Chapter Two: And So It Begins

Homeroom 510 - Mrs. Spring

A Day

AP English 613 - Mr. Stecco
Study Hall CAF - Mr. Browning
Guitar 805 - Mrs. Edmonson
Algebra 1 L405 - Mrs. Bonsa

B Day

Science 511 - Mrs. Belle
AP Wh/Geo 603 - Mr. McCallum
Spanish 202 - Sr. Covo
PE MGYM - Mrs. Kowski

I paused outside the door to my homeroom, sucking in a deep breathe and composing myself. I chuckled to myself in my head. This was ridiculous, its just high school and I was in the same position as everyone else. I don't know — WHAM!

My body was flung into the class room and my bags contents spilled all over the entrance. I could feel the blush on my face grow. Perfect. This was just a fan-f*****g-tastic way to start the year. I could see the headlines now, "Slip N' Sliddin freshmen - the new cool!" Damn it…this could not get any worse. My thoughts were interrupted as a smooth hand entered my vision and offered itself to me. I placed my palm in the strangers and was yanked to my feet, meeting the enchanting green eyes of this morning.

What. The. F**k.

Was this guy, ugh what was his name…Andi, was this Andi guy out to get me or what?! Seriously, everywhere I turned, he was there.

"Hello Angel" Andi's husky voice spoke, returning me to the present situation at hand.

Fuming, I yanked my slender wrist from his grasp, turning to collect my books and pencils among other things that had spilled when Andi so graciously ran into me.

"What? No warm welcome?" Andi mocked, a smirk firmly planted on his lips.

My fury boiled up. How dare he?! How dare he mock me! He had run into me!

I whirled around, hands placed defiantly on my hips, spit-fire curses boiling up in my throat, "You inconcievable –

"Hello Class!" a perky voice interrupted my string of curses from behind.

I buried my fists in my face, a flaming blush coming to cover me from head to toe. So much for starting this year off on a good note.

I felt a hand placed on my shoulder, "Oh Dearie…are you alright? Your knees bleeding something awful.."

What? I was bleeding?! I looked down and sure enough, there was a large gash in my knee where the jeans had already been ripped. Damn him. First he gets my feelings all out of whack and now he decides he should butcher me too?!

"How about we get you to the nurse? Yes yes," the lady said, answering her own question, "Do we have any volunteers to escort this young lady to the nurses office?"

I snapped my gaze up to meet Andi's dancing eyes and ever frequent smirk.

Oh no..oh hell no.

"Ms.Spring? Its no problem, I can take her there." Andi's voice spoke up, a purely innocent expression on his face as he looked at the teacher.

Ms.Spring beamed at Andi.

"Yes yes, I remember you from last year. What a nice young man you are. Please take as long as you need up there…here, let me write you a pass.." she trailed off, quickly scribbling a note and handing it to Andi.

He accepted the pass graciously, grabbing my bag and once again offering his hand to me.

I glared up at him, cursing my shortness for making me seem inferior. I nearly slapped his hand away but held myself in check as I glanced quickly around the classroom. Twenty or so bored faces stared back at me. Regardless of them caring what I did or not, I wasn't going to make a fool of myself.

I kindly accepted his hand, noting the surprise evident on his chiseled features.

He quickly masked it and taking me by surprise, he swiftly leaned down and scooped me up into his arms.

The class buzzed with amusement as Ms.Spring looked on shocked.

"I'll do better than walk her to the nurse," Andi declared, "I'll carry her!" and with that we were out the door. I heard the laughter of the class abruptly end as he slammed the door shut with his heel.

I folded my arms across my chest, with a semi glare-pout on my face, staring up at him as he gazed down…adoringly?

Wait... WHAT?!

"Ready to go see the nurse, princess?" Andi's voice asked in a smug tone as he already began to walk in the direction of where I assumed the nurses office to be.

I groaned inside. Adoringly? God, I am going nuts. Andi's ego is far to big for him to even think about ME like that. And seriously, whats with all the pet names? I do have a name, ya know!

Realization hit me smack dab mid thought. He hadn't called me by my name because he didn't know my name! Duh!

I slapped my forehead sharply and Andi snapped his head down to look at me.

Suddenly he began roaring with laughter.

"Did you- Did- Did you just slap yourself?," he spluttered out between laughs.

I scowled. Once again, the joke seemed to be on me.

"Yes. You got a problem with that?" I bit out.

"Ha. No, but why?"

"It doesn't matter..Are we almost there?" I asked, glancing around at our surroundings.

"Yep. Just around the corner here. You'll just have to give them your name and then–" He paused, his brow furrowing.

I peeked up at him, wondering why he had stopped, "And then.." I encouraged.

When that received no reaction, I reached up and tapped his cheek impatiently, "What is it?"

"I just realized I had no clue what your name is.." he trailed off and looked at me expectantly.

I smirked up at him, "Alex. My name is Alex."

"Alex." I heard him mumbled as he began walking again.

Damn that gorgeous voice of his that gave me butterflies the moment my name passed through his lips. I felt my weight shifting and I was being lowered to the ground.

"We're here." I heard Andi's voice break the silence in the hall, "All you need to do is go in and tell the nurse, Ms. Greyhelder, your full name and what happened. And then once she patches you up, you're free to go."

I stared at him with a slightly vacant expression.

Say what?

"Umm..I can stay with you if you want?" He questioned uncertainly, a faint blush gracing his cheeks.

I grinned up at him, "I'd like that."

He took a hold of my hand and shots of electricity seemed to shoot through my palm into my brain as he tugged me along.

We entered a fairly large, white walled room which was nearly bare spare the few posters hanging pathetically on a couple of the walls. A woman, sitting behind an enormous desk stacked high with sheets of multi-colored paper, looked up to greet us with a warm smile.

"Hello. Nice to see you again Andi. Not another skateboarding incident is it?" she voiced with a grin.

Skateboarding?

The mention of it sparked my interest immediately and I mentally reminded myself to ask him about it later.

Andi chuckled nervously, "Nope. It's for my friend here-Ouch!"

I smiled innocently up at Andi, pretending that I had not just elbowed him in the ribs.

"What was that for?!"

I continued the innocent act, "What?"

He rubbed at his side, "Why'd you hit me?"

"I don't recall us ever being 'friends'"

He rolled his eyes in annoyance, "What.Ever." he said dragging it out and turning his attention back to Ms. Greyhelder.

"As I was saying..We're here because Alex seems to have busted her knee. Think you could check it out?" he asked.

Right. My knee. I had almost forgotten about why we were here and now that I thought of it my knee was starting to hurt mighty bad.

"Of course. Take a seat right here." Ms.Greyhelder commanded, slapping her hand down on one of the many beds.

I limped over and took a seat as she pulled up a stool. She took my knee in her hands and began to clean the wound.

I jerked my leg away, "Ouch!!"

"Sorry, sorry. Andi, do you think you could come here and help me hold her leg still?" She asked Andi.

What was with these people? Now they're holding me down to torture me?!

Andi nodded, all seriousness and grasped onto my leg, looking intently into my eyes.

"Its okay Alex. Shes just cleaning it to see how bad it is. I'm sure its fine."

Somehow Andi's talking to me seemed to sooth me a bit and I began to relax until..

"I hate to tell you this Alex dear but I believe you're going to need stitches." Ms.Greyhelder finally spoke, looking up at me.

So much for everything being fine!