Chapter 2 - School

Zelena.

I got to my English class and hurried to my seat in the back corner of the room. I put my books on the desk and then curled myself into my seat. Wiping the tears from my cheek, I whispered to myself ‘I hate this place’. I rested my head on my folded arms and replayed the event in the hallway. I’ve never been interested in boyfriends or dating, but something about this new boy had my stomach doing backflips.

“Class” the teacher called out as she stepped into the room,

“These are two of our new students, Cole and Peter”.

I lifted my head, just enough to see the new kids, and I reared back slightly. Holy heck, they were gods too. The first one, the taller one, had dark brown hair, smooth cream skin, with slim toned muscles. His dark eyes were staring in my direction from across the class. The second one was a little shorter with dark red hair, tanned skin, and glowing green eyes, eyes that were also staring in my direction. I lowered my head again and huffed. Why on earth would these gorgeous specimens be looking at me? I’m just a dirty and broken rag doll.

“Boys, take a seat please” the teacher cooed.

The two boys made their way to the back of the class. I could feel the shift in the atmosphere of the room, and I had no doubt that each set of female eyes followed them as they walked. The tall one sat at the desk next to me, the other sat in front of me. The boy in front turned to face me, his head angled down, trying to see my face from under my hoodie. Probably just want to get a look at the hideous beast that caused all that drama in the hall this morning.

“Hey, I’m Cole” whispered the boy beside me. His voice had a somewhat calming but sceptical tone. He pointed to the desk in front of me,

“That’s Peter, but everyone calls him Smith” the boy, Cole, said. The boy sitting there gave a crooked grin and wiggled his fingers at me. At first glance, he at least looks nice, but they usually all start out that way.

I awkwardly nodded at them and lowered my head again, keeping my eyes on them the best I could. I don’t like this, I don’t trust this show of friendliness. They both looked at each other and shrugged, turning their bodies to the front of the class. I could feel my panic building, what did they want? Why were they talking to me? It’s just a joke, it has to be. They are going to be like every other asshole in this place and bully me, just like everyone else does. There is no reason for them to be nice to me, so it must be a trick.

As class continued, the presence of the two new boys made me uncomfortable. I squirmed in my seat as their closeness to me began to feel like it was shrinking by the second. Finally, the first morning bell rang, and the students started getting up and walking out the door. Cole and Smith both stood in front of my desk, blocking my exit. I was cornered and alone, everyone else had left the room already. Right away I knew this had to mean trouble, and I sank myself lower into my seat, preparing myself for their incoming attack.

“Do you think me and my friends can sit with you at lunch?” Cole asked, peering down at me with his head tilted to the side. I lifted my head slightly to gauge his facial expression. He didn’t seem malicious, it didn’t look like he was joking. But I shook my head anyway, I don’t trust them. I don’t trust anyone.

“Well, okay, I guess we’ll see you later then” said Cole overly cheerfully, then he turned and headed for the door with Smith on his heels.

“Hey, what's your name anyway?” Smith called back to me from the front of the class, I lifted my head to look at him, surprised. Both he and Cole were standing by the door looking at me, waiting.

Why would he care what my name is? It’s not like we’re going to be friends or anything, why would boys like that be interested in being friends with a beast like me? I was confused and unsure, was this just another trick, some sort of mind game to gather information? I paused, considering all the thoughts swirling through my head. But I figured they have been nice to me so far. Nicer than anyone else has ever been. What’s the harm in letting them know my name? I got up out of my chair and stood next to my desk, with my head still lowered and my arms crossed in front of my body clutching my books.

“It’s Zelena” I whispered with a croak.

The two boys looked at each other wide eyed. They looked back at me and smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Zelena” said Cole as he nodded his head and walked out the door.

Smith continued to smile as he lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers at me again, then turned and walked out the door after Cole.