Not All Storms Destruct

C H A P T E R O N E:

C H A P T E R  O N E:

Oh no. The mug tumbled, the coffee spilt and my books were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Starting off the year with things already going pear-shaped. As much organising and preparation I've done, for the first day of senior year, nothing was going to plan. 

As much as I tried to fix the mess, Emma was already beeping impatiently outside my door. I grabbed what wasn't completely drenched and ran outside; you can't exactly be late on your first day.

Autumn. By far my favourite time of year. The trees rustled, leaves glistened, and the air wasn't cold, hot or humid. All different warm colours, reds, oranges, yellows; all of my favourites. It was relaxing and the most underrated season. 

The car slammed behind me, cutting off the fresh autumn air. The radio was blaring songs I'd never heard of and Emma was blabbering things I couldn't be bothered to listen too. It was either boys, makeup or Georgina Chance. Honestly, I couldn't care less about any of them. 

I was zoning out, although it wasn't an uncommon thing for me to do. 

"Are you even listening to me? ...Charlotte?"

"Huh?"

Emma rolls her eyes, realising I haven't listened to a thing she's said.

"So what's on you're mind? You seem... Distracted."

"I dunno really, I just have an interesting feeling about today," I say which just gets an 'uh-huh' in response. The rest of the car ride was sat in a comfortable silence. 

We arrive at school 10 minutes before the first period. Genuinely, I felt like I could die. I didn't manage to get my mornings dose of coffee seen as it went all over my books. But, I persevere. Me and Emily, get out of the car and start walking towards the school when she stops in front of me, making me trip and drop half of my books - gaining yet another grunt from me.

"What was that for?" I say, looking up to find Emma's mouth dropped. "What, what is it?" I try looking where she's staring. 

"That's Ash's motorbike."

Ash? Ash. What Ash? Who? I just stare at her with a confused face.

"Ash, as in Ashton James, Charlotte." My. Face. Drops. 

Ashton James. Probably the most arrogant, hottest bad boys going. That was his motorbike. But he was sent to military boot camp at the end of Sophmore year. I mean he deserved it, he never came to school, he smoked, drank, did drugs, slept around. Plus, he fought. 

It was two years ago when he got kicked out. The thought of Ash reminded me of my 15-year old self. I was in biology when everyone started hearing bangs and screaming. The screaming belonged to Jake Travis and the bangs belonged to Ashton James' punches. Everyone ran outside and formed a circle around the two boys fighting. Jake's face was full of blood and fully distorted. I'd never seen Ashton James angrier then he looked that day. Nobody knows exactly what that fight was even over.

"I guess Jake's going to be thrilled to see he's back in town," I nudge Emma and we both let out a chuckle as we wander into the old, monotonous building of Lone Oak High. 

We walk through the doors and the 'lovely', sweaty, stuffy air hits me. Aren't I just glad to be back?

"I still don't believe Ashton's here, at least I hope he's not," I say to Emma, whispering the last bit.

"Oh I hope he's here, have you seen him." She replies swooning, obviously hearing what I said.

I mean he is handsome with his dark brown hair and green eyes. His muscular build with his height. Although the thing is about Ashton James, he knows he's attractive. Oh, and doesn't he show it. He has every girl swooning over him, but not me. I'm not giving his already-too-big ego a boost. 

As we try to make our way through the corridor we notice everyone's just a little too hyper for the start of the year. It becomes obvious that Ash must be back, and he's brought all of his self-obsessed attention with him.

It's been less than an hour and I'm already sick of this place. With double physics to start, this Monday really was getting worse and worse. Everyone thinks I must love school because I'm smart... Lemme just stop you there, I don't. It's long. It's boring. It's tiring. I mean going to school must be refreshing for someone like Georgina Chance. The mean girl, you know the typical 'queen bee' of the school. Yeah, she's that girl. Apparently, she models. I wouldn't put it past her, she's tall and skinny. Got the perfect, long blonde hair and the blue eyes. The clear skin. 

"Get outta my way Charlotte," she snarls as she -purposely- pushes past me. There's a phrase called 'excuse me'

"Oh sorry Georgina, I'll make sure I'm not in your way next time," I spit out at her. She is the only person that can get to me, most people I would've just ignored. Not her. She just thinks she owns the place, walking around with her little 'minions' Sophie and Alexa, spitting nasty things to people. She's just not a nice person. 

All I get in response is a 'hmph' and a flick of her hair. 

'Lunch now," I turn to Emma and we start walking towards the cafeteria. 

The rest of the day goes as just as usual as any normal day would. No Ashton James in sight and no sign of his mates. All there was, was Jake causing a spectacle as per usual. Leaning against a locker with 4 - 5 girls, all flirting, throwing them all the fake Travis smile that could take you from wherever you are to his bed in under a minute. 

Not me though, of course. I am a respectable and well-brought-up 17-year-old girl. I do not, under any circumstances, need a boy for me to feel settled. Besides, if my older brother found out, the boy would be dead instantly. 

After lunch, me and Emma both shared English Lit together which seemed to drag for hours. As soon as the bell rang I was out of my seat and exiting the door. Typically school isn't too bad but today has just been long, boring and annoying- partially because of the people. 

So we start to make out way down to the doors out of the school and everyone starts getting loud, like shouting. Guess I'm just in a school full of freaks. I have to practically link arms with Emma so that I can hear her and although I try I still cant. So I walk in front facing her, attempting to block out the noise, yet still walking backwards. Mistake number 1.

I bash into something, at first thinking, it was a locker but looking at Emma's face, who looks like she may start crying or screaming, suggested it was a someone. I stand with my back to the supposed person afraid to turn around and apologize.

"Get the fuck outta my way, Martinez." Comes a strong, husky voice. Then it becomes clear who the someone behind me was. Ashton. Ashton Jones.