Chapter 41
My eyes meet his brown ones, and before he could even react to seeing me here, I looked between Lauren and Anna.
"I... I have to go," I said quickly, but before they said anything, I bolted to the first hallway I saw on my left before sprinting down it.
After zig-zagging through many people, I ran upstairs so I was on the third floor, but before I could reach one of the doors that I assumed was my first period class, someone suddenly moved so they were standing in front of me.
I bounced off of their hard chest and stumbled on my feet before straightening my stance to meet Lucas' intense, icy blue eyes.
"What's going on Hope?" He asked worriedly, and I forced a scoff.
"What are you talking about?" I said, ignoring that I was running down the hall like a monkey with two left feet.
His brows furrowed as he looked over my shoulder, probably trying to find what I was running from.
Or in this case, who I was running from.
"Why were you running like a mad man?" Lucas asked slowly, and I bit my lower lip as I prepared for another lie.
"Just wanted to make sure I got here before first period began," I explained with a bright smile, but by the way he looks at me with disbelief, I knew he didn't believe me.
Lucas sighed before looking to the jam packed hall. Without another word, he moved me closer to the lockers so we were further away from any listening ears.
"Tell me the truth, Hope," he whispered as he bent down so his face was close to me.
My eyes tightly closed before I forced them open with a smile on my lips. "Everything's good, Luke. No worries."
Lucas sighed, ready to protest more, but was cut off by the warning bell. I grinned internally, happy that he wouldn't have to push any further.
His gaze traveled around my face before settling once more on my eyes. Lucas smiled lazily. "What class do you have now?"
"Biology, you?" I asked, and his features brightened before he began to smirk.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "You too?" I asked, and he nodded slowly.
We both began walking to the opposite side of the hall, which I now noticed was where our biology class was.
As we were walking next to each other silently, I smiled at the memory of Lucas telling me that he would love to be a veterinarian.
When we stopped in front of our classroom door, it was wide open, letting us see the several people that have already been seated.
"Quick," I hissed before lacing our fingers together.
Although I noticed other girls around us were eyeing our hands that were now linked together, I didn't bother to spare them another glance before picking the two desks that are standing side by side by the far end of the classroom.
Although I wanted to sit against the wall, Lucas protested before taking that seat for himself, making me sit right outside the isle.
By the time everyone in the class was seated, the teacher by the front of the class clapped his hands. "Alright class, my name's Mr. Gilbert and I'll be your biology teacher for the rest of the semester."
For the first little bit, we played a few name games â as if I didn't know everyone here already.
Most of them were in my Chemistry class last semester with Lucas last semester so it wasn't hard to connect the dots.
However, right when we got back into our seats from the final activity we played, the heavy door by the front of the class opened, and out of curiosity, I looked up from the summary of the semester sheet to see the familiar pair of brown eyes.
"Holy shit," I said, thankfully not too loud to catch his attention.
"And you are?" Mr. Gilbert asked as he looked to his computer, which I assumed he was now looking at the attendance.
"Alec Bennett," he drawled out as he slowly eyed the class.
Most of the girls I saw were either standing straighter or were fixing their hair, as if that would catch his attention.
But when his eyes moved to the back of the class, my eyes widened when his met mine.
Shit, shit, shit.
"Why are you late to my class, Mr. Bennett?" He asked, and for a brief moment, Alec looked away from me and eyed the teacher by the front of his desk.
"I got lost. Thought that was obvious," he scoffed, and Mr. Gilbert slowly nodded.
"Well, find an empty seat somewhere in the class," he said, and Alec eyed me once more before taking the seat by the front of the class, thankfully far from me.
Well, isn't this just the beginning of a shitty day.
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The class passed much more slowly than I would have liked it to be.
Thankfully, we spent most of the time discussing future assignments rather than talk to our classmates in general.
I'm planning to stay far away from Alec Bennett.
Lucas and I separated by the second floor before I went down one final level before making my way to the first floor, which was where my dance class was.
While I was walking passed the slow ass walkers that my school provided, my thoughts were swarmed with Alec, and who he had arrived here with.
Right as the dance room was coming into view, I sped up so I could get there on time, but before I was able to reach the door, my breathing was cut short when I saw who was standing next to the door.
