Love on Air

Chapter IX: Fitting In

PHOTO OF ASHLEY ON THE SIDE

Chapter IX: Fitting In

~ ALEX ~

     "You're late, Miss Perkins!"

     It was Monday morning and my first class was Chemistry. I loathe this subject so much but I always try to have an ace when I was in high school. Mike was great at this. He made me bedtime stories out of the lessons.

     I wasn't claiming the fact that Jake was also attending this class. He was sitting beside a brunette who was shooting daggers at me by the time I busted in the door.

     That's Ashley. Ashley Wilson. Yes, daughter of Mr. Wilson. She is the type of girl who doesn't allow anyone to block her way. I'm sure you can tell it by now that she's mean. She's the captain of the cheerleading squad, and is considered the youngest. Never lay your dirty finger on her or she'll rip you apart. I'm not scared of that, except for the term that she'll always find a way to piss you off, and at the same time humiliating you in the floor of college students. She's in a circle of boys and girls who also have the power to rule the whole university. Bullies.

     Talking about rude people, Professor Gruzinskey scolded me as I came unpunctually in his class.

     "Since you're behind class, you will be paired with . . ."

     I was wishing that I could sit beside the lonely girl in the corner. I bet she's kind enough to be my friend.

     "Christopher Ross."

     By the state of the name, a man with a darker hair than Jake, angled his face at me. We looked at each other for a short period and it only took me a second to realize something. Christopher Ross was the guy I busted in the bookstore yesterday.

     You'll pay for this.

     There was a quick flashback behind my brain. War was taking over if I should accept the teacher's order.

     "But I can be with the . . ." I was going to ask him that I can sit with the innocent-looking girl at the back of the room, still he interrupted me.

     "No buts, Miss Perkins! I expect you to see the guidance counselor at dismissal."

     Gee. First day of college, first day of trouble-making. Yet, you can't say no to this fellow. I heard he attends anger management sessions every week. Poor man.

     I involuntarily rested on a stool next to Christopher. In front of me were lab equipments and apparattuses. Boiling chemicals were also at my sight. But I can feel Christopher gazing at me in the corner of my eye. I ignored him as much as possible, trying to listen attentively to the old man.

     I conveyed my eyes to Jake, moving my mind away from the professor and from the intense stares of Christopher. Having a crush on him is so difficult because I was trying to get his attention and he didn't seem to turn his face to me, not even an inch. Looks like he was serious about being cruel to me at class.

     True. I admit it. I was a little in love with a guy who happens to be my secret friend. Even if nobody has taught me about these kind of feelings, I know that I'm starting to be affectionate.

     "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

     The voice that I think was from Christopher captured me away from Jake. I do remember him muttering words behind me. But I was drooling over my crush.

     I shifted my butt around the chair to affront Christopher. He had his lower arms above the desk, smirking at me in the same moment. He was also scaning me from my head down to my legs. I blushed briefly and covered my cheeks with my cold, pale hands.