BRIAR

I walked into the school with my hood up, hands in my hoodie’s pocket and earphones on looking for the front office. I found it and collected all the information I needed and filled any form I had to fill—only the necessary ones. Nothing extra. I needed to be cautious. I walked out of the office still with my hood up, hands in my hoodie’s pocket and my earphones on. I walked past all those students who were looking at me like I was either some disease or a specimen they were trying to figure out. 

I was the new girl today. I had finally managed to run away from home and skipped town. Those people back home were animals. I was counting the days till I could get out of there. They were the major reason I was like this. That man started it but they finished what he started. They made me who I was today. All of them.

And I was never going to forgive them. I had run. I know it was a loser move but they were gonna kill me one way or they other with their words and that was even worse than dying by a knife or a gun. People’s words had a way of either making you or breaking you. Well, their words did both—it broke me first, then it made me into who I am walking down these halls right now. I looked at the sheet in my hand, my timetable to be exact.

I needed to find this class in the next one minute or else I was gonna be la-

RING.

And I was late. Students passed right past me like I was invisible. I made sure my hands were back in my pocket to avoid touching anyone or anyone touching me. I walked around the school for five more minutes then finally found the class on the other block. I used that five minutes to explore and find the rooms my other classes were.

I marked the blocks and hall numbers on my timetable so it’d be easier finding it later. I pushed open the doors to the class and stiffened when I realized the teacher was in the middle of saying something to them. All their attention was now on me. I knew I looked odd, baggy black sweatpants with a huge hoodie and a hood which covered my face.

My whole body was technically covered maybe except for my lips and a small portion of my nose you could see. “Oh you’re the new student. Why don’t you introduce yourself.” the teacher said and I took the paper out of my bag and passed it to him. He took it and opened it and looked at the class, “This is Briar Lennox. She’s our new student. You all should give her a welcome clap and cheer.” The class was quiet except for a few people that grunted. “Okay. Well treat her well. You can take a seat anywhere Ms Lennox.” I was about to walk to a seat when the door opened.

“Oh well Mr Carter. Nice of you to join us early today.” the teacher said sarcastically to the person that entered.

“Yeah I was aiming for that.” a velvet male voice said chuckling.

“Just go take a seat before I put you in detention.”

“Thanks Mr Cooper.” he said and the teacher grunted.

“Yeah and Ms Lennox can sit beside you for the rest of the semester.”

“Who is...oh. Hi.” he said to me and I nodded. He cleared his throat and I saw his feet turn as he walked off. I followed behind him and he sat down on the seat at the corner of the class right beside the window. I took a seat on the chair beside him.

“Okay class let’s open our books to page 64. Mr Harrison. Read for us please.” I sat back clueless of what was going on till I heard a chair scrape the floor. A book was placed on my table and I frowned looking at my side, the guy had pushed his chair to right beside me to share his textbook with me. I stiffened at the proximity. He must have noticed because he put a little bit of distance between us but he was still close because I could smell his cologne. It wasn’t strong. It was manly but soft, I just couldn’t put a name to it but it was nice.

“I’m Luca.” he said suddenly and I nodded. “This is the part where you tell me your name.” he whispered chuckling. I removed my hands from my pocket then picked my book and pen from my bag placing them on the table. “Okay.” I heard him whisper in defeat. I pulled my sleeves to my fingers and put one hand on the table. I picked the pen. “I’m just trying to be nice you know. Make a new friend.” he whispered and I realized he was not a quiet person. I took my pen in my hand making sure my skin didn’t touch the desk and the sleeve covered my skin well. Briar. I wrote on my book then used the pen to poke his arm.

“Hmm?” I pointed at the book and he saw it. “Briar.” He was the first person who mentioned my name well. In my old life back in my old town I had tried correcting people on the pronunciation of the name but they still didn’t get it until him. He used the accent to pronounce it. “Wait you can’t talk? Is that it?” he asked suddenly and I rose my brow under my hood. “I am sorry if I came out as rude or anything. You can choose not to speak to me-wait fuck. Sorry. That came out wrong. I need to stop talking now. Shit uh sorry yeah. That’s it.” he practically word vomited and I ignored him for the rest of the lesson. He didn’t bother talking to me again.

On a normal basis, I would’ve felt relieved but I felt bothered for some reason. But life still goes on, I focused on class as much as I could. I didn’t need any attention in this school, else they’d find out I didn’t fit in and I wasn’t supposed to be here.