Heart Me

Kayla's POV

I sat in the principal's office, my mind adrift in a sea of thoughts. The principal's voice was a distant murmur, her words blurring into an unintelligible drone. The room was imposing, with dark wood paneling and a large mahogany desk that seemed to swallow up the space. Framed certificates and accolades adorned the walls, each one a testament to the school's prestigious reputation.

"Kayla... Kayla..." Her voice sharpened, pulling me back to reality.

"Uh, yes, sorry. I was listening," I stammered, trying to piece together what she had been saying. "You were talking about a new student, and that I'll be their guide?"

"Good. And one more thing," she continued, her eyes narrowing behind her sleek, wire-framed glasses, "there are rumors going around. Rumors say that Tristan has been spending nights in your room."

"Aunt Melanie, I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, biting my lower lip. The room suddenly felt even more oppressive, the air heavy with the weight of unspoken truths.

"Don't play dumb, Kayla. You know the rules. You can’t just break them because the school's principal is your aunt. I think I'm going too soft on you," she said sternly, her voice echoing off the polished wooden walls.

"I'm not the only one who does that," I muttered under my breath, feeling a flush creep up my neck.

"Regardless, I don't want to start arguing this early in the morning. Go to my P.A. and get the new student for a tour around the school."

I dragged myself out of her office, feeling the weight of her disapproval. Melanie Sergal, my aunt, and the formidable principal of Astra High—a prestigious boarding school for the elite's spoiled offspring. I approached her P.A., Ms. Jade, with a forced smile.

"Hi Ms. Jade. Where's the student I'm supposed to show around?" I asked, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Ms. Jade looked up from her computer screen, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She was a petite woman with a sharp bob and an impeccable sense of style. "He's standing right behind you," she teased, lifting an eyebrow.

I turned and my eyes met the new student’s. He was strikingly handsome, with grey eyes and a confident stance. His dark hair was tousled in a way that seemed both effortless and meticulously styled. I fumbled to say hello but ended up mumbling incoherently. He smiled, revealing perfect, pearly white teeth.

"Kayla," Ms. Jade's voice broke through my thoughts. "You two should get going before your aunt finds you standing here."

"Yeah," I nodded, snapping out of it. "Follow me."

We walked down the hallways in silence, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The school was a sprawling labyrinth of corridors and classrooms, each one more grandiose than the last. I was acutely aware of his presence beside me, and my mind raced to think of something to say.

"So," he cleared his throat, catching my attention. "My guide won't talk to me?"

I blushed slightly. "I'm Kayla," I said, finally breaking the silence.

"Nathan Anderson. You can call me Nate," he replied with a friendly smile. "And, I take it the principal is your aunt?"

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, she is. And sorry, I'm not very good at this."

"No worries. The cafeteria is near, right?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll take you there," I said, relieved to have a direction.

I showed him around the school until the second break. We visited the gym, the library with its towering shelves of books, and the serene courtyard where students lounged on wrought-iron benches. By then, he seemed comfortable enough to find his way on his own. I headed to my next class, math, which I had already missed half of. My best friends, Tristan and Grace, had saved me a spot.

"Where have you been all morning?" Grace asked, her brown eyes wide with curiosity.

"Aunt Melanie made me give a new student a tour. I swear she did it to punish me," I sighed. "And Tristan, she knows you've been sleeping in my room."

"What? Seriously?" Tristan looked alarmed. "What was I supposed to do? My roommate always has his girlfriend over. You’re the only person without a roommate. I had no choice."

Grace and I laughed as our math teacher, Mr. Ethan, entered the room. Midway through the class, there was a commotion. I turned to see Nate standing at the door.

"Is this Mr. Ethan's class?" he asked boldly.

"Yes, it is. Are you the new student?" Mr. Ethan inquired. Nate nodded. "Take a seat."

Nate sat at the only empty desk at the front. Throughout the class, I found my gaze drifting towards him, much to the amusement of Grace and Tristan. The classroom was filled with the faint scent of chalk and the soft rustling of papers. Mr. Ethan's voice droned on about quadratic equations, but my mind was elsewhere.

Nate's POV

My first day at Astra High was uneventful, save for the tour by the principal’s niece, Kayla. She was surprisingly down-to-earth. I had expected arrogance but found her to be calm and somewhat shy. The school was impressive, with its grand architecture and meticulously maintained grounds.

While other students were at the field, I sat on a bench, reflecting on the day. The hallways were mostly empty, and then I saw her again—Kayla. She wore a simple navy blue dress that highlighted her mixed-race beauty. Her light blue eyes were striking against her tan skin, and her curly hair was tied in a messy ponytail.

"Hey," she greeted as she approached.

"Hi. Why aren't you with the others in the field?" I asked.

"I don't participate in games," she replied.

"Not a cheerleader either?" I teased.

She laughed, "No. What about you? Why are you here looking lost?"

"Just chilling. Have you gone to the boarding mistress for your room?" she asked.

"Not yet. Actually, I could use some help with that," I admitted.

"Sure," she smiled.

She took me to the boarding mistress, and I got my room key. The hostels was just as grand as the rest of the school, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Later, we had supper together in the grand dining hall. I decided to satisfy my curiosity about her background.

"So, where are you from?" I asked.

"New York," she replied. " But...One of my parents is white. My mom is biracial.

"Interesting mix," I chuckled, admiring her beauty. Why did mixed race people look so good?

"And you?" she asked.

"Pure American. My home is also in New York," I laughed.

"And what brings you to a boarding school in Europe?" she inquired.

"My parents move a lot for work, so they sent me here," I explained. My parents would leave me by myself for weeks to go to work or be on business trips. Sometimes we would temporarily move away until their work contract was over. Then we would move back to New York when they have no commitments. "And you?"

"I just wanted the boarding school experience. Plus, I have a cousin who used to study here—the principal's daughter. She loved it here."

Her phone rang, and she excused herself, saying a friend needed her. After supper, I wandered to the basketball court. Playing basketball always helped me clear my head. The court was deserted, the floodlights casting long shadows on the asphalt. As I headed to my room, a group of boys confronted me. A fight broke out, and in the scuffle, my room key was stolen. I had no choice but to find Kayla.

It was late, past 10 PM, and I knew I was breaking rules. The dormitory was eerily quiet, the only sound of the soft hum of the heating system. I reached what I hoped was her room and knocked. After a tense wait, the door finally opened, and I sighed in relief at the sight of Kayla.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, letting me in and closing the door behind me.

"I really need your help," I began, my voice tinged with urgency. "Your aunt called me to her office after we parted ways. Then, I bumped into some school bullies, and they took my keys. I had no one else to turn to."

"So you don't have a place to stay for the night?" She sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy. I nodded, looking a bit helpless. "Okay, you can crash here, but only for tonight. And if anyone finds out, we are in serious trouble," She warned me.

"Thanks," I said, grinning with relief.

"No problem. You can sleep on the couch," she offered, pointing to a small, comfortable-looking sofa.

As I settled down, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Kayla was proving to be more than just a tour guide. She was a friend.