all over again → a liam dunbar love story

the start.

//

Carter

Today was Carter Young's first day of school. Or as she liked to correct in a not-so-subtle groan, “first day of another school.” You see she wasn't quite excited as she was used to the whole ordeal on new schools. Her family (and by family she meant herself and her sister) had a tendency to move around often, and throughout the years she had begun to actually get used to it. Usually these places they moved to were enough reason to move. 

Beacon Hills High School was the high school for the time being. Apparently, the town was worth looking into, and actually worth the need to stay so -like many times- she didn't argue with that.

Sitting in the office with her older sister, she was feeling a little boredom settle within her. “Lizzie,” She said, her chocolate brown eyes on her now that she had her (sister's) attention. “You really don’t have to sit here with me. The secretary said she’d gimme a hand.” She tried to sound convincing since she really didn’t feel like having her hang around the whole day. (Once she actually did that in her freshman year, and to say the least, she was more than happy to leave that school as soon as possible.)

Elizabeth Young didn’t look convinced in the slightest but she may have just been playing around. “Ah, c’mon. You really don’t want your big sis to hang around?” She asked teasingly.

“No.”

“Well,” She said with feigned hurt. “I figured you would’ve liked some company while you waited. But y’know since you don’t want me around, I guess I’ll leave.”

“It’s not that, and you know it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She stood up. “I only came to check the place out anyway.”

This time Carter feigned hurt. “Using my school venue, I see.” She laughed before waving as she left around the corner and toward the exit. So, it wasn’t too uncommon for her to hang around. But she normally did it the night before albeit a few times, like this one, where she actually came around. (Maybe Lizzie was just lazy- she had a tenacity for that.) Either way, she felt a little relieved for her sister’s departure.

Even if she moved around more often than not, she did like to make maybe a friend or two to pass the time. And having her sister hover over her shoulder didn’t sound like a very great way of attracting company. Especially when her older sibling did it just for the sake of embarrassing her.

The wait was brief as Ms. Lee came back with Carter’s schedule and locker stuff in hand. “Hey dear! Where’d your sister go?” She looked around, though the older woman was several inches taller so that was easy to tell her that he had left.

“She left, had to get back to work and all.” She explained, taking the items that had been held out for her. She then muttered a ‘thank you’ before she followed the high-heeled woman toward her first period Math class with Mr. Warren.

Ms. Lee was a kind woman. She stood at about 5’5” and rose to a 5’8” in her 3-inch black pumps. Her black pencil skirt allowed for little movement but they were quick and efficient. Her light brunette hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail and her glasses hung on the edge of her nose like a stereotypical librarian. Her pink lips moved quickly in her routine introduction. “So, these would be the lockers. I’m sure yours is down this hall on the left of the Economics classroom.” She gestured with her French tip, manicured hand. “Your Math classroom is just along this corridor.” Her finger pointed along the left. “As you must know, Beacon Hills isn’t quite known in such a positive way. But we’re glad to welcome a new face. And I hope your stay here is exceptional, Miss Young.” She then went into a whole spiel on the sports, other classes, and many other things she sort of just blanked out on.

When she came out of her daze, Carter found herself standing at the doorway with many eyes on her by her new peers. Nevertheless, she kept her cool. Her composure had remained as they introduced her, and she gave a vague, polite smile to Mr. Warren. He was a man with dark brunet hair and specks of white on the sides, his suit was slightly rumpled, and he was gesturing for her to take a seat.

“Be sure to welcome her, everyone.” Ms. Lee announced, her dark eyes on Carter before the secretary had exited.

Carter scanned the rows for an open seat. However, the urge not to stand in front of the class any longer brought her to a row where a red head was seated in front of an African-American student. As she passed, he pointed out the open seat behind him that she ended up sitting at. Gratitude filled her and she told him. He soon found out that his name was Mason, and they chatted.

It gave her hope to know that she may have a friend (and someone to show her where her classes were) albeit found that this was short lived. He had P.E. instead of U.S. History, but, subsequently his friend (who had indeed been an eye-catching brunet) had it.

So, when he agreed to show her, she smiled gratefully. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, but she knew that there was something about him that made her feel like he was going to be important.

After their handshake, they walked together to Mr. Yukimura’s class. “So,” Carter said, giving Liam a sideways glance. She sort of took that as her chance to size him up. He had brunet hair that appeared lighter in the fluorescent lights above, he was several inches taller than her (probably around 5’8” or 5’9”), and his eyes were a mixture of blue and green. Athletic body type like herself but he was more muscular and his skin tone was a little less tan than herself.  In conclusion: he was quite attractive.

“So,” He said, glancing at her back. From the looks of it, he wasn’t quite good at talking to girls. He actually looked a little nervous, shy. And it even took him a long moment to ask, “How are you liking Beacon Hills so far?”

“Um, not bad. “ She answered with nonchalance. Then she added with a giggle, “At least you’re more articulate than I thought you were.”

His cheeks flushed slightly in response.

“Sorry.” He said, though it seemed like he was holding back. “Uh, hey. . . How about we sit together during lunch?” Then in a quick second, he added, “Mason’ll be there.”

She smiled and agreed. “I expect more articulation then.”

“Oh, don’t worry. You will.” Liam said, he rubbed the back of his neck. His head nodded in the direction of an open door. An older, Asian man stood by the door (who she assumed was Mr. Yukimura) was greeting those who were entering. “Here’s our stop.”

“Can’t wait until then.”

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Author's Note: I'll be switching between perspectives, so I hope that isn't too confusing. Hope ya lovelies enjoyed this! xx