Apathetic Psycometric (book 1) #wattys2016

Chapter 1

Alright Laurel. Blending in. I look through my closet for jeans and a hoodie. Clothes that will help me blend in. Not that it ever matters. Kenzie always found me and everyone except her entourage left me alone. I chose a pair of skinny jeans in a light blue, a black tank top with lace trim, my knee high chucks I got for my birthday, and my favorite black hoodie with a purple Celtic knot butterfly on the back. I don't know why I did it but that day I also decided to wear eyeliner and mascara noticing my hazel eyes decided to be green today. I stuck my usual Chapstick in my pocket and threw on my black gloves. I braided my waist length red hair over my right shoulder.

I picked up my canvas bag and threw it on my left shoulder grabbing a granola bar and, changing up my routine from cherry coke zero, I also grabbed a low carb monster mom decided to get me on my way out of the house. Time to start Monday.

My school was only a 10 minute walk from my house or a 2 minute run on the days I wanted to run. Today was a walking day. I had to calm my nerves before I got to school because I felt on the verge of a panic attack and if I had another panic attack my mom .... Well she never said she would but I felt like she would send me to live with my dad and his mistress. And THAT I could NOT deal with. So I repeated my mantra in my head.

Breathe Laurel. Just breathe. As long as you breathe you won't have to leave. Your mom needs you. You can deal with everything else as long as your mom still needs you.

I felt my chest loosen and a smile tugged at my lips. Today would be a good day. I pulled out my phone and plugged in my headphones and turned the volume all the way up blasting three days grace and jammed out to riot. Sounds like my life right now." If you feel so filthy So dirty, so fucked up If you feel so walked on So painful, so pissed off You're not the only one Refusing to go down You're not the only one So get up." After that someone's watching over me by Hilary duff came on and I grinned. I looked around to ensure I was alone and took out the right headphone and began belting it out in a slightly higher pitch. I loved to sing but could not for the life of me do it when someone is around. By the time it finished I was almost to school so I wrapped my headphones around my phone and stuck it in my canvas bag. I resumed my expressionless face and walked in heading to my locker and heading straight for my calc class.

Math was one of my favorite subjects. I love how everything was so exact and proven and there was always an exact answer for everything. Calc went by uneventfully and I allowed myself to feel a little relief. Next I had AP English. Another favorite of mine. I loved words. I loved learning new ones and I love how complex they can get. English however WAS eventful.

"Class, may I please have your attention. Silent reading is over and I would like you to put away your books." Mrs. Harris said in her sweet voice. She was one of my favorite teachers because she honestly truly cares.

There was a knock at the door and everyone looked a little surprised. Mrs. Harris told whoever was at the door to come in but I wasn't paying much attention because I was still secretly reading in my lap. A few whispers went around the room.

"Class I would like you to welcome our new student. Please introduce yourself to the class." She told him and turned to her desk riffling through papers.

"Hi." Said a not too deep but amazingly shiver inducing voice and at that point I looked up and into the most electrifying blue eyes I have ever seen. I mean this boy was.... Mesmerizing. He was about six foot tall with shoulder length black hair. "My name is Jordan Knight." He turned toward Mrs. Harris.

"Your seat will be next to Laurel." It took me a moment to process that but by the time I looked next to me there he was sitting in his seat. He looked over at me and I lost my breath. He had smiled at me and it was.... Amazing. His canines were slightly larger and longer than his other teeth but it just made his smile all the more amazing. I quickly averted my gaze and looked down at my lap, a blush creeping into my face.

When the bell rang I grabbed my stuff and bolted. I didn't wait around for something to happen. Apparently I wasn't fast enough because Kenzie was there waiting for me. My mood from this morning plummeted exponentially. "Well look who it is." Kenzie sneered. My stomachache dropped. I hung my head and backed into the nearest locker as a crowd drew.

"Kenzie please just let me get to class." I whispered barely audibly, not used to talking. I dropped my eyes to the floor. 'Please don't let her notice. Make this quick' I prayed silently.

"Oh!" Kenzie exclaimed grabbing my hood and hair jerking my head back. "What's this? Awwwwwww our loser is wearing makeup! Like she has somewhere important to go or some one to see!" She cackled. "As if! Nobody wants your sorry ass." She sneered.

"Laurel!" A slightly familiar voice called out. I looked wide eyed and shocked in the direction it came from. Jordan. Oh no.

"Who dares talk to the loser?" Kenzie hissed. Jordan stepped forward and took my gloved hand and I swear I stopped breathing. He smiled down at me almost.... Dare I say it, adoringly before going stone faced and turning his attention back to Kenzie before boldly stating, "Me. Her boyfriend." At that point, I fainted. And all I remember are strong arms holding me.