Chapter 3: New guy.

Naomi's POV 

The day I've been dreading is finally here. 

Yes, the first day of hell on earth. 

High school, the place everyone hates and wants to leave but misses it as soon as they leave. 

But there's no time to be sad because college is waiting, not to mention many part-time jobs and seniors at college frat parties, itching to take advantage of the clueless high schoolers who think sleeping with a frat boy will automatically make them popular. And let's not forget being an 18 or 19 years old virgin was a social taboo. 

I mean don't get me wrong...... they might get popular. 

But not for the reasons they think. 

I continue my mental rant as I slip into some black leggings and white oversized long-sleeved shirt. 

As I stepped into the new flats I got last week I look at myself in my full length mirror. 

To be completely honest I didn't like what I saw. 

But who cares right? 

I grab my bag and head downstairs when I hear a sudden scream outside. From the sound of the scream I knew it was Riley so naturally, I went to see what it was. 

I half run half jog down the stairs and out the house only to see Riley in the driver's seat a brand new car with a bow on the top. 

"Did you?" I ask my uncle. 

"Yep." He replies with a broad smile. 

She's been hinting she wants a car ever since she passed her driving test last year. And Uncle Dave did a great job, it seems like she got the one she wanted. 

"Congrats on getting your first car." I lean over and tell her from the passenger side. 

"Thanks." she says with a bright smile. 

"I think it's time you two got going." He says referring to the time. 

"Do I have to bring her?"  Riley asks clearly displeased with the idea. 

But he never got the chance to answer the sounds of our new neighbors who got our full attention. We had no idea what they were saying since they were speaking Korean. 

It wasn't hard to guess she was probably telling him to hurry up so he wouldn't be late for his first day.

When she noticed us she smiled and gave us a quick wave then quickly got into her car, Hero was not far behind as he closed the door. In no time at all Riley was out of her car and across the street talking to our neighbors. 

"Is she offering him a ride?" I ask Dave. 

"I think so." He says with a puzzled look. 

"She must really like him," I add as Dave and I watched their exchange like two creeps from across the street. 

All three of them look at us at the same time, like the creeps we are we smiled and waved at them. They gave us weird glasses before going back to their conversation. 

When I saw Riley returning with Hero a sudden panic filled me and the memories of him catching me looking into his room. 

With every step, he took closer I could feel the color draining from my face. 

"Good morning sir." He says to Dave with a slight bow then nods to me with a small smile but I'm too embarrassed to react so I avert my gaze. 

"Morning Hero, You ready for your first day." He asks with a friendly smile. 

"I think I'll be fine, plus Riley promised to show me around and introduce me to a couple of her friends." He explains. 

"Good, then I'll see you guys after school. Have fun on your first day." Dave says waving us off as he crosses the street to talk with Hero's mom. 

"Let's get going then." Riley says with a big grin. 

"Wait I forgot something!" I exclaim then took off running back to my room. 

It was only the first day! 

How could I forget my medication! 

And now I have to worry about this guy telling people I was creeping on him. How could my senior year become worse before it starts? 

Hero's mom and Dave wave goodbye to us as we get into the car to leave. 

As expected Riley let Hero drive shotgun and I had to ride in the back. 

To avoid any awkward conversations I quickly stuck my earphones in and pulled out the book I was rereading from my bag. The drive to school wasn't very long but I was a fast reader. Plus it's not my first time reading this book. 

For a moment I got lost in my book then I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. Out of pure instinct, I looked up only to find Hero looking back at me, as we made eye contact I quickly averted my gaze. 

I made sure not to look at him for the rest of the drive but I could occasionally feel his gaze on me and it made me want to squirm at times but I kept my composer. 

As soon as we pulled into the school's parking lot I was out of the car faster than someone could say my name. 

I make a beeline for my locker and then head straight to my first class. 

At most schools, the first day wouldn't be anything much but it was different here, we picked up our books a week ago and brought all our stuff to our lockers too. We were also informed that we should be ready for class since we are seniors introductions aren't necessary. 

We know every staff and more than half the school's population. 

Our literature teacher walked in and she smiled at us. 

"Good morning everyone, I hope your summer was more eventful than mine." She jokes as she walks over to her desk. 

Everyone starts cheering and talking about their summer while I stayed quiet. Some said it was boring others said it was fun. 

"Alright, that's enough." She waves her hands to get us to quiet down. 

"Before we go any further I have a surprise for you guys so I want your full attention." The class instantly goes quiet and gives her their full attention. 

For some teachers, it is hard to control students but for her getting hormonal teens to behave is like breathing not to mention her presence alone commands respect. 

