Zore

Two is Always Better than One

I got to school half an hour early today. You would think I was avoiding being branded as a troubled teen, but really I was avoiding my aunt. She walked away before I even had a chance to answer and was nowhere to be seen this morning. So much for "preparing". Needless to say, this morning I suddenly discovered a newfound love and passion for high school! Yes, it had its challenges, but I'll take the 100% high school experience over prepping to fulfill a deadly prophecy. However, just when I thought I was catching a break, here comes my homeroom teacher introducing yet another new student, "Matteo Romano", and let me tell you, this guy resembles trouble.

"Good morning beautiful." Mr. Thing greeted me smugly while sitting behind me. I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from replying snarkily.

"Hi!" I may have overdone it with the blinding smile, but it's an A for effort.

"A little birdie told me that you're new too. It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Matteo as you heard and you are?

"Charmed I'm sure, and you can ask your little birdie for my name." That was what I wanted to say, but as I was turning over a new leaf, my actual reply was:

"Hi Matteo, I'm Azora. It's great to meet you too!" and, of course, I had to drop another one of those award-winning smiles. Matteo, to his credit, only laughed as if I had told him some inside joke. One thing was for sure. He had a familiar-looking twinkle in his eyes. Actually, this brown-haired, green-eyed Adonis seemed really familiar.

"Ahem" went a very superficial throat-clearing from my homeroom teacher. She sent me a warning glance and carried on with her spiel. No doubt she's carrying a grudge because I slept in her class yesterday.

By lunchtime, I was apparently the hussy who was barking up the new guy's tree and, to make matters worse, he was currently sitting across from me wolfing down his sandwich, while looking like a snack himself, wait. what?!? Don't even go there, Azora. This guy is trouble incarnate, judging by his smirk.

"You look familiar ZZ"

"I could say the same thing TT"

"Touché Azora, no nicknames. Got it" An unholy pause where my glare and his smirk fought for dominance but were broken by the Queen Ann of Green Gables herself.

"Hi, Matteo. Azora" She looked at me, smiled, and turned back to Matteo, and let me just say if my smiles looked anything like that this morning, then I will NEVER smile again.

"So we just wanted to invite you to our annual mid-term party. We know how hard it is to start school in the middle of the term and just wanted to make sure you were feeling welcome." She then turned and declared "You can come too, Azora!" Another one of those freakish smiles then set her beamer on Matteo.

"Sorry I can't come, Ann- I mean. Amber." What a save. I'm so happy I didn't miss roll call this morning. "Actually I have something really important to do this afternoon." Avoiding Aunt Seraphina was a matter of national importance. "Thanks though. I hope you and Matteo have fun." I quickly jumped up, preparing to make my escape, only to have my escape cut short by Mr. My Hair is the Color of Dark Chocolate.

"She's right, Amber. Azora and I" OH NO HE DID NOT! "Have very important matters to discuss-"

"Excuse m-"

"About her aunt." Well, that shut me up right quick.

"Okaay. Well, Matteo, anytime you need help, always feel free to ask. Azora." And with a very accusatory look in my direction, she turned and walked away.

"Meet me after school at the clearing near your house. I know someone who really needs to talk to you." And with that, he also jumped up and walked away.