Love at the Hands of a Coincidence

Chapter 1

||Ethans POV||

It was the first day back to school and my first day as a freshman, I went inside to find the office to get my schedule. As I'm frantically searching for the office I run into this sophomore, he shows me where the office is and I thank him. About half way through the day I saw him again. I asked him where the lunch room was and he laughed and showed me where it was. Everyone looked so sad for some reason I muttered to myself but I guess he heard me and he replied with
"Everyone's been like this since the new lunch lady got hired."
"Well thanks for showing me the way," I said, a little embarrassed.
The boy left and I went to grab some lunch but as soon as I walked near the kitchen a horrible smell washed over me. I didn't know where it was coming from but the closer I got to the kitchen the worse the smell got. I got lunch and sat down, I picked up the slice of pizza and the cheese fell right off, and what was under it was horrifying. On the crust of the pizza was a big patch of fuzzy green mold! I got up with my lunch tray and I threw it away. I wondered why no one had told the office about this so I decided to ask a few people.
One of the girls sitting at the table to my left said " I've tried but the lunch lady convinced the office I was lying and I got suspended for a week.."
"How? Did they not check the kitchen?" I said I was confused.
"They did.. but they sent the janitor to check it out. The janitor and the lunch lady are best friends so he lied about the kitchen.. Oh my name is Penelope btw!" She said, "Oh nice to meet you! I'm Ethen!" I said.
After lunch me and Penelope had the same class! So she showed me where it was and she went to sit down. Ms. Swing told me to introduce myself, then said to go sit next to Jackson.
"Umm.. who's Jackson..? I whispered to Ms. Swing nervously.
"Oh I'm sorry dear. That young man right over there Is Jackson!" She said as she pointed to the sophomore from earlier.
I walked over to the back of the class and sat down beside Jackson. About 15 minutes into class and Ms. Swing just finished explaining this partner project we will be working on.
"Ok now that you all know what you'll be doing it's time to partner up! I will read off your partners and if you don't like them you'll have to power through it, unless it becomes a big problem then come to me." Ms. Swing said,
"Ok we have May and Ragon, Luna and Travis, Yurie and Stefon, Jackson and Ethen, Penelope and Olivia, blah blah blah."
Oh my god I'm paired with Jackson! I noticed this girl was staring at me.. and it kinda made me uncomfortable. I tried not to think about it but she was full of death starting.. then i was snapped back to reality when i felt a little shake on my arm. I look over to see Jackson with a little bit of confusion on his face.
"You good dude?" He asked as he let go of my arm.
"O-oh! Yeah.. sorry," I say, glancing back to see that girl still staring at me.
"Is something wrong? Do you not wanna be partners with me? If I make you uncomfortable you can tell me.." He said with a little bit of.. sadness? In his voice.
"What? No! You don't make me Uncomfortable! It's just.. that girl over there keeps staring at me.. and it makes me uncomfortable, that's all, nothing to do with you I promise!" I say as he gets up out of his chair.
"What are you doing?" He doesn't answer and just walks over to that girl.
"Jazmyn we broke up, remember! Stop being a jealous bitch!" Jazmyn looked up at him and said,
"I'M NOT A JEALOUS BITCH!! YOU COULD DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT DIRTY GAY FRAG!! I'M SO MUCH BETTER HOW COULD YOU WANT HIM AND NOT ME!!!"
"What the hell are you talking about!!! Don't get me started on how much better Ethen is then you! And just because we got partnered together doesn't mean we're dating!!! And plus I just met him today and he's already 10 times better than you could ever be! From what I've seen so far he's sweet, caring, kind, respectful, and nothing like you!"
I feel a slight blush creep onto my face as he talks about me.
"Also what the fuck is wrong with being gay if he is that's fine. I mean I'm bi so I don't see a problem! Just leave me and my friends alone."
As he walks back over to me I try to cover my blushing face,
"Hey, sorry about her. She's just my ex."He says as he sits back down next to me.
"That's fine! Thanks for standing up for me btw."

||Jacksons POV||

"It's no problem! So do you wanna come to my place after school to work on the project or should I come to yours?"
I ask,
Then I noticed something, his face was a little red? Maybe it's just because it's a little warm here.
"You can come to mine after school! My dads a little strict so I dont think he'd let me come over to yours."
He said giggling a little at the end.
His laugh is so cute..
"Ok, that sounds great! What time should I come over?" I ask.
"Well school ends at 3:10 so around 3:40 would be good." He says as the bell starts to ring signaling that class is over. After my last class of the day I went to my truck, I was about to leave and I saw Ethen. He looked kinda worried, I drove up next to him and saw he was on the phone. I rolled down the window and he hung up the phone. "Hey Ethen! You look a bit worried, are you ok?" He looks up at me fast. I must have startled him.
"O-oh yeah I'm fine, it's just, my dad keeps saying he'll pick me up from school but then he gets drunk and never comes. My house is like a 30min walk from here and it doesn't help that I live in a sketchy area. I always hate walking home." He says, staring to ramble on, looking down at his feet. He was about to start walking home but then I offered to give him a ride.
He looked back up at me, "Really! That would be great!"
"Sure, get in!" I say as I unlock the door.
He gets in and I start driving, "Are you sure you don't mind? I'm using up gas, I can get out here, it's fine really! Do you want me to pay you back for gas?" He said, rambling on again, it's like he's never had anything done for him without a price.
"I already told you, I don't mind giving you a ride. And of course you don't have to pay me back, gas isn't that expensive."
"Ok.. Well, thank you for the ride anyways." He says as he looks out the window.
He actually looks as cute as his laugh not gonna li- WAIT WTF AM I THINKING!!! I just met him today.. About 10 mins later we made it to his house, it was around 3:25. He gets out and waves before we walk inside. I start driving again and listen to Meet Me At Our Spot by THE ANXIETY, Willow, and Tyler Cole on the way home.