The Loner and Her

Chapter Two : Griffin Kane

            Murmurs throughout Gia's second period class caused a sudden interest in a certain person. A person named Griffin Kane.

            Two girls in cheerleader uniforms, who  sat three desks away from Gia, whispered in an obnoxiously loud way, "Griffin Kane showed up to school today. He actually came to Physics class, and stayed the whole period!"

            Frowning, Gia  couldn't help but wonder what the big deal was. It's not like he said or did anything. He showed up late to class, sat in the back, then remained quiet for the rest of the lesson. How is that something worth talking about?

           Girl-number-two replied, "Really? I heard he only goes to his English and Art class regularly."

            The other girl who spoke before- Girl number one- said, "That's what I heard, too. I mean, he goes to Physics class, like once a month, but he had already been there last week. It was just strange seeing him so soon."

        Gia recognized Girl Number One from her first period class. The cheerleader was sitting with a boy with a Oakwood High basketball sweatshirt on. Shamelessly flirting with him.

        Girl-number-two said, "What a coincidence that it's the same day the new girl shows up. Did you see what she's wearing? That pull-over looks like it two times her size, and those jeans! What brand is that? They're hideous."

       Girl-number-one laughs. The guy beside Gia  gave her a sympathetic smile, and she knew he had heard all that, too. She just shrugged and continued on with her assignment.

        Something tells Gia she isn't going to like her calculus class very much.

        After second period, break began. It was only fifteen minutes, but it's a nice break after two long hours' worth of subjects. Sadly, Gia hadn't made friends with anyone, so she went and sat with Lexie and her friends in the cafeteria which is outside next to their school's gym.

        It's a big grass area filled with dozens of large round tables. The kitchen had its own separate building, and there's a window where people lineup to purchase their food. Some people were getting food now instead of at lunch time. Gia wasn't one of those people, she's usually still full from breakfast by the time break comes around.

        Finding Lexie and her group of friends wasn't as hard as Gia thought it was going to be. They were seated in the middle of all the round tables. People stopped and stared at them every so often. They talked animatedly with one another, bright smiles covering each of their faces.

        When Lexie noticed Gia, she introduced her as the "New Girl from New York". That was strange, but she just rolled with it.

        "Gia," She started to introduce her to her friends, "This is my boyfriend, Liam." Gia waved at the tall boy with dark hair and green eyes. "Also, this is my best-friend, Delilah and her boyfriend, Steve. Then there's Chris and Jorge who are single football players, and that's it."

        Everyone sitting at the table was beautiful. It made her envious and she wondered why she was sitting with them. She could tell they're the "popular" table, with the way all the guys had on football jerseys and are gorgeous looking, while the girls are wearing nice clothing and are pretty. There was no table in the cafeteria quite  like theirs.

        Delilah had dark brown hair and her dark brings out her pretty green eyes. Steve, who has the same skin coloring as her, has brown eyes and short brown hair. Chris has light shaggy blond hair, tall with blue eyes, and Jorge has dark spiky hair and was tan like Lexie.

        "It's nice to meet you all," Gia spoke softly.

        Delilah smiled, "Same to you. So, you're from New York?" She asked conversationally as Gia takes a seat between Lexie and Chris.

        Gia nodded her head and Chris asked her, "Why'd you come here, then?"

        Everyone around the table laughs and she shrugs. "My mom wanted a change, I guess. She didn't give the best of explanations."

"What school did you go to before?" Liam asked her.

        She's not sure how they'd react if they knew she went to a private school most of her high school life. She figured if they're really her friends, then they wouldn't care much. "Uh, Parrington."

        Jorge scowled in distaste, "You went to that snobby rich kid school? I find that hard to believe." He snorts.

        "Why?" She asked him, curiously. Not sure whether to be offended or not. 

        "You're wearing a sweatshirt and jeans. I doubt you can even afford- "

        Chris turned and glared in Jorge's direction. "That's enough, man."

        Now, Gia felt offended. She bit her tongue, not wanting to start arguments on her first day of school. 

        Lexie turned and smirked in her direction, "How did you pay for that school, though? I mean, it must have been really, really expensive.

        "My grandparents' kind of paid for it," Gia admitted. Unsure as to why she did so. She didn't owe them an explanation.

        Liam's eyebrows raise, "Rich grandparents? Nice."

        Gia ran a hand through her hair and sighs quietly to herself. This break isn't turning out the way she thought it would. Gia already doesn't really care for these people. They seem to like the status of being friends with the new girl from New York instead of actually being her friend.

        Delilah eyes her attire. She doesn't even bother to mask her expression. Clearly she does not like the way Gia dresses, but Gia doesn't care. She likes dressing comfortable and warm.

        The sun is hiding beneath the clouds today. It's awfully gloomy, but Gia loves this kind of weather. It makes her love the Fall time more than she already does.