"Alyssa?" I breathed out when I saw my former friend texting on her phone at an impressive speed.
Her head snapped up as her eyes met mine. "Emma freaking Sullivan?" She laughed as she shut off her phone. "No, freaking, way."
Without taking a second thought, we both rushed towards each other, and at the same moment, we opened our arms wide before enveloping each other in a tight hold.
"What... what are you guys doing here in Berkley?" I asked once I pulled away from her, still in shock that the twins are here.
"Had to follow our mom here because of her promotion," she explained with a smile, but before I could respond, the final bell rang, and we both widened our eyes.
"Shit, let's go," I said, grabbing her hand before walking with her inside the dance studio.
When we got there however, there was several girl talking amongst each other off the stage, but on the side, there was a girl with mocha skin pressing her back on the wall while playing with a Rubik's cube.
Her aura felt familiar to me, but before I could question who she was, Alyssa tugged me forward so we were merging with the group of girls.
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The rest of our class was filled with us doing some activities to get to know each other better before making choreography for a school assembly we'll be having soon.
When we had time, Alyssa and I moved aside and caught up with each other, but she made sure not to mention her twins name in front of me, which I was grateful for.
Thankfully, the lunch bell rang, and we both rushed out of the room and made our way to the cafeteria, which I then easily found Anna's ginger hair in the sea of brown and blond hair.
"Hey Emmy," Anna smiled brightly when she saw the both of us making our way towards her and Lauren.
When we were aside from the growing line, I began to introduce the girls to each other. "Guys, this is Alyssa. We went to school together when I was living in Vancouver. Alyssa, this is Lauren and Anna."
Alyssa's grin multiplied as she hugged both of them. Lauren's eyes widened in surprise while Anna hugged her back before Alyssa moved away shyly.
"Sorry," she chuckled quietly. "It's just that Emma always talked about you guys. I feel like I know you already."
Alyssa bit her lip as she was trying to suppress a grin. "So, are the two douches in this school?" She asked, and I laughed as she said douche.
Alyssa doesn't like swearing. Not because her mind is pure, but because she prefers not calling people something unless there are facts that they're a terrible person.
After a long time of ranting to her about Jason and Lucas, she had enough facts to know they were assholes.
Before I could respond however, someone wrapped their arm lazily around my waist, bringing me closer to their hard chest.
When I looked up, I noticed that Jason, Lucas and Dylan came up to us with matching empty expressions.
However, when Jason's eyes met mine, he smiled. "Hey, Em. Where are you guys eating today?"
I looked at the girls, but Lauren had already started to peck Dylan's lips while Alyssa narrowed her eyes on Lucas. He did the same.
"What?" Lucas asked coldly, and her eyes widened briefly before laughing.
"Is this Lucas or Jason?" She asked, and Lucas threw her a glare before looking at me.
"Who the hell is this, Hope?" He asked with a hard tone, and I rolled my eyes before moving Jason's arm off of me.
"Guys, this is Alyssa. I went to school with her back in Vancouver. She only remembers you as a the assholes who left our friendship," I quickly explained before turning to face her.
"Lyssa, we've made up," I whispered with as soft smile and her eyes widened.
"Even with Lucas?" She whispered, directing her gaze to Jason.
A sigh left me in defeat before nodding. "That's Lucas," I said as I pointed out the tall, dirty blond man with a killer glare.
Everyone was glaring at each other, and a loud groan left me, feeling slightly annoyed. That, and my brain was hurting.
"Can we stop with the looks and just eat? I'm hungry," Anna whispered, and Jason was the first to crack a laugh.
Most of us bought something at the cafeteria â Lucas, chose not to buy anything, and I knew he would automatically grab some of my fries.
We headed outside, and I took a deep breath as I smelt the fresh air surrounding us before we headed to a shaded tree by the front of the school.
Lucas and I leaned back on the truck of the tree while everyone else either sat beside us, or across from us.
Alyssa sat across from me, and I knew Lucas was slightly irritated by her presence when she appeared.
Thankfully, Lucas was engaged into a conversation with Dylan when Alyssa asked a question I absolutely despised.
"Did you bump into him yet?" Alyssa whispered when she bent down so she was closer to me and farther from Lucas.
