McVegas' High

Babe's POV

McVegas' high school might be one of the most prestigious high schools I've seen in my whole seventeen years of experience of what the world is like. 

As I stepped out of Pinky's car about a few seconds ago, I stood rooted at a spot, mouth half-opened and eyes about to bulge out of its socket. 

Surprise is an understatement. I was bewildered and dumbfounded. The size of the school was as wide as that of two neighborhoods with structures at every point and corner but with a wide guess, you'll realize the buildings connect. 

A fountain was right in the middle of the school and its landscape was so beautiful I could barely breathe. 

"Welcome to McVegas' high, cousin" Pinky nudged me by the shoulder to get my attention. I turned and smiled at her. 

Aunt Linda had informed me during the weekend about the news of me attending the same school with Pinky so I could finish my senior year. Since I'm a class ahead of Pinky, I won't be sharing any classes with her. 

I was given a school uniform even though I hated it so much I could puke, unlike my previous school where we could wear anything to school as long as the principal was comfortable with it. The school brochure was also given to me so I could get myself acquainted with the school. 

"What do you think?" 

"This…." I paused when I couldn't find the right words to say. "This is amazing, huge, and beautiful" I confessed.

"You'll love it here, I promise" Pinky assured me.

"Don't tell her lies Pinky, you know behind the structure is one hell of a school" A short, brunette girl came into view along with a guy who was wearing really cute glasses. 

"Hi, I'm Ivy, Pinky's friend since preschool" 

"I'm Babe, her cousin and Pinky have actually told me a lot if not everything about you. It's nice to finally put a face to the name"  

The brunette stretched her hand while introducing herself, I took it in mine and smiled back at her. 

"Same here. You're a year ahead, right?" 

I nodded.

"That's bad. I would've loved to be in the same grade as you are" I raised my eyebrow at her comment. I wanted to ask her about what she meant but I decided against it. 

"That's Tommy, our dummy of a friend as well. Can you actually realize that it rhymes?" She pointed to the nerd, the same guy who had been standing behind her all through our little conversation. 

"Ignore her, you can call me Tom but never Tommy" he didn't stretch his hand for a handshake.

"Your mama named you Tommy, stop acting like a dock" 

Tom moved closer to Ivy and whispered something in her ear. She immediately turned and slapped him. 

"What the heck, Ivy?" Tom yelled.

"You asshole. How can you say something like that?" Ivy yelled, about to scratch his face off, getting Pinky's attention

I looked on as the friends bicker on and on for minutes. I quickly excused myself when my phone started ringing.

"Hello Mr. Arnold," I admonished as I picked up the call.

"How are you, Babara?" 

"It's Babe" I corrected him.

"You can't expect me to call my daughter Babe, Babara" 

I rolled my eyes and decided I didn't have the energy for his drama this morning.

"What do you want?" 

"I only want to know how you're settling in, child" 

I ran my hand through my hair in frustration and fixed my backpack properly on my shoulder before I replied.

"Wow! Amazing, one of my parents finally realized they have a daughter thousands of miles away and decided to check up on her to see how she's settling in four days after moving into someone else's home. You know what daddy, today is my first day in this school and all I need is a strong wave of positive energy and not something that'll bring down my spirit. So do me a favor daddy and leave me alone till the rest of the session, understood, thanks, father" 

I hissed and angrily dropped the call, not ready to listen to whatever he wanted to say or anything. I silenced my phone because I didn't want to see his call, not to talk of picking it up.

"Is everything okay, Cousin?" Pinky put her hand around my shoulder. I nodded and faked a smile.

"I'm good. Just my dad checking up on me" I replied. 

"Let's get you to the administration office so you can get your schedule and I'll be glad to show you the way to your first class and you can pick it up from there" She informed me as we all walked towards the school building. 

She turned and waved at her friends "You guys can get to class, I'll see you in a bit" 

"See you at lunch, Babe," 

Both Ivy and Tommy waved. 

"Okay" I waved back at them.

"I made a terrible mistake of not telling you everything about the school during the weekend but I promise to do that once we get back home today" 

"I wouldn't hold my breath, Pinky" 

We got to the administration building and the first person I saw was a pretty young lady, sitting behind a computer. Once she felt our presence, she lifted her head up and smiled.

