Chapter 1 : the universe
I walked in the hallway carefully, making sure not to run into anything or anyone as I kept my head down. I wasn’t normally a quiet person, but on days like these (first day at a new school), I had a good reason. I hated change. I didn’t handle it well. Change was like the universe’s way of telling me “fuck you”.0
This0
was a big change. The universe had a big fuck you to tell.0
I walked in the office, checking myself in. The only problem was that I actually had to raise my head to look at her. She smiled sweetly and instructed where my first class was. I could tell the smile was fake.
I was in the classroom before the bell rang. Thankfully. Starting a new school during my senior year wasn’t the first thing I had in mind, but then again, the universe liked to throw stupid shit at me.
The teacher seemed to talk endlessly. I zoned out for a while. When I came back, everyone was standing and leaving. I followed.
“Not you,” the teacher said behind me. “You stay.”
Thanks universe.
I need to stop blaming everything on the universe, but I have a hatred towards it.
“You’re new here, right?” She asked.
I nodded. “Yes.”
She checked down the list of names, stopping at one.
“Madelyn?” She said, looking up at me.
I nodded. “That’s me.”
She smiled. “It’s good to have you here.”
No, no it’s not.
“Thank you.” I answered. I knew how to be polite at least.
———————
The rest of the day was a blur. I zoned out in most classes and actually paid attention to others. Only in one class, I actually had to introduce myself in front of everyone. I felt my face grow hot and I almost tripped on my way back to my seat.
“So, you’re the new girl.” A boy said, walking next to me.
“Seems like it.” I answered.
Everyone was walking out of the building.
“It’s not so bad here. Trust me.” He told me.
I shrugged. “I’ll have to see it for myself.”
“You will.” He winked and I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t want to admit it, but he was hot.
“I’m Chris, by the way.” He grinned.
“Madelyn.” I answered. Something told me that we would be friends. Good friends, maybe.
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
“Skip all the handshakes and ‘nice to meet yous’” I said with a laugh.
“Good idea. I didn’t want to do it either.” He said.
Once we were out the door, people were shuffling all over the place.
“So, where’d you come from?” He asked.
I laughed. “Colorado.”
“Woah,” Chris answered. “That’s a long ways.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
We walked for a while. Chris stopped and tensed. I stopped with him.
“What is it?” I asked.
He shook his head and looked back up. I turned to see what he was so worked up about. There was nothing there, just people. That’s when they caught my eye. Two boys standing together, next to, what I guessed, was their car. One of them wasn’t paying attention, but the other…
The other stared right at us. Me? Chris? Both of us. His blue eyes were piercing.
Obviously, by Chris’s reaction, they probably didn’t like each other much.
“Are you looking at them?” I asked, nodding my head in their direction.
Chris nodded. “Yeah, sorry.”
“Do you have some type of beef with them or something?” I asked curiously.
“Uh,” he stopped and chuckled. “It’s kind of a family thing.”
“What does your families have against each other?” I was being nosy, I know, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking questions.
“It’s always been a thing between our families.” He answered.
“Oh,” Was all I said back.
“I have to go.” Chris said, suddenly smiling. “But I’ll see you around.”
I nodded and he walked away, right after shooting me another wink. I smiled and turned around.
The two boys were still there, but this time, they were both staring at me. I tried to keep calm as I gained the courage to actually walk past them. Both of their stares were almost scary. Captivating. As I got closer, the more my hands shook. I felt both their gazes as I walked past.
My back was towards them when someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned to face the boy. He held a charming smile that could make anyone melt. Or maybe it made me melt. Either way, it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Hi,” He said. “I heard you’re new here.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
Something about him made my hands clench tightly.
“I’m Tristan.” He introduced himself and pointed to the other boy. “That’s Tyler.”
As if on cue, Tristan’s eyes practically sparkled in the sunlight. I was too caught up in his eyes, in him, to answer or introduce myself. Tristan’s mouth turned into a light smirk, as if he knew the affect he was having on me.
“I’m Madelyn.” I said.
“Oh, I know.” Tristan answered. “Everyone knows you here.”
“Is that so?” I asked. Did everyone really know me? How fast does news spread?
“Tristan, when are we going?” Tyler asked from the distance.
Tristan and I broke out of our weirdly awkward and weirdly heated stare.
“Right now.” Tristan walked away. “Nice meeting you, Madelyn.” He said behind his back.
I didn’t say anything, but turned around, trying not to look back at the mysterious guy behind me. Something about him didn’t suit well with me. I wasn’t sure what it was yet, but I’d figure it out. I always figure it out.
