Saving Grace

Chapter 7

Grace

This is it. First day of school. I am excited and nervous but I pushed away the nervousness and I showered and brushed my teeth. After those incident with my father and Sky, I did all my best to cheer up myself and move forward. Time rapidly passes by and now, it's first day of school. I changed into a plain white shirt and black jeans. I also decided to pair it with black and white Vans. I headed downstairs to eat my breakfast. I spent 5 minutes trying to open my door and finally, it opened. It's just 6:00 am and I am 100% sure that my dad already left half an hour ago. He didn't want to be late in his work so he goes to work 30 minutes earlier.

I saw a plate in the table with scrambled eggs and hot dog (my favorite breakfast) and a smile formed in my face. I know that my dad prepared that for me, and I'm grateful. I ate in silence and I saw a sticky note in the fridge.

"Your allowance is under the flower vase."

I washed my plate and checked the time. 6:55 am. It's almost seven and I have to go to school at 7:30. My class starts at 8:00 so it's better to be early. Besides, I am new in this school so I have to familiarize the environment.

I look at the mirror and I saw that my towel is still in my hair. Ugh. I brushed my hair and took a glance at the clock. 7:10 am. I am finished and I still have plenty of time. What to do? I tweeted 'First day. Aaaaah. I'm sooooo ready.' I sounded like an over-excited fangirl but I don't care.

7 minutes later,  the doorbell rang and I hurriedly reached for the door. What the hell?

"Hey." That accent.

James's green eyes locked with mine and it took my breath away. Why is he here?

"I hope you're still fine with me picking you up in your first day." He added.

"I-er, sure." I mumbled timidly.

He motioned me to follow him and I reached for my bag and locked the door. For safety purposes.

Oh. So he has a car. Of course, he has. My subconscious scoffs at me.

I automatically opened the passenger's seat without James's permission.

"Hey. Would you mind sitting at the back? I have another person to pick up and well..." He trailed off and I immediately bowed my head out of embarrassment.

"Oh. No, I don't mind. O-of course I can sit at the back. It's not that I'm disappointed or something. " I squeaked. My voice came out higher than I expected.

Wait. What did I just say?

"Oh. No, I don't mind. O-of course I can sit at the back. It's not that I'm disappointed or something. "

Shit.

I hurriedly sat at the back and James started the car. He doesn't say anything. He's been so.... distant? As I noticed his outfit, I tried not to gasp when I saw tattoos laced permanently in his arms. He's wearing a thin white T-shirt and it shows his inked chest beneath it.

Why haven't I noticed that before? Oh. Right. He's wearing a black button-up shirt in the dinner at our house and that time when I walked with him, he's wearing a long-sleeved shirt. That's why.

He dig his hands through his curls and shakes it. What a sight. The car slowed and we stopped in a huge house. A huge house is just an understatement. It's a mansion, a castle. A beautiful girl walked in our direction and James immediately got out of the car. He smiles and kissed the girl on her cheek. I looked away.

James opened the door for her and she sat in the passenger's seat with so much grace, it made me jealous. Me, I'll just carelessly sat down and that's that.

Wait, I know her. She's Queen. The girl I saw on Instagram with James.

"Oh, James. It was fun traveling around the world. My favorite so far is Paris. " Queen said. Even the way she talks is so... class.

James laughed.

"But of course, Paris is your favorite. You've been there like a hundredth times already."

"Well I--- Gosh, who's this?" I was paying so much attention in their conversation that I forgot I exist.

"That's Grace. Mother wants me to drive her in her first day. " James said and we're traveling again. "She's our new neighbor."

I felt myself shrink a few inches. I hate being the center of attention.

"Oh, hi Grace. I'm Queen. " She turns to look at me and she extend her hand. "James's girlfriend. "

She said the last word with a heavy tone and I shake hands with her.

"Nice to meet you, Queen." I said as polite as I can. Being introvert for so long isn't helping in socialization.

After that, they are engaged in a deep conversation, completely ignoring me. So, I just stared out the window when the car finally stopped.

"Welcome to Trensen High." James said, turning off his car.

I got out of his car and warm breeze danced around me.

"Well, uhm. Thank you, James. " I said, cheeks turning crimson.

He just smiled. A forced one, and left with Queen at her side. They look like a celebrity couple. James looks like a model and Queen with her blonde hair, perfectly trimmed bangs and long legs looks like she's worthy of a magazine's front page.

I admit, I'm a bit hurt by James's actions and his attitude. It was like I was with someone else. I sighed and walked toward the campus.

7:40 am.

Shit.

Luckily, I found my room at exactly 7:50. I hurried off to find a vacant chair in the last row at the back.

I was supposed to be here 20 minutes early. Damn James and Queen and Paris. It's my first day and I am already stressed. And my lessons hasn't started yet.

Our professor came in and he introduced himself as Professor Edward Harden. He's our English teacher.

I looked around, they seem to know each other already. Whilst here I am, making myself more stressed instead of making friends. As usual, we started with introducing ourselves. I am getting anxious while waiting for my turn. It's now the girl on my left's turn and she confidently walked in front.

"Hi, I am Kylie Green. I am doing this introduce yourself shit since my first day here at Trensen High and look, people know me but I still don't have any friends. Thank you." The class chuckled and cheered as she flipped her dirty-blond hair off her shoulder. I wish I have her confidence.

It's now my turn and I walked to the front.

"Uhm, h-hi. I am Grace Randall and I'm new here. I, I really don't know what to say. " I said and they laughed. "I guess, this is the time where I end this and sit back on my chair? "

I awkwardly sat down on my chair while they're still chuckling about my unprepared introduction. I turned my head on my left to see the confident girl, Kylie, giving me two thumbs up.

I smiled at her and she returned it warmly. I guess this isn't so bad after all.

"Grace?"

Someone calls my name and I immediately turned my head to my right.

This isn't real.

"Sky?"

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A/N:  Guuuys! I hope you're enjoying. I appreciate those reads. It motivates me and encouraged me to write. I love you all my dear readers. There's only few of you, but I'm still thankful.

Lots of love, Nica.