2. School life

When I wake up the next day, my head hurts, my stomach flips. 

I had to force myself to go downstairs for breakfast, great my parents and to calm Vanessa.

“Ash, dear, you look pale. Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the doctors?“

“No, Mom, I´m fine. Still feeling a bit nervous because of the new environment.“ Out of respect to both of them, I call them Mom and Dad.

 It wasn´t always an easy task to calm Vanessa, because she worries a lot and cares for her family. But ultimately she was soothed and would let me go to school

To get my mind off of things, I focused on studies.

My classmates would ignore me like I was dead, I liked it that way to be honest.

Still, another person would be more than alive.

This person would be the Hottie from the soccer team. He would lean against my locker, when I got something from it and smirked at me.

"Hi!", was all he said while I stared at him in confusion.

,,What is it?"

"Just wanted to say Hi and asking how you are doing after what happened yesterday. I hope you're not mad at me." Always keeping his smile pointed at me.

Only now I realised that we were kind of causing a commotion, because the whole hall were looking at us and everyone were speculating what this hot guy wanted from me or if I was blackmailing him.

My anxiety got the better of me, so I did what I could do best: I panicked.

In a moment of brilliance I gripped his wrist and shoved him into to the next storeroom, when outdoors the rumours exploded.

"Wow, didn't take you you for the aggressive type. But I must admit I kind of like it."

Mr. Hottie really seemed to enjoy it while I can't help then to blush and started stuttering.

"Wh-what's that s-supposed to mean? Just because you're hot doesn't mean …"

"A bit too early to call me hot, still, thanks, I take it." He looked so pleased with himself.

As an answer I pushed him against the shelves, hit my head on the way out and slammed the door behind me.

Trying to ignore all the people and shouts in the halls I made my way to my first class.

You couldn't talk about a quiet schoolday after this, my mind ran a 100 miles an hour.

While the other people in class were noisy and discussed the news from this morning.

“Did you hear? They said that there was a big fight between two street gangs in Florida …“

“Hundreds of people died or were badly injured …“

“Terrible what happened, right? So many people that died and were hurt.“ I was startled when I was suddenly spoken to by my desk mate, a quiet little boy with glasses.

"Sorry, I didn´t introduced myself. I´m Gabriel Joker, don´t worry, I´m not the Joker in Badman.“ Smiling he reached out his hand for me to shake.“

I wouldn´t expect you to be. Nice to meet you, I´m Ashley Quinton, call me Ash.“

“Yeah, the new guy!? Were you ever in Florida? My family and I often spend summer vaccation at Miami Beach.“

“I lived there for a few years.“ I tried to keep the information short.

“Alone?“

I nodded and Gab gave me an understanding smile.

After classes Gab would suddenly be gone somewhere.

While someone else was waiting outside for me.

"The hot guy …"

" … from the soccerteam?!" The guy waiting for me in the hallway  asked giggling.

"I came to ask if you had time to hang out today."

"Sorry, but I can't make friends.", I tried brushing him off.

"Why?"

"None of your buisness."

"Then how about a date?"

What is wrong with this guy? Is he crazy?

"You know, thats worse than the first one."

"Doesn't have to be!" That was all he had to discuss.

Mr. hot guy  grabbed my hand and dragged us out of the school.

Finally he took a second to turn around at me smiling.

"Before I embarrass myself: Would you like to go to an amusement park?"

"What is this? Valentines day?"

"It could be our valentines day."

"Shut up." I tried looking angry, but had to hide my blush.

It's so unfair how Austin can enjoy his time so carefree, while I'm a nervous wreck.

He doesn't miss a single ride, feed his stomach so much, I wondered how he didn't threw up and laughed like the children next to him.

Austin was behaving like a big plushy teddy bear and it's seriously cute, but …

I feel a weird kind of pressure.

As if I'm being watched under a magnifying glass and couldn't figure out, who is watching me.

To keep it short: it's hella uncomfortable.

No need to say that I was feeling uneasy the whole time.

And than there was this water slide.

Austin seemed to liked it, I didn't. Water isn't really my best friend. Even a shower gives me anxiety.

This ride felt like, it would take forever, all these turns, ups and downs. And all this water.

Luckily it was over and we could get out.

Austin had a guilty conscience when he saw my tormented expression and as an apollogy, wanted to invite me for dinner.

"Table for two?" We were asked from the waiter in the tiny italian place.

"Yes, for my date and me, please." Austin answered pleased with himself.

"Very well, sir. Allow me to show you to your seats."

I rammed my elbow into his side and gave him a look.

"What? Did I say something wrong?", he teased.

I didn't honor him with an answer and followed the waiter.

"Aw, you're the sweetest human being."

What he didn't know that time, that I heard his quiet whisper and couldn't help but blush.

At our table the brown haired guy pulled my chair back. The rest of our meal was silent, while I sneaked glances at him.