CHAPTER 1: Mystery Cafeteria Boy

"Stinky fat head," I cursed, slamming the door of my locker with as much strength as I could muster. 

"Brainless ant."

Every other person probably burst into tears when they were humiliated in class but not me. When I'm so angry, I curse and plan millions of ways to stab out the perpetrators eyes even though that was all I can do. 

My name is Bella and I hate school. Which isn't news, considering the fact that almost all teenagers do. But, I am not your regular teenager, not in the smart, genius way. Quite the opposite, this was my second year in this class, because I failed the grade. 

I hate school because I suck at it. 

This year I had to go to classes all alone. All my friends have moved on to the 12th grade. 

Class today consisted mainly of new students and Mr Charles kept calling me to answer questions since I was an old face in the class, even pointing that out in a joke that wasn't funny to me at all. 

After digging out my lunch ticket I made the way to the school cafeteria, wishing this day could go as fast as it can so I can get to Basketball practice. 

My school, Crest high school, was divided into sections. Everybody had their own group or clique. 

To my far left was Maya, Trisha, Molly and Dolly. The queens of Crest high. Maya was already a full blown I*******m influencer and model with more than hundred thousand followers on I*******m. Her beautiful face however could not make up for her foul personality.

"Babes," A semi high pitched scream came from Tammy short for Tamara, my best friend in the whole world. She and James were actually, but James was not in school today. 

My lips stretched into a wide smile and it felt like I could finally breathe. Finally, someone I knew. 

"I missed being in the same class as you so much already," her voice a low pitched whine and her cupid bow lips jutting for a pout. 

"Tammy, it's just one day of school." I smiled trying to placate her, but feeling so good inside. Someone cared enough to miss her. 

"Doesn't matter. I sat through Literature class alone listening to Chucky stuff his mouth with doughnut and Maya showing off." She flipped her bone straight jet black hair with purple highlights backwards and huffed. 

This girl with her loud voice and riotous hair was such a vibe. 

I watched her as she continued to rant animatedly while I stuffed my mouth with the greasy pizza that was on the menu today and pushed off my curly hair that kept falling over. 

In contrast to Tammy I had red brown curly hair which was so difficult to tame and often felt like it could drown my small frame. 

Suddenly she stopped talking, her mouth forming a round, O shape in surprise, and her eyes almost popping out of the socket. 

The cafeteria was also quiet. I followed her direction turning towards the door to the source of her astonishment till I saw it. Not it, him.

A huge brown haired boy with cinnamon brown eyes and a bandage at the side of his eyes walking towards where we sat. 

He passed us quickly, with his own tray of food and going to an empty table. 

What was the fuss and mystery about? 

I returned my undivided attention to the pizza and the rumors started. 

"Luka is back. Luka Donatelli is back." I heard someone whisper. 

"Who is he? Who is Luka?" I asked Tammy. 

She just shrugged coldy, "No one you should know Bells." 

I could see Maya moving towards his table and I rolled my eyes at the originality. Trust Maya to walk to the finest mysterious, new kid on the block and stake her claim. 

What I didn't expect was for him to wrap his arms around and hug her tight. Too tight. I rolled my eyes again. 

Well, anyone that is close to Maya is bad news. 

Luckily for me the bell rang, and every other thought was shoved down. 

******

I looked forward to practice all day. 

I loved throwing hoops. 

I could throw a ball around all day and pretend that I was a normal student. That this wasn't my fourth high school, with this being my longest one yet. I could spend time away from home and focus on one thing. Which is making sure the ball goes into the nets. 

No complications. No failures. No monsters to run away from. 

I practiced the usual drill starting with a little warm up and stretches to get loose followed by jump shots which Coach has been complaining of throughout last year. 

"Bella," Coach called loudly. I spun dribbling an imaginary opponent and throwing the ball into the net before I walked towards him

"I'm sorry Bella, but you cannot play this year until I see improvements in your school grade. The goal of the school is to make sure that no part of your academics suffer, and that even sport students are well balanced." 

"But Coach, this is a new year. We haven't even started taking tests yet. You're asking me to sit on the bench through out the year, to focus on my academics. Why can't I do both?" I asked in anger. 

"Because you didn't successfully do both last year. You're stuck in the non promotion zone already, no major college will take you with flunked grades." He cajoled and I rolled my eyes. I bounced off the balls off my feet, I felt like running away. 

This. He was taking basketball away from me at this point. 

"So what if I pass my mid terms? What if I pass my mid terms well? Will you re evaluate letting me back into the team by then?" I asked. 

"Yes. I see no reason why not. But Bella this is only if you..." 

I didn't wait for him to finish before answering, "I will pass my midterms." 

Even if it costs me blood and sweat, I will pass my midterms. This was the longest time we have spent in one town. Now that it finally feels like we could stop running, I will do anything to get into a college with a good women's basketball program. 

I could hear the Snickers from Maya and her mini me's chuckling and laughing from the corner where they had their cheerleading practice going on and I felt even more humiliated. 

"Now you're kicked off the basketball team too. Your life must be hard keeping up with so many failures," Dolly said. Her snide comment was loud enough for almost everyone to hear and her crew laughed a little. 

Useless Amoeba. 

Waste of matter. 

I cursed and stalked towards the door angrily with hot tears brimming underneath my eyelids. 

I couldn't even leave the gym room because it was still time for Physical Education. I sat quietly brooding wishing I at least had my headphones on. Instead I watched the whole practice carefully, drawing imaginary court plays in my head on how it would have been if I was on the court. 

When the bell finally rang, I waited till everyone was out before I dragged myself to class. 

We had history class. It was our last one for the day and Mrs Maxine always came late. I could still slip in unnoticed. Not like attending a class with people who used to be your juniors will be unnoticed but at least a girl could dream. 

When I reached the class, I was surprised to see Mrs Maxine already in class and the cafeteria mystery boy standing in front of the class. 

I felt like having the ground swallow me up when I heard her call my name. "Bella, you and Luka are retaining the grade so you're paired up for the reading for today." 

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment. If Mr Charles's earlier announcement was not loud enough it was definitely clearer now. Everyone in this class knew that I was repeating the entire year. 

This was going to be one hard year ahead. 

Mystery Cafeteria boy didn't seem fazed at all. If he wasn't in our class last year, seeing that I joined the school that year, he must have been a year ahead of us and was taking classes with those two years his junior. 

Nothing wiped the blank look on his face, as he stared at the book we were supposed to be reading for the month. 

He had this cold, bored look on his face. He suddenly raised his head from the book we shared to meet mine and I looked away in guilt choosing to stick at the pages of the textbook throughout the rest of the class. 

Immediately the bell rang, he gathered his stuff and walked right out.