Zayla pov

As I stormed into the office, I looked down at my phone. “Great, the whole screen was completely cracked, UGH, I had coffee all down the front of me. Luckily, I had a change of clothing, but unfortunately, they were gym clothes. Great, just great. “What happened to you? “Mrs. Parker asked her to come around her desk. “Just a wall jumping out at me. I laugh dryly. “Were you texting and walking again?” she asked, her eyebrows raised. “Yes,” I sighed, looking down, flustered.

The guy from the hall walked in after I heard the office door open. Mrs. Parker turned around to greet him. He stared at me as if he were looking at my soul or something. He had the most mesmerizing honey-brown eyes. I shook my head back to attention. “Mrs. Parker, I am going to change my clothes, “I told her as I walked past him. “Okay, hun, hurry back so we can do the tour,” she added sweetly with a mischievous grin.

I wouldn't stay to find out why he was here, but he was still looking at me. I don't like it. He gave me a weird feeling. At least, that’s what I thought. I opened the door and practically ran to my locker. Fortunately, it was down the hall next to the gym. Hopefully, when I return, he will have just gone. Why was he here?

Out of all the things, I didn’t need to run into him today. After stopping at my locker, I grabbed my clothes and entered the room. I wore a T-shirt and some shorts. I looked at myself in the mirror, which was a sign that my day went from bad to worse.

I put my wet clothes in a plastic bag and returned to my locker, glancing down at my phone. There was no way I could use it. My parents would be angrier than they already are because I am without a phone.

I shut my locker and trudged slowly back to the office. I prayed the guy was gone, hoping something would go my way, but to my dismay, as I entered the office, he sat in all his handsome glory, waiting for me.

“Well come on, “I said startling him, he stared at me with curiosity,” Hey, I am sorry for what happened in the hall, I will pay for the damages to your phone and dry cleaning," he said in a husky voice laced with sorrow, I didn’t know what to say I was in awe because he was being so sweet. I was being a complete bitch to him. I could listen to him forever. His voice was like heaven, but I was in a trance; I took him in, still not knowing what to say, which is odd.

“It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention; it was all I could say then. Mrs. Parker’s voice brought me back to attention. His first period is geometry. Have a great day, you too.”

Okay, let’s go. I will show you around and take you to class. I rushed out the door and didn't give him a chance to catch up, but he sprinted and stayed with me.

The bell rang for the first period as people filled the hall, and I spent the next ten minutes showing him around. I stopped, and he ran into me again, but as I was about to fall again, he reached out and caught me midway. He smelled good as he pulled me towards him with his big, muscular arms. I pushed myself away as a blush crept up my cheeks. I quickly composed myself, still feeling my heart beat so fast in my chest.

Oh, so your first class is over there. Follow your schedule for the remaining classes. Your locker is here, pointing to the locker we stood in front of.

“Thank you very much,” he whispered. Can I please get your name?” he asked with nervous confidence. He looked at me with anticipation. “Oh, it’s Zayla,” I said shyly. He grabbed my hand. “My name is Liam.” Suddenly, a spark flew up my arm, pulling our hands apart. We looked at each other in shock. What was that?

Out of nowhere, they pulled me out of whatever was going on with the most annoying voice. “Well, well, look, it’s a thrift store, Judy.” I turned around, and Mariah, Holly, and a couple of her other drones waltzed up. She had a nasty smile on her face, then her gaze turned to Liam, she eyed him hungrily, which made me want to tear her face off, but I don’t know why he wasn’t mine to even be jealous of.

“Hey there, handsome, you must be new here,” she said seductively. This ugly-looking misfit is not something you want to have around you. She isn’t popular, and her group of ugly bitches are beneath you, she continued, “You would fit in better with people that were hot like you, she said with a wink and then glared at me. “You can leave now, I've got this,” hearing laughter, and as everyone had gathered around us... I looked at Liam. he had such a sad expression, but with so much concern, I was so angry and embarrassed that I seriously wanted to hurt her.

I let out a growl that surprised even me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned around and ran as fast as I have ever run before. I could feel my anger bubbling to the surface, wanting to overflow all the teasing and taunting that had taken its toll, and I had had enough.

As I slowed my run, I came to a courtyard that had been almost forgotten about. It looked run-down, with weeds, brown grass, and mold on the fountain and benches. Nobody came here except me, so I would be safe to calm down.

I tried to calm myself with deep breaths, but I was still fighting the anger because I kept replaying all the words Mariah had ever uttered to me. I wanted revenge to make her pay for everything, but I knew that was hopeless because even the teachers would let her off because she would bat her eyes and make up some lie, and they would believe her. I laughed at her vendetta toward me. It was childish, but I vowed to give her a taste next time I gave her her medicine.

I sat for the rest of the morning. I heard the bell ring for the third period, my lunch, so I set off towards the cafeteria to find Jenifer and Amanda. They would distract me from everything as I entered. I picked up a chef's salad and went to our usual place beside the wall outside, under some trees.

“GIRL, there you are!!!” they both said in unison. We heard what happened, but didn’t see you in the second period. We tried to text you but got no response.

“I know, “I know. “I huffed.” I accidentally ran into the new guy and spilled my coffee while breaking my phone. “

“Dam, girl, your mom’s going to kill you,” Amanda said worriedly.

“Hopefully not, “I said with a nervous chuckle. As we were talking, I got an uneasy feeling. “DUCK.” I heard a voice say, and then I noticed Jenifer and Amanda jumping backward as a tray of food came so close to being dumped on my head that it ended up on the table instead. I moved in at the nick of time.

I stood up and heard laughter. I turned around, and there was Mariah with her drones and Liam, staring with a blank look on his face as her arm was linked with his.

“Oops, sorry, I thought that was the trash can,” she said with an evil smile. I could feel the anger rising inside of me again. My fist started clenching at my sides; she flipped her hair and walked away with her arm still in Liam's

“Let’s leave the garage alone, “she said still laughing before I knew it my feet were moving on their own I suddenly jumped mid-air throwing myself at Mariah as we fell to the ground landing blow after blow to her head Just as fast as I got to her Jenifer and Amanda were pushing me off of her as she was screaming and crying We fell backward and Jenifer moved in front of me as I was trying to break free to hit her again, she grabbed my face and yelled “OMG Zayla your eyes!!!!” they are purple!!! “You Freak, you will pay for this, you bitch,” Mariah yelled while she was being escorted from the cafeteria by a teacher.