The Newcomer (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Nine

My first period on a Wednesday just suddenly changed. I arrived in my history class a few minutes late because of some road diversion, but mainly cause I overslept, and when I get there, no one was there. There was a notice on the board that they swapped my 1st period history with my 2nd period PE. As if I wasn't freaking out already! I ran into Principal Greene in the parking lot, and got asked about my portfolio to pass for NYFA. Of course, I completely zoned out because I realised I haven't made a dent! Plus, also adding the fact that my father still thinks I'm going to Columbia, which is-

I'm going to explode.

I rush to the gym lockers, changing into my gear along with 2 others who were late, and not in my 1st period class.

"Did they mix the students up too?!" I grumbled as I tie my shoelaces as fast as I could.

"They did. It's so annoying." The other one says, "It's so stupid. There was one girl who doesn't have PE on Wednesday and they changed it. She had to use someone else's PE kit."

Three of us ran out to the courts in the back. The rest of the class is already lining up around the courts, Kennedy is already standing there with Jane. She shoots me a scolding that I wave off.

"You're late!" She growls when I stand next to her.

"Don't act too surprised." I muttered as I put my hair in a ponytail. My shirt is too big for me, so I tie it in a knot so I don't look like I'm wearing a potato sack.

"Pick a partner. Now. I don't want anyone dilly-dallying." Coach Drake yells sharply and everyone scrambles to find a partner.

She catches my eye and I remember very clearly how I terrifying she can be. She was an athlete before, everyone in the school knows that. Her trainings and practices are intense, she's the coach for the tennis team and soccer team. It doesn't matter which sport you're in, she'll make you sweat blood. Shes a terror as a coach and PE teacher, but ironically the most friendly teacher in the whole school!

"Thomas!" I spun around impulsively when coach calls me. Old habits die hard, I guess. "Who's your partner?" She asks me with her arms crossed.

I whip my head around the courts, only to find everyone is already paired up.

"I don't have one?" I say unsurely in fear that she might yell at me.

Right on cue, the gate creaks open and Jacky marches in, not looking too bothered that she's late. Did they mix her classes up too? She smirks as she approaches us, earning her a look of disbelief from coach.

"You're worse than she is-" Coach trails off, searching for Jacky's name on the registrar. "Jacqueline Holliday?" She asks, looking up at Jacky.

"Sorry I'm late. They swapped my classes." She says simply.

"Right," Coach says uninterestedly before shutting her clipboard. "You two pair up. Since you're late, you get to take out the equipment from storage." I yelp, fumbling over to catch the keys Coach Drake just tossed in the air. "Kimberly knows where it is, don't you, Kim?"

"I completely forgot how much she hated late comers." I mutter when Coach walks away to inspect the pairing.

"She's very intense." Jacky says - matter-of-factly, her eyes still on Coach who's busy explaining the dynamics of the game. She Shrugs, grinning at me as we made our way to the storage units where we keep our equipment.

"Ummm.. Are we pretending yesterday never happened?" She asks out of the blue .

I shake my head, and I saw this tension release from her when she lets out a sigh.