Masked

XVII

"Anything I need to know about your high school?" I asked and expected it to be what I had heard. Drama.

"Well some guys and girls there can be really stupid so just be careful. I'm not the most popular girl there but I'm definitely not at the bottom. Plus with you being attractive, new and mysterious a lot of girls are going to want to hang with you. Just beware of the ones that are drunk or high."

She just called me attractive... I blushed slightly, "and athletics?"

"I'll make arrangements for you to not take athletics but something else instead. Let's go get your schedule."

"Do you play any sports?" I glanced at her legs and saw how toned they were. It was hard for me to believe that she wasn't one of the more popular girls at school.

"Volleyball and basketball. Our mascot is the dingoes."

I nodded and looked at the school as the sign in front said, Welcome to Huntington High School where the dogs rule and people drool!

"Cheesy but it's funny," she looked at me, "the school is small with only three hundred and twenty students so everyone will know you by the end of the day. Oh and you won't get lost while being here I promise."

I trusted her, I just prayed no one would know what I truly was. We parked in a spot and started walking towards the front office while everyone just watched us.

"If they ask how we know us?" I asked curious and somewhat anxious.

"We met on a hike and..."

"Are now boyfriend and girlfriend," I grabbed her hand gently showing I meant it.

She smiled and opened the door for us. A lady named Mrs. Morris handed me a schedule and some packets. I looked at my schedule and looked to see how it was going to go.

"We have almost all the same classes except athletics. When I go to athletics, you head to journalism. That was a fun class; I took it last year. But all the other classes we have together so during our last period I'll show you where you go."

I nodded and followed her to our first class, which was English.

The teacher, Mr. Haiku, which was ironic that he had the same name as a poem smiled at us. "Take a seat anywhere you two, we'll start class when everyone gets here. I see Taran you have a friend with you."

"Yes Mr. Haiku, this is Michael," she paused and looked at me.

"Owens," I said remembering how Lacie had acted when she had asked for my last name.

"Well Mr. Owens it's nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy poetry because we are focusing on different poems in this class right now."

I nodded and went with Taran to the middle where there were two desks. Other students started to file in and once they saw us, they began talking quietly and the rumors started. I looked at Taran and hope this wouldn't be too bad.

Some girls saw Taran and ran over to her. "Oh my gosh who's this hottie!"

I looked at the blonde who had said it and saw her checking me out.

"Lauren, Makaela and Kerstin, this is Michael."

"Hi," they all said dreamily while blushing.

"Hello," I said and looked at the blonde who was Lauren and blushed. Makaela, the brunette giggled while Kerstin looked towards the entryway as her auburn hair swirled.Three guys walked in and looked at me.

"Nick, Caleb, Kevin, this is Michael."

"Nice to meet you Michael, I'm Caleb," he said his blonde hair falling in front of his face. He grabbed Kerstin's hand and walked with her to their seats.

"I'm Kevin," an extremely buff guy said with black hair as he and Lauren went to sit down.

Nick grabbed his sister Makaela as they made their way towards the back.

I sighed in relief, so far so good. Hopefully it would be like this most of the day.

Most of my teachers I came to realize weren't old-fashioned and liked to talk a lot. I enjoyed all my classes and was starving by the time lunch came around. I got in line with Taran and got some pasta that was charged to her account.

"I owe you," I whispered as we went to sit with her friends.

"I know a way," she teased and took a seat besides Kerstin.

The guys all groaned as I saw their gaze going towards a tall buff guy who was walking our way.

"Here comes trouble," Nick sighed and looked at Taran.

"Who is that?" I asked as no one said anything.

"New kid what are you doing here with my girl?"

I stared at Taran in confusion, "Excuse me? Taran is my girlfriend, and you are..."

"Jack, Jack Huntington. My dad owns this school new kid. I think you must be mistaken but Taran here," he grabbed her and pulled her body towards him, "is mine."

I thought of Lacie and Sam and had to control myself from killing this Jack kid on the spot.

"Jack just leave me alone. I said no alright and if you don't quit Michael will kick your ass if you don't shut the hell up."

"Oh now you're going to be feisty with me. After saying no to alcohol and hooking up?"

I bit my lip and stood up to see if this was about to turn into a fight.

"Don't listen to him Michael, I said no," she turned to Jack, "what the hell is your problem?"

"Him," was all he said as he slid his hand down on Taran's ass and my fist came into contact with his face.

He fell back and cursed, as Taran just looked at me. I didn't know what else to do, so I got up and went to go wait by her car until school was over.

Taran came out with her friends a few minutes later and started telling me how brave I was.

"Man you showed him!"

"Yea no guy has ever stood up to Jack before. Specially when he hits on their girls."

"Well Michael was just trying to protect me and that's exactly what he did," Taran smiled at me.

"Well I need to get to class," Makaela said and ran to the building with the rest of the group.

Taran held my hand gently while she looked at me, "we can leave now or stay."

"Stay," I said and walked back with her towards our next class.