Lock and Key// cth

Chapter One

It's been 372 days since my parents died. A little over a year, though it feels like yesterday. Ever since the Worst Day of my Life, as I like to call it, my sister, Georgia and I have lived with my aunt and uncle. The minivan driving, football game attending type, also known as the complete opposite of my parents. They have three kids, who unfortunately happen to be my cousins. Parker, a popular jock who's arms are bigger than his brain, Charlotte, an extremely tiny dancer who never says anything louder than a peep, and Emma, who is Charlotte's louder, more obnoxious twin. My aunt Jen and uncle Greg are nice. I mean, they took Georgia and I in. But they treat me and my sister like everyone else does... and I absolutely hate it. You know, the sympathetic head tilt and that stupid tone that says "we feel bad for you poor orphan children."
Of course, as if things weren't already horrific for Georgia and I, we had to switch schools. We lived in Somerville, New Jersey and had to pack up our things and move to Naples, Florida. I thought maybe things would be easy for once and I would be the popular new girl who everyone liked and wanted to get to know, but I was sadly mistaken. Instead, about two people, minus teachers, talked to me. Let me give you a run down of my first day.
So, I was going to be a sophomore this year at Naples High School. Georgia was going to be a senior and I wasn't worried about her at all. My sister was the lucky one and ended up looking like a model, with her long dark hair, tanned skin and stunning green eyes. But me, I'm average; Brown straight (boring) hair and brown eyes. Every where we go, people are attracted to her like flies to a freaking dead body. But me? People think I am the dead body.
I walked down the halls of NHS trying to find my first class, AP US History with Mrs. Harrison. I pushed through the sea of sweaty teen bodies, (it's hotter than hell in Florida, literally) and tried to search the room numbers for Mrs. Harrison's room, room 625. I am only 5'3 and so many people towered over me like trees, which made it hard to get someone's attention to ask where the room was. Like the klutz I am, I knocked into someone.
"Hey, watch where you're going." A tall blonde girl with a white sundress and sandals on said to me, with a glare.
I mumbled a sorry and looked down at my old black high top converse, scurrying away. My first interaction went wonderful, which set up a wonderful day. Not.
The bell rang just as I found my US History class. Almost all of the seats were taken, of course, so I sat down in the very back, behind an attractive boy with messy blonde hair and blue eyes, who had his head buried deep into a book. I notice the blonde girl who snapped at me in the hallway sitting next to the cute boy in front of me.
           "Lukeeeee what times the party this weekend?" The girl whined while resting her head on her perfectly manicured hand. The cute boy who's name is apparently Luke turned and said something I couldn't hear. She looks like the bitchy, snob type, judging by her clothes and over the top makeup. With the heat, you would think a full face of makeup would melt off... I was kind of hoping it would.
            Mrs. Harrison stood up from her desk and introduced herself. Then, of course as if my anxiety levels weren't high enough, she made me stand up and introduce myself. As did every other teacher did as the day went on and every time it went the same way.
           "Mm- my name is Melody Dake and I- um moved here from N-New Jersey." Then I sat back down, all shaky and red-faced.
             It was time for lunch and I walked into the cafeteria, hoping to find some friends since I didn't know anyone but Parker, Charlotte, Emma and my sister. I haven't seen any of them yet today. I realized I would probably be the shy new girl that has to sit alone like in a movie. I tucked my hair behind my ear, exhaled and clutched my books as I walked up to the lunch line. I moved along the line and grabbed a fruit cup and some milk. I realized the boy next to me grabbed the same thing as me, and I glanced at him.   
In my head I literally said wow, and I was nervous that I might have said it out loud but I was safe. This boy had brown curly-ish hair that looked perfectly messy and chocolate brown eyes. He noticed my glance and nodded at me, like a typical dude.
           "New girl, right?" He said and it took me a second to realize he was talking to me.
             "Uh- yeah, my name's Melody. Melody Dake. Moved here from New Jersey."
              He smiled a dimpled grin and nodded. "I know. I was in your AP US History class first period."
            I smiled and nodded, not knowing what to say next. I finished paying for my lunch and started walking towards the round tables. I sat down at an empty table, preparing to except my fate of being the loser who sits alone. I started eating, and realized the lunch line boy never told me his name. My eyes darted around to see him sitting with some kids that looked popular and I saw my cousin Parker. So lunch line boy is a jock. Interesting.