Good. Less of a chance for him to hear our conversation.
But I'm still playing the denial card. What can I say, it's what I'm best at.
"Who?" I laughed casually, but she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Alec, Emma. Alec."
I sucked in a large intake of breath when his name came up. "I don't want to talk about him, Alyssa," I hissed.
"Yo, Jason!" Someone shouted from a distance, but they weren't in my line of vision.
But that voice caused shivers to run up and down my body.
"Hey, Alec," Jason laughed as he stood up from his spot beside Anna to give him a handshake.
Alec eyed the whole group surrounding the tree before settling his eyes on me. A small smirk lifted on his lips, but nobody noticed it.
Only I did.
"Can I chill with you guys?" He asked, and Jason eyed the area he was sitting on.
"I don't have any room near me man," he said and Alec shrugged, indifferent from this new information.
Alec's eyed roamed to me once more. "I'll make friends," was all he said before Jason nodded.
"Have at it," he laughed before sitting next to Anna once more.
Alec moved all the way to our side, and at that moment, Lucas looked away from Dylan and eyed Alyssa, then Alec.
He took the spot next to his twin sister, which was across from Lucas and not me thankfully. But that small amount of distance still didn't stop him from looking at me from time to time.
I cleared my throat before staring at Alyssa. "So how's California so far? When did you guys get in?"
"A few weeks ago. We were waiting for the semester to end so we had a pretty long winter break," Alyssa laughed. "And it's pretty good. The guys here..." she whistles. "So. Hot."
She dramatically fanned herself and I couldn't help but laugh. Before I could respond however, Alec cleared his throat.
"I happen to love, California," he started, capturing everyone's attention around the tree.
Alec eyed his sister before looking at me briefly to send me a smirk. "When you think the girls in Vancouver are hot, you can come here and be swarmed by them times ten," he laughed.
To resist cussing him out and throwing him a middle finger, I cleared my throat as I pretended to check the time on my phone.
"I have to go. Promised to meet with Mr. Gilbert for extra review," I explained quickly before standing on my own two feet.
I didn't waste any time before grabbing my bag and dashing to the inside of the school.
What if I used telekinesis to fly him across the room? Maybe I can teleport him back to Vancouver?
No, not there. Narnia.
Right as I pulled the doors open â a little too hard, may I add â I went inside the air conditioned school, only to be stopped by the sound of a familiar voice.
"Wait!" Anna yelled, and I turned around to see her running with Lauren walking closely behind.
I sighed and turned around fully before waiting against the wall inside of the school.
"What was that about?" Lauren asked, and my eyebrows furrowed.
"What are you talking about, Laur?" I asked, hoping she couldn't see through my facad.
She could, though. "You dashed out of there when that guy came. Do you have a history?"
"Alec and Alyssa are from Vancouver. I met them there," I said, and she rolled her eyes.
"We knew that, Sherlock. What we're asking is who he is to you," Lauren said, and she began to narrow her eyes on me.
I tightly closed my eyes, knowing I'm not getting out of this one.
"Never have I ever," Anna breathed out, and we both looked at her curiously.
"What?" Lauren asked, and she sighed.
"When we played never have I ever at Lucas' house. Emma said she wasn't a virgin..."
Lauren's eyes widened as she looked back to me. "Did he take your virginity?" She asked harshly, and I tightly closed my eyes.
"Yeah," my jaw clenched. "Alec and I were in a relationship for more than a year before he fucked it up."
â¡
The three of us moved to the benches on the other side of the school so we could talk away from anyone who could be listening.
During the rest of the lunch period, I briefly spoke about my relationship with Alec, and his asshole motives.
When the bell rang for our third period class, we all headed our separate ways, and I internally protested when I saw that I had Physics right now.
Grudgingly, I walked up all three flights of stairs, and by the time I reached the top, I was panting for air while holding the railing.
Everyone else jogged passed me.
Thankfully, I had a water bottle in my bag, so I quickly walked so I was standing next to my class before easily chugging half of it down.
When I put it back in my bag, I went to go inside my class, but was stopped by a muscular body standing in front of me, preventing me from moving any further.
Right when my eyes met Lucas', I internally groaned. "What?" I grumbled.
