The Mask

Chapter 4 Hayden Claufield

Hayden POV:

           I was walking through the cafeteria thinking about my girlfriend, Tally. She was pretty, but she was just plain mean. She's clingy and she flirts with everyone. Then again most of my friends aren't the nicest people except Cameron. Cameron is also a starter on the football team, meaning his head is too small for his ego. But we've been friends since we could walk. I don't know how this entire monarchy idea got started, but I really did hate it.

 I was snapped out of my thoughts, by a girl running into me. I looked down to see a girl with brown hair. She was breathtaking. Her eyes though, I could get lost in them forever. It's like the world around me stopped when I looked down at her. Her face looked happy, but her eyes said something different. The eyes that I assumed would be beautiful, where dull. There was something dark in them that made me flinch back into reality. 

Then I looked at her and realized that she had a coffee stain on her shirt, right on her breast. I awkwardly glace my eyes away hoping she didn't notice. Something about her seemed oddly familiar though.

After that I understood why. This was the girl Tally was talking about. The girl who ran into her. 

"Oh my gosh. I am so sorry," I said, while holding my hand to help her up. I looked down to see the stain right over her breast again, and without hesitation I grabbed my letterman jacket to hand to her. She took it, and blushed. 

'She is so cute when she blushes,' I thought, 'No! Bad Hayden. You already have a girlfriend.' I scolded myself.

"I'm sorry about this. I wasn't paying any attention. Oh, and thank you for the jacket," She said. I didn't know why she was apologizing. This wasn't her fault. It was mine. Then I realized I had created an awkward silence. 

"Oh, um, I can get you some more coffee," I said, "By the way, my name's Hayden." I didn't know what to do. I was trying to be nice, but at the same time I didn't want to scare her away. She made me curious. I couldn't imagine what would happen if Tally saw us.

You really don't have to do that," she said, "Oh, and my name's Katherine." I already knew her name was Katherine. Tally mentioned that somewhere in her rant about how an ugly girl ran into her. Though Katherine was as far away from being ugly. Tally was uglier than Katherine. Katherine had a natural beauty while Tally wore a face full of make up that made her look like a clown.

"Yeah, I know. You had a bit of a run in with my... high strung girlfriend. I am sorry about her. Deep down she really is sweet," I knew that I was giving Tally a little too much credit, but I was trying to be nice.

"Very deep down apparently. Wait. She told you about me? Ugh! Great. First day, and the Queen already hates me. I'm probably on her guillotine list!" Katherine said. Ok. I will admit I'm pretty smart, but what the heck is she talking about. Instead of asking her, I gave her a confused smile.

I ended up winning a very annoying debate over whether or not I was going to by her coffee. Then we were discussing-

"Hayden! Hey, baby," Tally came up, and interrupted the best time I have had in a while, "Ugh! What are you doing talking to this trash? Ugh! And what do you have on your shirt?" Tally asked sounding disgusted. I was about to say something, but Katherine beat me to it.

"Ask your boyfriend. He is the one who ran into me," Katherine answered snarkily. I blushed just the smallest amount. 

"Ugh you dumb rich bitch," Tally sneered at Katherine. I didn't know if Katherine's family was rich or not.

"Buy some better insults," Katherine said while placing a $20 in her hand. Well that answered my question.  I tried to not burst out laughing at the face Tally made.

"Whatever. Hayden let's go," Tally said, while yanking my arm around. I tried whispering goodbye to Katherine, but I doubt she heard me. After that Tally gave me a stern talking about how she has a reputation, and I can't go ruining it by talking to trash like Katherine.

Then I had a discussion with Cameron, but I wasn't really listening. I was thinking about Katherine, and her eyes. I didn't have much time to think about it though. Just then the bell rang signaling that I had to go to English. I hated English, because I was in Honors I was always in a class with upperclassman.

I walked into English, and saw a familiar face. I saw John Sabri. He was popular here, and was a star Cross Country runner. I went to talk to him.

"Yeah, my sister just started here. She is a junior, and a mega nerd," I heard John say. Hm. I wonder who his sister is. Maybe I know her.

"Hayden! Man, what's up. What are you doing in my english class?" John said noticing me. I didn't know how to answer his question. Most of the time jocks weren't allowed to be smart. Though as well as being a jock, I am also a court prince. Gosh I hate that title.

"I am in honors english. What are you doing here? Oh, and who is your sister?" I asked. I was actually really curious who it was. Just then I saw Katherine walk in the room. She looked at John. She almost looked... confused.

I saw her walk up to me. I thought she was going to talk to me, but she turned to John. John looked like he knew her. Then it hit me. Katherine is new, and I wouldn't describe her as a nerd. Though I mean I guess she could be perceived that way.

"What are you doing here? I thought you told mom you were in Honors, and John don't you dare lie to me. This classroom is as far as you can get from Honors," Katherine said with anger in her voice.

"Katherine. I told you not to tell people I was your brother. Your going to drag down my rep, and English is stupid. What does it matter if I am in Honors," John said with boredom, and a hit of sarcasm in his voice. 

"You are a complete idiot. I didn't tell people you were my brother. You did, just now so now who's dragging down your rep. Oh, and it matters because you lied to me and mom," Katherine snapped with even more anger in her voice than before. 

As much as I love sibling fights, I was relieved to see the teacher walk in. She told everyone to take a seat. I sat right between John and Katherine. 

"Alright I will be taking attendance. Hayden Claufield?" I yelled out present. I really hate attendance. It was such a waste of time.

"I can't believe your so shallow that you life to mom. Oh, and you also lied to Mom. That's low. Even for you," Katherine whisper- yelled.

"Lighten up Katherine. So what? Yes I lied, but do you really want mom to worry, about me right now? Because making her worry is even more shallow," John countered. He was clearly very annoyed.

"Don't try to make it sound like you did this for mom. You have never cared what happened to her before. You barely even talk to her anymore. You did this for yourself, and you know it," Katherine was beyond angry at this point. I was tying to decide if I was going to stop them or not, but the teacher did it for me.

"SABRI," yelled the teacher at the top of her lungs. That snapped both John and Katherine out of their argument.

"What!" They yelled simultaneously. Oh, great. Yelling at teachers was a big no-no in this school. the teacher looked at both of them with a glare that no one would want to be on the receiving end of.

"I understand you are siblings, but a classroom is no place for you to to work out your problems. Claufield, I want you to make sure they don't fight. If I see the fighting you will get in major trouble along with them," the teacher said. Wow! This is just wonderful.

Gee! What a great year in English this is going to be.