Half a Step

Chapter 2

Noah's POV

To say I hate school would be harsh. I hate the morons that go to school.

First day back at school is exhilarating and fresh because who knows what can happen, especially as a DJ who just spent the entire summer improvising, routine is nice, but only for a little bit. February is probably the best time for school to go back because parents can't wait to kick the kids out of the house and stop paying money for air conditioning. The other reason is because it's after summer and everyone can show off their tans and other fancy stuff from their holidays. It's also cooling down so the uniforms aren't too stuffy to wear.

I pulled my earbuds out of my ears as I approached my friends who were all hanging around the gate. TJ smiled at me, 'That was a great track you played on Saturday.'

I smiled back at him and thanked him, pulling the little box for my airpods out of my pocket. My other friends were throwing a soccer ball at each other then using their head to throw it back. When Ivan stops the game by catching it instead and turning his gaze across

'Oi!' Ivan shouted, 'Look at that girl!

A few wolf whistles and bets were made, who was going to get the girl but as I looked at her I somehow knew that she was not going to be easily charmed by the boys around me. The way she walked, her back tall and the uniform revealing toned leg muscles. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail meaning business. Not that she needed her appearance to show it, her aura was just powerful and confident. Then she and her mother disappeared into the office.

'I bet $10 that none of you will get her!' I say.

TJ looks up from the notebook. After a few fights, the soccer coach suggested that we use a book to keep track of it, because the coach loves a bit of friendly competition. Sometimes he even joins in, normally when it comes to the girls soccer matches, and who will win.

'You sure Noah? You haven't betted since... I dunno. Maybe two years ago...'

'I'm sure.' I responded, I wasn't sure why I was doing it, I don't like gambling, and putting money on girls was an even worse sort of idea.

'Noah! I doubt it! She'll fall for me and charm me, I haven't met a girl who can't resist me!' Koen says, patting my back.

'Koen, you're forgetting June!' Someone shouted, I wasn't paying attention. My gut was saying something but I was not really sure what.

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The new girl was in my roll call class. I watched as she walked with June.

June was my partner in year 8 for English where we had to do a debate about Social Justice. June had never spoken so much and so furiously since that debate and then later on in the year a girl named Brianna had outed June with a photo of her with a pride flag and another girl.

June was also the first to reject Koen publicly, though it was before June was outed, Koen is still embarrassed.

June was kind for someone who has dealt with some serious bullying of her from the jerks and homophobes at the school. I really tried to avoid homophobes. My mum's boyfriend at the time turned out to be super homophobic and transphobic but once he expressed that he was long gone within the week.

My parents, despite being soulmates, did end up splitting up.. I know they both are not entirely over each other but because of both really relaxed personalities our life just fell apart, along with that their relationship. My mum has not settled down yet but my dad found a new partner really easily. I like her and really helped with my sister who was alway angry at my mum for setting a bad example to me about soulmates because my mum was the one who officially called for a divorce, but it was mutual agreement.

Roll call was over and I started heading to my next class, I had English. English was great because I had TJ in my class. Today I was even more excited because I needed to know more about that girl.

The girl was not what I would call love at first sight but there was a connection. My mum told me that when she met my dad that she had felt like everything was sharper and tugged in her gut. There was definitely a tug in my gut but nothing felt sharper, if anything it was blurry.

'Noah.' TJ walked up beside me.'The new girl, her name is Hope and I sat next to her in the roll call.

'Wow. She's been at the school for less than an hour and you have already made friends with her. This is why I think you should get a golden retriever, you are basically the same.' I put my hand up for a high five but TJ doesn't get there in time.

Another boy, Gabe, smashes his hand into mine. 'Who's this her we talk of?'

'Go away Gabe.' I sigh weakly, he's one of the morons at this school.

'Are you talking 'bout the new girl?' Gabe smirks at me, 'Dunno. Your chances with a girl that pretty is low, man. Like Titanic low. We all know that geeks like you don't get pretty girls. They go for the handsome, strong and athletic boys because, yunno, they're cheerleaders.'

He leaves it at that as he slides down the hallway like thinks he's cool and taps some girl's shoulder. That girl turns around and glares at Gabe.

He's a moron.

'Sorry, man.' TJ apologises.

'It's ok!' I sigh,

I take a seat and soon someone taps my shoulder. I turn to find Gabe. Gabe proceeds to mime kissing way too passionately with some inappropriate gestures.

School is bad but some morons make it 100 times worse.