Chapter 3: Transfer Student

[Nathaniel]

My head snapped up from my phone screen, and I stood up immediately, throwing the phone back under the desk. 

“Yes, Sir!”

“What’s gotten into you today?” Mr Hicks made his way towards me. “First, you were uncharacteristically late for class.” 

He reached under my desk and took out my phone. 

“And now, you are blatantly using your phone in my class?”

“I am sorry, Sir!”

I blushed deep red at being caught red-handed. 

Mr Hicks asked me to unlock my screen, opening to the last photo I was looking at. His stern eyes looked at me after seeing the photo. 

“I am not against students dating as long as you keep up with your academics. You are showing a really bad example here, Nathaniel.”

The entire class laughed, and students started whispering. 

“What did Mr Hicks see?”

“Was Nate admiring those photos in class?”

“Maybe he was chatting with Clara.”

I hung my head lower and blushed deeper in embarrassment. 

“I am sorry, Sir. I will pay attention in class.” I apologised.

“I am taking this.” Mr Hicks took my phone before turning to walk back to the front. “Staff Office at lunch, Cladwell.”

“Yes, Sir.” I slowly sat down and hid my face behind my notebook, ignoring the teasing looks from my classmates. 

I tried to focus on the lessons. But my mind kept going back to the photo on my locker and that seemingly threatening note. 

That photo wasn’t part of the pack that was circulating in the school. 

Did someone take it knowing what was happening during the exchange?

Or did they notice something while filtering the photos?

How much do they know? 

The morning period passed with me daydreaming through all my classes. When the bell for the last period rang, Jasper finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s going on with you, mate.” He asked as he packed his bag. “You are definitely not yourself today.”

“Everything is fine, just a little overwhelmed.” I sighed as I stood up from the desk. “I am supposed to meet Clara in front of the picnic bench at lunch. Could you help me find her and tell her I am sorry I couldn’t meet her?”

Jasper gave me an ‘ok’ sign. 

“Don’t worry. I will tell Clara you missed your date with her cause you got caught staring at the photos of her.” He teased. 

“Shut up.” I gave him a light punch and laughed. 

I took my backpack and headed off to the staff office. 

The hallways were once again filled with students having breaks. A few groups of guys passed me, giving me unfriendly looks. Some girls were whispering behind their hands as I passed them. 

What was that all about? Did the photo start circulating?

Keep calm, Nate. 

I kept my head down and quickened my steps towards the office.

The school’s staff office is located together with the main office. As I entered the office, a student was at the reception counter. Back facing me, leaning casually against the counter. 

“...Thank you, Mam.” He spoke.

I stopped abruptly, and my breath hitched. 

That voice.

My head turned toward the student, a sense of familiarity tingling through me. 

The student had his backpack slung over one side of his shoulder. He wasn’t wearing his blazer, and his broad shoulders and well-defined muscles peeked through his shirt, which was tucked out from the back. 

“Oh, good timing, Nathaniel!” 

Ms Joan, the lady at the reception counter, looked up and smiled when she saw me standing at the glass door with one hand on the handle. She reached out and tapped the student lightly on the shoulder. 

“We have a new transfer student this semester! This is Chris. Be nice and bring him around, will you?”

The student turned. 

Slowly. 

My world went quiet. 

I could hear my racing heartbeat. 

What is he doing here?

Did she just say…  transfer?

What? Why?

I spent the entire weekend convincing myself I dreamt him up under the glow of the fire. That I missed him too much. Or that he was just a visitor at camp. 

But now, he was here.

In front of me. 

Real and close. 

Unlike the distant look at bonfire night…. 

My vision tunnelled towards the face in front of me. 

I wanted to run to him. Into those muscular arms for a long hug. 

My body unconsciously took a half a step forward before my brain caught up to stop it. 

We stared at each other. Much longer than normal. 

His facial features are sharper than I remembered. His hair was still messy and unkept, as though he had just run it through with his hand. 

His uniform was tucked out, school tie slightly loose on his neck, the collar button undone.

This messy and laid-off vibe. Just the same as how I remembered him to be. 

I almost laughed. He was still the same. Nothing changed. 

He grew taller. We used to be of the same height. 

I have lain in bed countless nights thinking. If we ever met again, how would it be. 

I often imagined it to be us running towards each other, hugging and saying I missed you.

Or maybe, just me standing at a distance, slowly observing him. 

Staring face-to-face at each other in the school office was definitely not one of them.

I opened my mouth and tried to say something, introduce myself, make everything look normal, get time running again before it becomes suspicious. But words are stuck in my throat. Nothing came out. 

Chris moved before I could continue to embarrass myself like a gaping fish out of water.

A slow smile spread across his face, his signature mega-watt smile. He stepped forward and held out his hand. 

“Hi, I am Chris Moore. Nice to meet you.” 

I felt a short, sharp sting. 

He introduced himself like we were strangers, as though this was our first meeting. 

Not a “Oh hey, it has been so long.” It’s a “Hi, I am Chris Moore.”

It hurts.

I steadied myself and forced my hand to let go of the door handle, reaching out to take his hands.

“Nathaniel Cladwell." My voice came out steadier than I expected. “Nice to meet you.”

Chris' grip was firm. He didn’t let go as his eyes held mine. There was something there. 

Something yearning…

No, Nate! Don’t go there! You are thinking too much!

I pulled my hand back quickly, stepping back, creating a distance between us.