        Delilah asked Lexie, "So did you decided which party we're going to for Halloween?"

        Lexie rolled her eyes, "Obviously, Trenton's party. He has all the booze," She grins and the guys holler.

        Gia frowned, but quickly covers it. She doesn't like parties, especially ones with a lot of alcohol. Now she knows she doesn't really want to be friends with these people.

        Delilah takes a bite of her salad before saying, "But that's all the way in SoHo."

        Lexie shrugged, "Who cares? We're pulling an all-nighter anyways."

        Mentally Gia scowled at the girl beside her. She expects her friends to drive three hours to and from Oakwood just for a party that they expect to spend until the early morning at. 

        Delilah sighed, "Well, yeah, but we'll all most likely be drunk and that's a long time to drive under the influence."

        Chris groaned, "Lexie, what's wrong with Kian's? His party is going to be just as heavy with alcohol."

        Lexie remained silent and Gia looks over at the girl with her eyebrows creased together. Something seemed off with the way she was acting. There's another reason why she didn't want to go to this Kian guy's party.

        Liam rubbed her arm, "Come on, Babe. Kian's house is only fifteen minutes away. You know it's easier- "

        "Whatever." Lexie gave in with annoyance.

        "Great. So what are you dressing as- "Delilah was interrupted by the odd look that comes across Lexie's face.

        Their whole table followed her gaze to where the same brunette from Gia's Physics class was walking across the walkway beside their table. His hands are in his pockets and his gaze is locked onto the ground.

        "He's actually here today." Steve stated with shock.

        "I don't understand what the big deal is. So what if he's at school?" Gia finally spoke up. She was curious about the mysterious boy known as Griffin Kane. 

        He wasn't hard on the eyes either. She currently has to force herself not to turn around and watch him walk away. Gia didn't know why, but she couldn't help but find him very appealing. Even though something told her she shouldn't.

        Delilah cleared her throat before she replied, "Griffin Kane isn't just some guy that skips school a lot."

        Lexie continued for her, "Right. He's this guy that I guess had a hard life. Ever since we've known him he's never cared much about school. Well, mostly since his mom died he hasn't."

        Gia detected how emotionless Lexie was when explaining Griffin's mother had passed away. She understood that she most likely didn't know his mother, but to speak of it without any compassion, felt really wrong to her. Gia's gut was telling her to be aware.

        Chris nodded his head, "He doesn't have any friends. So pretty much a loner. I don't even know why he comes to school at all. He's not here nearly enough to be passing any classes."

        The more they all continue to talk, the more Gia could not help but wonder why this is any of their business. Then again, Gia asked, curious to know why everyone talks so much about him, but just because he has no friends is not a good enough reason.

        The bell to third period rang. Gia blew out a breath. That was the longest fifteen minutes of her life. She knew for sure though, she wasn't sitting with them again.

        "Um, thanks for letting me sit with you guys, "She said as she stood up from the table and grabbed her book bag and swung it over her shoulder.

        "No problem, "Said Lexie as she grabs her purse and notebook. She turned and asks Gia, "See you at lunch?"

        Gia simply smiled with a wave, not giving an answer while Lexie grabbed Liam's hand and the two of them walk off to their next class. Gia waved goodbye to the others as well, trying not to be rude, and then headed to her English class.

        Walking into the main building where the class was, she found it on the third floor. The teacher, Mrs. Johnson, who looked to be the same age as her grandmother, smiled when Gia entered the room.

        "Ah, new student, I presume." She said taking the slip from Gia's hands. "Giuliana, I have only one seat left. It's right over there, next to the boy- oh- Griffin, will you raise your hand please?"

        Gia masked her shock when she noticed the brooding, yet terribly intimidating, familiar guy raise his hand very lowly. He technically didn't need to. She knew who he was, but she wouldn't tell him that.

        "Thanks," She smiled as Mrs. Johnson signed her slip, then handed it back to Gia and she went to her seat.

        Griffin doesn't make a glance in her direction. He to himself, making sure there's a very good difference between the two of them as they share a small desk together.

        His size didn't help though. The guy was huge. Gia could tell by his thin jacket, that he had very large muscles. 

        Curling her hand into a fist and leaning her chin against it, Gia stayed consistent with staring straight ahead. She didn't want to disturb Griffin in anyway or make him uncomfortable. She could tell he probably rather sit alone, but they'll both have to deal with the new adjustment. 

        Biting her bottom lip, Gia watched from the corner of her eye, Griffin glaring at her every so often. 

        It wasn't a creepy kind of glare, like the one Edward gave to Bell in Twilight described. It was more of one in plain annoyance.

        Gia was afraid she's doomed to make no friends.

        Sighing loudly, she dropped her head onto her English composition book.

        She was starting to wonder why she ever missed going to public school.