Finding Connection

Chapter 2

I decided to make a quick stop at my locker to drop off some books  I didn't need. As I  reached my locker, turned the knob a few times to put in the combo then popped it open. I lifted the bag flap and began to unload a few of my books into the locker leaving only a three ring binder, homework folders, a biology text book and the manila folder Ms. Morrell had given me. She said in this folder had my new schedule. I'll need to check which classes I have eventually, so might as well check now. I took out the folder and opened it. There wasn't allot in there. It's just looked to be copies of various school documents.
As I skimmed through, a dark blue page with silver lettering caught my eye. I shuffled things around and had it set at the top of the papers to get a better look at it.
It read:
You are cordially invited to
Beacon Hills Winter Masquerade Ball
Friday, December 15th, 20** @6:00pm

Right. I remember seeing posters around school in the last few weeks. I'd mostly ignored such events but since my sister will start attending school here, she made it her mission to make sure I go to this event. Going as far as buying a suit that she and our grandmother picked out.

I couldn't help but let out a long and heavy sigh.

"What's that for?" A voice said

My locker suddenly slammed shut next to my ear. Startled, I jerked my head up, facing my now closed locker. I felt my expression change from being scared to being angry. 

There stood a tall, muscular, tan skinned man with short dark hair. Danny Māhealani, my cousin. My sister and I met him for the first time when we  moved to Beacon Hill.  I glanced him over. He wore a light green v-neck shirt and his usual snug jeans. He always knew how to dress nice.

"Danny don't do that!" I scolded.

He smirked. "Aww did I scare you?" He continued smiling as his face got closer to mine and pinched my cheek, "Your so cute when you get startled. I can't help it!"  
I slapped his hand away and rubbed my cheek. "Not funny." I glared at him before punching him in the arm.  He laughed as he rubbed his arm leaned his back on the lockers besides me holding back a laugh.

"So why the heavy sigh?" He asked again.

I showed him the invite. He gave it a quick glance before a huge grin was on his face. "You are soo going!" He said excitedly. "Because I heard it was actually supposed to me kinda rad."

I lean back on the wall of lockers,"Yes yes. I'm going. But only because Diana kinda backed me into a corner with the help of our grandmother by already getting the suit." Danny snorted. "What?" I asked confused. "If that's all it takes you to go out, I should have bought you cute outfits the times I invited you out to go partying with me." He said while trying to hide his grin.
"Yeah well your idea of going out to a gay night club to party isn't my idea of fun."
"Alright alright." He held up his hands in defense. "I'm just saying man. You need to have fun. Heck, a good looking guy like yourself should be out having fun with people and not staying home reading old books."
He wasn't necessarily right about me staying home all the time but he wasn't  wrong though when it come to socializing with others. It's not like I dislike people. Just with the events that took place a few years ago with our parents passing away then moving in with our grandparents, I kept to myself more then usual.

Danny placed a hand on my shoulder. "Dude, maybe once Diana starts school, you wouldn't be such an antisocial nerd."
"Shut up!" I said as I shrugged him off my shoulder which made him almost face plant with one of the lockers. I couldn't help but laugh. He later joined in.

I slugged my way down the locker wall, now sitting on the hallway floor with my legs crossed. "So did you finish saying your goodbyes?" He sat right next to me. "Yep. Just finished seeing the guys on the lacrosse team and ran into Lydia in the cafeteria." He let out a heavy sigh. "Man you have no idea how excited I am to finally get out of Beacon Hills."
I rested the back of my head on the cold metal lockers. "Yeah I can imagine."
Danny always ended up being roped into everything that had happened in this town. He was put into danger so many times and almost lost his life a good mount of times as well. I don't blame him for being ready to leave all this behind. He deserved a happy, normal life. And moving would give him a good chance at that.
"New York City right?" I asked.
"That's right! I already have a job lined up. Going to start taking classes next semester or so and have a pretty sweet pad I'd be sharing with some friends"
I fiddled with the papers in my hand as he spoke on and on about how excited he was. I found the schedule in the stack of papers and set it at the top before refocusing my attention on Danny as he finished speaking.
"It's going to be awesome!" He said with a grin. "That's great Danny." I said. "I'm sure it will be an awesome time." I managed a small smile. He moved closer to me and put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into an awkward hug. I look d at him confused. "What's this about?" I asked. He let out a sigh. "You know, I'm going to miss annoying you when I'm gone." Their was traces of sadness in what he said. It's true he can be a real pain sometimes. But I know he does it because it's part of how he shows he cares. Like an older brother would a younger sibling.

I lean my head onto his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you too. You can always text or call me. Im sure Diana and I can come visit you out their sometime."  "That be awesome. Id like that allot." He gave me a squeeze before letting go and getting up off the floor with his hand extended out to me. I took his hand as he helped me to my feet.

We began walking down the empty hall together to my next class. "Oh by the way, I've heard from Lydia that their was supposed to be a new guy transferring in today." "Huh that's kinda odd timing for someone to transfer schools." I reply as I look at my schedule once more before looking up at Danny. "Yeah. That is a bit off. But I heard he's smoking hot!" I involuntarily rolled my eyes. "And your hoping to catch a glimpse of this said smoking hot guy before you leave?" He starts to grin. I was right. So I playfully shoved him.

I stop a few feet away from a closed classroom door. "Well this is me. Remember to stop by later tonight for your going away presents." He pats me on the back,"I'll be their!" He continues down the hall.

I take a deep breath, open the classroom door and proceed to enter the room. Here we go.