The Boy Next Door

Chapter 3: Meeting Theodora

Tuesday came around exactly like every other day, the exact morning routine, the exact breakfast, the exact weather. The only thing that wasn't the same was that the moving vans had finally, well, moved and gone.

'Thank God for that!' I thought happily in my head as I walked out of the door that morning. Nothing could put a damper on my mood today; the day was indeed beautiful. Looking around, the early morning sun shone through the large branches of the oak trees which were covered in masses of vibrant green leaves and the birds hiding in those trees sang in perfect harmony together, the musical notes bouncing off of every object that they touched, spreading the cheery bird song. There was a slight breeze that curled around my exposed legs, cooling them from the summer heat.

Today, I chose to wear a pair of high waisted, dark denim shorts with a flowing, white top and a button up, pale denim vest thingy without sleeves (I loved this item of clothing but I never knew the name of it!) To finish off my look, I dug out from my full closet, supposed to be white, converses and put them on tying the laces behind the tongue of the shoe.

Halfway down my road, I saw Poppy talking to one of my neighbours. She was smiling and joking with Mr Clark who has been living on his own and has had a carer since his wife, Paula, died a couple of years ago but never did I see him cry, except for the memorial and funeral we all helped out with.

I loved how Poppy did that!

She could always turn something sad and gloomy into a lovely summers day, just like this one. She just oozed happiness, positivity and kindness. I'm sure that in her previous life she was a hippy called 'Sunshine'.

Poppy's feeling were always shown through her amazing fashion sense and today was no different. She was wearing a flowing white summer dress that was longer at the back and shorter at the front, showing off her tanned legs. With that, she wore a denim jacket (with sleeves) and gladiator sandals; she looked as if she had just come back from a beach holiday!

"What's with the hole 'beach goddess look?'" I asked jokingly. Poppy looked down inspecting her outfit.

"Hahaha, well I was feeling happy and flowy and.. yano... well SUMMERY!" She shouted enthusiastically, making the birds emerge from their hidden spot in the trees surrounding us to fly freely into the clear blue sky.

____________•¥•____________

While we were chatting and laughing about our plans for the summer break, both of us agreed that it was about time we took a road trip to California, so we could enjoy the sun, sea and boys, (obviously!) well, for me anyway.

As we walked through the tall, dark, iron, school gates and continued to walk along the path towards the main school doors, we saw Seb with a group of his friends sitting on the steps. Poppy's hand flew up instantly to catch his attention.

A couple minutes later, with a bruise forming on my head, from her over enthusiastic wave, and possibly a black eye, Seb saw us. Finally. I thought, while rubbing my head. Poppy ran off, smothering Seb in a gigantic hug as she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a gentle peck on the cheek.

"So... I'll... just u-um... go like t-this way... meet you at... er... lunch Pops" I awkwardly trailed off, walking towards the main building.

They really were in their own little world, hugging, flirting and just being all loved up. I couldn't blame her though; Seb was a really nice guy, he played in the baseball team, was a straight A student and also one of the nicest guys in school, scrap that, he was the only nice guy in school! He also wasn't that bad looking, if you're into the whole 'boy next door' look.

Seb had longish, blonde-brown hair that just started to cover his ears. He also had an amazing tan that he managed to keep all year round. I think that his parents must take him surfing every two weeks in California, oh yeah his parents are also incredibly rich!

His mum owns some major health spa in Beverly Hills with 15 other franchises and his dad is an architect who travels all over the world.

So, basically, Seb is the 'it guy' like in the stereotypical American high school films. He's the Troy to our High School Musical, the Link to our Hairspray, the Danny Zuko to our Grease.... yeah that's all I've got.

___________•¥•____________

The bell rang, signalling time for registration and, the once full and loud corridors, were now deserted. I made my way to homeroom to find a new face in the usually empty seat, next to mine. She had lovely blonde hair that cascaded in loose waves to her waist, her arms and what was showing of her legs, were paler than the average person here, which made me think that she has come from somewhere cold and northerly. I could not see her face as it was covered by a curtain of blonde and caramel hair, blocking her from the outside world, while she was bent over the desk, writing something in her new notebook.

"Hello" I heard a cheerful voice say, as I sat down. When I looked to my right I could fully see the new girl who had just greeted me. Her eyes were a startling crystal blue, the type of blue you would only see in the Caribbean. I realised that I hadn't answered and stumbled a, not as enthusiastic,

"Hey."

"I'm sorry, I'm not in anyone's seat am I? It's just because I'm new here and I don't really know what to do or where to go, this place is much bigger than my old school" she rushed out in one breath. She seemed so sweet and innocent, her accent made her more different and noticeable, I was trying to figure out her accent when Mrs Jones (our homeroom teacher) staggered in carrying a stack of books while balancing her coffee on top. As soon as she walked in the class's volume of noise decreased almost instantly, waiting for Mrs Jones to start.

"Morning everyone! How are we today?" She asked with noticeably fake enthusiasm as she dumped the books onto the table and picking up her coffee. In reply there were mumbles groans and the odd civilised reply.

"Okay well I'm glad to see you lot are happy" she commented while commencing with the register, beside me the new girl, that I had not yet learned the name of, was mumbling something.

"Don't introduce me, pleeeaaasssee don't introduce me." Her mumbles, although they were quiet sounded like she had experienced this many times before, and did not want to go through it again.

"Hey are you okay?" I asked concerned as I tapped her on the shoulder.

"Um... Yeah I'm fine, it's just I really hope she doesn't tell the whole-" as if on cue Mrs Jones had reached the girls name and called it out.

"Theodora Josh. Hmm... Oh yes, class this is Theodora. She has just started today, so, if she looks like she needs a bit of help trying to adjust to this school, give her a hand, please." While she spoke, she gestured towards Theodora who offered a shy smile and then turned around in an attempt to pretend that this was not happening and that she was not being looked at like some sort of labexperiment.

"Right now I need a volunteer to show Theodora around...? Does anyone want to offer?" Mrs Jones asked in an attempt at convincing someone to offer so she did not have to choose herself. "Okay well I will have to choose then..." She said looking around the room, that was when her plan worked, I could not let Theodora get dragged around by one of the 'little miss perfect society' or by the 'to school for cool' kids, that was when I felt my hand rise sheepishly towards the ceiling and before I could yank it back down Mrs Jones had already seen me. Dammit! I thought. To late to back out now.

"Okay, Miss Blue you will help Miss Josh go about her school business, if she ever needs help you are the one that she can trust."