Just Another Cliché

Chapter 2

I can hear two people talking as I regain my consciousness. I slowly open my eyes as my pupils try to adjust to the bright tube light above my head. Seeing my eyes open the two voices suddenly stop and the school nurse Ms. Jenkins comes near my bed.

"Good, you're awake honey. Here take this ice pack and keep it on the back of your head. If you need anything I'll be at my desk." She passes me an ice pack and goes back to her desk right in the front of the Sanitorium. As she moves away I notice that there is someone sitting behind her on the chair.

It's Scott.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" he asks while taking the place near the bed.

"My head hurts as if someone threw a brick at me but besides that I'm perfect." I say with a grin on my face. He smiles back.

"Good to know that your sense of humor is still intact."

"So who is the noble soul behind all of this?" I ask, sarcasm dripping with each word. I have a inkling about who it is but I still want to be sure.

"Stacey and Gigi. It was aimed at your face, pretty well aimed." He says while laughing to some degree.

"I thought as much. So who got me here?" I ask.

"I did, Jane came too but she had class in the next period so she went back." He replies.

"Oh, thanks!" I say shyly.

"I bunked class to be here. Also Jane would have killed me if I didn't." He said embracing his bad boy persona.

"Haha, Jane can be very manipulative sometimes." I say while getting up from the bed. I tie the laces of my gym shoes and make my way out of the nurse's office. I thank Ms. Jenkins on my way out and Scott walks with me.

I turn to him and ask him, "Hey why don't you join us for lunch at our table today?"

"I would be honored." He says. I smile at him.

I make my way to the changing rooms since I'm still in my gym uniform, change and head to the cafeteria. As I enter I can feel everyone look at me like gossip hungry monkeys. I ignore them since I'm really hungry and make my way to the table where my friends are sitting.

"Bri! How are you feeling? We are so sorry we couldn't come straight away. The teacher wouldn't have it. Plus we needed to have a little chat with two airheaded cheerleaders." Chloe says as I sit down.

Chloe might be all sweet and shy but if anybody hurts Jane or I she goes into this protective mama bear mode.

"Oh chill! While you were dealing with the queens of the douches, I got acquainted with someone."

"Ooh do tell." Jane says clearly excited.

"Scott Richards"

"Scott? Was he that good to you? It took me 4 years of living next to him to be able to have a proper conversation." says Jane as her excitement fades away. Chloe still looks baffled, as if we are talking martian.

"He isn't the bad boy everyone makes him to be. He's really sweet. Trust me you will really like him." I explain.

"Yes, anyway so you wouldn't believe what Gigi said to Samantha...... " says Chloe starting our regular lunchtime gossip.

"Oh yes incase I forgot to mention earlier" I say while interrupting Chloe mid conversation, "he's going to join us for lunch". Chloe drops her fork and Jane looks at me startled.

"Join us, as in now, here?" Jane exclaims "this is our table, we oath upon it to not call boys here."

"Oh shut up Jane"

I spot Scott and wave at him to come over. He hesitates at first but still makes his way to our table.

His friends from the other table stare at him but he still comes and sits beside Chloe.

For the rest of lunch the four of us continue talking and I get to know him better. I do notice people from other tables giving us weird and judgemental stares but I am too engaged in conversation to bother.

As the bell rings, Jane and Chloe bid us goodbye and walk out of the cafeteria. Scott and I had math together so as soon as I ate the last bite of my sandwich the both of us headed to class.

We sit together in class and the class slowly drags on. Since it is the first day none of the teachers have started anything. They just tell us about what's the first semester is gonna be like.

The bell rings and I make my way back to my locker. When I reach my locker I can see Alec leaning on it. I tentatively go up to him since he is blocking my way.

"Is there something you need?" I ask because I really can't come up with a reason why he would want to talk to a person who openly insulted him.

He opens his mouth to speak but sees something behind me and he shuts his mouth. He shakes his head and walks away. I stare at his retreating figure in confusion. For a minute it felt like he was going to apologise on behalf of his girlfriend but then again, it's Alec Wright.

I look back but see nothing, and then turn around to find him gone. Not bothered enough to care as to where he went, I meet up with Jane and we head towards health.

On reaching the classroom, Ms. Green our Health teacher tells us about an upcoming project which would account for half of our grade. She doesn't go into much detail but just tells us that it's a group project in which we will be divided into pairs of two. Then she gives the rest of the period off and soon the bell rings signaling the end of school.

Usually after school I go over to Bookworm Inc., the place where I work since I hate going home to an empty house. I'm the only one who works there so I tend to go over any time I'm free. Besides me the owner, Lucy Hastings, works there she's in her mid forties and is a really sweet, caring and friendly person. She also makes the best Mac 'n' Cheese, she's basically my foster mother. From the past week or so, ever since Mindy Kaling decided to do a book signing at the store the store has become a bit popular and I've been pestering Lucy to hire someone to help out. Turns out someone has finally applied for the job so today I'll be meeting my new co-worker.

My job is the best and when I say that I mean it. It is the only job where I can read all the new releases and get paid too. I spend most of my time at the store and Lucy is like family to me.

As I walk up to the door, I see someone talking to Lucy. I was running a bit late since Jane had to talk to someone and I ended up waiting since she was my ride here. I rush up to them, knocking a book off the display table.

"I am so sorry I'm late, got caught up." I explain while picking up the book and placing it back.

Lucy faces me with a smile and says, " Finally Brianna, I thought you wouldn't turn up today. Anyways, here is your new co-worker. He'll be shadowing you until he understands his job."

The guys, who up till now wasn't facing me, turns around.

"Hey sweetie, looks like we'll be spending a lot of time together." Alec says with a mischievous smile and annoying laugh follows.

No wonder people say bad luck has a way of following you around.

*EDITOR'S NOTE*

A few minor edits here and there. Love- KS & AG