Behind School Doors (1)

• three •

Kai walked into her next block, obviously still embarrassed by the outfit that clothed her. But it was super cute—so she was mildly fine with it.

Seeing the class was a double desk, having to sit next to someone. Remembering that's the new seats in most classes now—a pout formed on her lips.

Maybe it could help her make friends. Be stuck with someone for a while semester no matter what.

Whoopee—note the HEAVY sarcasm. Oh, how the thought of sitting next to a stranger gave her goosebumps.

Oh, how her anxiety crept up on her.

Her eyes looked over every kid in the class—the ones that actually came to class, more filling in the room.

It was mostly guys, as there were just four other girls beside her. They didn't seem to like the class at all already.

Lucky them, they were friends with the guys in class and knew each of the other girls.

So she was alone.

The only person she knew was Aponi, but he was already duo up with someone.

Oh lucky him.

She sighed, walking to the back, and sitting at the desk next to them as another guy sat down. Both ignore each other.

Aponi gave a loud laugh, teasing his friend a bit. "Hey, Kai. Excited for the big eighteen tomorrow? Must be thrilling." He cheered, showing his huge, smiling toward her.

Damn, what is it with boys this year having a good smile?

If she wasn't crushing on Tyler, her heart would have skipped a beat for the boy on the other side of her. But alas, she had Tyler, crushing on that man for two-plus years, still going, baby.

"Yeah, it's going to be great."

He nodded, turning away and talking to his football bro. Then started whispering.

Kai stared at him confused. He's a football player, a pretty good one with colleges already asking for him. She saw a few games and remembered his face. Number 71. A quarterback, the finest one at the school, dare say the finest one in the state.

Aponi has smooth brown skin and brown dark eyes. His black hair was pulled back in a bun. Both are Native Americans and have a silent nod to each other in acknowledgment. Though she lived in Arizona it was hard to find other Native Americans.

He's also one of the strongest guys in the school. Seen from the strong man contest for a winning prize of 500 dollars. As he deadlifts six hundred pounds. Well, that's what people said, she was mostly on her phone at that time, which was weird since she would kill for an opportunity to gawk at muscles.

Their first interaction was, weird, Aponi ran into her at a store and made her fall. Both were checking out sketchbooks. He seemed to be embarrassed to be caught at that section of the store. She didn't really care as she got her standard sketchbook and left with a simple parting.

Then, they were pared up in a class, having to be partners for the whole semester.

Kai and him know each other yes, but not on a friend basis.

A sigh escaped her lips, looking at the room now, smelling the sweaty air. Kai put her head down on her arm, not facing her seatmate as she drew randomly, not caring for the product at the end.

The teacher started to take attendance. Kai raised her hand and called out that she was there when her name was called. Aponi looked over at her, then down at the sketching, she was doing. "Damn, nice drawings." He complimented her, leaning over toward her, she shivered at the feeling of his breath going down on her arm.