It's Just Rae

Chapter Three

"Adelyn Elayne! Get your lazy tail out of bed! You too, Raelyn! Up, up, up! Can't be late for your first day of school!" I pull my comforter tighter around my ears to try and block out the noise of my mom pounding on our bedroom door. Finally I gather up the nerve to climb out of bed. I walk over to the walk in closet Addy and I share and pull out the starched navy plaid uniform skirt we're being forced to wear. Of all the places I've lived, this is the first one where I've had to wear a uniform. Gag me with a spoon. On the upside, we can wear whatever tops (under our blazers, of course), shoes, and hair accessories we want, which I suppose is better than nothing. I grab my silver ballet flats, black tights, a black sweater, and a silver layered necklace to wear with my navy uniform blazer and skirt. When I'm done I curl my hair next to Addy in the bathroom, who's straightening her long layers. We may be twins, but she is ridiculously prettier than me. I got my mom's frizzy wavy hair and brownish-green eyes, and she got naturally shiny, straight hair and dark chocolate eyes. When we're both finished getting ready, we head downstairs to eat breakfast: Cheerios with banana slices for me, and Honey Bunches of Oats in Silk for Addy. That's the one thing I'm glad I didn't get that she did, gene-wise. She's lactose intolerant. Eew.

When we get to the school, which is about three miles from the house, Mom parks and comes with us into the office. A middle-aged woman who looks like she was pretty about 20 years ago smiles up at us. 

"How can I help you ladies?' she asks us. Mom tells her we're registered and just need our schedules and locker assignments. She clicks around on her computer for a few minutes, and then hands us each a little packet with our schedules, maps, and the handbook in it. "Now you just need someone to help you find your classes-- Oh, Mr. Stone, can you help these two young ladies find their way to the science wing?" the woman says to a person passing behind us. 

"Yea, sure can." a gravelly voice replies. I swear I recognize that voice from somewhere... I turn around and almost jump back, I'm so surprised. It's Logan, the guy who ran into me! "Wow, hey, Just-Rae! Wasn't expecting to see you here," he says.

"Oh, so you know each other already! That's wonderful," the desk lady titters.

"You know each other?" Addy asks.

"Uh, yeah. I was running and we kind of..."

"Ran into each other," Logan finishes. 

"Yeah," I agree, laughing. Logan reaches out for my schedule and glances at the first class. 

"Alright, follow me," he says. As he walks off, Addy falls into step with me.

"Why didn't you tell me about him? He is HOT," she whispers into my ear. "Like, HOT-hot. Alex Pettyfer hot. And you didn't tell me? You are the worst sister EVER." Addy grins at me and we keep walking.

When we get to the science classroom, our first period, Logan drops us off at the door. 

"Hey, if you're looking for someone to talk to, try the blonde in the second row. She's my little sister, Delainee, and she's very chatty." he says jokingly, making a face at the blonde. She sticks her tongue out at him and steathily gives him the finger while the teacher isn't looking. Ahh, sibling love. Addy and I walk into the classroom and find empty seats after the teacher, Mrs. Heathley, introduces us to the class. The tables each have three seats, and I end up sitting in between a redheaded girl with a World Wildlife Fund bag hanging off her seat and a guy with dark brown Christofer-Drew-esque hair (what can I say, I love Never Shout Never). As I sit down, Christofer-Drew-hair boy kicks his DC shoes up on the table.

"Hey, sweetie," he says to me. "I bet them American boys are missing you," He grins at me. 

"God in heaven, Sam! She's not interested. And get your nasty feet off this table," the redhead snaps at him. She turns to me. "Hi, I'm Charley Grant. Don't mind Sammy here, he just can't help but hit on every girl he sees."

"Hey! I only hit on the hot ones, Charlotte." Sam retorts.

"Shut up, Sam. And she wouldn't be wasting time on you when she's already got Logan Stone giving her googly eyes. He is the fittest boy in school," she says to me matter-of-factly.

"I'll believe that," I laugh. "And he was probably looking at Addy anyways."

"Oh, is Addy the one you walked in with? Your twin?"

"Yeah, she is. Adelyn. But she goes by Addy. I'm Raelyn, by the way, but call me Rae."

"Nice to meet you, Rae," Charley replies and smiles warmly.

"Hello, Redbaum Academy, and good morning. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend." A voice interrupts from the intercom. "Mrs. Irving would like to remind the senior class to please turn in their permission forms as soon as possible for the Kensington Palace trip. In addition, spring sport tryouts will begin in two weeks, please check the bulletin boards near the fields for more information." 

"Spring tryouts? It sure doesn't feel like spring around here!" I thought out loud.

"Who are you kidding? It's like a heat wave's come through!" Charley replied incredulously.

"Where I come from, it's warmer than this in December." I laughed.

"Good Lord, where is that! I want to be there." 

"Raleigh, North Carolina. The land of y'all's and fried chicken."

"Oh, wow! So that's why you sound different than my American cousin! She's from New York, you know."

"Everyone knows, Charlotte." Sam chimed in.

"Well, she doesn't!" Charley defended.

It should be fun sitting here.