass Lexi." Laurey gushed beside me, nudging my shoulder.

I blushed really deep, waving it off with my hand. "Lower your voice. It was really nothing."

"It was really nothing? Are you serious? No one has stood up to Ms. Cathy like that. I was secretly giving you thumbs up."

I raised a brow. "Really? I didn't see it."

"I said 'secretly'... I can't let Ms. Cathy see me or else I'm toast." She said playfully punching my shoulder.

I chuckled, nodding my head. "Yeah... right."

"Ms. Okwuka and Lexi, I would love it if you listen to the lecture." Ms. Cathy said in an overly sweet tone.

"Yes ma'am." I said raising my hand briefly to make a salute but quickly dropped it.

She scoffed and turned her head to the board. Laurey and I looked at each other and started laughing.

The class soon came to an end. I wasn't really paying attention anyway; I was busy goofing around with Laurey. While Ms. Cathy was busy throwing us nasty glares and side glances.