New Beginnings

CHAPTER 1

Hello, readers! This is my first attempt at writing a proper novel. I've no idea how long these A/N's are supposed to be nor do I know about chapter lengths. Is a 1000 words per chapter good enough? Anyway, I am open to suggestions. The story's gonna be a bit slow in the beginning so bear with it. Thanks and enjoy! And feedbacks and comments are welcome!

'I'm going to get late, Mom,' I whined as I wriggled out of her hug.

'Oh, don't be like that, Vicky!' she exclaimed. 'The flight can wait. I won't be seeing you until your next break.'

'Actually,' Dad began. 'The flight won't wait and yeah, she's getting late and the cab is waiting, Mariah.'

I grinned at him.

'So eager to send me off, huh?' I asked him. 'Anyway, see you guys. I'll call you and keep you posted.'

I leaned in for one last hug from the two of them and jumped into the cab.

As the cab pulled out of the driveway, I could see my parents waving at me. I waved back till they became small figures in the distance and got lost in the traffic.

My parents - the most successful doctors in the country. They saved the lives of many people so that those people could spend time with their families. Ironically, they never had time for me. But I wasn't complaining. I mean, I knew my parents were doing great social service but you know, I just wished I could see them more often.

I squirmed a little in my seat, trying to get comfortable. The cab driver turned his head towards me, probably to start a conversation. My eyes immediately ran across his features. He looked young, probably early thirties, and had a kind face and crinkles by his eyes. And his eyes, my gosh, were the most striking feature of all. They were a bright electric blue with specks of black in them. They contrasted very well with his jet-black hair that flopped around his forehead.

'I'm called Gregory,' he said looking back at me before turning to the road again.

I stared at the back of his head for a second.

'I'm Victoria,' I murmured quietly. Okay, so I was kind of an introvert.

'Hello, Victoria. So, why are you off to the airport?' he asked, glancing swiftly at me in the rear-view mirror.

'I'm joining a new school,' I told him. 'Rockwell Academy - have you heard of it?'

'I don't live under a rock, miss. Isn't that one of the most prestigious high schools? The one with all the rich kids?'

I laughed.

'That's the one, Greg. I can call you Greg, right?'

'Sure. So, you must be pretty smart to get in there, huh?' he asked. 'Or very rich?'

I would be lying if I said I didn't hear a little condescension in his voice. I instinctively replied coldly.

'I got in on a scholarship,' I told him. 'I don't really like flaunting my parents' money, if that's what you're saying.'

'Oh, no no!' he sounded offended. 'I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry. It's none of my business.'

'That's fine,' I said, quietly. My eyes roamed around the whole cab until a picture on the dashboard caught my eye. It was a picture of a small boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old. He had the same eyes I'd seen on Greg's face.

'Is that your son?' I asked Greg, pointing to the dashboard.

'Ah, yes,' he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. 'My son. He's very smart, he is. He always tells me he wants to become a successful person so that I don't have to drive this cab around anymore.'

I could almost hear the innocent voice of the child. I smiled.

'That's beautiful,' I told Gregory. 'You must be very proud to have a son like him.'

'I am. But you know, how boys are when they grow up,' he said, shaking his head. 'Stubborn and hot-headed.'

'Not really, no,' I said, honestly.

I always thought girls were more stubborn and meaner. Although, I might have been saying that because my best friend was a boy. My cheeks heated up immediately as I thought of him. So, maybe I had a harmless little crush on him and I never told him. But, that's totally normal, right? I mean, I'll tell him, eventually. Someday.

Well, at least he was going to the same school as I was. I sighed blissfully.

The taxi took a sharp left, making me fall off my seat with a thump.

'Sorry about that,' Greg said.

I just grunted in response. Guess I deserved that. Daydreaming about my best friend that way made me feel guilty every time.

'Okay, Victoria,' I heard Greg say. 'We're almost there.'

I sat up straight and picked up the backpack lying beside me.

Soon, we were parked in the airport's parking space unloading my bags.

My parents had already paid Greg so he just shook hands with me before climbing back into the cab.

'Have a good school year, Victoria,' he called as he drove away. I simply waved and picked up my luggage and dragged it along with me.

I was supposed to report at Terminal 2 of Departures to meet the school's Travel Supervisor.
I found him soon enough, surrounded by some other kids. I looked at their faces trying to find someone familiar until my eyes rested on my best friend's face. His face lit up as he walked towards me.

'JAKE!' I yelled, waving my arms like a mad person.

'VIC!' he yelled back. 'You made-'

He was cut off by the Travel Supervisor as he held my shoulder and asked me my name. Stupid guy, I thought.

'Uh, Victoria Evans,' I told him, distractedly keeping my eyes on Jake's face - his beautiful, unmarred and handsome face.

'Okay, everyone, gather around!' he said to us all. 'I'm Steve. I'm responsible for getting you safely to Rockwell Academy. Now, I don't want any mischief on board or else I'll personally see that you are air-dropped to your homes. Is that clear?'

A series of murmured 'yes's and 'okay's were heard.

Soon, we were settled into our seats. I sat by the window and Jake, thankfully, had decided to sit beside me and not next to some blonde girl who'd been giving him flirtatious looks. Now, she was giving me dirty looks from across the aisle.

'Are you excited?' Jake's deep and amazing voice interrupted my thoughts.

I blushed for no reason.

'Yeah, I am excited!' I told him. 'But I'm also kind of nervous, you know? What if the teachers are like, super-strict? Or if the students are mean or something?'

He reached for my hand and smiled at him. I just barely managed to look normal but, on the inside I was spontaneously combusting.

Omg! Omg! Omg! Hand!!!!

'Everything is going to be all right, Vic,' he murmured. 'I'll be with you.'

We were ready for take-off.

Rockwell Academy, here I come!