It Started With A Cigarette|✓|

Chapter-17: ANOTHER NEW KID?

I repeatedly knocked on Dina's door. I did not get any response. A ball of fear and worry started growing in my chest.

"DINA?!", I yelled as I rapped my knuckles against the door violently.
Only silence greeted me. No lights were on inside the house.

I quickly made my way to the backdoor and let myself in. The backdoor was always open.

"DINA?!", I yelled and my voice echoed through the empty hallway.

I went from room to room but I did not see her anywhere.

Disappointed, I went out of the house.
I took out my phone and punched her number which I had memorized by heart. I put the phone to my ear but her phone was switched off.

I sighed and went back home. I decided to come back later.

---×---

Dina's P.O.V.

I silently crept out of my bedroom closet. Ignoring Drew was proving to be really difficult.

I stayed in my place for a few seconds to make sure I heard no footsteps from downstairs or any voices.

I breathed out in relief and headed downstairs. I locked both the doors and went back to my room.

I quietly slipped into the shower and stayed there for some time.

I went downstairs and grabbed a packet of chips from the cabinet before heading to my room.

I pulled out my phone and switched it on. Drew had sent me several messages. Without taking a second look at them, I deleted them.

I closed my eyes to prevent any tears from flowing before I could control them.

---×---

I sat down on the bench near the window and pulled the hood down on my face.

I avoided Drew for almost the whole day, successfully. I had also decided not to go to work this week.

The class was over in a jiffy and I was thankful that I could head straight home and hide from the human species.

When I was about to leave class, I heard Ms. Harrison's voice from behind me.

"Dina?", I heard her voice.

What happened? I did not do anything to anybody. Did I beat someone up? Wait, no. That was two months ago.
What is it?

"Yes?", I said.

"There's a new kid coming to school tomorrow. It's your duty to show him around."

"Wait what?! Why? And why would you think I would agree to that? Sorry, I can't do it."

"You have to do it. Your grades are falling and if you want to lose your scholarship you can do what you want. This is the only way to save your grades."

I rolled my eyes.
"Isn't there possibly any other way to save my scholarship?", I asked.

"You can study.", Ms. Harrison suggested.

"What's the name of the kid again?", I asked.

"Ethan. Ethan Beckham.", Ms. Harrison stated.
"I've put you both in the same class for the first hour...History.", she said.

I sighed and nodded.

I turned around and left the room.

I was walking through the hallway when I saw Drew standing near his locker. I gasped silently and took a step back, then another step.

I pulled my hood down low and tried to act casual.

I slowly made my way to the front of the room, trying to merge in with the crowd. My small frame made it easy and I dashed out of the campus in no time.

I ran into my house and shut the door behind me. Everytime I saw Drew I felt new wounds on my heart.

Trust me, they hurt like hell.
---×---

I sat on my bench as usual. I hid my face so that Drew could not see me.
He still hadn't come.

I heard a faint voice from a distance calling my name.

"Umm...who is Dina?", I heard a voice from the front row.

I slapped my forehead. I had totally forgotten about the new kid whom I was supposed to show around.

I saw some of the girls excitedly talking to him, twirling their hair and fluttering their eyelashes.

I rolled my eyes. The guy had his back facing towards me, so I could not see his face.

His profile looked good from behind. He was tall and had broad shoulders like that of an athlete. His brownish blonde hair was parted to one side. He turned around and searched the room.

One of the guys called him and pointed at me. He thanked the guy and headed in my direction. When he came closer to me, I could make out his features. He had piercing green eyes and it was clear that God himself had carved his jawline. He smiled at me, revealing his dimples.

"Hi. I'm Ethan.", he introduced.

"Hey. I'm Dina.", I said boredly and sat down.

Without asking me, he sat down beside me but I couldn't say anything to him because I didn't want to be mean to him. I was supposed to show him around which also meant I had to try to be polite.

"So, what is the first class?", he asked. His voice was deep and as smooth as honey.

Keep talking.

"History.", I said. A blew out a strand of hair that fell on my face.

"Oh no. I hate history.", he whined.
"I know right. It's so boring.", I said, glad that someone understood my pain.

He laughed, again revealing his dimples. His voice was deep throated and melodious.

I could see the glares that all the girls in the class were giving me. I returned those glares with equal hatred. It wasn't my fault that I was stuck with this Greek God for a day.

Did I really just call him a Greek God? What is wrong with me?

I pulled out my notes which were pretty much blank and pretended to go through them because I was bored.

I felt even more bored after reading two sentences so I shut the book. I turned to face Ethan who staring at me but immediately turned his face in the other direction. A pink tinge decorated his cheeks which only made his god-like face more want-able.

I quickly averted my eyes and looked around the class.

As soon as I set my eyes on the first bench, I saw a hurt pair of chocolate brown eyes staring at me.

I knew whose eyes they were. I stared at him right in the eye, expressing all my pain through my eyes.

Drew quickly averted his eyes and turned away. I smirked with satisfaction and continued stealing glances at the god sitting beside me.

---×---
Ethan