Nodding at him, I rise from my chair just as a soft knock sounds out and a cheery brunette bounces into the room. My knowledge of American high schools comes courtesy of the hours of films I used to spend my evenings watching, and she fits the stereotype of captain to a tee.
“You wanted something, Mr. Hartmann?” she sings so sweetly it makes even my teeth shiver.
“Chelsea, this is Amalie. It’s her first day starting junior year. I trust you’ll be able to show her around. Here’s a copy of her schedule.”
“Consider it done, sir.”
“I assured Amalie that she’s in safe hands.”
I want to say it’s my imagination but when she turns her big chocolate eyes on me, the light in them diminishes a little.
“Lead the way.” My voice is lacking any kind of enthusiasm and from the narrowing of her eyes, I don’t think she misses it.
I follow her out of the room with a little less bounce in my step. Once we’re in the hallway, she turns her eyes on me. She’s really quite pretty with thick brown hair, large eyes, and full lips. She’s shorter than me, but then at five foot eight, you’ll be hard pushed to find many other teenage girls who can look me in the eye.
Tilting her head so she can look at me, I fight my smile. “Let’s make this quick. It’s my first day of senior year and I’ve got shit to be doing.”
Spinning on her heels, she takes off and I rush to catch up with her. “Cafeteria, library.” She points then looks down at her copy of my timetable. “Looks like your locker is down there.” She waves her hand down a hallway full of students who are all staring our way, before gesturing in the general direction of my different subjects.
“Okay, that should do it. Have a great day.” Her smile is faker than mine’s been all morning, which really is saying something. She goes to walk away, but at the last minute turns back to me. “Oh, I forgot. That over there.” I follow her finger as she points to a large group of people outside the open double doors sitting around a bunch of tables. “That’s my group. I should probably warn you now that you won’t fit in there.”
I hear her warning loud and clear, but it didn’t really need saying. I’ve no intention of befriending the cheerleaders, that kind of thing’s not really my scene. I’m much happier hiding behind my camera and slinking into the background.
Chelsea flounces off and I can’t help my eyes from following her out toward her group. I can see from here that it consists of her squad and the football team. I can also see the longing in other student’s eyes as they walk past them. They either want to be them or want to be part of their stupid little gang.
Jesus, this place is even more stereotypical than I was expecting.
Unfortunately, my first class of the day is in the direction Chelsea just went. I pull my bag up higher on my shoulder and hold the couple of books I have tighter to my chest as I walk out of the doors.
I’ve not taken two steps out of the building when my skin tingles with awareness. I tell myself to keep my head down. I’ve no interest in being their entertainment but my eyes defy me, and I find myself looking up as Chelsea points at me and laughs. I knew my sudden arrival in the town wasn’t a secret. My mum’s legacy is still strong, so when they heard the news, I’m sure it was hot gossip.
Heat spreads from my cheeks and down my neck. I go to look away when a pair of blue eyes catch my attention. While everyone else’s look intrigued, like they’ve got a new pet to play with, his are haunted and angry. Our stare holds, his eyes narrow as if he’s trying to warn me of something before he menacingly shakes his head.
Confused by his actions, I manage to rip my eyes from his and turn toward where I think I should be going.
I only manage three steps at the most before I crash into something—or somebody.
“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” a deep voice asks. When I look into the kind green eyes of the guy in front of me, I almost sigh with relief. I was starting to wonder if I’d find anyone who wasn’t just going to glare at me. I know I’m the new girl but shit. They must experience new kids on a weekly basis, I can’t be that unusual.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“You’re the new British girl. Emily, right?”
“It’s Amalie, and yeah... that’s me.”
“I’m so sorry about your parents. Mom said she was friends with yours.” Tears burn my eyes. Today is hard enough without the constant reminder of everything I’ve lost. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s fine,” I lie.
“What’s your first class?”
Handing over my timetable, he quickly runs his eyes over it. “English lit, I’m heading that way. Can I walk you?”
“Yes.” His smile grows at my eagerness and for the first time today my returning one is almost sincere.
“I’m Shane, by the way.” I look over and smile at him, thankfully the hallway is too noisy for us to continue any kind of conversation.
He seems like a sweet guy but my head’s spinning and just the thought of trying to hold a serious conversation right now is exhausting.
Student’s stares follow my every move. My skin prickles as more and more notice me as I walk beside Shane. Some give me smiles but most just nod in my direction, pointing me out to their friends. Some are just downright rude and physically point at me like I’m some fucking zoo animal awoken
