THAT ONE WEEKEND

I never liked being the new girl.

There was always something uncomfortable about being the person who didn’t know anybody while everyone else seemed to already have their own little world.

They knew where to sit during lunch.

They knew which teachers were strict.

They knew which classrooms were always cold because of the air conditioner.

They knew who was dating who, who hated each other, who was popular, and who you probably shouldn’t talk to if you didn’t want to end up involved in some kind of drama.

And then there was me.

The transferee.

The girl who had just arrived and didn’t know anything.

I stood in front of the mirror that morning, staring at myself while fixing my hair.

I pulled my ponytail tighter.

Then I looked at it.

Too tight.

I loosened it.

Then tied it again.

“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “You look fine.”

I stared at myself.

“You look completely fine.”

I wasn’t convinced.

I looked down at my cheerleading uniform hanging on the chair.

At least there was one thing I didn’t have to worry about.

Cheerleading.

I’d been doing it for years, and even though I was nervous about being in a new school, I knew I could handle that part.

I grabbed my bag and checked my phone.

I still had a few minutes.

My new apartment was quiet.

I had only recently moved in, so there were still a few things I hadn’t completely unpacked. Some boxes were pushed against the wall, and a couple of my things were still sitting in bags because I hadn’t decided where to put them.

My room was simple, with a bed near the window, a small desk, and a shelf where I had already placed some of my favorite things.

Outside my room was the living room.

I locked my door and headed to school.

The moment I walked through the school gates, I felt like everyone could tell I was new. Maybe they couldn’t. Maybe it was just in my head. Still, I kept my eyes forward.

I walked toward the main building.

When I entered the classroom, the teacher looked up.

“Oh, you’re here.”

I nodded.

She smiled and motioned for me to come forward.

“Class, we have a new student joining us.”

Every single person looked at me. I immediately regretted walking into the room. this is so awkward.

“Hi, my name is monchaerie” I gave a small smile.

That was all I could think of saying.

The teacher pointed toward an empty seat. “You can sit there.”

“Thank you.” I replied. phew

I walked to my seat.

For the first few minutes, I tried to focus on the lesson, It wasn’t easy because I don't do this back then.

The girl sitting beside me leaned closer.

“Hi.” she started. I looked at her. “Hi.” I replied.

“I’m glad you’re sitting here.” she smiled.

“Why?” I'm confused.

“Because at least now I have someone to talk to.”

I laughed quietly. I don't want to but great at least there's someone that could help me.

She introduced herself, she is Cleo and we started talking.

She explained some things about the school. Which teachers were strict, Which ones gave lots of homework, Where the cafeteria was, Which staircase was usually crowded. Then she lowered her voice.

“And don’t worry. You’ll get used to everyone.” I nodded.

“Hopefully.”

She looked toward the back of the room, Then she looked at me.

“Just don’t get involved with him.” huh? who? I followed her eyes.

There was a boy sitting near the back. He was surrounded by a few other boys, He looked completely relaxed, He was laughing, leaning back in his chair, and bothering the person beside him.

I looked at her “Why?”

“He’s annoying.” I looked back.

“That’s it?” I questioned.

“He’s also kind of a bully.” I raised my eyebrows.

“A bully?” She nodded.

“He likes bothering people. Sometimes he makes fun of them.”

I looked at the boy again. He suddenly looked toward us.

Our eyes met. He smiled. I immediately looked away.

“See?” she whispered.

“What?”

“He already noticed you.”

“Maybe because I’m new.”

“Maybe.”

I turned back . “Well, I’m staying away from him.” I said.

She laughed. “Good plan.”

Stay away from him. Focus on school because that's the reason why my parents transferred me into a new school. they want me to learn my lesson for always getting into trouble.

Just School, Join the cheer team, Go home. Simple.

By lunchtime, I was already more comfortable.

I had learned where the cafeteria was, and I was walking down the hallway when I heard a voice behind me.

“Hey.” huh? probably not me.

“Hey, cheerleader.” I stopped I slowly turned around.

It was him, The boy from the classroom.

He was standing a few feet away, looking completely amused.

“What?” I'm confused.

He shrugged.

“Nothing.” He answered.

“Then why did you call me?”

“I wanted to see if you’d turn around.”

“Oh okay hehe” I answered.

He smiled.

I turned around and continued walking.

As far as I was concerned, he was just the annoying boy from the back of the classroom.

The rest of the week went pretty much the same way. He would find some excuse to bother me. Sometimes he’d call me “cheerleader.”

Once, he moved my chair a little when I wasn’t looking. When I sat down, I almost fell. He laughed so hard that even the teacher had to tell him to stop.

I glared at him. “You did that on purpose.”

He smiled innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You are so annoying.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

I wanted to be angry. But sometimes, I couldn’t help laughing.

That was the problem. He was annoying, But he was also funny.

And somehow, I was starting to get used to him being around. Still, I believed what everyone said about him.

He was a bully.

So I never expected to actually become friends with him, Especially not outside school.

Friday finally came.

The second the last bell rang, I felt relieved.

I was exhausted.

I wanted nothing more than to go home, change into comfortable clothes, turn on the television, and forget about school for two days. I grabbed my bag and left.