To Be Different

• 14 •

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I got off the car immediately when dad stopped in front of our school. I said my goodbyes to dad and Alex and rushed to my locker. I pulled out my phone to text Jacie to meet at my locker. Almost immediately she replied that she'd be there soon. I stuffed my locker with my books but held the note of the class I had first, which was calculus.

"Hey". I heard Jacie say behind me. I turned back to look at her. Now that I'm taking time to observe her face, I noticed she has the same hair color as her sister and she also has her nose. Other than that there wasn't much resemblance anymore.

"Good morning". I chimed in happily as I gave her a hug, she returned it and we pulled back simultaneously.

"Oh, before I forget", she said, digging through her back for something, "I brought you the home made cookies made by me!". Inside a transparent covered plate were some good looking cookies and mind you, they weren't just cookies but chocolate chip cookies!

Squeeee

"Looks yummy, thank you so much", I said.

"Anytime Anie, what do you have now?" she asked.

"I have calculus, you?"

"I'm having art, so I'll see you soon probably doing lunch". She stated while I nodded in agreement. We said our goodbyes and went separate ways.

The remaining classes blurred by and I'm left alone in class just staring at the white board. I just felt like I needed sometime alone, it wouldn't hurt right? I wonder what is going to happen when I see Mr Gwen again. I haven't told anyone, even mum that older men apart from my dad scare me in some type of way. I feel the urge to scramble away when I'm around them. I thought it was absurd so I just kept it to myself.

After about eight minutes, I made my way to the cafeteria. I looked around for the guys and Jacie, then I spotted them. I got a mango juice for myself and made my way to the their table.

"Hey". I greeted.

"Hi"

"Hey"

"Were have you been?" Grumbled Alex.

"Shut up Alex". I rolled my eyes and took a sip from my juice. "Just had some stuff to complete".

"Okay sis".

Everyone munched on their food peacefully but only Nuel's nose was stuck in a book. Wait, not any ordinary book.

"N-nuel? Is that..... Oh my God! Is that Percy Jackson?".

He peeked behind the book to look at me. "Urm, yeah. It is. Are you a fan?"

He seriously didn't just ask me that

"Of course!" I shrieked. "I'm a big fan of Rick Riodan, who doesn't love him?". Everyone one's attention was on me now. Alex looked puzzled, I'm sure he doesn't even know who Percy Jackson is. I was beaming with excitement, it took me back to the first day I took the sub way to Manhattan to see Mum's sister, aunty Teniola.

I had found a Percy Jackson book on the empty seat beside me. I opened the first page and read it, followed by the next, and then the next until I was already engrossed with it. I guess the owner must have left it there. I hadn't wanted to take it in case the owner came looking for it, so I dropped it back and made a mental note to buy my own copy.

Until today I had totally forgotten, making me mad at myself.

"Yeah, he's a really good writer y'know. I couldn't stop reading when I bought it the first time". Nuel said.