The Lust List

2.

Middleton High

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Early Monday morning, I scurry around the kitchen as I finish cooking breakfast. Caleb walks into the kitchen and sits down at the small breakfast nook off the side of the kitchen. I set the last plate of food down and return to the stove, turning off the burners.

"Eat up, Caleb. We gotta leave in thirty minutes." I murmur as I return to the fridge, pulling the milk out and swiping a few glasses from the cabinet. I return to the table and sit down across from him, hearing mom walking down the stairs. 

She smiles as she walks into the kitchen, "Morning guys, are you ready for school?"

Caleb smiles and nods, looking up from his plate, "Yeah, I'm super excited."

"And you Amity?"

I quickly shrug my shoulders and pour some milk into my glass, "Meh, I guess so."

We fall back into silence as mom nods and pulls out her phone, beginning to scroll aimlessly on her phone. She zones out as Caleb goes into a tangent about how he's going to try out for the soccer team. I smile over at Caleb and take a drink. "That's exciting, I hope that tryouts go well."

"Are you going to try out for any sports, Amity?"

I hum softly, "I'll play it by ear. I've always wanted to try for volleyball, but eh, we'll see."

"Volleyball?" Mom's eyebrows raise, snapping out of her phone. "No, you will not play volleyball, Amity. Have you seen the outfits they have them wear?"

Scoffing, I shake my head at her. "I said we'll see, mom. I doubt I'll even try out, and even if I did try out, I'm sure I wouldn't even be accepted."

"Don't even try out, Amity." Mom glares at me and I roll my eyes, finishing off my plate of food and standing up. I down the rest of my milk and take my dish to the sink.

"Hurry up, Caleb, we gotta leave in fifteen. Did you brush your teeth?"

"I will when I'm done," he murmurs, shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth.

I roll my eyes and walk back downstairs, gathering up everything I need for today. I unplug my phone from my charger, gathering everything I need for today. I stuff my charger into my bag and glance at the time on the clock, quickly walking into my bathroom, plugging in my blow drier and drying my damp braids.

Once they're dry enough, I undo them and gently comb my fingers through the waves. I pin my bangs up and brush my teeth. I walk out of my bathroom when I'm done, grabbing my bag and heading upstairs.

"Come on, Caleb, we're gonna miss the bus."

"Why don't I take you guys?" Mom asks as I walk into the kitchen. "It's on my way to work and I have the time."

I sigh and look at Caleb who walks out of the bathroom, "Fine, whatever."

Ten minutes later, mom pulls into the parking lot that's packed full of cars, and students waiting for the first bell to ring. I groan to myself as I realize I'm going to have to walk out in front of all of the school to get inside.

"Here we are," Mom smiles and I nod my head. "Head to the main office first, they'll have your schedule and anything else you may need."

"Alright," I murmur and open my door, stepping out of the car.

The entire parking lot falls into a soft hush as people begin to notice me.

"Is that the new girl?"

"She's so pretty!"

"I wonder who they'll put her with."

I shake my head and sling my bag over my shoulder, moving toward the school. I walk up the steps and pass by groups of people who murmur with curiosity. I push open the front doors and walk inside, taking the space in. The front door leads into a large common area with wide hallways branching off of it. Two large staircases on either side of the main room lead to the second floor of the school. I follow the directions on the signs and head toward the main office.

Once I find it, I step inside and pause for a moment, looking to my left. A pair of guys are sitting down in the waiting chairs, both of them looking quite angry. They're both average looking, one has a bloody nose and the other had a bloody set of knuckles. I grimace slightly and look away, walking past them and up to the desk.

The woman at the desk stands and smiles as I approach, "You must be the new girl."

I nod and lower my voice, "Uhm, yes, that's me."

"There's big talk about you among the staff and the students."

My eyebrows raise in surprise, sparing a glance towards the two boys sitting in the chairs. "There is?"

The woman nods against, smiling, "You have a 4.2 GPA, why wouldn't there be? You have the highest GPA in school, Ms. Falls."

I swallow the lump in my throat, "Right."

"Here is your lanyard, a map of the school, and a note for the teacher. All of your classroom locations are marked in red sharper, as well as your locker number. If you need any help, I'm sure a student can help you find your way."

"Thanks," I smile and take the two pieces of paper, hurrying past the two guys. I walk out the door and ignore the looks I receive from them.

