Bad Habit

c h a p t e r 3: American Beauty

The morning went by fast. It was time for lunch and I just followed the herd of students heading to the smell of pizza.

I quickly spotted Tessa and the boys. Tess called out, "Hey Ell, how was your first day so far?" I sat down across from her and next to Ashton. "It was pretty good, boring as hell, but other than that, pretty good." I smiled. "So Ell, do you have a boyfr-" "Ashton, shut your mouth!" Kyla yelled. "No it's okay," I laughed, "I don't have one, nor am I planning on having one." We all laughed at now blushing Ashton.

We talked for awhile. "So where does Luke eat?" I asked. "Not where, but who." scoffed Kyla, pointing to the soda machine where Luke was making out to some curvy tanned blonde. "Oh, that's unhealthy." I laughed. "Hey Ell, I hear Luke walked you around today." Calum stated. "Yeah? And?" "No reason..." he looked at Michael and Michael looked at him and they both started giggling like little girls. "Okay..." I said not knowing what was so funny.

***

It was the last period, Algebra. Oh joy. I sat in the back next to no one, because I got there late, and the front seats were all taken, but it was less obnoxious in the back so I didn't mind. "Okay settle down class, we have a new student," she began. She looked at me and signaled me to come to the front. I walked up next to her. "Why don't you introduce yourself?" she friendly whispered to me. "Um, Hey, I'm Ellicity Edwards." "Can you tell us something about you?" she questioned. "I used to li-"

Luke walks in. "Late again, Hemmings." "Oh I sincerely apologize for my late absence ma'am," he smirked. "Go take a seat mister," she hissed to him. "I'm sorry, Ellicity, You may continue." I let out a deep sigh and began again. "I used to live in LA, well I wouldn't say live, because I never really lived anywhere, because I'm always moving around to different states. My dad was a general so that's mostly the reason for transferring schools like underwear, but he just came home for good because he's retired now."

I wasn't expecting a pop quiz on my first day, so I was basically rambling the entire time. "I moved out here myself because I want to go to an art school and get a degree and-" she stopped me. "Okay, I think that's enough." she joked. "You can sit back down sweetheart."

Just then I realized where Luke sat, next to my seat. How can this day get any better? I sat down and opened my book. "Nice life story hun." I stared at him for a moment or two about to find a sly comment to shoot back at him. Then I realized how handsome he was; electric blue eyes, blonde hair gelled into a nice slick style, and a jawline sharp enough to cut like glass. He was dressed in a black tee-shirt, with a red flannel on top, and black skinny jeans and black vans, punk rock as hell. It was a shame how much of a jerk he was. "Damn such a waste," I thought.

"You're creeping the hell out of me, Elli." I noticed I was staring, for a really long time now. "And what's a waste?" he questioned. Did I really say that out loud? Crap. "Um nothing, never mind."
I stared out the window admiring the blue skies. "Ellicity, can you tell me the square root of .0001?" I had no idea what the answer was. I almost panicked because I was going to embarrass myself on my first day. I heard a faint whisper from Luke as he acted like he was scratching the back of his neck, ".001" he said after acting like he was coughing. ".001" I repeated. "Correct, pay attention next time." "Okay." I smiled to Luke who just rolled his eyes back and grinned.

***

The final bell rang. I put my books and binder in my bag, and walked out. I headed to my locker, where I saw Calum, Michael, and Ashton smiling widely, waiting. "Hey." I greeted. "We were wondering if you wanted a ride again?" Michael asked. "Oh I have to stay after to sign up for the Art Club." Ashton's smile dropped. "Pweaseee, Ell?" Ash pouted. "Sorry this is a big deal for me, I can catch the city transit or take a taxi." I sighed. "That's okay Ell, call one of us if you need to get picked up if you miss the transit." Michael said, handing me a piece a paper with all their numbers on it. "Thanks guys, catch you later."

They walked away and I began to open my locker. I placed all my books inside and closed it shut. Right as I close it, I see a pair of blue eyes on the other side of the locker door. "Damn it, Luke! You scared the piss out of me!" I screamed. "Sorry Princess," he smirked. "Yeah okay I've got to get going." I laughed. I could feel his presence behind me as I walked in the empty hall. I turn on my heel, "Yes, Luke? What is it you want?" I sternly stated. "You," he smirked. What? Did he really just say he wanted me? Oh my fucking goodness. Whatever, he's a sleaze. "Just like how you want every other girl? Keep walking Hemmings, I'm not for sale." I shot him a glare. He laughed and walked the opposite way.

***

"Hello, I was wondering if you knew where Miss Amberson is?" I asked a lady in the art room. "Yes?" she answered. "Oh, you're Miss Amberson?" She had long blonde hair put into a neat high-ponytail, and had hazel eyes and wore a apron with paint stains on it, as well as on her hands.

"Yes, now what was it you needed?" she asked. "I wanted to sign up for the after school classes." I stated excitedly. "Oh, you came just in time! A spot just opened." "Really? Oh my gosh, that's great! Thank you so much!" I nearly yelled. "Oh can I have your name?" "Ellicity Edwards." "Okay Ellicity, here's my information, call me if you have questions about the price and such," she says as she hands me a slip of paper. "Thanks again!" I called as I existed her class.

I couldn't stop smiling as I walked down the hallway. I plugged in my headphones because I was a long ways away from the doors in this huge building. I was jamming out to 'American Beauty/ American Psycho' by Fall Out Boy on repeat because it was my favorite song. I hummed to the chorus. I sang to myself a little because no one was there to stare at how weird I looked.

"She's an American beauty. I'm American psycho. I'm an American, I'm an American, I'm an American Psycho."

I past a turn and saw someone, but didn't think anything of it, and kept singing.

"I think I fell in love again,"

"Maybe I just took too much cough medicine." I hear a smooth, deep, beautiful Aussie accent sing out.

I smiled and sang back. "I'm the best worst thing that hasn't happened to you yet."

I turned around and kept going and so did the other voice.
"The best worst thing whoa."

I laughed, "Hey Luke." "I thought you liked that cheesy bubblegum music," he smiled. "What's wrong with bubblegum music?" I asked. "Nothing I love bubblegum music; I'm Megan Trainor as hell," he joked. "Hey why are you staying after anyways? I thought you left." I asked. "I figured the new girl wanted to walk with someone." he shyly smiled. "Oh really?" I smiled. "No, bye." he walked in the opposite direction. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the transit.