Chapter 2: Uh-oh

Chloe's POV

A week has gone by since school started. Today was the first time I was late to class, I blame my bed for that and the stupid guy I met in the hallway earlier. 

The problem is, being the new kid as a senior is hard because students my age has already established their circle of friends; they each have their own cliques. You could refer to me as the outcast, I guess? The lone wolf; an omega, looking for a pack. 

Mum's right, I should stop re-watching teen wolf. It's started to affect my way of thinking. 

"So I've been thinking, since you're all graduating how well do you guys know your peers? Like the guy who sits next to you in Chemistry or the guy passing you by? Do you really know them?" our teacher stated.

"Aren't you a little bit curious about their lives? Who they really are inside?" She paused. "This is why I decided to give you this project. I'll be assigning each student a number, the student who has the same number as you is likely to be your partner, and no they aren't your classmates here in Health, they're students from my other classes. I've already given the other students their numbers, so feel free to find your partner at lunch then both of you report to me once you find them, you only have until the end of the day to find them and report to me or else I will be deducting 20 points from your grades every day until you find them. I need to do this because I know that some of you will not make an effort to find their partners. I'll be giving you 3 months for this project. You have to make a scrap book with your time together and make a report about the other person. Are we clear? Okay then, let's start. "

Not bad, this class project might be a good way for me to make a friend. 

I felt a tap coming on my back and when I turned around, I was greeted with a smile from the girl seated behind me. 

"Do you have an extra pen? Mine's run out of ink." She waved the pen in her hand.

"Yeah." I replied. I reached for my bag and got my extra pen out, turned around and gave it to her.

She took the pen. "Thanks. I'm Andy by the way."

"Chloe." I smiled.

"Where are you from?"

"London."

"Wow, I didn't know our school decided to have a student exchange program, I would've signed up."

"No, I'm not part of the student exchange program, my family recently  moved here."

"That's hard."

"Tell me about it."

"How are you holding up?"

"I can manage."

"Good for you."  she smiled. 

********

Lunch.

I used to look forward to this time of day; it's the time wherein students, friends, and colleagues would meet, eat food and chat with each other. Here, lunch is a reminder that I am alone. No friends, not even enemies. 

I scanned the cafeteria to check for an available vacant table. My eyes caught someone I met earlier; Andy. She waved at me with a smile on her face and invited me over.

"Hi." I greeted.

"Have a seat." she pulled a chair for me. 

I was quick to take her up on her offer. A guy took the seat across from her the same time I sat beside her. He looked familiar, I think we have some classes together. 

"Hey." he started. " I'm Josh." He offered his hand to shake.

"Chloe." I smiled.

"This Health class project is kind of interesting." Andy said. 

"It's a crazy idea if you ask me." Josh took a bite out of his sandwich. 

They turned to me. As if waiting for my input on the topic. 

"I'm with her on this one." 

"So, any of you found your mystery partner yet?" Andy asked.

I shook my head in answer. 

"Nope, I was hoping it'd be you." Josh said. 

"Nah, can't be me. Where's the fun in that? We already know each other. I could practically write a book about you."

"Yeah, I know." He snorted.

"How about you? Any luck finding your mystery partner?" he continued. 

"I haven't started looking yet." She answered.

Our conversation was interrupted by a brown skinned gorgeous girl wearing a bright yellow dress. 

“Party tonight at my place.”  She smiled. “See you guys there.”

I watched her walk away from our table and moved on to the next table of students.

“That was Jessica.” Andy informed. “She's part of the Student council team and she’s known for throwing the best and coolest parties.” 

My eyes darted across the room to a group of guys who sat at the opposite end of the cafeteria. Instantly, I recognized one of them; he's that stupid kid I stomped earlier and my classmate in English. 

Andy caught me looking at them.

"Curious?" she asked. 

I didn't respond.

"They're the heartthrobs of this school, or so students refer to them. That one," she pointed at the dark haired one. "That's James, he works as a part time model. The one beside him," she pointed to the guy with a very distinct cheekbones. "Is Tyler, he's the president of the student council. You might have met or seen him around. He's more academically inclined than his friends and him," she pointed at the stupid kid as I like to call him. I finally get to attach a name to that annoying face of his. "Mason, Captain of football team."

