Hayley's Beginning

Chapter 2

It was Wednesday, my friends, my and I were sitting at the bench outside during lunch, and we were talking about midterms, but then Katherine decided to bring up Gabriel.

"Has anyone learned anything about the new kid yet?"

"His name is Gabriel" I mentioned, then all three sets of eyes were staring at me.

"How do you know?" Amelia asked weirdly

"I have chemistry, art, French and P.E with him. We haven't talked much, and I think he is the type of guy who... I don't know, likes to have his privacy kept... private" After I suggested that, they fell silent. But Charlie managed to change the subject. I got up and went to throw out my garbage, and Amelia followed.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Amelia. Sometimes she can see right through me, even when I'm not acting so clairvoyant.

"Katherine should just mind her business, you know?" I admitted. I don't like when people try to get nosy into my business, Gabriel probably doesn't like it either, especially since I haven't seen him around people too often.

"Yeah, Katherine has to learn to stop" The bell rang and I began heading for the girls changing room when Amelia shouted over her shoulder "See you later!" I slightly nodded and continued walking.

When I arrived at the gym, I began the stretches and three laps around the large gym perimeter. I then saw Gabriel swiftly enter the room and looked around at everyone. When he saw me, he smiled slightly, and so did I. 

Ms. Finn came in and had a clipboard with something written on it. She mentioned that we are going to begin doing badminton for the next few weeks. She began reading off names of partners from the clipboard, and I was the last one called.

"Ms. Hope-Matthews?" She called me by my two last names, which made me uncomfortable

"Yes?" I asked slowly

"You are paired up with Mr. De Luca," She said without hesitation, which was something I didn't expect but expected at the same time.

"Okay," I said as if it didn't bother me. 

We went outside to the nets and grabbed rackets and birdies. Gabriel came to the net and took off his worn black leather jacket and placed it on one of the bleacher seats.

"So, we meet again," He said as he hit the birdy

"We have four classes together in total, you know" We hit the birdy back and forth until he missed the hit. I laughed and he did too.

"You have a good arm" He complimented which probably made me blush ever so slightly

"Thanks, you too." I was out of breath and sat down, and he followed, even though he didn't give a hint of exhaustion. I drank some water and looked around the court and noticed Gabriel watching me.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling self-conscious.

"Nothing, you look a lot like someone I've met before"

"Oh, okay." I looked at him and realized the sun gleaming off of the red crystal hanging on a chain around his neck.

"That's a pretty necklace, where did you get it?"

"Family heirloom. I enheritaded it after my parents... passed."

I instantly regretted asking, "I'm sorry" I took his hand and held it.

"It's okay, it was a long time ago" He pulled his hand away and got up, "Shall we continue"

I smiled and continued the game with him. We spent the rest of the day together when we could, and had a good time joking around. I was about to leave the school when Katherine saw me.

"Hayley! Wait up" I stopped walking and Katherine caught up and we began walking together.

"We're going to a party tonight!" She said excitedly. 

"Katherine, you know I'm not a party girl. Plus, I have a lot of homework to get done." I don't like drinking or partying at late hours of the night, and I don't plan to change that any time soon.

"Ugh, fine. You know, you're no fun anymore. Where is the old 'fun time' Hayley from two years ago?" She whined. She didn't like not getting her way, especially when it was her friends saying no.

"Ever since my parents died, I wanted to be the person they wanted me to be. When they were alive, I was a mess and probably a major disappointment. So, the 'fun time Hayley from two years ago' is gone. It's just me." I spat out. She stood still and I continued walking home.