Chapter 3 - The New Boy

Zelena.

Once I was alone, I puffed out a breath that I didn’t realise I was holding. I stood there for a moment, placing my hand on my desk to steady myself. What the heck was that about? My head was pounding and my breath was shaky. I put my other hand to my chest, my heart was thumping hard and fast. I felt dizzy and nauseous. I’m just hungry, I thought, I didn’t eat this morning. I rushed off to my next class, zipping through the other kids in the hall. I got to the door and went straight in and to my seat, everyone else was already seated. I put my arms up on the desk and rested my head in my hands and started to daydream about the beautiful man in the hallway.

The lunch bell rang, snapping me out of my daze. Once all the other kids had left and the hallway seemed quieter, I headed out of the classroom towards the cafeteria. I walked through the doors and went to grab my tray, thank God for meal vouchers. The rest of the school was already seated at their tables, talking and catching up on the happenings of the weekend. I took my food and slowly made my way to my usual seat by the rubbish bins. I bit into my apple, keeping my head down. The room was full of noise and laughter amongst the few groups of friends.

Demi and her minions sat at the table next to the footballers. Demi was your typical mean girl. She was beautiful and stylish, with long wavy blonde hair that bounced down her back and flawless bright skin. She was the kind of girl that all the guys wanted, and all the girls wanted to be. She would prance down the hall with her short skirts and high heels, as everyone else stepped out of her way. You would never catch me in clothes so short and tight, no one would want to see that anyway.

My little daydream was broken when my orange juice suddenly tipped all over me, spilling down my stomach and over my lap. I looked at my tray and saw that someone had thrown a half-eaten slice of pizza at me. Lifting my head, I saw Demi flick her hair over her shoulder laughing and high-fiving her followers. One of the jocks, Brian, was standing on the table pointing at me and laughing.

“What happened, Snow White, did someone have an accident?” he laughed as he jumped off the table and onto the back of one of his bros, his face turning red from his laughter. I felt the eyes of the entire school on me as I sat alone at my table with orange juice dripping onto my legs. I looked down at my clothes and my plate of mushy food. I turned my head to look at the exit and saw at the table by the door were the new boys, Cole and Smith, sitting with the mystery Greek God from the hallway. None of them were laughing. Cole was glaring at Demi with hatred in his eyes. Smith was looking between Demi’s table and his tray of food, furiously stabbing at his plate with his fork. The mystery man was looking at me. A look of deep hurt and sadness covered his face. His gaze followed me as I got up from my table and walked to the exit.

“Bye Bitch” I heard Demi call as I pushed the doors open and walked through. I went to my locker to get my spare clothes. I know now from experience to keep a change of clothes at school, for those times that Demi is feeling extra cruel. I was pulling my jumper out of my bag when I heard a voice.

“Are you okay?” It was that same smooth and velvety voice that I had been daydreaming about all day. It was deep and demanding and left me with a warmth that spread through my chest.

I peered out from behind my locker door. Oh my God, it was him. I took a deep breath and that smell hit me. Hot air on a summer day, delicious. A lump grew in my throat, and I thought I might faint. I quickly dropped my head, I didn't want him to see my horrendous face. I nodded softly. He lifted his hand and placed it over the top of my own, the one that was gripping the locker door. Feeling terrified, I quickly dropped my hand, sliding it out from under his, slicing my palm open on the corner of the door as I did. I hissed and scrunched my nose at the small pinching pain.

“Sorry, sorry I didn't mean to scare you” he quickly spluttered as he took a small step back.

I grabbed my hand and lifted it to my face to investigate the damage.

“Oh shit, your hand” he said as he stepped forward grabbing both my hands in his, forcing me to drop my jumper.

I looked at him with terror at the thought of what he might do. He must think I'm such an idiot for cutting myself, surely it made him mad too. My eyes were wide with anticipation, waiting for my punishment. I froze, and my body stiffened, waiting expectedly. He looked at my face and must have seen the terror in my expression. He gently and slowly let go of my hands, a move that surprised me.

“Sorry” he said as he slowly raised his hands in surrender.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you”.

Hurt me? He didn’t mean to hurt me. I did that to myself, it was all my fault, why would he be sorry. I looked at him curiously as I held my hurt hand to my chest.

“Will you let me help you?” he asked me softly, still holding his hands out.

I didn’t understand. I am a monster compared to this beautiful being. Why would he care, why would he want to help me? I nodded again slowly. He held out his hand toward me, gesturing for me to take it. I pulled away turning my body away from him. He dropped his hand and looked at me with sadness and confusion. My own confusion was ebbing its way into my brain, why the heck would this boy care anyway?