story of another us 》michael clifford

Chapter 7: Encountering

It was Monday. Homecoming dance was two days away and every student was last minute asking fellow students to come with them. "So what did Slim Shady wanted to talk about the other day?" Eleanor walks up to Amara. "Who?" Amara asks, who had just emerged from her third class of the day.

"Oh you know who," Eleanor faces Amara. Amara shook her head, "I honestly don't, El."

"I meant Michael." Eleanor says. "Oh. Nothing much. It's not really important." Amara says, not making eye contact with Eleanor. "Thank god. I thought he was going to ask you to homecoming." Eleanor says. "As I know that you have no date, you and I shall be going together. As Yvie is going with Maxwell."

"He didn't. And I'm surprised you have no date." Amara says to her. "Well, some people asked. I turned them down, for you, of course." Eleanor says. "Gee, thanks El." Amara says sarcastically. "You're welcome."

Amara wasn't really one for relationships. She didn't have this whole ideal guy pictured in her mind. Why? She believed that we don't really fall for our ideals, we'll always end up with that someone or something who flips your world upside down, opposite of your ideals and it or that person makes you happy. Although she had a few crushes, she never goes for it.

She and El waves as she enters third period, bumping into someone, making her things clutter on the crowd. "I am so sorry." He says as he kneels down to gather her things with Amara. "It's fine." Amara says. She looks up, being greeted by a pair of warm brown eyes, and a pair of pink lips smiling at her.

"I'm Kean. I'm kind of, uh, new here." He says. Amara got a hold of her things as they both stand up. He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, as he faces Amara once more. "I'm Amara." Amara introduces herself. "It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand, Amara shook it as the bell rang.

She got in her seat as Kean sat three seats from her. He kept glancing at her, and Amara could see that from the corner of her eye. He was cute, and of course, her friends would bug her about him, if they find out.

The bell rang, signalling that it was lunch time already. Amara rushes out of Mrs. O'Malley's classroom, since she didn't want to be held up again for a few chapters of her story. She walks in the cafeteria and gets her tray and sat down with Eleanor on their usual table. "Yvie's not here yet?" Amara asks, setting down her things whilst looking around.

"No. Haven't seen her since second period. She probably got sick or something." Eleanor says, setting her phone down. "Probably-"

"Oh my God. Who is that?" Eleanor gasps, pointing to Kean. Following his every move. "Oh, he's Kean. He's new here." Amara says casually. "You know him?" Eleanor asks, turning her glance to Amara. "We have third period together." Amara shrugs.

"Well, then let's call him over." Eleanor says. Before Amara could protest, Eleanor had called Kean. "Kean! Over here!" Kean turns her attention to Eleanor, but then sees Amara, flushed, so he walks up to them.

"Sit with us." Eleanor gestures to the vacant seat in front of her. Kean sets down his tray as he sits down in front of Eleanor. "So what school did you move from?" Eleanor asks immediately. "Norwest Christian College." Kean answers. Amara perks up, hearing the familiar name of the school. "Oh." Eleanor says, glancing at Amara.

"Is Norwest kind of a big deal here?" Kean asks, noticing the reactions of the two girls. "No. No. We sort of um, have an acquaintance from there." Eleanor says. "Oh? What's his name?" Kean asks, taking a forkful of his salad. "Actually we have, like, three acquaintances." Eleanor chuckles.

"I might know them. Who are they?" Kean wipes the corners of his mouth witha napkin. "Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Michael Clifford. Perhaps you've encountered them?" Eleanor says. Amara noticed that Kean's jaw clenched for a moment then relaxes, "I may have one or few times." Kean shrugs.