We The Wallflowers

one

                  [ beneath the rain ]

I woke up in the backseat of the school bus. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

The bus was packed with kids, sprawled in their seats as they conversed. It wasn't over the top rowdy but it was noisy enough to make me want to kick myself. I shouldn't have taken the school bus. Groaning inwardly, I hugged my backpack against my chest tighter.

The bus pulled to a stop at the traffic light. I stared out the windows and watched as civvies boarded buses and taxis while others got off. The skyscrapers glinted brightly as per usual. The only exception to make today the perfect day was that it looked like it was going to rain. Today's sky was filled with a dark mass of puffy clouds and the sun was long gone.

I sure hope it doesn't rain.

Even if it does, thankfully, I have an umbrella with me.

The bus started moving again for a few moments before stopping briefly. The doors folded open and someone climbed in. Not bothering to spare a glance at whoever just joined the party, I continued staring out of the window beside me. The doors swung close and the driver began to prep the bus into action again. My eyes began to close and I was about to nod asleep when a dark shadow loomed over me. I looked down and inner me began to sweat aggressively.

Dude, there's so many other seats to pick, spare me! I thought.

Pursing my lips, I prayed they would just move on to another. Then I heard the undeniable cough. The kind that wanted your attention. Putting on my best 'please kindly screw away' face, I turned to the person.

It was a well muscled jock. He had a red varsity jacket over a plain white t-shirt paired with dark jeans. The tips of his dark hair were slightly dripping wet. It was clear that he had just taken a shower. I stared back into his perplexed rainforest green eyes.

"Can I help you?" I prodded.

"Hey," his first word came out a little croaky. "Is this seat taken?"

It's taken by my imaginary friend who you can't see, obviously.

I fought back the urge to say that aloud.

"You can have it," I replied and scooted more to my side. He flashed me a small smile and slid into the seat. His arm brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I pressed myself against the side.

Damn, so much for personal space.

"So," he placed his bag in between his feet. "Have we met before?" I gave him a side glance. The dude was staring and curiosity twinkled in his eyes.

I rested my chin on my bag. "I'm kind of new here."

"Wow, that's cool," he grinned. "I'm Jason from Darwin High's Football Team. It's real nice to meet you."

Nice to meet you?

Every fibre of my being wanted to snap back at him. All I wanted was some personal space and peace and quiet. But I couldn't bare to bring down the mood. So I took his hand in mine and we shook hands.

"I'm Heather, Heather Evelyn. Not so pleased to make your acquaintance," I mumbled before taking back my hand. I tried to rub my palm against my jeans as discreetly as I could.

"Acquaintance? What are we, British?" chuckled Jason as he leaned back into the chair. I gave him a side glance. He couldn't have not heard the part where I declared I wasn't pleased.

Ah, whatever.

I shoved my hands into my pockets. "I'm not a hundred per cent Brit, but my mother is. Guess it rubbed off me."

When I was little, my mother brought me everywhere she went. She always said the stereotypical 'pleased to make your acquaintance' phrase with it drawled out with her thick British accent.

Whenever she had to meet her clients at their places, she brought me along. It may have seemed unprofessional to them, but she simply declared that she couldn't afford to let me out of sight.

"Are you a junior by any chance?

"Yeah."

The jock smiled, then said, "Me too. Well since you're new here, would you like a tour around the school?"

"Um, actually I have a friend who promised to show me around."

"Oh. And who's that?"

I looked out the window. The sky was getting darker and small droplets started falling. A few pelted against the windows.

"Gathercole. Stella Gathercole," I turned back to Jason.

He rubbed his chin in thought. A few seconds later his eyes lit up. "Oh, Gathercole! She's a nice girl."

I lifted my eyebrow. "You know her?"

"Heck, almost everybody in school does."

I opened my mouth to further question him but the bus pulled over in the parking lot. The driver hollered at us to get out. Everyone, including me, shuffled out the bus obediently. The rain was heavier now and everyone had to make a run to the school. Opened my umbrella, I hopped out. I was about to walk away when I noticed that Jason, who stood behind me, didn't have an umbrella. I swallowed.

This is kind of like those important decisions that will determine your future in some games, I sighed.

Well, you know what they say, make friends and not enemies.

So I sheltered his head with my umbrella. He blinked back his surprise and opened his mouth to say something when I shoved the shaft of the umbrella into his hands. I'm pretty sure a couple of other kids glared enviously when they dashed past us.

"Let's go."

I turned and strided away. I didn't want to look back but guessed he probably had a silly grin plastered on his silly face.

With that thought in my head, I smiled.

-----

A/N

First chapter of We The Wallflowers!

It's shorter compared to what I planned to released whoops..

The title of the book is the name of the song I listened to while writing this.

Beneath the rain by Nom.

The link to the music is up above! Please listen to it while reading. It's got a really soothing vibe and I feel that it fits the chapter. Despite Heather's weird thoughts LOL.

If you enjoyed reading, please vote! You're just a click away from sending me eternal happiness haha ♡