Faith In Attraction

2

Sometimes I wished we could have a winter break instead of summer so we can be snug in our homes with our warm coffees and watch Netflix.

But no. Unfortunately we have to come to school during some of the coldest days of the year. Today being one of them.

I figured my brown knitted sweater would be the best to tackle this weather.

I got my brother to drive me to school today because frankly, putting my hands on an icy steering wheel which froze overnight wasn't my idea of a happy start to the morning.

We shared a quiet ride as per usual, like it had been for the past two years. My brother avoided eye contact with me as usual, like it had been for the past two years.

And when I said "have a good day at work River!" He ignored me, just as he had been doing for the past two years. And I just got out of the car and headed on my merry way, just like I had gotten used to.

School was completely different to my life at home. I had all the freedom to do whatever I pleased at home except I had no freedom to speak of my feelings, ideas or worries. My brother didn't have time to listen to me.

Therefore, school was that one place where I spoke my mind and actually smiled throughout the whole day.

I greeted my best friends Josh and Heather in the senior mess hall. Their flushed expressions suggested to me that they had probably been consumed in an intense flirting session before I arrived and rudely interrupted them. I smirked at the sight of their faces.

Denial. This had been the biggest barrier stopping their relationship from blossoming.

We all knew Heather and Josh had a thing for each other, but they were both too afraid to admit it. Heather in fact told me she didn't want to ruin their friendship and the fact that we all had been the best of friends since kindergarten didn't help either.

But I constantly gave them little nudges here and there in a hope to encourage them.

"Athena" Heather's call woke me up from my daydream about their relationship.

"Cmon we gotta get a seat next to Davina and Ashton" Josh and Heather were both rushing out of the mess hall and towards the east wing where we held our weekly Monday morning assembly's.

All three of us arrived at the grand assembly hall late. I guess you could say it was partly my fault.

The rest of the year level was already settled in their red velvet seats. About 200 heads turned our way when we entered the room creating an awkward silence in the entire hall.

Luckily, Davina and Ashton had saved seats for us in the front of the hall and were waving at us to come over.

We quietly voiced "sorry" to the principal on the stage as we took our seats.

"Senior Students at Eastwood College, I am proud to announce that we are in the company of a few new students among us this semester" Mr Parish, our college principal, beamed proudly at the platform.

"They are a couple of extremely distinguished young men who we would like to acknowledge on stage today and give them a warm Eastwood Senior's welcome"

A widespread chatter began to sound in the hall of who the new students could be.

Davina who sat next to me sported a look of delight when the words young men escaped her father's mouth. Oh yeah, did I mention our college principal was the father of the school's flirty queen?

I smiled at her, rolling my eyes.

She turned to me and wiggled her eyebrows. Typical Davina, always ready to get in the pants of unsuspecting new boys at the college. And to my initial surprise she always does.

Mr Parish then introduced the students, "Please welcome on stage... the son of Colonel  Sarge Toddman for the Military, Zachariah Toddman, and Son of Chief Commander Richard Kingsley for the  US airforce, Jaden Kingsley! Please give them a round of applause"

My eyes widened with absolute disbelief as I saw the exact two boys whom I met at Luigi's Pizza Kitchen yesterday, stride onto the stage.

My mouth hung open in shock and confusion. If their fathers are in such supreme positions why were they working in a pizza shop?

I stared at them for a good five minutes without moving. "Athena is everything alright?" Josh asked in a concerned tone from beside me.

"Uh... yeah it's just um... wait I'll tell you later" I whispered.

"Boys, it is our pleasure to have you attending Eastwood college. You both are a real asset to us and the existing students. Would you like to say a few words to explain to your peers what your endeavours are for your time at Eastwood?"

Zac and Jaden both looked at each other to decide who was to speak. Zac gestured to the platform with his hands to encourage Jaden.

Jaden stepped up to the podium next to Mr Parish and composed himself as he grabbed the microphone.

His smooth velvety voice melted through the microphone "Thank you very much for your kind welcome Mr Parish and fellow students. Myself and Zac are just as honoured to be attending such a great college. In regards to our purpose for attending Eastwood and being presented here today... The US Military and Airforce have partnered to bring to colleges across the country, the opportunity to be part of skill developing programs which will assist senior college students in advancing their life skills and defence attributes. Zac and I will be assisting in these programs run during school and represent the military and airforce. Therefore any questions or concerns about future career prospects in the US defence systems can be addressed by us. We are here to help anyone with any problem or idea big or small, so please approach us as we are now your peers and Defence Representatives for the college. Our goal is to encourage the pursuit of careers in the US defence systems and to develop everyone's life skills in defence. Thank you."

The whole room cheered and applauded loudly.

"He's so fucking hot!" Davina half squeaked half whispered in my ear.

I usually zone out in assemblies but today I listened to every word that came out of his mouth. He spoke so well that it made me wonder whether he really was the same guy that I met at the shop yesterday.

Jaden and Zac smiled and shook hands with the principal before they both got down from the stage and started walking to their seats at the end of my row.

Why did I agree to sit in the front row again?

I hoped Jaden wouldn't recognise me let alone see me. I hadn't expected to see him again anytime soon, therefore my revenge plan was not ready yet and I needed one ASAP.

The boys walked dangerously close but luckily Jaden's eyes were focused on the ground so he surely couldn't notice me.

But suddenly his eyes flickered up and he glanced at where me and my friends were sitting. And that's where the unfortunate eye contact was made.

Our eyes locked for a second before he smirked, I mirrored his expression to show him I was not afraid of him. I was just afraid of letting his little evil trick go unnoticed.