ard to get,

ignored h

n the first day,

quotations into an essay. I zoned out halfway through, doodling random spirals in the margins of my notebook

the class, Mr. Rogers came up

k situation, Rose. I promis

," even though deep down, I couldn't care less.

see who could make it out the door first. Bags slammed into desks, conversations echoed down the hallway, and laughter bounced

ake a friend. Not that it matter

ed to complete my already wonderful morning. Flipping the paper around,

kers and bulletin boards. I passed a group of girls huddled around a locker, whispering and gigg

u must be Rosal

blonde woman standing at the door smiled warmly, her b

, but I pre

Mrs. Morgan, and I will be your ma

room, sitting on their desks or chatting loudly with each other. Unsure if they had assigned seatin

e from stealing someone's seat. The buzzing of chattering teen

this annoying, or a

erhead buzzed faintly, mixing with the low roar of the classroom. I tapped my fingers a

s so hot yet terri

nd the room, dragging my

roup of girls near the front were squealing, practically bouncing in their seats. I caught the

you. Ye

she wasn't talking to someone else, bu

e confidently, taking the empty seat dire

face around here bef

le, which she returne

new. Is it t

nd her green eyes seemed to shine under the harsh lighting. She was thin, but had curve

t stepped off the pages of a magazine.

mid-chest, and dark brown eyes that looked almost black unless the sunlight caught them jus

use of the way you are acting, j

Oh

even

eat, you know? New faces are rare around here. We've all grown up together, practical

yla, by

rateful for at least one

in her chair, crossing one leg over the othe

ew hours away. No

enough, » Kayla grinned. « Trust me, you'll b

be the shiny new toy

opened again. A hush fell over the classroo

ed in the way that said "I don't care," but clearly took effort. He wore a

ed for a second befor

, so nice of yo

seat at the back of the room - two rows

ately, and Kayla twisted

ou. But... different. » Her voice dropped to a whisper. « Rumor has it he

ay wasn't overwhelm

his posture relaxed yet somehow radiating a quiet intensity. Something abou

in, jolting me ou

lesson, I couldn't help but feel a stra

wouldn't be so