Chapter Three (Part 1)

AVA could feel many eyes staring at her and Lucas. She couldn't understand the fascination. It didn't go past her that him and his friends could be popular. They were all very good looking, especially Lucas as she always thought he was very handsome. His messy dark brown hair, mysterious grey eyes and lightly tanned skin were all a reason for girls to swoon. Being the outdoorsy type, all of them had perfect bodies that, she assumed, had all the girls drooling.

Ok maybe she did understand the fascination.

The arm around her waist held her still as they waited for the admissions lady to give Ava her timetable. She was jittery with nerves and wanted to hurry up and explore the new place. As the mid-twenty year old shuffled around the messy desk for papers, Ava turned her head to look around the room with curiosity evident on her face. She had never seen a somewhere so busy. Even the parks weren't close to as filled as the hallways she passed.

The walls were painted in boring colours but there were several brightly coloured notice boards that had different posters covering them. Everything was new and exciting for Ava so despite the nerves, she was still pretty excited for the adventure.

Lucas noticed her looking and pulled her closer to him. He bent down slightly to mumble against her hair, "I'll take you on a tour later." Ava grinned at him with excitement, unknowingly making Lucas' heart beat a little faster.

"You two are just the cutest couple." The lady gushed at them.

Ava giggled a little. "Oh we're not a couple. He's my best friend." She stated quietly, shy in front of the new person. They were used to people thinking they were a couple. It happened quite often as they did act like it sometimes. Many people thought they'd eventually become one in the future but Ava didn't think it was possible for Lucas to see her as anyone other than his best friend, maybe his sister.

The lady just smiled, seemingly unconvinced. and gave Ava her timetable and locker number. Her hands were trapped in the sleeves of Lucas' large jacket so she rolled them up to take the timetable, before thanking her and walking away with Lucas.

"Let's see what you have baby." Lucas took the paper and quickly read over it, eyes widening in shock briefly. "You're in three out of five of my lessons little one."

"I'm smart." Ava casually said, playing with her sleeves whilst rocking back and forth on her heals.

He laughed. "Guess our little study sessions worked ay?"

Ava was naturally a fast learner so it didn't take long for her to exceed her tutors expectations. Lucas wasn't allowed during these tutoring sessions but he would always help her with homework and even teach her a few things. Miss Barnaby did tell her she'd be in some lessons with the year above, even though she'd be one of the youngest in her own year, whereas Lucas was the oldest in his.

"Where did the guys go?" Ava asked, noticing their friends were nowhere around.

"Already went to lessons. Speaking of which, we should get going."

They walked to her locker, placed conveniently next to Lucas'. She was declared this was their meeting place in case either of them got lost in the big school. Thankfully, he agreed.

Her first lesson was Maths and luckily, it was with Lucas. Sometimes she liked maths but other times she didn't. It depended whether or not she knew the answer. However, it would be different now that she got to do the lesson with Lucas.

"Hi Mr Jennings. This is Ava. She's joining the class." Lucas introduced her to the maths teacher. It's was an old man that had lost most of his hair and had a bit of a belly. Ava decided he reminded him of Santa Claus. He looked friendly enough.

"Oh yeah I heard. You're the clever little girl whose joining our class this year. Welcome and you can sit anywhere you like."

Lucas pulled a blushing Ava to a table at the back of the classroom that already had a guy sat on it. It was two people per table and most were already taken. The only two seats left were on opposite sides of the classroom. Sighing, Ava realised she'd have to sit away from Lucas. She went to walk to an empty seat but the arm around her waist prevented her from doing so.

"Move." Lucas grunted at the boy on the table, shocking both Ava and the boy. He was dressed in all black with piercings and tattoos covering most of his face. To be honest he didn't look like the type to be scared but Ava could see fear seeping into his eyes.

"Lu Lu you can't do that." She whispered to him. Obviously not quiet enough because she heard a few gasps as most of the class was paying attention to the commotion. Those who weren't, were asleep.

"Why'd she do that?"

"That's so stupid."

"Are they together?"

"How could she even tell Lucas what to do?!"

"What the heck did she just call him?"

Whispers filled her ears, making her want to hide but Lucas tightened the arm around her waist before letting go and slamming his hands on the desk. Ava jumped at the sound, holding onto Lucas' top for comfort. She was also subtly tugging him away, not that it worked.

"I said move. We're sitting here." He growled at him. Ava always found it cool when he did that. Sure, she made him get it checked out once, worrying about his throat, but it was cool and she couldn't make her voice like that no matter how many times she tried to imitate him.

"Please." Ava added, shyly smiling at the guy, who leaped out of his seat, spilling the contents of his backpack. She was about to help him but he swiftly got everything and ran to the seat across the classroom.

Ava was slightly shocked at Lucas behaviour about the seat but she was very used to his temper. She was rarely on the receiving end but nevertheless, it was still surprising that her sweet and kind Lu Lu could be one to make people shake with fear. Once, he shouted at someone for accidentally pushing Ava on the ground in the park. This was a middle aged women who had her kid with her. Both went home crying.

At least we get to sit with each other. She thought, deciding to look on the bright side and happily sat down in her now empty seat. Putting her Marvel pencil case on the desk and her new notebook next to it, she waited for the Mr Jennings to start the lesson.

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