Sixteen-year-old Yasmine Emori Sanders was getting ready to start at a new high school. She recently moved in with her sister Charlie after her mother's death. The death ultimately took a toll on her. She didn't eat or sleep for weeks. Her mother wa...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
October 4th, 2024
"Hey, bae, Where you been?" Kataleya asked, eying Noah as he walked into their first period class.
"I was helping this new girl, Yasmine, find the office," he replied casually.
Kataleya's expression immediately soured. "What new girl? And why the hell did she need your help?" She snapped, her tone dripping with jealousy.
"Chill ma. It wasn't anything like that," Noah said, though he was lying. There was definitely something about Yasmine that had caught his attention.
Kataleya narrowed her eyes but sighed. "It better not be, because if it is, I'll beat her ass— and yours too," she warned, rolling her eyes just as the classroom door opened.
Yasmine walked in, the girl who had already captured Noah's interest. Everything about her— petite frame, her pretty, full lips, the way her dark complexion shined in the light, and the way her puffy hair framed her face drew him in. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, and now, more than ever, he felt a pull to get to know her better.
"That's her?" Kataleya asked, glaring at Yasmine as she looked her up and down.
"Yeah," Noah replied, his gaze still locked on Yasmine.
"She's ugly," Kataleya muttered dismissively before returning to the homework she hadn't finished the night before.
Ignoring Kataleya's rude comment, Noah caught Yasmine's eyes from across the room. For a brief moment, they connected before Yasmine quickly looked away, nervously searching for a seat.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As Yasmine entered the classroom, her eyes immediately found Noah. She hadn't expected to see him again, let alone today, and certainly not sitting beside another girl. After, flirting with her In the hallway. She noticed the girl eye her up and down before whispering something to Noah. Yasmine quickly looked away and focused on finding a seat.
She spotted an open seat next to a pretty brown-skinned girl with vibrant red hair, who was lounging with a pair of blue AirPod Maxes over her ears, engrossed in Baddies Caribbean on her iPad. Yasmine set her things down, deciding to make an effort at meeting new people. She tapped the girl's shoulder lightly.
"Um,hi, I'm Yasmine. I was wondering if you knew what we we're supposed to be doing right now. I'm new here," Yasmine said, trying to sound casual.
The girl blinked in confusion for a moment before pulling off her headphones. "Oh, yeah, I'm Soreia. Right now we're in Eagle Time, which is like a fifteen- minute break before class starts. And girl, you are so pretty," Soreia said with a friendly smile.
"Thank you," Yasmine replied, feeling her nerves ease, "you are too."
The two quickly hit it off, chatting as if they'd known each other for ages, Their easy conversation, however, was cut short when Mrs. Johnson announced the end of Eagle Time and began class.
"All right, class, we have a new student today— Yasmine Sanders. Yasmine, please stand and introduce yourself."
Yasmine's stomach tightened as she stood, nervously glancing around. "Uh,hi, I'm Yasmine. I'm sixteen. I've been doing virtual school for the past two years, and, uh that's pretty much it."
"Thank you, Yasmine," Mrs. Johnson said with a nod before turning to the class. "Now, for today's project, we'll be working on the presidential election and discussing which candidate you think you think would be better. I've already assigned partners. First up, Yasmine Sanders and Noah Hicks."
"The fuck?" Kataleya blurted, her surprise cutting through the air.
"Kataleya, watch your mouth," Mrs.Johnson snapped, frowning.
"No, because why did you pair them up when you barely know her? Me and Noah are always partners! You know this!" Kataleya protested, glaring at Yasmine as if she had done something wrong.
Mrs. Johnson remained calm. "Did I ask? No, I didn't, because this is my classroom. If you don't like it, you're welcome to leave."
Kataleya, visibly upset, huffed but didn't press the issue any further. Mrs. Johnson continued calling out the rest of the pairs, and soon everyone settled in to discuss the project.
"So, whose place are we doing this at?" Noah asked casually, leaning back in his chair.
"We can do it at my house. My sister won't mind," Yasmine replied.
"Sister? You don't live with your parents?" Noah asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yasmine hesitated, her gaze falling to the desk." No, my mom passed away in a car accident about a year ago, and... I never really knew my dad."
Noah's expression softened immediately. "Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset. Don't cry— you're way too pretty for that."
Yasmine felt a tear escape but quickly wiped it away with a small smile."Thank you."
"Of course,ma," Noah said gently, his eyes lingering on hers with genuine concern.
Noticing Kataleya glaring from across the room, Yasmine cleared her throat, breaking the moment." Um, let's get back to the project," she said, shifting her focus to the task at hand, even though the lingering tension between her and Noah wasn't so easily dismissed.
