The New Kid | lrh

Chapter 13

It was around seven in the morning as I rolled out of bed. Luke was on his way to pick me up for school. I threw on a pair of leggings and a hoodie since the weather was getting colder. I needed to buy some groceries later today because I ate most of what my parents had bought. They should be coming back home by now.

I poured myself a glass of hot coffee and watched the local news. The news anchor talked about how the crime rate decreased and how the city was improving and so on. I really didn't pay attention to anything else she said, I just needed some white noise while I waited for Luke.

I worked under the table for a friend's business. I got paid whenever I needed to work. I needed to get paid this week. Groceries don't magically get replaced after you finish them. I gave him a call before making my way out to Luke's car.

"Hey," I smiled, opening up the car door. "What's up?" I asked getting into the car, buckling my seat belt, knowing how much it bothered Luke when I didn't buckle up.

"Nothing, just tired." He gave me a small smile, his one dimple clearly visible in his right cheek.

I noticed he had a small ring of metal around his lip and wondered if I was just seeing things. "Did you pierce your lip?" I cupped his face with one hand, inspecting his face.

"Yeah, kinda still hurts. I got it done on Saturday with Calum. He took his out though, he said it didn't look right on him." He laughed.

"But it looks okay on you?" I said shocked. "Yeah, why wouldn't it?" He smirked, winking at me.

If he was trying to sexual frustrate at seven in the morning, he was doing a great job. That lip ring make me think of unholy things before school had even started. I swear he knew what he did to me.

Luke and I held hands in the car on the way to school. I don't know if it was supposed to be romantic or to comfort me because of what happened, but I liked it. He had somewhat soft hands with a few callouses here and there. His fingers were long and the veins in his hand trailed up his forearm. I found myself tracing his veins before I was interupted.

"Um...?" He gave me an amused look.

I looked at my hand and back up at him and realized what I was doing. "I uh, um, was just uh-- I don't know why, but I find your veins very fascinating." I blushed.

He blushed before leaning over and kissing my forehead. "You're so cute." He whispered. "But, we're at school and class starts soon." He chuckled.

I looked up and realized that we were parked in the parking lot and everyone was heading inside. I fumbled for the door and grabbed my bag. I quickly walked inside and made my way to first period making sure to not let Luke see my crimson cheeks. I sat next to Mike in our forensics class. We needed a class to fill up our time in our schedules.

I did the packet that was handed out and scrolled through my twitter timeline as I waited for the teacher to collect it. I saw one slut call out another slut and the twitter fight began. I bet everyone was just silently watching the fight as we waited for the next tweet. School drama was entertaining but I never got involved. I always hung out with the "bad crowd" of people who didn't get much attention.

"You feeling okay, Zoë?" Mike quietly asked. The teacher remained silent as he graded our tests from last class.

"I'm okay. I'm still a little shaken up about it, but Luke's there for me."

He smiled when he heard me mention Luke. "I like the kid, he's a good guy."

What do I even consider Luke? A friend with not as many benefits? My boyfriend? I like him, I really do. But I just didn't do relationships that well. I never really fully trusted a guy since my first boyfriend. It's not healthy to blame all men for the mistakes of one, but most guys nowadays are all self centered and horny little pieces of shit.

Forensics went by quickly as well as global and English. I made it to lunch, which was half way through the day. I got to see Violet, Michael, Calum, and Luke. I made my way to our table while everyone went to buy their lunch.

Violet sat across from me saving a spot for Michael. Luke sat beside me and Calum sat beside him. We all began talking about random things or the homework from one class--nothing out of the ordinary. Michael noticed Luke's lip ring and they started discussing piercings. Michael planned on getting his eyebrow pierced soon.

I zoned in and out of the conversation but I focused on Luke. I noticed how his jaw moved as he chewed his food. I noticed his Adam's apple and how prominent it was. The way he chewed his lip, most likely biting off a piece of skin. His baby blue eyes lit up when Michael brought up playing guitar.

"Remember when I flew on a unicorn with my pet monkey, Zoe?" Mikey said, breaking my focus.

"What?" I snapped back to reality.

"Pay attention, gosh." He whined.

Michael continued his story as we all listened intently. I gave Violet a look and she rolled her eyes, laughing.

"Aye, you punk ass bitch! I bet you ain't got the balls to swing at me now!" Sean screamed through the lunch room, making his way towards our table. Michael quickly stood up and stood in front of me.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Michael said nonchalantly.

"I swear to God, Clifford, I'm gonna beat your ass, you little pussy ass bitch!" He said through his gritted teeth. I swear that was his only insult.

"Yeah, I'm the pussy. At least when a girl doesn't want to have sex with me, I don't force her to." Sean became angry, more angry than before. I had no idea that Michael had the balls to say that to Sean. What happened next surprised everyone, especially me.

Luke stood in front of Michael and I and began yelling at Sean. We all looked at him, confused.

"You need to leave her and her friends the fuck alone." Luke said. Was this really happening?

"What are you gonna do to me, pussy?" Sean smirked. Luke wouldn't hurt him. He was too nice. I also didn't want my Luke to get hurt. My Luke? I didn't have time to ponder why I just called Luke mine because there was potential for a fight to break out.

"You need to watch how you talk to him." Michael defended him, stepping closer to Sean. Sean rolled his eyes and pushed Michael back with a little force but it was enough for him to retaliate.

One punch and he was out cold. Luke held him back as teachers made there way over to him. Everyone in the lunch room looked away as we made our way out.

Teachers came running after us, needing Michael for the stupid report. Useless shit that only wasted time. Sean got what he deserved.

I went with Michael and kept him company. He held me close to him as we waited in the principal's office. The surroundings had become familiar over the years. Freshmen and Sophomore year, I only came here to get awards. Junior and Senior, I came down here to be punished. I was caught smoking in the bathroom once or twice my Junior year. Senior year, I just skipped and the days that I did come, I'd get called down to the office. I'd meet with the Principal and she would tell me that I should worry about college. I really wasn't worried about it. I didn't plan on going to college. Even if I wanted to go to college, it wouldn't be really necessary for an entry level job. McDonald's hires people who barely have a high school education. I think I could get an entry level job somewhere.

Michael was protective over me because one, he didn't have any siblings, and two, we've known each other for so long we just became that close. I've known Michael and his parents for a long time. When we were younger, we would always hang out and play together. His parents became my second parents and he became the sibling I never had.

"Are you okay, Mikey?" He nodded.

"I'm fine. I'm just worried about you." He kissed my head. "I won't let him hurt you ever again."

I snuggled up into his side and waited for Mrs. Donovan, the Principal, to meet us here. I wonder what else would happen today.