A Touch of Innocence (BxB)

Chapter 1 (Bailey)

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
   I woke up to the annoying beeping of my alarm. I stretched and yawned as I hesitantly got out of bed. I went to the bathroom first to shower and so on, but I stopped in front of the mirror and found myself staring at my still half-asleep face.
   "It's my first day." I thought. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and then took off my pajamas and showered. I had a lot of trouble deciding what I should wear. I wanted to make a good impression with the teachers, but I didn't want to stand out too much among the students. I decided to wear black skinny jeans, a white t-shirt that had a black spiderweb design on it, and my usual black beanie. When I was satisfied with my appearance, I went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Then I brushed my teeth and packed my supplies in my backpack. I grabbed my schedule as I headed out the door.
   "I'm going to school now, mom! Bye, I love you!" I called back to my mom as I left.
   "I love you too! Have a good day, sweetie!" She called back. Tommy, Kevin, and Brian were already waiting for me.
   "There you are. I was just texting you that we were here." Tommy said, then greeting me with a hug. I didn't mind. Tommy may be a skinny guy, but he was warm and I was still tired. Plus it was a bit chilly out.

   When we got to school, I panicked a little bit when I found out that I'm not in any of the same classes with them for the most part. I had PE with Kevin 5th period, but that was it. Everything else was different. But Tommy assured me the teachers won't let anything happen during class, and that at least one of them would be with me between classes. That was enough to make me stop shaking. We all split up and went to our first classes. I hoped Tommy was right.

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   The first four classes went by okay. Nobody even seemed to notice me, for the most part. But now it was 5th period. I was happy cause I know Kevin's there with me. I was scared because locker rooms. I took a deep breath and entered the boys locker room.
   Thankfully, I found a stall where I was able to change undisturbed. Kevin knocked on the stall door.
   "Bailey? You ready? Class is starting. We need to head out to the track."
   "I'm coming." I replied quickly, trying not to let my voice break with anxiety. I exited the stall and quickly put my stuff in one of the gym lockers before running to catch up. Kevin was waiting at the rear. He knew I didn't like big groups or crowds of any kind. We got to the track and everyone gathered around the coach to listen to his lecture about what PE will look like over the year.

The lecture went fine, and we did some stretches and warm-up exercises. Finally, we were headed back to the locker room to change back out before the bell rang for lunch. I changed out quickly, but when I got out of the stall, Kevin was already gone. The bell hadn't rang just yet. Had it? Most everyone was still in the locker room.
   "Hey, midget!" I heard a harsh voice call to me. "Why you do your hair that way? You tryna look like a girl? Faggot!"
   I shut my eyes and tried to just ignore what they were saying. Thankfully, the bell finally rang, so I grabbed my stuff, stuffed it in my backpack, and bolted out the door. Someone standing next to the door caught me by the hand strap on my backpack when I came out. I turned around, and it was Tommy.
   "PE go okay for you?" He asked.
   "It was fine..." I looked down when I answered him. He pulled me beside him, making me walk with him towards the cafeteria.
   "That's not your 'fine' face. What happened?" Tommy looked genuinely concerned.
   "Well I-..." I trailed off. Something had caught my eye. Or should I say someone? This boy was the image of PERFECTION. He had short black hair, pale skin, and stunningly beautiful eyes. He was at least a foot taller than me, not that that's hard to achieve, and of average build. He was wearing a black hoodie and black skinny jeans.
   Suddenly, a finger snapped twice in front of my face.
   "Bailey, you there?" Tommy asked, smiling brightly.
   "Y-Yeah, sorry. Who is that?" I asked Tommy, gesturing discreetly to the boy.
   "If I tell you, will you tell me what's up?" He was still focused on the problem.
   "There was a bully or three in the locker room. Now who is he?"
Tommy gave me a weird look, probably wondering why I'm moving past the bully issue so fast, but then just smiled.
   "His name is Skylar. He's the president of the Newspaper Club here. Why?"
   I frowned. President? If he's a club president, he has to be popular. No way I have a chance in the world now...
   "No reason...how do you join the Newspaper Club?" I asked with slight hesitance.
   "They meet every day before and after school in the photography classroom. You just gotta show up and talk to him and the photography teacher. If they have a slot open, they'll let you join. The school year just started, so they should be looking for new members right now anyway." Tommy grinned when he saw me light up from his assurance.
   Brian, Kevin, and Hayley joined us as we got lunch. We talked for a while as we ate until the bell rang again, indicating that lunch was over.

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   The last two classes went by without any problems. When the last bell rang, I felt my phone buzz as I walked towards the photography classroom. I checked the text, and it was Tommy again.
   You coming back with us, or are you staying to join the club?
   I took a deep breath before answering him as a walked through the door into the hall to the photography classroom.
   I'm going to try to join, but I don't know how well it's going to go...
   He replied back almost instantly.
   Okay. I have my car again when I get home. Just text me if anything happens, and I'll come pick you up right away.
   I smiled. I have such great friends.
   I will. Thank you, Tommy.
   I put my phone in my pocket and took another shakey breath before opening the door to the photography classroom. When I got inside, I felt all the eyes in the room gravitate to me, but my own gaze was captured by Skylar. Fortunately, he was the first to speak. I don't know that I would have heard anyone else who said anything.
   "Hi there. Welcome to the Newspaper Club. Can we help you?" He spoke with such grace, and his smile...oooohhh, I felt myself get goosebumps.
   "H-Hi...um...I'm...h-here to j-join. A-Are you accepting n-new members?" I stuttered my words a LOT, but I couldn't help it. My anxiety was eating my alive at this moment.
   "Sure. What's your na-"
   "BAILEY!" I suddenly got wrapped in a big, crushing hug. It was Hayley. Skylar seemed surprised.
   "You know him, Hayley?" He raised an eyebrow.
   "Yes. He's one of my boyfriend's best friends." Hayley smiled reassuringly at Skylar, who smiled back at her in submission before speaking and gesturing to the other club members.
   "Alright then, Bailey. I'm Skylar. You already know Hayley, and this is Scott, Justin, David, Nicky, and our club sponsor, Ms. Phillips, the photography teacher. Welcome to the Newspaper Club."