Opposites Attract

Chapter One

Chapter One

I tuck a few stray wisps of my dark hair behind my ear and sigh. Pushing away my maths book, I sink back into the sofa. People tell me I'm smart, very smart, but I'm just not getting this- especially not at seven thirty in the morning.

"Oh forget it," I mutter to myself and stand, creeping over to my secret stash of the best kind of temptation... Chocolate! I peel back the wrapping of my Cadbury pineapple flavoured chocolate bar. Usually when I tell people that my favourite food is pineapple chocolate, it results in a disgusted face or a comment consisting of the words 'ew' and 'yuck'. It isn't my fault that the best food in the world is classified as unusual.

"Open door!" an angry voice mutters, followed by the sound of a key being jammed into the door and insistent pushing. I quickly cram the rest of the bar into my mouth and swallow without being able to savour the tangy flavour. The door finally flings open, my distraught Aunt thrown in after it.

"Michelle! The fuc-, I mean, the stupid door was jammed. Why didn't you try letting me in?" she exclaims angrily, slamming it shut with as much force as possible.

"I was in the bathroom,' I lie, rather poorly I may add, knowing my aunt gets into these moods from time to time. Aunt Laine looks at me suspiciously before kicking off her shoes. I know that my aunt loves me but the frequent mood swings after working long night shifts are annoying.

"I'm going to bed, okay?' Laine declares before stomping up the stairs. I roll my eyes and glance at the clock. It reads eight o'clock. If I don't leave now, I will be late for school.

I gather my books and stuff them into my plain, black backpack. My unfinished maths homework is going to be a problem to my perfect record but I know I can think of an excuse if it comes to it. As I rush past the mirror, I quickly fix my hair into a ponytail and sling my bag over a shoulder. Not having enough time to tie up my usual black lace ups, I slip into a pair of simple flats. I open my aunt's cursed door and run to the bus stop.

Somehow I arrive with time to spare and sit down on the wooden bench. The brandeis blue paint is noticeably peeling off, revealing bits of brown here and there. The air has a bite to it, a clear sign that it is almost winter. The sky is a pure blue and the plants a lush green colour, just the way I like it. Autumn is my favourite season for that reason; it isn't too cold or too hot, although I prefer the cold over the heat by a lot.

My mind then wonders away from the weather to other topics such as my best friend, Jamie. Jamie is nothing like me. She is not studious (although that doesn't mean that she's not smart), she isn't shy and she is very flirtatious. Her clothes are usually on the skimpy side and Jamie is often referred to as a slut. I know the real, genuine Jamie as well as the boy-crazy part, though.

Jamie is dating Daniel Cruz, whom some consider the boy equivalent of her. I, on the other hand, am convinced I repel boys. I've had a few crushes in my time but they were all 'out of my league'.

Maybe I should just stick to nerds, I think to myself, they must have the same status as me. I sigh, Who decides these leagues anyway?

"Hmm... The paint is very interesting," a masculine voice comments before laughing. I look up, horrified, and find Skylar Petres' bright blue eyes shining back at me. He is sitting beside me casually, grinning. I remain silent, skin tingling from the close proximity, while blushing furiously. He decides to speak again, "So what were you thinking about?"

Why are you even talking to me? I think, staring intently at my hands, but reply, "Nothing you would care about."

"You sure?" he asks, lips close to my ear.

"Very," I say, managing to stutter on the one word, before discreetly moving away from him.

"If you say so," he shrugs, doubtfully. I study him subtly from the other side of the bench, wondering why he is taking this bus all of a sudden.

"I've started taking this bus now since I have a few earlier classes," Skylar explains, seemingly reading my mind. It's interesting that he's decided to actually attend some of his classes.

"Uh okay," I say, desperately wanting the awkward conversation to end. I don't talk to boys, it just isn't natural.

The bus speeds around the corner and I thank God that luck is on my side for once. I jump up eagerly, heading to the edge of the footpath and he follows slowly.

"Talk to you later," Skylar says and winks.

"Bye... Skylar," I reply, my voice barely audible.

"It's Sky, Michie," he corrects and I drop his gaze before climbing onto the bus.

I throw my school bag onto the seat beside me and slump back. Burying my face in my hands, I cringe. The colour resembles beetroot and it's not getting any lighter. I look out the window and try to think about something else- or, better yet, nothing at all. Why am I so bad with guys? I'm not too horrible to look at with brown hair and green eyes that, in winter, become more of a warm hazel...

Why on Earth would Skylar- or Sky- care about the colour of my eyes? He isn't even the type of guy I go for. I have no explanation, though, for that warmth tickling my insides or the whole arguments I am having in my head regarding whether or not Sky would be interested in me.

The bus slams forward to a stop and I bump my head on the seat in front of me. The couple vacating that seat turn around and give me a weird look before heading out the doors. I sit, stunned, and gently touch my forehead. I wince- that will definitely leave a mark.

"Excuse me but maybe you should exit the bus now," the driver sarcastically comments. My clumsiness often evokes sarcasm or annoyance. I quickly gather my bag and binder before I leave the bus. Surveying the scene in front of me, I sigh. I'm not cut out for high school life.

Jamie is snogging Danny, who, in return, is totally feeling her up. After catching her in worse positions than this (forever scarring me) I should be used to it and, yet, I still find it disturbing. Mrs Steele, a teacher known for being very strict, marches up to them and commands them to separate immediately in her high-pitched voice. They slowly pull apart and sit down on the bench properly. The teacher leaves after giving them one last look and they start cracking up. I roll my eyes and walk over to my best friend, managing to pull her away from Danny.

"Hey," Jamie says and glances longingly over her shoulder at the bench she and Danny were occupying only moments before.

"Hi. I feel so appreciated," I reply, frowning. Jamie quickly snaps her attention back to where it is supposed to be and laughs.

"No problem," she says and I can't help but smile back. After chatting for a few minutes, I hear some loud cursing and the general noise of a fight. Jamie glances over my shoulder to see what all the commotion is about and says, "Don't look now. Hot guys fighting."

"What's going on?" I ask and start to turn around. Before I have a chance to react, a body slams into me. I flail my arms around and fall- the body still on top of me. My head hits the ground with a thud that is even sickening to my own ears. I can't register anything except the rather heavy male lying on top of me and the sharp ache in my head.

"I'm so sorry!" The person exclaims, quickly rolling off. It is an unfortunately familiar voice. I should've guessed- Sky. How could I have ever thought luck is on my side?

"Fuck," I mutter before my world fades into darkness.