Athena stood at her locker, exchanging the books she needed for her next class.
"Have you seen the new girl?" Athena heard someone ask from behind her. Turning, she saw two girls standing in front of her.
"Huh?"
"You're so stupid." One said with a sigh. "The new girl. We were wondering if you've talked to her yet. We've talked to her, but she isn't like us, so we wanted to give her to you," The taller girl, Stella, said. Athena scoffed and turned around, closing her locker.
"Thanks for the charity," She said, turn to face them once again. "But I don't want it. I can make friends on my own." Athena pushed past the two girls when the shorter one, Sophie, grabbed her wrist.
"Oh and Athena," Sophie said with a sickly sweet smile. "Stay away from Spencer. He's mine." Athena laughed at her,
"Trust me," Athena said, patting Sophie's arm in assurance. "There is nothing between Spencer and I. He just drove me to school today. That's all." Athena turned, her head held high, and gracefully walked into English. As she approached her seat, she saw an unfamiliar girl sitting in her spot.
"Hey," Athena said. The girl looked up at her, a nervous look on her face.
"Hi," She mumbled, looking down at the floor. Athena sat in the desk in front of the girl.
"You're the new girl, aren't you?" Athena asked. The girl nodded, keeping her eyes on the floor. "What's your name?" Athena asked, trying to make conversation.
"Rachel," She said, avoiding Athena's eyes. Athena stuck out her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Rachel, I'm Athena." Rachel looked at her hand, causing Athena to drop it awkwardly. An awkward silence fell over to the two girls, causing Athena to look anywhere but at Rachel. Glancing around the familiar room, Athena studied the shiny white walls that was cleaned every night, the two posters that hung next to the door explaining where to go in case of a fire or tornado; the clock hung above the smart board, ticking loudly as random students drifted into the classroom. Clearing the throat, Athena looked at Rachel again. "Okay then. I don't really mind that you're sitting there but that's my seat. But you can sit in this one" Athena suggested, motioning to the one she was sitting in. "Nobody sits here, I don't think."
Rachel stood up quickly and collected her things. "We can just s-s-switch right now," Rachel said. Shrugging, Athena stood and the two girls switched seats. Once settled, Rachel turned to face Athena.
"So Rachel. I have to ask, and I don't mean to be rude; but-" Athena was cut off by Rachel.
"No, I don't usually stutter. I'm just really nervous. I don't do well in new environments."
"Understandable. Where'd you come here from?" Athena asked as the class started to fill up.
"South Africa." Athena's jaw dropped causing Rachel to laugh.
"But you're white," Athena stated. Rachel giggled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, that was rude."
"Oh no, you're fine. I get that a lot. I was born in Boston and my dad was transferred to Africa for business when I was two. I grew up there but he got transferred here, hopefully for the last time." Rachel explained.
"That's so cool! What's Africa like?" Athena asked, intrigued.
"It's beautiful really," Rachel began. "It can get pretty ho-"
"Yeah man, the game was awesome," Athena heard Spencer say as he walked through the door. Her eyes shifted away from Rachel and landed on Spencer.
Spencer had a tall, muscular build; Standing at 6'2, he short dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes to match. Athena watched Spencer as he walked to his desk, admiring how such a big person could move so gracefully. Sophie pranced behind him trying to claim his attention, causing him to clench his jaw in annoyance.
