Let's Stay Strangers

Chapter Three

"Darling, pull down your skirt. You don't want to be showing more than necessary" my mother reminds me for the third time this morning.

The uniform consists of a green and blue kind of Scottish skirt, a white shirt, a green jumper and green stockings.

When I finish my breakfast I gather my school bag and kiss my parents goodbye as they wish us good luck on our first day at school. Victoria gets in the passenger seat, William in the drivers seat and I get in the back.

I can't wait till my parents get me a car, I don't think I could stand being carpooled by my brother everywhere, and I don't think he would be up to it either.

The school isn't that far way from our house, and in 15 minutes we are passing by a sign that says "Middletown Academy".

As I see it, I get butterflies in my stomach. When we get closer I see it hasn't changed much. Same big old building surrounded by trees and smaller buildings the same age. The parking lot is starting to fill up and there is a queue to park.

I haven't felt this nervous in ages, I don't remember feeling this way starting new in LA. It's probably because I was younger and didn't care.

When we get out of the car no one seems to be staring, which makes my nervousness reduce, fortunately.

The three of us walk together towards the school main building, and I notice girls staring, not at me but at William, which he pays no attention to, he's so full of himself.

"Are you nervous?" Victoria asks me.

"Not really" I lie, even though I tell her nearly everything, I've never been very honest with my feelings. "Are you?"

She shakes her head and I know she's not lying. Victoria is the total opposite of a nervous person that gets stressed out easily.

Because William and Victoria are seniors, they have to leave earlier to their welcome meeting in the theatre with the rest of their year. We wave goodbye and I'm left alone in the entrance.

I have no idea where to go or what to do so I just stand there waiting for someone to greet me and hopefully indicate me where I have to go.

The entrance is full of people, mostly juniors, sophomores and freshman, as middle schoolers start one week later. They're all divided in groups talking and greeting each other. Everyone seems to know everyone, which is not that difficult as Middletown is small and this is the biggest school.

I decide I'm done staring at the situation and take out my phone to find three text messages from my friends back in LA. I miss them so much, and the fact that I could be there if it weren't for William makes me want to punch him.

"Hey" I jump a little. I wasn't expecting that. I look up and see Jake with a small smile on his face.

"Hi" I answer, and return what I try as hard as I can to be a smile.

"You seem to be as happy as hell to be here" he says sarcastically, but not in a mean way.

"I am" I say ironically in a way that makes him laugh.

"You can come over with me and my friends if you want to" he offers, looking at a group of boys who I don't recognize. I don't really know if that's such a good idea, I don't want to be seen as a slut or a tomboy my first day here. But contemplating the other options I have, which are standing in this spot staring or with my mobile phone, I agree and follow him.

We land to a group in which there are five guys who seem to be members of the school soccer team because they are carrying a soccer ball and are talking about practice and coach whatever his name is. When they notice us they all suddenly stop talking and stare at me.

"This is Mia Acosta, she just moved in from LA" Jake introduces me.

"Why is your name so familiar?" A guy with black and short hair asks.

"I used to live in Middletown until five years ago" I answer.

"Wait, are you the girl that had to wear a headgear for her teeth?" a boy with curly hair says, clearly finding it funny.

Fuck. How the hell does he remember? I hope that's not the picture people get of me when they hear my name. I had to wear that thing 24 hours a day because of my dentist, who I would remind myself how much I hated him every single day of the full year I had to wear that hideous headgear.

I don't really know what to answer, even though it's obvious it was me, I don't want to admit it publicly, but what other choice do I have?

I nod and shoot him a look that I wouldn't exactly describe as friendly. And by his reaction, he interpreted it clearly.

Another guy with messy black hair and blue eyes, that has a familiar face says, half mockingly, half not, grinning, "Don't worry Mimi, they did a pretty damn good job, there's no need to be embarrassed" Ugh, I have a feeling that's exactly what he wants me to be.

I don't blush like any girl would if you were told that by a boy as hot as him, but honestly guys like him sicken me. They are a so tiring, they think they are so cool by suddenly blurting out comments like that, and they love making girls feel shy. That's why I never give them the reaction they are looking for.

I look at him expressionlessly and look away, as if he hadn't been talking to me. The look on his face was priceless.

Suddenly it hits me, "Mimi". Whenever I would hear someone call me that, my first instinct was to runaway and hide.
The reason for that is because every time I heard that nickname it meant I was going to be laughed at by the person I used to hate the most, who is now staring at me, Zach Pearson.

(Hey guys! Hope you are enjoying! I would really appreciate if you could vote, I'll update the next chapter when I reach 10 votes, it's nothing serious!! I just want to make sure people are liking the story and think that I should continue! Also it would be great if you could recommend the story, only if you like it of course!!! Have a good day, thanksss💘💘💘xoxo)