Out of nowhere, the stupid kid turned his head around and caught me staring at them.

Shit.

Immediately, I looked away. Can't have him getting the wrong impression now.  

I remembered I had to send my Mum a text about what time she should pick me up. I reached for my bag in search for my phone. 

Something's wrong. It's not here, I usually put my phone on the left side pocket of my bag. 

I tried to feel my jean pockets for it but it's not there either.

"Looking for something?" Andy asked.

"My phone, I can't find it." 

"Maybe you dropped it somewhere. Try retracing your steps, where have you been since this morning." Josh suggested.

"Let's see... I ran in the hallway, met a stupid kid and went to first period and continued with my classes and then lunch. I could've dropped it anywhere." I answered.

"When was the last time you checked your phone? Like, looked at it to check the time or something." Andy continued.

"I had it in my hands when I was running down the hallway, then I got a text from my Mum during English then nothing. That was the last time I saw my phone." I paused. "But I remember placing it on my desk after I read the text, I just isn't sure if I got it off the desk." I was practically having a monologue. 

I don't know what it is, but I can't shake this feeling that somehow the stupid kid is involved in all this.

Something's not right here. 

I closed my eyes and tried to remember what I did in the classroom earlier. Then it clicked! I forgot to take my phone off of the desk because I was in a rush to get away from him. 

That bloody bastard has my phone.

******

Mason's POV

My friends and I sat at our usual table in the cafeteria. For some reason, I can't shake off the feeling that I'm being watched.  

I scanned the room to find out who this person might be. 

My eyes caught a certain blonde who I had an interesting encounter with earlier. I knew she couldn't resist my good looks. 

I smirked at her. 

Quickly, she tore her gaze away. 

It intrigued me if she could figure out that I have her phone. So I watched as she rummaged through her bag.

"Mason," someone called; disrupting me from watching Blondie play detective.

"What?" I asked.

"I asked if you're going to practice later." James stated.

"Yeah, of course." I answered. "Coach would kill me if I skipped."

"What's wrong with you dude?" Tyler asked. 

"My hung-over still hasn't worn off." I lied.

"Psycho blonde chick three o'clock." James whispered, cocking his head to my left. 

I turned my attention to the direction he pointed at and was immediately met with an annoyed blonde walking towards us. 

I couldn't help but laugh at the way James described her. She does look like a psycho; her eye brows furrowed with this deadly look on her face, plus her fists are clenched together.

"Did you do something to her? She looks furious." James continued.

"What? I didn't do any-"

"Give it back!" Her annoying British accent cut me off and echoed through the room.

"Give what back?" I tried to feign ignorance and mustered a baffled look.

"You know what I'm talking about." She crossed her arms on her chest.

"No. Actually, I don't." I shrugged.

"Yeah, you do." she insisted.

"No, I don't."

"Dude, just give back whatever it is that she's talking about. You're making a scene." James whispered.

By the time I realized what was going on, a circle of students had already gathered around us with curios expressions and spectating looks.

"Look Blondie, I don't know what you're talking about okay?" 

I admit, I may have taken this thing too far.

"Stop being annoying and just give back my phone." she demanded. 

Now I'm caught in a dilemma. 

"Later." I simply said. 

"Do you need me to remind you of what I'm capable of?" she threatened. 

There it is, her feisty attitude. 

I really do find joy in bothering her. 

For the last time, I decided to feign ignorance. I mean what can she do? Hurt me again? In front of everyone. 

Nah, I don't think so. 

"What are you talk-" This time, I was cut off by a fist to my face. 

It was a full blown punch, I could tell she put a lot of effort into it because my face hurts like fucking hell! 

I cupped my face and watched as she shook her hand. It was good to know that I wasn't the only one hurt. But still, it wasn't fair. Her hand for my face, my face!

Damn! Blondie's got some serious right hook.

For the second time today. 

I looked around the room, one expression prominent in everyone's face; shock. To add insult to my already bruised ego. The one that threw the punch was a girl.

She really fucking punched me.