The Band Next Door

Chapter 04 - Nightmare (PART 2)

Chapter 4 Part II~

~~TORI'S POV~~

                                I walked into Spanish class feeling fairly confident. Because I was Filipino and fluent in Tagalog (the Filipino language), I was pretty good at Spanish. They were very similar languages.

There were tables littered about the classroom that had enough seats to fit four people, and I made my way close to the front of the classroom, but out of the way. That way I could see what I needed to see, but no one was looking my way. I found that I liked it best out of scrutinizing, judging eyes. That way, I could do what I wanted without worrying about what people think of me.

As I fiddled with my phone and fished my binder and books out of my bag, I saw someone slide into the seat across from me. Looking up, I smiled at the girl I found there.

"Hello there. Kylie? Sorry, I'm terrible at names." I said apologetically.  

The girl let out a lovely high laugh before correcting me, "It's Kaylie. But nice try."  

I blushed a bit, waving my hands, "I'm Tori."  

"I know. I remember names." She grinned at me, teasing.  

I buried my head in my arms, "Oh shush." I said, bright red, "It's a problem. I'm working on it."  

Suddenly, the class got very quiet, and I decided my arms were warm enough and I would stay there until class started. It was peaceful and comfy, and I was just about to doze off when Kaylie poked me.  

"T-tori? They're talking t-to you." She stuttered out.   

I lifted my head blearily, blinking at her a bit trying to clear my eyes from sleep. "Ugh, who is so important that I need to wake up?"  

"Ahem." Someone coughed next to me, and I turned around to see a hoodie for the third time that day.   Liam Payne and Zayn Malik stood in front of me, the former giving me a charming smile while the latter had his dark eyes fixed on Kaylie who was staring determinedly at her hands.  

I was tired though, and I couldn't even process that there was two of the hottest boys in the world standing in front of me. "May I help you?"  

My polite but uninterested tone seemed to take them aback for a second, and they traded quick looks of confusion. "Can we sit here?"  

"Do you really have to?"  

"Wh-what?" Liam glanced at me surprised, and I noticed all the looks turned my way from various girls across the room. All of the looks were glares, and I glared back, in no mood to mess around today.  

"There are loads of empty seats about. Look there's even an empty table." I pointed about, wincing a bit at the girls who seemed to have so much make up on they looked like canvas that had gotten half painted on. "Plus you're international pop stars, do you really have to ask?"  

Liam opened his mouth to respond when our Spanish teacher came in through the door precisesly on time. Her face held no nonsense and a lot of strictness, and I swiftly realized this was not a class I wanted to forget my assignments for.  

"Take your seats." She barked.  

Zayn and Liam slid into the chairs next to Kaylie and me respectively, and we gave each other identical looks of horror. I added a small facepalm that Liam chuckled at.  

As introductions went about, I fished out my phone and sent an unamused text off to Nikki, even adding my signature "-.-" sleepy face at the end. They filled the conversation as we argued playfully and played a short guessing game. When she guessed Chuck Norris, I let out a small laugh before sending the answer. Reading hers, I nearly dropped my phone. What were the chances we'd have One Direction in our first period classes?  

Suddenly, I noticed the teacher coming my way with a stormy look on her face. I fired off a quick text to Nikki before turning off my phone.  

"Do you have your phone out, Ms. Castillo?" She glared at me.  

"N-no, Senora." I sputtered, my cheeks burning. This was NOT how I wanted to start out University.  

"Then what is in your hand?"  

"I-I.... I'm.."  

"It's mine." A voice spoke up behind me, and I noticed a very calm Liam staring my teacher down. "It had fallen out of my pocket, and Tori had picked it up for me. It was very nice of her."  

"Then why was the light on?" Senora asked suspiciously.  

"She was checking for any cracks in the screen."   

"With a pink case?"  

"A guy can't like pink?"  

I watched the two of them talk like a tennis match, eyes bouncing back and forth, waiting to see who would back down first. Finally, Senora let out a small breath.  

"Please try to keep a better handle on your electronics, Senor Payne."  

"I will, Senora. Gracias."  

I handed him "his" phone with a grateful and meek smile.  

"Thank you so much," I said under my breath as I pretended to focus on my notes.  

Subtly, he slid my phone back onto my lap, and I slid it into my pocket, "No problemo, senorita."  

"My hero." I said, looking into his hazel eyes for the first time that class and giving him a small genuine smile. "I owe you."  

"I'll hold you to that." He grinned, and I found myself looking forward to it.  

***

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope your days are full of good cheer.  

This is just a continuation of the previous chapter during the classroom scene.  

Vote if you celebrate a holiday in December. Comment if you like presents.   

xx, Victoria