the locker room

chapter one

High school.

The extinction of pizza.

And finding out that Harry Styles has a girlfriend.

Those three things have one thing in common - they all royally suck and would cause severe heartache if they were to actually occur.

Walking into the halls of Lightenberg High every semester was a reminder that I have to endure certain tortures. There was everyone from emo teens to jocks and prim princesses that rely solely on their father's bank accounts to supply their everyday needs.

Since my life was on track to mirror a clichè, I didn't look into it that much. Lightenberg was like any other high school; everything was the same. We walked halls filled with drama and toxic people, whispering behind perfect manicures and high ponytails.

The only difference, of course, is staff and location. But otherwise, we too had fake people and boring classes.

As I take down notes in my A.P. Creative Writing class, the sound of other students popping their gum echoes in the background. If that wasn't bad enough, I was using every bit of strength I possessed not to fall asleep while listening to the teacher at the front of the room.

I stifle a yawn as the door flies open suddenly. My heart seems to stop, and I imagined a cloud of smoke following the gorgeous male that saunters in. He had his jet black hair flipped to the side, a few strands falling down his forehead. It did nothing but make him look all the more mysteriously attractive.

His Ray-Bans were tucked into the collar of his white shirt that he topped with a black leather jacket. The outline of numerous tattoos could still be seen through the transparent material. His physique was undoubtedly God-like. I swore I could hear the cries of his biceps as they begged to be released from their cage of clothing.

Of course.

The typical high school bad boy. I can practically hear the tops being pulled down and boobs being propped up in push-up bras. Gum was being chewed with a certain intensity now and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the class' female population.

Was your obnoxious chewing supposed to allure and seduce him? I pondered.

And in that moment I lived up to my reputation for being the truly awkward person that I am, ruining the magical moment by gagging as my own gum stuck to the back of my throat. Of course, I then started coughing maniacally, gasping for air.

This lasted for at least four consecutive minutes - me dying in the center of the room, the rest of the class staring without extending a helping hand. Including the mysterious new guy. I had never hated gum more.

Our English teacher coughs, breaking up the silence before everyone directs their attention to the male model at the door.

"Mr. De Luca, how nice of you to join us." Ah, so that's the surname of the wannabe Adonis.

I imagine every girl placing their first names in front of it and swooning at the thought.

Without so much as a glance toward our teacher, his focused gaze searches for an empty seat. His mysterious aura instantly catches the eyes of the other class members who didn't fall into a trance the moment the door opened.

I really feel bad for the person sitting behind me that he's walking to.

As soon as I thought about it, I realized something much more important. No one sits behind me.

The chair screeches on the white tile as he pulls it back, taking a seat and slouching all the way down. He doesn't spare me a second glance, let alone a first.

Great. I sit next to the new guy who is oozing question marks.

Not that I was complaining, though.

I try to ignore the death stares from every girl in the class. Their eyes drill into me as if I stole the last piece of pepperoni pizza. A part of me wanted nothing more than to scream in their faces that I didn't care if the glorified stranger sat next to me. But I just sat through it.

As class comes to an end, I hear whispers about him from every inch of the room, permeating through the room like his cologne.

De Luca, Damon De Luca I came to find out. He transferred to Lightenburg after being kicked out of his old one for God knows what. From what I heard, he was smart and athletic, having already secured a spot on the soccer team, despite try-outs only being held this afternoon. He also managed to be put into almost all advanced classes.

So, he wasn't just a pretty face. Good to know.

He never spoke a word to anyone during class, only listening intently. I could hear the soft scribbles of his pen against paper; he was taking down notes as well.

"So, are we all understanding?" Everyone nodded their head in boredom, just waiting for the class to finally be over. It was a classic move - if you don't ask questions, they continue droning until the bell rings, moving time along much faster.

Mr. Felt points to a tall brunette at the front of the class, stopping to ask her a question. Ashley, if I remember correctly. We had had a conversation or two. "Miss Gilbert, what term was I just explaining?" he asked.

A dumbfounded expression graces her features and she stops twirling her brown locks

.

"Um, literary devices?" she asks. The whole class erupts into a fit of laughter. It dissipates moments later when Mr. Felt glares at everyone over the rim of his glasses. Before he can scold her for not paying attention, a voice from behind me spoke up.

"You were explaining to us the correct way in which to use a hyperbole sir, how it could ruin our topic of presentation if misused."

Everyone turns to the refreshing voice, stunned by the Italian accent that laced his words.. Heck, even I was mesmerized by how deep and calming it sounded.

"Correct. I'm glad to see someone was paying attention," he declares proudly. He directs his attention to us, practically sticking his tongue out and swooning over him too. "You could all learn a thing or two from Mr. DeLuca."

The class proceeds to groan, turning their eyes back to whatever they were doing before. Man, I just wanted to go to lunch.

