Valid Weaknesses ||Completed|| #Wattys2017

Chapter 24

Genesis

For the past few days I've been having lunch with Sebastian's gang and let me tell you. They are J-E-R-K-S.

Funny enough, it doesn't jump out at you at first glance. It's more in the way they bully freshmen, in the way they criticize nearly anyone they can lay eyes on and in the way they talk about each other behind their backs, to name a few.

They're popular and so people always like look at me oddly and try to be friends with me since I'm new here and started hanging out with them but I wasn't made for that life.

So today, I resolved that I wouldn't sit with them at lunch. There's only so much fake a person can take, don't you think?

Speaking of which, that girl I saw talking to Kourtney on the first day of school, I think she needs help because I found her crying in a bathroom stall today.

Well, being me of course I tried to offer her my help but she was just so nasty about the whole thing. Maybe I should mind my own business from now on.

Entering the packed cafeteria, I begin to wander about, making sure to avoid eye contact with Sebastian's gang when suddenly I notice Holden waving at me from a corner where he's sat with a bunch of other kids. "Over here." He mouths and I promptly follow.

"Genesis." He says smiling as I get seated. "Meet Aces, Vivienne, Jaxon, Daisy, Miller and Latoya."

"Guys." He gestures at the rest of the table. "This is Genesis, my new friend from French class."

"Hi." I smile politely, taking in the group of kids sat ever so comfortably in front of me.

Aces is the first one I zero in on. He has hazel colored eyes much like mine and wears his thick wavy hair in a temple fade.

"Call me Vivi." The girl Holden referred to as Vivienne says. Her eyes look to be a shade of green I can't quite place with a few flecks of gold.

Jaxon looks like he's upset with the entire universe with his dark eyes; full brows and jet black hair which he wears in a side part cut and next to him sits Daisy. The curls of her beautiful dark red ombre hair frame her oval shaped face perfectly.

Latoya has the most beautiful brown skin, with hair cascading down her back like a water fall and Miller? He has the cutest pink lips and most piercing brown eyes ever.

"You're new." Jaxon says and it isn't so much a question as it is a statement.

"Yeah." I reply without missing a bit. "I just moved here from Mayville."

"North Dakota?" Vivi asks incredulously, eyes bulging.

"Duh." Daisy sighs, rolling her eyes.

What have I gotten myself into?

"So how you liking Madison so far?" Miller smiles and Holden tries to poke him ever so subtly.

"It's great." I reply, returning his smile.

"Why aren't you with your friends today?" Latoya says, lips curving into a scowl. "Won't they miss you?"

"They aren't my friends." I say, shrugging. "Just the first people here that were nice to me."

Holden chokes and I raise an eyebrow questioningly.

"You think they're nice?" Vivi asks, almost glaring. "You must be screwed up in there." She points to my head which is actually conveniently close enough.

"I don't think they're nice." I explain. "I'm just saying they were nice to me when I first started school here."

"Yeah well." Latoya says. "You should keep away from them."

"I already figured that one for myself." I shrug. "Why do you think I'm here?"

Even though I don't feel especially comfy here either.

She shrugs, in return and I take a bit out of my sandwich.

"Good." Jaxon drawls. "A smart one."

Is this guy okay?

"Don't let him bother you." Aces who has been quiet up until now smiles. "He's just in a bad mood because his dog died."

Everyone at the table cracks up. Everyone except me that is; I just sit there staring blankly, not getting the gist.

"Don't worry." He winks. "You'll get used to the lot of us."

Or not.

Luckily I only have to seat there for a few more minutes before the bell comes to my rescue. Muttering a few hasty goodbyes, I head to my locker so I can switch out my books in preparation for my next two classes. I also need to get my guitar prepped.

First, I have music then Geography afterwards.

***

When I get home in my sleek new outlander sport, Ms. Agnes is there and she has prepared some snacks for me. She's such a life saver.

"Thanks Agnes!" I call, bounding up the stairs.

"You're welcome." She replies. "It was my pleasure."

Oh, bless her soul.

I spend the rest of the evening doing homework and catching up with Patty and the gang. It's such a relief to get to talk to them after school. By the time I'm done, Agnes has left and it's almost dark out.

Dad gets back around 7pm and we have dinner together.

"How was school today Gen?"

"It was okay." I smile. "How was work?"

"It's gotten way better this past week." He replies. "This move is doing me a lot of good."

"I'm glad you're happy dad." I reply, shoving more potatoes in my mouth. "I'm adjusting well at school. Their music teacher is great and I'm starting to like psychology better."

"That's good." He pats my head, smiling.

"Yeah." I smile back. "We're gonna do great here."