innocence // jai brooks

chapter 1

Junior year. I can't believe it... only two more years until college. That's crazy to think about. "Ariana!" I hear my quiet mother try her best to yell from downstairs. I assure her I am awake and roll out of bed with my mind still half asleep. I'm nervous for today, not quite sure why because it's my third year of high school, but first days always make me anxious. I quickly apply light makeup to my face, just barely enough to look awake and presentable. I then throw on an oversized sweater and shorts and place my hair in a high ponytail at the top of my head.

"Bye mom, I love you," I yell as I walk out the door and head out to my car. Once I step outside, the crisp air shocks me and I mentally thank myself for wearing a sweater. It takes me exactly 7 minutes to arrive to 'Westshire High School' I park my car and head out to find my best friend, Josie. Eventually after wondering through the giant crowds of reuniting friends, I spot her blonde hair talking to a few of our friends. I run up to her while yelling her name!

She turns around with a smile plastered across her face, as always, and engulfs me in a hug. "I can't believe were juniors!" Josie is dressed in the latest fashion trends, as always. That's where her and I differ, boys don't notice me so I usually don't try to impress them. "You look fucking gorgeous!" Her spunky personality gets the best of her as she winks at me.

I quietly thank her and giggle.

"Here they come..." I hear my friend, Erin, say from behind me.

I turn around to see the three most popular girls in school strutting into the campus. Zoe Myers, the gorgeous insecure popular girl who erases her insecurities by getting attention from boys; Clara Springers, the tall beautiful model who is also very idiotic at times; and of course, Vanessa. Vanessa Harris is the ring leader of that group, the queen bee of the school. She is incredibly wealthy and always has a guy by her side. Everyone thrives to even be noticed by the three most prestigious girls in town. Except me. High school is so... overvalued. All it is, is a bunch of immature teenagers trying to be better than everyone, but in order to be better you must have approval to get there. It's so confusing and utterly depressing, almost.... I never cared for the three girls, but I was never mean to them and they were never mean to me. Josie, my best friend for as long as I could remember, and I were not the most "popular" girls, but we weren't "losers" either. We were just kind of there. Like lost wallflowers... and I have always been perfectly okay with that.

"Ariana... we have 6 minutes until class, what do you have first?" Josie asks me.

"AP Chem," I say and immediately turn my attention towards three, extremely attractive, guys I've never seem before.

"Oh my," Josie awes.

"They must be new," I stare at the three boys in awe.

The three brothers grab everyone's attention as they walk in the school.

"We're going to be late!" I say aloud as I direct my attention to my watch and notice the time. Josie tells me we have the same first period and we rush into chemistry.

~

Throughout the whole class, I feel like my bladder is going to explode, but it's not a smart choice to ask to use the restroom on the first class... especially AP classes. But, at this point I can't help it. I raise my hand politely and teacher smiles and directs her attention towards me, obviously expecting a thought out intellectual question on atoms and other phenomenas. "May I use the restroom?"

The teacher sighs and nods her head, obviously irritated. I awkwardly smile and creep out of the classroom as quietly as possible. I hurry to the bathroom, trying to take as little time as possible.

As I walk back to my class, I spot one of the three brothers from this morning, walking in my direction. I pick up my pace.

"Who are you?" One of the more attractive looking brothers asks in a foreign accent as he approaches me and looks me up and down.