The Foreign Exchange Student // h.s.

I Just Thought She Could Do... Better

Chapter 62:

Olivia's POV:

Ah, it felt good to be back. I slammed my locker door shut and spun on my heel, observing the hallway behind me. Students said their goodbyes to each other while others chatted and walked the halls. I smiled at a few who waved back, and made my way to the front of the school where I planned to meet the others.

The front doors were propped open for the numerous people flooding out. Mr. Hardy, the school's principle, stood off the side, shyly smiling at the new students. I followed the flow, smirking at him on the way out. He ducked his head in the other direction, pretending to sneeze.

Mr. Hardy was very intimidated by me and other out-spoken people. Whenever I have to see him for some reason, most of the time I'm in trouble, I can easily talk circles around him. That is why my record is squeaky clean and all my detentions served aren't counted.

Very loud conversations and some shouts echoed through the front door and into the hallway. I pushed myself to them and outside where the sun was shining brightly, unlike earlier this morning when it was covered in clouds. I was feeling pretty thankful for this heat wave. It wasn't that powerful, but it boosted the temperatures just enough.

I stomped down the front steps of the school, apologizing to a lower grade student who I accidentally bumped into along the way, and scanned the front area for at least one of my best friends.

A small group of students was gathered to my left, all looking at something in the center of them. Another group was leaned against the front wall of the school, discretely passing around a cigarette. I cringed to myself and looked away. I hated the smell of cigarettes.

Others were spread out across the area and I studied my surroundings until I found a familiar face. "Louis," I waved him over. He smiled at me and dragged Marisa, who I hadn't seen behind him, to me. "Your school is huge!" she exclaimed.

Compared to Holmes Chapel, the school wasn't that much of a difference. Only they had a soccer field and we had an auditorium. Our hallways were also a bit wider and our gym wasn't attached to the main building of the school.

"So how was your first day," Chase's voice asked from behind me, scaring the shit out of me. Just kidding, I only farted. Thankfully it was a quiet one.

"It was a lot better than I expected," Lou confessed. "What? You thought you wouldn't like it?" I asked him and he shrugged slightly. "I didn't want to get my expectations up too high," he reasoned.

I looked around again and towards the entrance to the school. I watched, expecting AJ or Harry to exit, but stared when I saw Nathan instead. He stood at the top of the steps, peering around as if he had some type of authority over everyone.

I felt warm inside when I saw the side of his jaw was still sporting a small blue and purple bruise. So was my hand, but I was just happy I finally raised the bar when standing up for myself. Students in the common area noticed his presence and began whispering and laughing to each other. Doesn't feel too great to be the one on the other end of the teasing, does it?

"Man, I wish I could just walk right up and punch him," Marisa gritted from next to me. We frowned and watched him descend the steps very slowly, pushing people out of his path. "You're like a flimsy noodle compared to him," I pointed out jokingly.

"You know, I would beat him up, but... have you seen him? He could knock me out in one flick," Chase smiled sheepishly. I only stared at him like the dumb ass he was. Yeah, you're so weak with your huge muscles, healthy diet, and biceps from hell. I rolled my eyes.

Nathan flicked his head to motion over one of his followers and shared a few words. Then, together, they shoved their way into the small group off to the side of the yard, disappearing into the crowd.