Unwanteds High (AU)

Chapter 1

((Samheed's POV))

When you think of high school, you think of the words living hell. Honestly that's how it starts out. You start off the year by having zero classes with your friends, and a crappy teacher to try and tell you the ways of geometry.

But in all seriousness, that was my life up until high school started. I thought my years would stay the same like always, but I was met with a different surprise.

"No," I snapped at Meghan.

"Come on, please Sam! The Academic team will be super fun!"

"Like I said, no! I'm not joining!" I said as I slammed my locker door.

"Why? Give me a reason."

"Because of Alex Stowe. You know, that guy who is the captain of the soccer team, art club, and academic team! He's literally a walking stereotype of a popular guy. So no thank you!"

"Come on!" She pleaded. "What else are you doing in your life?"

"Well, I have drama and basketball for starters. Surprised Alex didn't sneak his way into the speech and drama team as well since he's so perfect."

"Well you know life. You can't do everything," Meghan stated.

"My point exactly. I'm not joining the  academic team Meg."

I rolled my eyes and started to walk to my next class. Of course she just had to follow me, her red curly hair bouncing as she ran to catch up.

"Today class you will be discussing all the different parts in an animal and plant cell in a presentation. Now, last time you have all proven yourselves that picking groups is a bad idea. So, I picked for you," Ms. Morning said.

I wanted to groan, and I'm pretty sure everyone else wanted to as well, but there was no noise. Ms. Morning started to read out the names of the pairs.

"Meghan and Cole will be paired up together.."

This time something like a low growl escaped my lips. Cole obviously liked her, but he was a horrible influence towards her. And of course she told me she had small feelings for him as well (or she could be lying to me and have bigger feelings for him).

I kind of spaced out until I heard my name.

"Samheed, you'll be with Alex."

"Great..." I grumbled. "Just what I was hoping for..."

All the groups started to go to a table to discuss what they were going to do for the project since Mrs. Morning said it just had to be creative. I sighed when I saw Alex making his way over.

"So..." He sat down awkwardly.
"We're partners..."

"Yeah, I guess we are," I tried not to snap.

"Hey, aren't you Samheed?"

"Just Sam is preferred. But yes, I'm that guy who is a nerd in your eyes probably."

"No, not really. You're on the basketball team right? My friend Sean is on-"

"Yeah, Meghan's brother. I know. He's the captain," I interrupted. "She's kind of my best friend."

"Oh... My bad," Alex mumbled.

Both of us were silent for a while, but the room around us was filled with noise. Alex was the one to speak when he said,

"Look... Ms. Morning said we could do anything we wanted.. As long as we are creative with the idea. I'm a good artist so I can do most of the drawings...?" His voice trailed off at the end.

"Sure, I got a creative mind too I guess... I mean, when I'm bored I write my own plays and novels," I found myself admitting.

Alex just smiled as he literally got out a ton of his own art supplies.

"Really? Well, if you're looking for someone to read your stuff I will gladly read your plays and books."

"Well, they're more like short stories... And I don't let anyone read them of course. In fact, you're the only person who knows I write," I sighed as I rolled my pencil across the table.

My eyes glanced over to find Alex already sketching out an idea...

Honestly, this guy wasn't a jerk like I thought.

"So I can count on your speaking skills to present most of the project right?" Alex smirked at me. Before I could protest he said,
"I'm teasing Sam. I'll present as much as you want me too."

"Yeah... You better," I said with a half hearted threat.

              •        •          •

After class Alex managed to catch me before I left to go to Drama.

"So Meghan told me you were smart, and today I saw with my own eyes that you are... Are you going to join the academic team? She really wants you on it you know."

I felt like telling this guy off by yelling at him, but in my heart I knew that I kind of wanted to join.

"I..." I paused. "I'm thinking about it," I managed.

Alex smiled and hit my shoulder playfully.

"Well Samheed, welcome to the team if so."

Those were the last words he spoke to me that day as he walked away.

Little did I know that Alex Stowe was going to be one of my best friends.