When I'm with you

Chapter 4

GABRIEL CLARK

It had been a week since I moved back to my hometown, in Fresno, California, where all of my childhood memories were. A lot of things in this town had changed. There were more shops and parks. The neighbors seemed to have changed too. Our house was still the same but the beautiful garden, that mom had put all of her hardwork for, was already gone. The plants and flowers were all dead and dry. It was kind of sad though. I used to play here all the time but now I couldn't even take a step. Dad asked me if I wanted to hire a gardener to replant the flowers but I rejected his offer because it would just bring back memories of mom if the garden goes back to the way it used to be.

I was woken up by a knock on the door. It was Michelle. It’s rare of her to disturb me while I’m sleeping, but then I remembered: today is my first day of school.

“Gabriel, wake up! You should get ready if you don’t want to be late to school."

I got up from bed and took a shower. I wore a plain black shirt and jeans then went downstairs. I saw Chad eating breakfast on the dining table, but he stopped when he noticed my presence.

“Morning, Gabriel! Excited for your first day?” He said after he swallowed the mouthful of bread that he was eating.

“Not really.” I responded unenergetically. 

It was true. I’ve never been excited for school. I hated it when girls started whining on how they look, when boys talked about how many girls they had hit on and when popular people kept wondering about how they would make themselves even more popular. But what I hated the most was when girls kept surrounding me and kept following me everywhere. I always wanted to be alone but with these girls all around me I felt like I never had enough space.

I was looking forward to this new school. I figured this school was beautiful because everytime Chad got home nothing could  erase the smile on his face.

I sat and joined him. After we ate, we went to his car and drove to school. When we arrived, we parted ways. He went to his first class while I went to the teacher’s office to get my schedule. After I got my schedule I immediately went to my class. When I entered the room I could see the stares of my classmates. Girls had started giggling while the boys glared at me. I got a feeling that I might not enjoy this school year after all.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the first hour. I put my headphones on and went to my second class. I was walking in the hallway when I accidentally bumped with someone causing her to fall to the ground. Her books were all scattered on the floor so I picked them up. She was staring at me for a long time, like she was checking me out. I assumed she was one of the girls on my first class, purposely bumping me to get my attention. So instead of saying  '‘sorry''  I snapped.

“Next time, make sure to look on your way." Then I turned around and made my way to my second class. I think I heard her say something but  I ignored her and continued walking.

....................................................

Anne Winston

"Stupid jerk!" I shouted at him but with his headphone plugged in he probably didn't hear me.

I glared at him, stomped my foot and made my way to my second class. When I entered the room I sat next to Jane. She saw my irritated look so she asked me what happened. I told her everything about that dumbass.

"Argh! I hate that guy!!"

I groaned but I stopped when Mrs. Smith entered the room. The guy beside her caught my attention. My eyes went wide from what I saw. A familiar face showed up in front of me. A tall guy with messy dark brown hair that made me want to go on a rampage.

THAT JERK IS IN MY CLASS?!

"Class, this is Gabriel Clark. He transfered here from Canada so be good to him,okay?"

Girls started giggling and people started whispering to one another. I, on the other hard, was clenching my fist. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Jane, tell me that this is just a dream. Tell me I'm just dreaming."

"No, you're not."

"I told you to tell me I'm just dreaming!"

"Anne, I know he's super hot but you should face the reality."

I glared at her, irritated.

"Jane seriously?! He's the guy I was telling you about!"

"Are you sure?!"

"Of course! I won't ever forget the face of that guy!"

Our class continued after everyone lost their attention because of the new guy. I was glaring at him for the whole hour, I was surprised that Mrs. Smith didn't notice it knowing that she's a terror.

Finally the bell for the second hour rang. To avoid any more interactions with him I got up from my seat and immediately went to my next class.

Thank God, this exhausting day was finally over. It's time to go home!

Jane and I were making our way to the driveway when we suddenly ran into Chad.

"Hi Anne! Hi Jane! How was your day?"

"It was fine." Jane answered for the both of us.

"But it looks like the other person there isn't fine." He mumbled while looking at me.

"It's nothing." I said to him.

"Ok. So, have you already met him?"

"Met who?" I asked with a confused face.

"My brother, Gabriel. He also transfered here and today was his first day."

I tried to remember if there was a new student that was introduced to us. But there was only one person that came into my mind, that guy on my second class. My eyes went wide realizing the possibility. Then Jane and I looked to each other.

"Could it be that-"

"Hey Gabriel! Come here. I want to introduce you to someone."

My eyes went even wider when I saw who it was. It was the guy who made my day miserable.

At that very moment, I wanted to run away but my body got frozen and couldn't move.

"Gabriel, these are Anne and Jane. Anne, Jane, this is Gabriel, my brother." Chad introduced us to each other.

Wait! Did he just say his brother? That means this Gabriel guy is my childhood friend?

Aaahh!! Kill me now! Why is this happening to me?

"Nice to meet you." He offered his hand for a handshake.

Jane and I accepted it and shaked his hand. "Nice to meet you too." I forced a smile. A smirk formed on Chad's face like he had something in mind that can put me in danger so I excused ourselves and continued our walk to the driveway.

When we got to her car, I took a deep breath and screamed.

"Aaaaahhhhh!!!"

Jane must be scared of me now.

"I'm sorry, I just really had to do it."

"No, it's okay."

Then she drove me home. After I arrived I went to my room and  jumped to my bed. A lot of things happened. Things that I'm probably going to be worried about.

No matter what I did, my mind couldn't stop thinking, so I decided to swim to unwind. I grab my swimwear and hurriedly went to the pool.

The chill of the water helped my body relax and and I forgot about all of the things that had been bugging me.

But then I remembered Gab, the reason why I love being in the water. He looks and acts different now. I'm not sure if he's still the Gab that I know.