We Bought a Zoo-Falling Apart

Chapter 5-Matthew & Leon

I gave a long sigh as I entered the classroom. As usual, class didn't start yet and students were just scattered throughout the classroom, talking and sitting on desks. 

"Go." Dylan gave me a confused look, since I just stopped in the middle of the doorway. He slightly shoved me forward and went to go find his friends. I rolled my eyes and went to go sit down in my desk. I began to do some early homework, as I saw other people entering the room. 

I have the ability to block out sounds when I'm studying. It's really helpful, and I feel bad for people who can't study when other people are talking, or they get easily distracted. Then again, I'll have issues if it's a bit too quiet. However, this time, my ability to block out sounds failed. 

"Did you see the new kid?" I heard someone in Dylan's group ask. I heard murmurs of replies, until they switched the subject to gaming. 

Poor new kid. Whether you are a guy or a girl, being the new kid always sucks. Your stuck in a new arena-completely out of your comfort zone, and you need to either have the teacher pity you, giving you a buddy who really doesn't want to hang out with you, or having enough courage to ask if you can sit with someone else. On my first day, I just sat by myself and it was just terribly awkward. Hopefully, this won't happen to this kid. 

"Class, quiet down!" Mrs. Brooks, our language arts teacher, entered the room, while a boy followed her. The new kid had brown hair and dark brown eyes, and was as hot as you could be for an 8th grader. 

Everyone hurried to their own seats; Mrs. Brooks was known for giving tardies for ridiculous reasons. Once the class was silent, she began to introduce the boy.

"This is Matthew. Why don't you introduce yourself?" 

Matthew was silent for a moment, then began to speak. "I'm Matthew... I came from Cali and yeah." He shrugged for a moment, then continued again. "I'm 13... I like to skateboard, and hang out." Matthew gave us a nervous grin. I'm pretty sure 99% of the girls in our class melted. 

I took a deep breath. This guy was hot. Ridiculously hot. 

"Matthew, why don't you sit down in the empty seat in the back?" Mrs. Brooks suggested, gesturing to the seat behind me. 

I gave him a nervous smile as he sat down. What should I do? Should I talk to him? I tapped my foot nervously. Apparently, that annoyed the girl in front of me because she turned around.

"Can you stop?" She gave me an annoyed and confused look.

I froze. "Yeah. Um. Sorry." Flustered, I went back to reading the handout we were just given. 

As soon as we were given the chance to talk, I decided to turn around and start a conversation. 

"Hey." I turned around, slightly holding my breath. I was beginning to feel light headed.

Matthew gave me an awkward smile. "Hi."

"So where did you move from?" 

"California. San Francisco." I could tell that Matthew was replying just so he wouldn't have to focus on the assignment.

San Francisco. That's where I'm from. 

"Wait, seriously?" I held my breath for a moment. Maybe he knew...

"Yeah. You from there too?" 

I took a deep breath. "Yeah. Do you happen to know this guy? Leon-" I was cut off.

"Jones? Yeah, he goes to my school," Matthew cut in, finishing the sentence for me. I gave a sigh of disappointment.

"No, another Leon." I tried again.

"Miska? He's cool. Yeah I would never leave him." 

Wait what. 

"Wait, what do you mean? Are you moving back?" Surprise filled my voice as I asked him that question.

"Yeah. This is only for half a year. It's for a long term business trip of my dad's. One of his crazy ideas." Matthew chuckled, as he doodled on his page. 

"Leon's my brother." I decidede to tell him. I didn't know why, but I trusted him.