My eyes scan over my schedule quickly and then I slide the map on top, searching for my first class. I find it quickly on the map and head toward the "Blue" section of the school.

A few minutes later, I find myself standing at the door to my first class, my eyes scanning over the name beside the door, reading it as Misses Barnes. I take a few deep breaths and yank the door open, stepping inside the classroom. The teacher turns when she hears the door open and smiles when she sees me.

"You must be the new student! Welcome, welcome. I'm Mrs. Barnes, please, come inside. The first bell should be ringing in a few minutes. Once everyone arrives, I'll cue you to come up to the front and introduce yourself. You can sit in the second seat back, third row from the left."

A few minutes later, the bell rings and I sigh, preparing myself to have thirty eyes on me all at once. Slowly, students begin to pile into the room, each one staring at me with judgment or interest.

When everyone is in their seats and the tardy bell rings, Misses Barnes claps, "Stand up, Miss Falls."

I stand up slowly and move to the front of the room, scanning over the class. "Hello, my name is Amity Falls and I moved here from a few towns over."

Misses Barnes nods and motions for me to continue, muttering something quietly. "Tell them your GPA."

I frown immediately and palm the back of my neck sheepishly. "Uhm... I don't see why it matters really, but okay. I have a 4.2 GPA."

Most of the student's eyes widen in surprise at me and they all stay silent as I drop my gaze to the floor in embarrassment. Just because I have a high GPA doesn't mean I'm better than anyone else here.

"You may sit back down, Miss Falls." Misses Barnes smiles and quickly sit back in my seat. She then begins into the homework they had last night and begins today's assignment.

"I'm Adam," A voice whispers to my left and I look over, seeing a better-than-average looking guy sitting beside me. He sticks his hand out, "It's nice to meet you."

"Amity... you as well, Adam."

He rasps his knuckles against the desk quietly. "If you need a tour of the school I can show you around, after school."

"Oh, sure, thanks." I smile lightly as he leans away, focusing his attention back to the teacher.

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The cafeteria becomes deathly silent as I walk into the cafeteria and I pause at the door, my eyes flickering across the room. Rows and rows of tables are lined up and down the large common area, which is packed full of students. Whispers begin rolling over the crowd of students, most of them about who I am, where I came from, and my GPA.

I lower my gaze and quickly walk over to the lunch line to wait for a tray of food. I pull my earbuds out of my pockets and pull out my phone, swiping away a few notifications and playing a random song.

A few moments later, a lighter tap appears on my shoulder and causes me to turn around. I see a girl with long black hair with a dark blue lanyard dangling from her neck, meaning she's also a Junior. I pull out my earbud as she sticks out her hand, a friendly smile on her face. "I'm  Madison! Most people call me Maddy, you must be the new girl."

"Oh, yes, I'm Amity." I smile and shake her hand gently.

She drops her hand to her side and looks down at the lanyard on my own neck. "You're a Junior too? Everyone is talking about you. You're the mysterious new girl."

"Mysterious?" I echo, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, our town is small so new kids are very rare. So, when someone new shows up, like you, everyone wants to know who you are, where you came from, etc." She explains and chuckles softly. "Don't you have like a 4.0 GPA?"

"Something like that," I murmur gently and wave my hand dismissively. "It doesn't really matter."

"Doesn't really matter? You have the highest GPA in this entire school, Amity! Some kids would kill for that. I heard you moved from a few towns over, which one?"

"Livermoore."

"Hey, Mads," A voice coos and I look over, seeing Adam standing behind Madison.

"Reuben!" Madison grins widely and kisses his cheek. "How was your vacation?"

"It was good," he smiles and looks over at me, gauging my reaction as his eyes search my expression. "You must be the new girl."

My eyebrows furrow in confusion. Reuben? I thought his name was Adam.

"I can see by the confusion on your face that you've met my brother, Adam." Reuben chuckles and I nod in realization.

"Ah, I see, yes. I met him in my first period."

"Yeah, we're twins."

"Really?" I gasp in feign shock. "I totally couldn't tell."

Reuben laughs at my sarcasm and nudges Madison's shoulder gently. "And I see that you've met my girlfriend."

"That I have."

"She's great," he mumbles, staring down at her as her cheeks turn red. He kisses her on the lips and then pulls away from her. "Catch you later, okay? I got practice."

Madison nods and watches as he walks away, looking back over at me. "So you met Adam, yeah?"