"Come on in!" She says loudly and the class doors suddenly opens and in walks the one person I did not want to see. 

"Introduction please." She says smiling at him. 

"Good morning everyone, I'm Hero." He says and his deep voice vibrates the air as he bows slightly. The girls instantly start whispering about him. 

"Hero and his mom recently moved here from Korea, I know you'll make him feel welcomed. And I hope you stay on your best behavior." 

"Yes ma'am." He says with a smirk. 

"Now, do we have any volunteers to show Hero around?" Our teacher asks but half of the females put their hands up. 

"Ladies please, keep your hormones in check." She says rolling her eyes making a majority of the class giggle. "How about you Naomi?" She asks smiling at me." 

Damn it, why did she have to pick me. 

"Uh, sure," I say trying to show the panic felt at that moment. 

Why me? 

"It must be faith since we're neighbors." He says smiling at me. 

Multiple envious looks were sent my way in less than a millisecond. 

"That makes it even better, someone you're familiar with." She adds with a clap of her hands. The girls in the class glare and scuff and I'm sure one sneered at me. 

He walks over to me and more panic fills me and I start to breathe heavily. Stay calm Naomi, remember your heart 

I tell my self trying to calm down, but it wasn't working so I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. 

When I opened my eyes I could see Miss. Jack smiling at me. 

"Let's get started class, you know the drill. I want a three thousand word essay on how your summer went, double spaced and bound and it's due next week so get cracking." She says the entire class erupts in groans and complaints. 

"Quiet down people, you know we always do this so I see no reason to complain." She drawls. 

I raise my hand to get her attention since I was too shy to call out to her. 

"Yes, Naomi." 

"I kinda guessed you would ask this so I already wrote mine," I say shyly. 

"Loser." 

"Loner." 

Are the comments I got while the others laughed. 

"Keep up the good work." She says with a smile. 

"Teacher's pet." 

"One more comment it's detention for a month. Now apologize." Miss Jack says sternly. 

The persons who commented mumbled sorry and that was it. 

I spent the rest of class reading my book, while everyone got started on their essay. 

Miss Jack already knows they're all going to lie on the essays but she still asks them to write it anyways but what really surprises me every time is that she actually spends the time time to go through each and every one of them and grade it. 

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by something poking me from behind. I turn only to find Hero looking at me with a small smile. 

"What?" I ask a little more harshly than I planned to. 

I could see he was taken aback by my tone but he tried his best to hide it. 

"How's it going." He simply asks and we gain a few glances. 

"Fine." I say. 

"Good I need some help." He says with a grin. 

"Help with what?" 

"My essay." He says motioning to the paper he started writing on. 

"Why?" I ask feeling a little bit confused. 

"My English isn't that great yet." He mumbles and I feel stupid for asking the moment the words leave his mouth. 

"Oh. Um sure." She says feeling a bit bad for answering him too harsh. 

"No talking until your done Hero."  Miss Jack warns. 

"Sorry miss." He says and after that, we stayed quiet until class was over 

I was the first one out the door since I didn't have anything to do but what surprised me was Hero who appeared next to me in the corridor. 

I didn't say anything out of fear of embarrassing myself, so I kept walking to my locker but she kept following me. 

"Can I help can you?" I ask him when I finally reach my locker and he was still hot on my heels. 

"Yeah but after school." He says with a smile then opens the locker next to mine. 

No way in hell his locker is next to mine. 

I stand in front of my open locker not moving or saying a word. My mind wandered off, occupied by the thought of how he got the locker next to mine. 

Then the answer suddenly hit me. 

No one wants a locker next to the girl who might kick the bucket early. 

"Hey, are you doing okay.?" Hero asks suddenly. 

"Yeah, your English is really good. Who thought it to you?" I ask trying to change the subject. 

His expression suddenly went blank as he closed the locker turned and walked away like I didn't exist. 

To be honest it didn't bother me as much as it should but it did seem a little bit weird. Why would that be his reaction to me asking how he learned to speak English. 

Did he feel like I was being racist or something? 

His mom did say they moved here from Korea, or maybe they just moved back? 

Either way, it's really none of my business, next time we speak I'll be sure not to ask any personal questions. 

As the bell rang I closed my locker and headed to my next class. 

The day went by exactly as I expected it to except for lunch when Hero tried to get me to have lunch with Riley and her friends. 

I mean it was understandable, he's new here and doesn't know how things work yet. But by being friends with Riley he was guaranteed a spot with the cool kids. 

Lucky him. 

I decided to catch the bus home since I had a feeling Riley wouldn't want to take me. She's probably going to ditch me to hang out with her friends.