Dragon Rings

Chapter 3: Sammi (Unedited)

Hey! TeamDragongRings here! We are going to try to publish a chapter every other week, but, you know. Plans get messed up. So, we're trying the best we can. Don't kill us! And, please, PLEASE, tell us of any grammar mistakes. Thanks!

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I walked through the hallways, noticing Joell's uncharacteristic silence. I wonder whats wrong? I opened to mouth to ask, but just then Red walked up. "Hey Sammi!"She called, joining us for our next period, homeroom. "Did you hear about the commotion in one of the Science Labs?" She asked, pointing her thumb back to the room. I nearly tripped, then cleared my throat, eyeing Lunima, who trailed behind the little group. 

"Err, Red? That was, uh, our Science Lab. We had a sub today." Red blinked and slipped a glance at Lunima, her hood still shadowing her face. I briefly wondered if she had heard. Suddenly, Lunima's hood shifted and light reflected off her eyes, hard and cold. Nope. Definitely heard it.

I turned back to Red, desperate to change the subject. "So, did you do the homework for Ms. Francisco? I couldn't figure out number 4..." We broke into comfortable chatter until they reached our homeroom, History with Mr. Worman. We slid into their seats and waited for the bell to ring. Star and Lunima were seated beside each other on the far end of the room, and Red, Hana I were grouped together near the door. Joell had her own little spot next to the teacher's desk, due to a rather compromising talk that had been overheard with Jake Enidio last semester. 

Yawning, I took out my homework, attempting to finish before lunch. After a few minutes of silent scribbling and erasing, Red finally slid her homework over. I grinned and mouthed my thanks, breathing a silent sigh of relief, and Red went back to doodling in her journal.

That reminds me... What was Joell drawing that made her act so weird? Sighing, I began to copy Red's homework, glancing at the clock to check how much time until lunch. Twenty minutes and twelve questions later, a knock came at the door. 

Every head, save for maybe Lunima and Hana's, shot up and watched it expectantly. A curly head of light brown hair poked in, followed by a tall boy. I caught my breath, nearly choking. He seemed perfect. Tall, with a elf-like face and dazzling green eyes. He walked over to Mr. Worman and handed him a slip of paper.

The short, balding man stood and walked to the front, clearing his throat. "Excuse me class. We seem to have a new student. This is..." He looked over at the boy. "William. William Lucas." I gasped silently in surprise, as did almost every other girl in the class. 

He had a freaking Australian accent. Half the girls in class swooned, including me, and he flashed a dazzling grin at us. "Well then, William. You can sit by..." Mr. Worman looked at the little corner occupied by Lunima and Star, where two seats remained empty, but a sharp glare from Star and a glower from underneath Lunima's hood made him change his mind. 

"Er, why don't you go sit by Sammi and Hana over there." He pointed to us and my heart skipped a beat. He's gonna sit by me! William walked over, his books neatly stacked in his arms. He flashed his dazzling smile again and a blush fought to rise to my face. He sat down, setting his books beside me. 

Murmurs rose around the class as everyone tried to catch a glimpse the new kid. William blinked and sighed in slight amusement. He glanced at me, an embarrassed gleam in his eyes. "I guess I'm the new one, huh?" I smiled and nodded, "I suppose so. I'm Sammi." I held out my hand to him, and he took it, giving me a wink. "Always nice to see a kind face. I'm William, but I guess you heard already." His voice was soft, and my heart fluttered at it.

We launched into a conversation about where we lived. Other people were chattering at the tables nearby, but it all faded into the background. I told him about Corpus Christi and the people, about Star and Red and Joell, but, I admit, I didn't mention the facts about my mom. I tried to tell myself he wouldn't want to hear about it, but I knew the truth, even if I wouldn't say it. He would judge me about it, so it remained something I wouldn't share.

He seemed a bit too interested in Star, and I felt a pang of jealousy. Then I mentally smacked myself. You just met him, Sammi. Get a hold of yourself. Then I grinned at William. He was sweet, not to mention cute. So what if I had a crush on him? It was natural. Not to mention the fact nearly every girl would swoon at his voice. Totally normal.

After about ten minutes, Mr. Worman called for lunch. We stood, and as I walked to the line with William, I felt a harsh shove from behind. What the? I stumbled forward, and Joell caught me, furiously snapping a curse at my assailant. The current Drama Queen, Kourtney Douchae, had shoved in front of me to stand by William.

The short, blond girl cast a disdainful glance at me before turning and grinning widely at William.
"Hiiii. I'm Kourtney." She offered a hand to him, as if expecting him to kiss it. I blanched, just thinking about it. But he just stared at her awkwardly until she withdrew her hand, a scowl on her face. You go William! 

"Well, William. You don't really want to stick with these losers, do you?" She pointed to my friends and I. Star glared at her, a sneer emerging, Hana stood there, too polite and kind to say anything, and Lunima was, as always, shadowed by her hood. My stomach sank, and Joell rolled her eyes. We may be a bit odd, but we aren't losers!

"Stick with me," Kourtney continued, "and we'll make you popular." She sent him a winning smile, and two of her cronies behind her giggled, expecting him to come crawling. But William's face grew a bit stormy, and he frowned. 

"Sorry, Katy, was it? I think I'll stick with Sammi and her friends." I couldn't believe my ear, and apparently neither could she. Kourtney sputtered, her face growing red. William side-stepped Kourtney and slipped his hand into mine. My heart fluttered and a blush rose to my face, but he turned my around and pulled me out of the room.