"How can I help you, girls?" She asked with a smile still on her face.

"This is my cousin, Babara Arnold, She needs her schedule" 

"Ooh the new student," I nodded. "You have such beautiful skin and oh, your hair is so pretty, I love it" 

I wondered if that compliment was necessary. She froze for a second as she kept her gaze on Pinky. I didn't know what happened but I feel they both exchanged a conversation and that was shocking. 

"Thank you" I replied. 

She smiled again. 

"You guys are so different, I can't believe you're related" 

"Oh, about that," Pinky began her explanation and stopped suddenly.

"How are we different?" I asked in confusion. Maybe we look different but Pinky and I share the same similarities in so many ways. For example, our noses are the same just like our mothers with a mole right on top. 

"Don't mind her, she talks shit sometimes" Pinky whispered in my ear. 

After printing out the schedule, she gave it to me. 

"You can come back later during the lunch break to select between Economics and World history depending on your choice of study in University as well as two AP classes minimum, a college credit course, and an extracurricular elective, any one of your choice " 

She spewed everything out and I couldn't but curse my fate.

What type of school is this? 

I have to take all these classes, two AP classes, how did I get so unlucky?. I thought rich schools allow their students to relax, enjoy their teens, and chill, not study like I was on my way to change the world. 

"You can go to your classes now, I'll see you at lunch" 

I dragged myself out of the office. I plopped against a wall and began banging my head against the wall. 

"You don't have to look so pale and sad about this, Babe. It's just a few classes" 

I glared at Pinky who was obviously being sarcastic.

"I hate you. I finally say it; I hate you Pinky" 

"And I love you too cousin" She collected the schedule from me and went through it.

"You have an English class first cousin. Let's get you to the classroom before you lost your way" 

Pinky didn't really follow me to class, she just pointed the class to me as she quickly walked away after realizing she was late for her own class.

I entered the class slowly, gaining everyone's attention including the teachers to myself. 

"You must be Babara Arnold, the new student," The teacher asked and the student began murmuring. 

"Listen, everyone, this is Babara Arnold, she's a new student, one of a kind, different and I want you guys to actually introduce yourself, get acquainted, and most importantly, be nice to her, but that'll be after my class as I  don't want any distraction" 

He instructed the class. 

How many times has someone mentioned the word 'different' since I got here? At the fundraising event, I heard that word about ten times from the people my aunt introduced me to. 

How am I different? I wanted to tell out.

He walked over to the table in front of the class and passed me a book. I realized it was a novel; Purple hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie. 

"That's the book we're currently studying, you can take it with you to your seat.  Also, you can take the seat beside Webster" He dismissed me and I was bothered about how I'm supposed to know who Webster was.

"Webster?" I asked.

"The guy at the back, closest to the window," he pointed to his right. My eyes trailed after his hand and I saw that the guy he was referring to was actually sleeping. 

The effrontery these kids must have to sleep in classes. If any student dares to sleep in a class in my previous school, such a student will be put through a vigorous exercise that'll keep him or her on their feet for the rest of the week.

I gave the Webster guy a stern look before I sat at the table. His face was facing the window so I couldn't see him in the first instance but the moment he raised his head, stretched his hand upward, and turned to look at me did I realize he was Hunter.

I smiled a bit at him and waved. He acted indifferent to my action and turned to look away before he placed his head back on the table. I quickly pulled back my hand and brought out my notes for the class.

During the period, I kept on stealing glances at Hunter hoping he'll take another look at me. 

He was my friend and I just can't act as if there's nothing between us. 

"Hunter Webster, if you're so uninterested in my class, why don't you leave?" 

The teacher suddenly yelled, drawing me out of my thoughts. He was right beside both Hunter and me.

"Gladly," Hunter replied as he started gathering his stuff.

"If you leave, you'll fail this course and lest I remind you that if you fail, gone with the wind is your chance at ever graduating" 

Hunter wasn't moved by his threat as he stood up from his seat. 

Before he could walk away, I grabbed his shirt. I don't know what came over me, I just thought I needed to stop him.

"What the hell do you want?" He growled, scaring me.

I quickly dropped his sleeve. He glared at me and hissed before walking out. 

I turned to see other students looking at me, some glaring hard. I quickly lowered my head as I couldn't take the embarrassment.