you're not alone [k.q]

*chapter 2*

I groan as I leisurely make my way to the back of the classroom. Vic's big eyes follow me all the way to the chair. I give him a look, one that says 'back off, creep,' and set my yellow Jansport on the tiled floor.

"Hey, Anna. I missed you over the summer," Vic says, trying to flirt way too hard.

"Did you, Vic? Because I honestly don't care," I snap at him.

I see Vic smirk from the corner of my eye, and it takes all of my will power to keep from slapping that stupid smirk from his face.

Yes, I can be cruel to Vic sometimes, but in my eighth grade year, Vic cheated on me with the girl I hated most- Serena Kowl. She bullied me from fourth grade until my freshman year, when Kellin came into my life.

After Vic and I broke up, he would text me all of the time, begging for a second chance with me. Of course, I told him no. Ever since, he messes with my head constantly, even though he knows I am with Kellin. Immature games, I think as I roll my green eyes.

I sit in silence for a few minutes longer until I get agitated. The bell rang a while ago! Where is Miss Helgadore? Jesus Christ.

"Does anybody know why Miss Helgadore hasn't come back into the classroom yet? The final bell rang ages ago!" I complain.

"I think she found herself another victim," somebody said in a hushed tone.

I listen closely, and hear her deep voice, then another one. The second voice sounds like it has an accent-- a British accent.

Shortly after I hear the smooth British accent, a boy walks in. He has dark, shaggy hair that falls right below his eyebrows. He has beautiful eyes that I can see from the back of the room. He is tall and thin, but not scrawny.

He is wearing a tank top which shows a few tattoos. Maybe he is working on a sleeve? I notice a few more tattoos on his hands. He is also wearing black skinny jeans and Vans. Maybe Kellin and New British Boy could be friends.

Miss Helgadore glances around the room and fixes her eyes on Vic.

"Fuentes, get up!" she demands.

Vic's eyes get wide and he tries to protest but Miss H points her best friend, the meter stick, at him from the front of the classroom. Vic raises his tan arms in surrender and stands to his feet.

"Oliver, dear, you can sit in the back," she tells British Boy gently. Dear? Why is she so nice to him?

British-- Oliver walked to the chair Vic was sitting in. Thank you Miss Helgadore for removing Victor Fuentes from my presence!

Oliver glanced at me and I gave him a friendly smile. He blushed a little and looked at the chair he was walking towards. I chuckled to myself and pushed my curly brown hair from my face.

When class finally started, Miss Helgadore gave me and Oliver a copy of the reading checklist.

Miss Helgadore's Summer Reading Checklist

- Great Expectations

- Pride and Prejudice

- Wuthering Heights

- Emma

- Any other reading can be counted as extra credit

Looks like this month will be spent in my room, cracking these books open.

I looked up because I heard my name. I looked to my right, then to my left at Oliver. He nodded at me, slowly.

"I saw your identification badge," he said, pointing to the ID around my neck. I smile at him.

"You're Oliver, correct?" I ask.

He nods. "You can call me Oli if you want, though. I heard it's much easier than saying Oliver," he says awkwardly.

His facial expression causes me to laugh slightly. "What did you need, Oliver?"

"I was going to tell you, Anna, that I have two copies of Pride and Prejudice and Great Expectations at my house. I can bring them to you tomorrow, if you want to borrow them," Oli tells me in a heavy British accent.

I smile and nod. "Thank you, Oli," I say a bit too loudly. I get a few glances from the students in the rows in front of me.

I drop my voice back to a whisper. "I would like that, thanks."

Oli smiles and looks toward Miss Helgadore, who happens to be staring at us.

"Are you done?" Miss Helgadore asks, annoyed. Oliver and I burst into a fit of laughter. We nod.

After first period, it turns out Oliver and I have four more classes together out of eight total classes. " I will see you in Biology," Oliver says. I wave to him as he walks toward French class.

I'm walking toward my Spanish class when my eyes are covered by a large, rough pair of hands.

"Stop, you'll smear my eyeliner!" I shout at the stranger.

I hear a giggle and a loud cackle, a many cackle.

I turn around to see Mitch and Robin, my best friend who happens to be Mitch's girlfriend.

"Hey, Robin!" I say, hugging my best friend's neck tightly. She squeezes back.

"Do you have Spanish?" she asks. I nod and she grabs Mitch's hand and pulls him to second period.

When Robin, Mitch and I walk into Spanish class, we are greeted by Mrs. Carter. "¡Hola, estudiantes! ¡Buenas dias!"

I mumble a weak, "Hola," back at her and sit to the left of Robin in the second row.

The usual first day events occur. The syllabi are passed out to everyone and Mrs. Carter goes over her expectations for her 'estudiantes magnificos.'

After about twenty minutes, she gives everyone the OK to talk amongst themselves.

"Anna, I'm thinking about getting homeschooled," Robin blurts out.

"Oh, Robin, why would you do that?" I ask. She can't leave. That's my best friend!

"You know how I get bullied here. Besides, I can see you on the weekends or after school," she says, elaborating her statement.

"True, and I'm sure it will get better for you, Rob. Just remember, I love you," I say meaning every word.

Mitch drapes his left arm across Robin's fragile chest. He means in and kisses her on the cheek. "And I love you, too," he says. She blushes and smiles.

When second period is over, I am met by Kellin outside the door.

"Hey, beautiful," he says while taking my hand into his. I smile and tell him about Oli on the way to Biology.

As soon as Kellin hears his name, he interrupts. "Oli as in Oliver Sykes?" he demands. Maybe they've met already.

"I don't know. But we have biology with him," I say.

Kellin rolls his beautiful green-blue eyes in annoyance.

"Kellin, Oli's a cool guy. Give him a chance. He is only a friend, anyway. Please be nice," I say as my eyes meet Oliver's. I smile.

Kellin is the jealous type, unfortunately. Honestly, I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with him.