Just Once

Chapter One

                I walked down the crowded halls of my chaotic high school in Oregon, my thoughts clouded my mind as I pushed past my classmates in the narrow passage. It was seventh period so I would only have to grudge through science class before I got to go home, even though my day won't get any better then. I always end up having to deal with my mom and dad's fighting. It always seems to get out of hand. Suddenly I'm rustled from my thoughts as a girl passes by me, barely hitting my shoulder. We lock eyes as she continues walking. I hear her mutter a small apology, her green eyes showed her embarrassment clear as day. I smiled at her, to reassure that I wasn't mad. She turned back to face forward once more, her curly red-orange hair bouncing around, framing her face gently. Although before she looked away I noticed a small smile adorn her face. The girl is Chloe. She's the most popular girl in school and always has been. It's easy to see why, great hair, beautiful eyes, a soft smile, and one great sense of humor. Most people would believe that popular girls are these nasty, vile people that are selfish and care about only their selves. Chloe is quite the opposite, her dad is the principal of the high school, so that already gave her a high throne on the social hierarchy of the school. I quickly snapped back to reality and walked forward to my next class, science. It's only a week back at school and everyone seems to have settled back in. Sadly, I only have a few classes with my close friends. Whoever makes those class schedules probably went out of their way to make sure that we had little to no classes together. I slowly opened the door to the classroom, a couple of students were already there in their seats, or just standing around and chattering about who did what and who. Usually, I'm a couple minutes early to each class so I have time to make sure I got the homework from the night before done, and if it isn't done then I try my best to quickly finish it before the bell goes off. I gently set my binder, and all my books, onto a desk that had years of doodles and scuffs on its smooth surface. Many conversations began to wrap up as time till the bell rolls by. Soon enough it'll be possible to hear a pin drop. Surely, more and more students filled the classroom until almost everyone was sitting in their seats. The teacher walked in and sat down at her desk, immediately going to her computer. She was most likely taking a quick look at her agenda for the day, she's a forgetful one, so she is most likely refreshing her memory. Even though she's been through the class seven times already.

'That class took forever', I thought as I picked my books up and the last school bell of the day went off, sighs of relief escaped many bored student's lips. The day was finally over and I could go home. I started to walk out of the classroom but before I could even get ten steps away from the doorway I felt a small tug on my sleeve. It was Chloe.

"Hey, Alex. Could I speak with you for a second?" She said quietly. I only nodded, how could I ever pass up an opportunity to talk to her? Well, if I wanted to, I could probably just ask her and she'd be more than happy to chat. That could only happen if I wasn't shy. She smiled at my silent answer and took a hold of my arm, just above the wrist. She ended up dragging me to the Language Arts teacher, Mr.Haile. "I was wondering if you would be my partner for the book assignment?" I did a small double take, she dragged me all the way to Language Arts class to see if I would be her partner for an assignment?

"Well sure, but why did you bring me here to ask that?" I answered and looked to her for a reply. She looked at the door for a second then returned her gaze to me.

            "I needed to tell Mr.Haile when I found a partner since I was sick the day we chose them. Which makes me wonder. Why didn't you already have a partner?" She questioned and raised an eyebrow. The truth is, I didn't want a partner in the first place, but I guess without one she wouldn't be able to get far.

            "At first I was going to work on this project all on my own, but it seems like you need some help, and you are already behind. If you want, you could stop by my house this weekend and we could go over some of the rules and start on the project." I offered nicely. I saw her smile grow wider as she nodded in agreement. I could only smile back while she walked into the classroom. Not knowing what to do I scribbled my phone number on a paper I found in my pockets and patiently waited for her to return.

            Minutes passed before Chloe stepped back out in the hall from Mr.Haile's class saying everything was all set, she held a small object in her hands, it took me a second to realize that it was the book he handed out the day we chose partners for our book report. I quickly nodded in acknowledgment and handed her the small slip of paper with my phone number neatly written in pen. She smiled at me, most likely glad to have found a partner to help her out.

            "Thank you so much Alex!" she practically cheered and gave me a side hug, it wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. I can't believe this. I'm not only partners with Chloe on a big assignment, but she's coming over to my house, and I gave her my own phone number. This day is one of the best days in my life so far.