Just By Chance

Chapter 1: Run

✨Hailey✨

*beep beep beep*
Ugh, great. Time to get up.
Rolling myself out of bed, I fall and trip on my own two feet, scraping my knee as I try to catch myself. The damage isn't too bad, I just need a band-aid and it'll be fine.

I head to the connecting bathroom of my bedroom, picking up a set of clothes to change into. Today is Monday, so it's gonna be lazy wear today. Black leggings, t-shirt, and a hoodie make their way into my hands as I try not to hurt myself any more today.

As you can tell, I'm probably the clumsiest person alive. Yeah, I get hurt a lot from my carelessness, but I can be careful and precise in certain situations and by that I mean art, reading, and writing. Not much I can do with that, now can I? I'm pretty good if I say so myself, even though I'm not doing much reading or creating lately.

I'm also a pretty good work of art myself, at least that's what my little brother, Josh, used to tell me. In my own opinion though, I think my wavy brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and freckled clear skin are a curse. Yes, I admit that I am quite pretty, but I'm alone because of it.

It's confusing but it's true. I have no friends because of my looks. Ever since I arrived at Lockbridge High in freshman year, I get attention from almost everyone in school, whether it's in the form of glaring, staring, gossiping, or even notes on my locker that get straight to the point of what they think of me.

After my 10-minute daily shower, I change, grab my stuff and head out the door, making sure I lock it. Mom leaves early in the morning to cover longer shifts, so I have to lock up. Apparently, raising a 16-turning-17-year-old and a 13-year-old isn't easy.

Luckily, I have my own car, a silver Toyota. I got my license last year... after the 3 times I failed my driver's test. The written test was a breeze, it's just the hands-on part of the exam that's a bag of boulders on my back.

The ride was nice and smooth, but the destination is the hateful part. Finding parking is a hellhole.

When I finally found a space, I took it quickly in fear of someone else taking it before me. Yeeess, the space is only a short walk away from campus! Maybe today would be something better then yesterday, then again, it already is.

*Ring ring*
Shoot, that's first bell! Grabbing my stuff and locking my car, I run the short distance to my classroom, not seeing where I was going...

—————

🔥Zach🔥

"Hey! Watch out!"

I turn as Brandon Baxter collides with my side, tackling me hard enough to fall down.

Muffled by the weight of his chest on my face, I try to speak anyway, "— the f*ck are you doing, Baxter!!"

He's already up and talking to another teammate by the time I reach my oh-so-subtle curse at him. Clenching my fist, I slowly breathe in and out. Getting up, I look around. Half of the team looked over from my regretfully loud outburst.

*sigh*
No need to draw any more attention to myself than I — I mean, Brandon already had. I brush the acquired dirt off my shorts and go to the locker room to change. I hate early morning practices.
I wish I never joined the team, but it looks good for scholarships and apparently I'm good at it. I think the only one who actually supports me being on the team is my dad, then again he doesn't know I don't like being on the football team.

I finish tying my shoe laces as the other guys walk in, covered in sweat, dirt, and crumpled grass stains. Slipping past them out of the locker room made me realize how much they stink and how much I love breathing fresh air.

*Ring ring*
Shit, that's first bell! I start sprinting to first period and by the time I get there, I'm running too fast to stop. The only option is to turn into the classroom and hope there's no one there...

                              —————
Author's Note:
Hey everybody! Hoped you guys liked this new beginning and I'm sorry it's a short chapter. I'll try to make them longer—
Ok I know you guys don't really read the author's note (believe me, I don't either 😅), so I'll keep mine short and only use it to thank and acknowledge every one of you.
Until the next chapter, byeee!