He stood on the opposite side of the door across from me, leaving space for people to walk inside the class. But just before he could respond, Brianna stood in front of us before scraping her elbow against his stomach.
My eyes rolled as I watched her walk inside of the class, kind of taken back that she's in AP Physics.
"What happened during lunch with Alec, Emma?" He asked in a dead serious tone, and I bit my lower lip slightly.
"Nothing," I whispered, not ignoring the fact that we've spoken more today than the last month.
Before he could protest any further, the last bell rang and we both rushed inside and luckily found two empty seats on the second last row.
We took our seat next to the other double desk, which was occupied by Brianna only.
Right as the teacher walked in, a guy with dark skin and kind eyes entered right behind them. Seeing as though the only empty seat is beside Brianna, he grudgingly took it.
Probably wanted to sit in the front.
Right when he took the seat next to Brianna, Lucas leaned forward, looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Do I know you?" Lucas asked suddenly, and my eyes widened.
Hearing Lucas' hard voice caused most of the class to direct their attention to him. Only the guy was still looking down on his lap.
However, when he noticed everyone's attention was on him, he nervously looked at Lucas, who's eyes were still narrowed.
"No..." he said slowly, but Lucas still didn't let it go.
"Drop it," I hissed as I slapped his arm, but he still didn't let go.
"Trevor? Trevor Jones?" Lucas asked suddenly, and my eyes widened at the sound of the familiar name.
I slowly looked back to him and saw his eyes widen. "How do you know my name?"
Lucas suddenly laughed, and the tension in the class loosened thankfully.
"Shit, man. It's Lucas Scott. Haven't seen you since third grade," he said, and Trevor's eyes brightened before looking towards me.
"Emma?" He asked, and my lips split into a grin.
"Hey, Trev."
â¡
Trevor Jones was once part of our group.
From grade one to third grade, he was our fourth musketeer with his sister, Kimberly, who would sometimes join us.
She wasn't into hanging with us as often because she didn't like being around so much boys, claiming they had cooties.
According to Trevor, they were back in town because his parents sadly had passed from something he had yet to tell us, and now he's here to live with his uncle.
Before we could talk anymore, the teacher came in, and unlike every other class, we started the lesson right away.
When the class finished, I headed to the first floor, which was where my parenting class was, and to my utter surprise, I saw Dylan sitting with Lauren and Anna by the far end of the class.
I didn't hold back my laugh as I moved to the table group.
He only glared, but instead of making me cower in fear, I laughed some more.
By the time the class ended, I told the girls I'd catch a ride with Jason. They waved and in seconds, we separated ways.
Jason's locker was on the second floor, so I easily found him closer to my own locker.
He didn't see me walking towards him until it was too late.
"Boo!" I shouted with a laugh, and he jumped back slightly.
"Ass," he laughed as well, not taking it seriously that I almost made him piss his pants.
Jason went back to putting things into his bag as I leaned back on the locker's next to his. "So, Em, found anyone to date yet?" He asked suddenly with his eyebrows wiggling suggestively.
I knew he was talking about Lucas, but I refused to talk about him at this moment. "Nope," I sang before standing straighter.
"But," he started, but when I threw him a glare, he stopped.
"Drop it, Jason," I said lowly, and he sighed before shutting his locker.
Once his bag was being supported by his shoulder, we both walked next to each other down the stairs before heading out into the warm weather.
But before I could relish in the heat burning on my cool skin, someone stopped in front of us, and my eyes widened when I saw who it was.
"Emma," Alec said breathlessly, as if he had run across half of the school to catch up to me.
"What do you want?" I asked straight to the point, and Jason looked between the both of us with confusion written on his face.
"I want to talk to you," he said simply, and my eyebrows raised as a snort left me.
Adam was still waiting for my answer after my small laugh finished, and I sighed before crossing my arms with a glare to match.
"Fuck off, Alec," I said simply before walking around him and making my way to Jason's car.
Hell will freeze over before I ever talk to him.
â¡
I wrote about half of this in school... whoops.
Finished writing this a little earlier because I got a test on Thursday, a book talk Wednesday, and two essays due next week. Oh, and a rant on Friday!
My week's jam packed this week so... I should probably stop procrastinating and get working.
Love you lovelies! Please vote and comment, and I'll see you next week xx