What Now.

Chapter Two

I knew I told Craig that I would "think about" going to the after party, but mentally I was saying no. They were kind of right about something. I do need to lighten up. But personally, I couldn't "lighten up" at no party.

        To be honest, I hated parties. All that loud, head-pounding music blasting from the speakers; people being drunk and hung over, all up on you, dancing and grinding on each other. To me, that all sounded uncomfortable and disgusting instead of entertaining.

        Like I said, I cared about my grades, and I cared about my future. I know I was probably not your technical "Mr. Popular" like some thought I would be. I was different. And actually, Ray and Craig are, too. We weren't your typical popular crew that thought we were better than everybody else, and we didn't go around playing girls' hearts. Well, I didn't at least.

        I buried my head in my arms as I rested my head on the table. I was kind of tired from watching all that recent excitement that occurred in the hallway two minutes ago. The tardy bell didn't ring yet, and I didn't have anyone to talk to. So, out of boredom, I listened to conversations that were going on around me.

        Convo #1: "Did you see what happened in the hallway? Ray and Craig is too funny..."

        Convo #2: "I'm getting my nails done this weekend. And I'm gonna get a tan!"

        Convo #3: "Aye, you going to that Big Sean concert next weekend?"

        Convo #4: "Don't drop that thun thun thun, AYEEEEE!"

        Convo #5: "Have you ever seen a turtle laying on its back trying to turn over? Funniest. Shit. EVER!"

        Convo #6: "Hey, who's that?"

        "I don't know. I've never seen him before..."

        That question kind of stood out to me more than all the others, but I refused to raise my head up to witness whatever they were talking about at the moment.

        "Why, hello. You must be our new student," I heard Ms. Paige's pleasant voice say through the commotion. New student? I eagerly wanted to lift my head up to see who she was talking to, but I stubbornly kept it down.

        Maybe she was a beautiful girl. But then again, someone said, 'I've never seen him before...' So that narrows it down that the newbie is definitely a guy.

        "I'm Ms. Paige, your Chemistry teacher. Tell me your name, please," Ms. Paige said to the unknown person nicely.

        "I'm Jacob. Jacob Perez," the newbie spoke. As soon as he said that, I heard a whole bunch of whispering.

        His voice. It was...different. Different from any other ordinary voice I had heard. It seemed a bit timid, but covered with enough confidence. He seemed to have a bit of an accent. What was he mixed with? I was so curious.

        "Well, Mr. Jacob Perez, your assigned seat will be... Hmm, where can I put you? Oh, I know, you can sit right next to Mr. August in the back. Chres?" Ms. Paige called.

        My heart nearly stopped at the Chemistry teacher's decision. Still keeping my head down, I managed to raise my hand as high as possible. I could feel everyone's eyes looking at me and following Jacob's every move as he walked to his seat. When he sat next to me, I could feel some kind of aura from him. But, it wasn't an awkward aura. It was a good one.

        Ms. Paige got the class' attention and started going over our daily assignment we had for today. She talked a lot, so it was going to be a little while before we actually get started on it. I kinda tuned Ms. Paige's lesson out as curiosity was starting to get the best of me. I really, really needed to see what Jacob looked like.

        I slowly sat up in my chair and pretended to stretch as I looked beside me. To my surprise, Jacob was staring right back at me, and began blushing when I caught him.

        I suddenly felt weak as I studied his features. He had smooth skin that was the same color as mine, a poofy afro filled with many dark brown curls, nice soft looking lips, and big brown eyes that could make you melt instantly, somehow putting you into a trance.

        He was...perfect.

        Was he an alien?

        He flashed me a bright smile—a smile that I swear could brighten up anyone's rainy day. I felt nervous shivers go through my spine as I kept staring at him. He kept his eyes locked on me, his face read with wonder.

        Why did I feel these chills as I stared at him? Why am I still staring him? Why are we still staring at each other?

        I quickly forced myself to face forward to break away our gazes. I could feel those adorable brown eyes still gazing at me in confusion.

        I felt heat rising within my cheeks as I bit my plump lower lip. Why was I so nervous? What the hell was wrong with me right now?!