𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

— 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡.

As we eased into the school parking lot, a familiar sensation of nervousness gripped my palms, causing them to dampen. "How come I've had so many first days of school, but I'm always so nervous every single time?" I pondered aloud. My brother snorted in response, "Ain't no way you're nervous right now, it's your last year, Lil's," attempting to reassure me. "I know, I know, but still, it's mad nerve-wracking," I admitted.

My brother, with ease, parks the car before turning his attention to checking his hair in the mirror. Despite being the eldest, I'm still unable to drive, relying on my younger brother to chauffeur me everywhere, or resorting to walking or using Uber for most outings. It's very very embarrassing.

After a quick glance in the mirror, my brother broke the comfortable silence. "We're having a basketball meeting today after school. You can wait or walk home," he informed me. I frowned slightly. "I'll walk," I replied, swiftly grabbing my backpack, I was met by one of my brother's basketball buddies as I attempted to exit the car.

"Hey, Lilith," the guy greeted me. "Hi?" I responded back, my tone laced with a hint of "who the hell are you?" He simply laughed and proceeded to dap up my brother on the other side of the car.

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, igniting a wave of heat across my face. In that moment, I silently thanked the heavens for my dark skin. Hastily, I began to walk briskly towards the school building.

The bustling conversations of what everybody did during their summer break surrounded the halls as I searched for my first period Western Civilization class.

"I went to Fiji for an entire month!" I overhear one of the kids boast excitedly. "I was on a 2-month long cruise, it was so much fun," adds another enthusiastically. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as I reflected on my own summer, spent mostly rotting in my bedroom and going to my 9-to-5.

I finally locate my first-period class, exchange greetings with the teacher, and settle into a seat in the second row, closest to the front. Retrieving my planner, I begin to organize my day when suddenly, someone takes the seat next to me.

"Hi, I'm McKayla," she introduces herself. Quick to respond, I reply, "Hey, my name is Lilith." Her question follows, "Is it okay if I sit next to you?" Without hesitation, I reassure her, "Of course, I don't mind!"

McKayla looked put together in a striped sweater, baggy jeans, and Doc Martens. Her brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with two braided strands. She wore a warm smile and her flushed cheeks added vibrancy to her presence.

McKayla and I chatted throughout the period, connecting over our shared passion for R&B music, films, the wonder's of Horizon Heights High. She mentioned she was new to the school and only knew Kaleb Finley, and Miles Sullivan.

"Meet me and Kaleb in the lunchroom, okay? We'll be sitting in the back," McKayla instructed as we packed up for our second period. "If you can't find me, you have my phone number now, so call me." With the bell signaling the end of the period, we parted ways. As I walked, suddenly, I noticed a familiar pair of eyes I hadn't seen in a long time—Oliver Harley.

Anyone who's anybody knows Oliver Harley. He's the star hockey player at Horizon Heights and one of the "popular" boy's at our school. Despite his popularity, Oliver keeps a tight-knit circle, primarily close to one guy, Jace Williams.

It's the fact that Jace is fairly new to HHHS, yet has already gained so much attention. While I have known these people since kindergarten and they don't even acknowledge my presence.

Struggling to navigate through the sea of people, I accidentally made eye contact with Oliver. My heart raced, and my mind felt foggy until I snapped back to reality, realizing where I was and my surroundings. I quickly looked away and headed for an exit outside, walking briskly to my second period.

"It's been three years. I thought you got over him," I murmured to myself, the words echoing softly in the solitude of my thoughts.

★

As I entered the lunchroom, I felt my vision darken when a pair of hands covered my eyes. "Guess who?" the familiar voice said. "Solana, if you don't remove your grubby hands off my face—" I turned around to see my beautiful, and only, best friend at Horizon. Solana is a cheerleader and automatically part of the circle that Oliver and Jace are in.

"Girl, where were you?" she inquired, her eyebrows furrowing in concern. "Uhm, I was here all day," I replied, a hint of confusion in my voice. "No, I mean I texted you, and you didn't answer," she added, her tone tinged with a touch of disappointment.

Before I could utter a word, McKayla hurried up to me and tapped me on the shoulder. "There you are! I was scared you couldn't find us!" Solana noticed McKayla immediately and complimented, "Your outfit is mad cute." "Thank you! It took me hours to pick," McKayla replied with a smile, visibly pleased by the recognition.

The three of us walked over to Kaleb. "Hey!" he greeted us warmly. "Hi!" we all responded in unison. We sat and talked about all kinds of things. our classes, the drama, and everything in between.

★

After lunch, we all walked McKayla to her next period, and then parted ways. I headed to chemistry next, completely unaware of who I was about to encounter once I walked through that door.
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I am not proud of this chapter 😭 sawry that it was crazy long lmaoo anyways lili is a lover girl and is DOWN BAD