As usual I was the last person left in class because I was a klutz, and the contents of my bag now littered the floor. That's what I get for trying to rush out to get a slice of the piece of heaven that was Lightenburg High's pizza. Of course, my oh so kind classmates left me in the dust.

Typical.

On my way to the cafeteria, I stop by my best friend Ainsley's locker. My locker was adjacent to hers so I deposited my books and locked it, swiveling to find her and her boyfriend Noah heading toward me.

Noah and Ainsley have been dating for about a year and a half now, becoming what I aspire to achieve if I was to ever gain a social life and attract a member of the male species. I love watching the pair - they're perfect for each other and the love they shared seemed so real.

Like every couple, they had their problems, but they always worked through their issues. And that's despite breaking up multiple times after petty arguments.

"Hey Ronnie," Noah greets me, his fingers still intertwined with Ainsely's.

"Hey Noah, hey Ley." I call Ainsley by her nickname, not missing the rolling of her eyes. She has been hating that name since we were kids, so I took it upon myself to use it as frequently as possible.

"You'll never guess what happened!" she says with buoyancy, words floating on clouds of excitement.

"My wildest dream is finally coming true? One Direction is actually getting back together? I knew the day would come, I just had to be patient," I tease, cracking up as she puts a hand on her hip.

Instead of indulging my ridiculous guess, she continues. "You could've just said what, but sadly no."

"My scenario was funnier, but what's up?" I question. Ainsley turns to her boyfriend, who ran his fingers through his disheveled brown tresses.

Noah wasn't the most attractive guy I've laid my eyes on but you could hardly say he wasn't the full package. He had an undeniable cute boyish innocence to him that made him charming. Looking at him now, he had a decent build, indicating he worked out, but not obsessively. I could see why Ainsely remained smitten.

"Babe, tell her the news.," she pleads, tugging on his arm.

"I'm trying out for soccer today after school," Noah utters shyly. He had been a hardcore soccer fan for as long as I could remember, but never thought he had what it takes for the school team. As his loyal support system, we spent loads of time encouraging him to man up and go for it.

"Really? That's great."

My heart fills with genuine happiness for him and I give him a playful punch on the shoulder. We go way back. The two of us would play together as kids, diving in mud piles and whatever else nature had to offer. Meanwhile, Ainsely sat on the sidelines and watched, not daring to do so much as touch a speck of dirt.

Soccer was my favorite sport too, but I wasn't the competitive type. I preferred playing at the park with my dad whenever we had the chance.

"Isn't it? We get to watch hot guys flex for an hour." Ainsley giggles, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Babe," Noah whines, placing his hands around her waist in a possessive manner.

"Sorry, Noah." She laughs once more, smiling up at him and placing a small kiss just below his eye.

I roll my eyes at their cuteness and carry on speaking to the two lovebirds.

"Okay so what's the plan, we're going to watch right?"

"Oh yeah of course. You and I are meeting up after school behind the bleachers five minutes before tryouts. That way Noah has time to change and get his head in the game and not be distracted by his beautiful girlfriend."

Noah nods his head in agreement.

"You really are beautiful," he chimes.

I fake gagging and shut my locker closed, causing the two to laugh out loud.

"Alright, that sounds good. Now let's go eat. i'm starving and don't want the pizza to run out," I say, advancing to the smell of the glorious food heaven, my friends by my side.

By the time we reached the front of the line, the pizza had already finished and I groan in frustration. The whole time I was standing next to the new student, cursing Ainsley and Noah for leaving me in this line next to him.

Damon noticed my frustration and laughed to himself. "You want my slice?" he asked, removing me from my train of thoughts.

In any other situation, I would have declined the offer, but this was some amazing pizza on the line, and I stood here for ten minutes. "You sure?" I asked him.

"I eat pizza almost everyday, my mom makes some really mouth watering Italian dishes. go ahead," he assures.

He handed me the slice and I thanked him. grabbing an apple and some orange juice to go with my meal.

Once I reached my table I sat down and noticed the quizzical look in both Noah and Ainsley's eyes.

"Was that the new transfer student you were speaking to?" he asks.

"Yeah, he gave me the last slice of pizza, why?" I questioned.

"I heard he's pretty bad news, rumors say he hasn't even been here a full day but was caught making out with Jessica Sims in the janitor's closet." I cringed at Ainsley.

"Are you trying to say he gave my pizza STD's?" They laughed and shook their heads simultaneously.

"No, just be wary, that's all."

I nodded and took their words into account, taking a bite out of the pizza and moaning at the luscious taste.

How was pizza the only thing my school got right?

This book is being edited by the wonderful awesomexgurl go check out her books! They're just as wonderful.

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Thank you for reading!I hope you enjoyed the first chapter.