Don't Talk to Strangers

Chapter 1

The walk home from school was colder than it usually was, but it was peacful. I always enjoyed walking home from school because it gave me time to think. All of a sudden, I rembered I had forgetten my biology book, I spun around and pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and checked the time.

Ok, only 3:00.


My best friend Mia was coming over after school around four and I didn't want to be late. I walked back to the school cursing myself for not wearing a jacket. The September air was especially windy today and my grey tee shirt wasn't keeping me warm.

I walked a little faster to the school hoping to stop at my friend Ryan's locker, he always had extra sweatshirts. The school was in sight and I walked up the concrete walkway to the front door. I stopped in the office to tell them I just needed a book but they were talking to another student.

I've never seen him before, maybe he's new, I thought to myself. He looked over at me with soft brown eyes and messy chestnut hair.

"Oh Kara! I'm so glad you're here!" The secretary beamed at me, pushing the student towards me. "Would you mind showing him around the school, I mean if you're not too busy?" She looked at me with puupy dog eyes and I silenty cursed myself for being so nice. I nodded and I walked out of the office with the new student.

"Hi, I'm Kara," I said turning towards him.

"Josh," He replied, a wide smile on his face, almost laughing. I quickly wondered if I looked bad, had the wind messed my hair up? I ran my fingers through it and felt my face get warm.

"Um, if you dont mind, I have to stop at my locker first?"

"Go ahead, I dont have any plans," He replied, not making eye contact. I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. We came to my locker and I put my combination in, grabbed my book and walked two lockers down. I entered Ryans combination but was disappointed there were no sweatshirts.

"Damn," I said shutting the locker.

"Break into the wrong locker?' He said smirking.

"No, its my friend Ryan's. I was looking for a sweatshirt," I pulled my phone out of my pocket again, 3:25.

"You know, you dont have to show me around the school if you don't want to. It was just Ms. Ellers idea." He ran his hand through his hair and gave me a weak smile. Had he noticed me checking my phone? I didn't want to be rude.

"Oh, it's fine, I just was checking the time, my friend is coming to my house at four and I just came to pick up a book,"

"It's fine really, I've gone to school here before, my freshman year actually. I just had to move away for a couple years. Had to move away?


"So you're a senior too, huh?" He nodded and I wondered if he was in some of my classes.

"So where do you live now?" I asked, trying to make small talk.

"You know where Ridgeway is?"

"Really? I live there too! I guess you were the person who moved into the house on the corner right?"

"Yep, thats me. How come you never stopped by?" He said with a playful pout.

"I dont know, I just assumed you were another old couple like always. It's rare that kids our age live in Ridgeway."

"Yeah, anyways, I'm going to head home. I really didn't need a tour of the school and I have to pick my sister up from her bus stop." He smiled at me and we both turned around heading back to the office. I waved goodbye to Ms. Ellers and we walked back into the chilly air.

I put my biology book in my backpack and wrapped my arms around myself, hoping to keep warm for the twenty minute walk. I hoped Mia wouldn't
come over early, like she sometimes did on Fridays. She always came over on Fridays and we'd spend the weekend together.

"Do you want my sweatshirt?" Josh asked laughing.

"No, it's ok. It's not that bad out,"

"Well it must be if you broke into your boyfriends locker looking for a coat," He said pulling off his sweatshirt revealing a grey tee shirt. He handed it to me and I put it on over my head stubbornly.

"Thanks, and he's not my boyfriend." I said to Josh, feeling my face get warm again. I found it odd talking about dating since I've never had a boyfriend.

"I bet he wishes he was," Josh said casually, I gave him a disgusted look and started laughing.

"No.. no. Ryan and I are best friends, nothing more, and that's how it's going to stay."

"Poor Ryan," He looked away and I didn't say anything. The rest of the walk was silent until we neared Ridgeway.

"So, Kara McConnel, what are your plans for tonight?" I was shocked when he said my last name.

"H-how did you know my last name?" I could tell my face was red and I felt embarrased.

"I told you, I was a freshman here. I think we had a couple classes together. I don't blame you for not remembering me though, no one does. They all think I'm just an ordinary, new student. " I felt bad for not remembering him but I didn't really feel like feeling guilty.

"Well, Mia and I were just going to hang out at my house tonight and watch movies or something," I smiled at him wondering if I should invite him.

"Sounds fun," He said as we reached my house.

"Would you want to, um, join us?" I asked kicking a rock out of my driveway.

"I'd love to, Kara McConnel." He said and walked away.