The first day of high school. Time for a new start and new friends and new opportunities. Maybe I'll stop hating on the popular kids. Maybe I'll stop acting like a psychopath in front of my friends so they don't think I'm insane anymore. Actually, on second thought, that sounds pretty boring, I might just stick to how I normally do things.
As I walk down the wide hallway, I scan the lockers for number 8-666. That's my new locker assignment for the next two years. I finally spot it next to what looks like the biology room. I merge through the few other freshman over to the right and look at my schedule for the combo. I keep my head down as I dial in the combo, not looking for any attention.
"Hey Mina!"a familiar voice calls out. I turn to see a boy with light brown hair and rich brown eyes grinning at me.
"Ugh. You again," I reply, trying my very best to look annoyed. "I was hoping that you would die or something over the summer."
"It's nice to see you too, Mina," Joe says, still smiling. I quickly look back down at my schedule to hide the smile that spreads across my face.
"Well, it looks like we're locker neighbors," he continues.
"What?! Ugh, that sucks," I say, turning to watch him open his locker next to me. He grew over the summer. Last year he was a good two inches shorter than me, which made it easy to pick on him. Now, he's a good two inches taller than me. No more short jokes I guess.
I catch myself staring and turn back to opening my own locker. I still haven't opened it. I dial in the combo, but I feel the need to sneak glances at Joe every few seconds. He opens his locker before I do and begins to empty his books from his backpack into it. Stop staring, Mina! I scold myself. I don't know why I'm so fascinated by him all of a sudden. Maybe it's the way his hair falls perfectly above his left eye or how I can see a small muscle in his arm ripple every time he turns the knob on his locker. Mina, this is the boy you've been making fun of for the past three years of your life. I sigh as I turn back to putting my own books away.
"Mina!" someone squeals from behind me. I turn to see a whirlwind of dark, wavy hair and black clothing attacking me.
"Maddie!" I squeal back, grinning from ear to ear. She gives me a huge bear hug, knocking me into the lockers. "It's so good to see you!"
"Same to you!" she replies as she pulls away. "Oooh, looks like Joes' your new locker neighbor huh." She raises her eyebrows up and down.
"Shut up," I say, my face beginning to blush. I punch her in the arm. Joe laughs from beside me. His laugh is nice. It's very round, if that makes sense. Like it could fill up a whole room.
"I hate you Joe," I tell him.
"Oh, I hate you too Mina," he says, smiling yet again.
"And would you quit smiling? It makes you look like an idiot." I actually really like his smile, but I would never admit that to anyone. I turn my attention back to Maddie. She's batting her eyelashes and making kissy faces. I punch her again.
"See ya," she says, smirking, as she walks away. Maddie and just about all of my friends ship me and Joe. Our ship name is Jina, which is actually quite adorable.
But if anyone asks, he's my worst enemy.
