Chapter 3

I park my car in front of the school building. Turns out the car Dad got for me was a big white brick, not that I'm complaining. I heard they're very safe to drive in. Pulling my keys out of the ignition, I grab my backpack from the passenger seat. In the rear mirror, I check that I look presentable. I'm wearing some dark blue jeans and a button-up shirt. I look like the typical nerd, minus the glasses. One of the pros of the supernatural, you have great eyesight.

Stepping out of the car, I make sure to lock it. I see that around the parking lot, there are other kids, but none of them have noticed me. Yet.

   Walking toward the entrance, I realize I should have brought something to wear over my shirt. Handerville is pretty far north, and even though it's just barely September, it's chilly. Oh well, guess I better bring one tomorrow. Or die cold. either works.

   Walking into the school, I see they're handing out schedules. I step in line to receive mine. Shortly it's my turn.

"What's your name kiddo?" asks the boy whose handing out schedules.

   Kiddo? I may not look it, but I'm probably older than you. He stands easily half a foot above me, somewhere around 6'2'. Blond hair, blue eyes. A lady's man no doubt.

    I'm offended by kiddo, and think of throwing a hissy fit. I've never done that, but it looks a little fun to be honest. But, remembering my karma, I smile, and say,

"Cayce Vance. I'm a senior."

The kid is surprised. "Really? You look like my baby brother though!" replies the kid. "I'm Greg by the way. Greg Hayes. I'm guessing you're new? I've never seen your face around here. And trust me, in a town this small, everyone knows everyone." He says with a smile. I smile back.

"Yeah, I'm new here," I reply a little shyly. I tend to be quiet in front of strangers, and I'm a little introverted. Though my mind is not. As you can tell.

"Oh! Well that shouldn't be a problem!" says Greg brightly, "I know this school well enough, and if you have any issues, just ask! I'll be happy to help you out."

He hands me a schedule, along with a map of the school. I say thanks and head off to my locker. As I walk, I hear my name whispered, and turn back to see Greg whispering to the girl who is next in line. He sees me looking, and smiles and waves. I wave back and quickly walk off.

I reach my locker. It's right next to the gym. Hopefully, it doesn't stink. Sweaty teens are probably what causes global warming. Especially the hot ones. Hot sweaty teens. That's gotta be it.

   I've just opened my locker when I sense a presence. I open my locker door and see the epitome of female beauty leaning on the locker next to mine. My eyes widen in shock, but I be professional, and say a polite "Hi." With a smile. Can't forget the smile.

Said goddess smiles and says "Hi! I'm Ingrid Fitzroy. I didn't mean to stun you, but my locker's right next to yours, so I thought I'd say hi. Also, I was wondering if you wanna hang out with my brother and I. He's off somewhere, but I'll introduce you to him when we see him."

I expected her to be super annoying, but she talks firmly and kindly. And she's not twirling her hair or wearing any heels. W*****d tells me those are signs of major B-words.

   She stands several inches above me, and she has auburn hair that falls past her shoulders. And her green eyes are marvelous. She's hot, in other words. But I don't swing that way. I don't swing at all actually. I've never had a crush. I just know she's pretty. And nice.

  Well, though I've seen hot people, and maybe would mind them up on my trunk without any clothes on.

"Oh, that's very kind of you," I say. It's very nice that she would take the time to be nice with me, and even be friends with me. I'm truly grateful. We shake hands like gents.

"You new around here?" she asks.

"Yeah, I just got here two days ago," I say.

"Regarding what you just said a couple of seconds ago," I start, Ingrid turns to look down at me, "I'd be very happy to be friends with you and your brother...?"

   I start off a little confident, but I end up blushing and looking down. Speech classes are only given in college, and now you know why this generation is supposedly failing the world. We can't talk!

"Can we be friends?" I say as I look up at her.

"Awww, you're so cute," says Ingrid. She reaches out and ruffles my hair. I squawk and thrash about. This makes her laugh more.

"So, what's your first class for today?" she asks me, withdrawing her hand.

"Um, it's..." I say as I pull my schedule out. I see that it's econ.

"Econ," I finish. I look up to see her smiling.

"Great! Me too!" exclaims Ingrid. "What else do you have?" she asks. Before I can answer, she's grabbed my schedule.

"Hey!" I exclaim. I reach for the paper, but she towers over me, and she holds it over my head. "Ingrid!" I screech. Ingrid laughs and twirls away. Being tall in front of short people should be a crime!

She peers at my paper before giving it back to me. "Looks like we have an almost identical schedule. And call me Grid, we're friends now."

  Oh, then I can forgive you being tall. Keep up the good work!

She hands the paper back to me which I gratefully take back. Before I can process the latter half of what she's said, I'm wrapped up in a hug and am being dragged down the hall to my first class. I thrash about, but Ingrid has an iron grip.

"You're so cute when you fight back," says Ingrid. I give up and let her drag me along. Hopefully she doesn't drop me. That'd be tragic.

We enter our class, and I free myself from the grip. Only to be hugged again by another.

"Hey you!" says a familiar bright voice. I wiggle around and see that it's Greg who has encased me in a muscly cage of arms.

"Let me go," I say into a bicep. Greg laughs and lets me go. A teacher walks in.

"Settle down, settle down," she says, "I don't care where you sit! Just get a seat!" she says as everyone takes a seat. I'm dragged to a seat between Greg and Grid. "I'm Mrs. Clark. I'm your Econ teacher. Most of you I know, but I think one of you is new, correct?"

My body stiffens as soon as she says this, and in a second the whole class is looking in my direction. "Come up here sweety, so everyone can see you." I slowly make my way to the front of the class.

"My name is Cayce Vance, and I'm 17. I just moved here and I'm a little shy, but I hope I can make friends with everybody." I smile shyly and return to my seat. Speeches suck. Greg and Ingrid give me encouraging smiles. But I'm still pink in the face.

Pink as a peach.

  I suck at talking. Harder than a black hole.

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The morning classes pass by with a lot of introductions. This town seems to be even more isolated than I thought. I have to say the same introduction about five times. Not to mention how I have to tell a lot of kids my name, my age, my favorite color, my interests, my crushes(not that I have any).

   They seem interested in that part a lot. I have no reason why though. Maybe because they're a bunch of teenagers and some of them see some fresh meat. I highly doubt I'm that enticing. If somebody puts me in bed with them they better watch out. I bite.

   Well, I wouldn't but anything, though that's a conversation for later when I know I'm around nobody.

Lunch was a little hectic. I almost got trampled by the crowd of hungry teens, but Greg and Grid were able to keep me between them, so I had two bodyguards to help me get food. We eat lunch with the three of us, Greg, Grid, and I. Grid's brother was a no-show. Turns out he had something to do. Oh well, guess it can't be helped. Maybe next time.