Surviving Highschool

Chapter Two

"Finally," I sighed falling into my chair at the table with Gracie. She laughed a little and nodded agreeing with me. We were both looking at our trays in disgust unsure what was truly on them, it was a mystery. 

"Did you hear we have a new student?" Gracie finally asked as we pushed away the trays in disgust. 

We lived in a small town, it was hard not to notice when someone new rolled into town. Five years ago that was me, now i just disappear into the crowd. "Of course i heard," I said, "I also sit next to him in AP History so that's a thing." 

"You're kidding me?! What's he like? What's he look like? Is he-" Her questions were cut off as silence fell over the entire cafeteria. All heads turn to the door as non other than the new guy walks in. I still hadn't gotten a good look at him other than the clear shot of his eyes when he looked at me. I still couldn't see him with all the people. 

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," i smirked turning back to the table. 

"Uh Kins?" Gracie said after I had turned my back. I looked up at her, waiting. "He's walking towards us." 

"Uh why?" 

"Ask him yourself," the voice behind me said. I winced at the sound of his voice and slowly spun in my chair to face him. 

I couldn't help the gasp that fell from my lips when I saw him- Jacks. His hair was still the same pitch black color, those eyes were still crystal blue, I should have recognized them before but- god it was Jacks. 

"Hi'ya Kins," he finally said raising a hand to wave his fingers at me with that same smirk. 

"No," was what I decided on. I couldn't get myself to say anything else. A "hi" would have meant I was happy to see him. A response would have meant anger. And I was neither of those things. 

"No?" both Gracie and Jacks questioned in confusion. 

"No," i confirmed rising to my feet. "Goodbye." I pulled my bag up over my shoulder and left before either of them could wrap their heads around what was happening. I walk out of the lunch room and straight to the front office- I needed to get out of here. 

I signed myself out unable to find a reason other than "I wasn't feeling well". I walked out of there ten minutes later cleared for the rest of the day. I hitched my bag up on my shoulders completely and started the walk home trying not to think- which I failed at doing. 

What was he doing here? Why of all the goddamn people that could have been sent why  did it have to be him? Wait how did he find me? How did any of them find me? It shouldn't have been that easy to find me, though it has been five years since I left- 

My thoughts were interrupted by my arrival at my apartment. I hurried inside and made sure to lock all of my doors and check the windows. I couldn't help myself from doing so, I knew Jacks way too well to let that slide. 

I dropped my bag on the counter in the kitchen and grabbed my laptop. Sitting at the bar i searched my computer and followed my own trail. I learned it wasn't that I wasn't covering my trail, it was that I was covering it too well. I made myself invisible making me stand out even more. 

I closed the laptop and gave up on looking even deeper. I started making my way to my bathroom stripping off my uniform as I did so. By the time I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror I was just wearing my underwear and my bra. 

I could see myself now, my scars, my bruises, everything. I could only imagine what I would look like had I stayed where I was. I pushed back my long red hair and stared at my green eyes. This was who I was, and I was not going to fall back into old habits. Not this easily. 

I turned away and stripped before climbing into the shower. It was as hot as I could stand it, letting it loosen my muscles as I stood under the shower head trying to wrap my head around every thing that has happened. 

I stepped out and wrapped up in a towel as I moved to my room to find some clothes. I settled for a sports bra and a pair of sweats before moving into my living room. I was just about to fall onto my couch for a nap when there was a knock on my door. 

Hurrying over I didn't think twice about picking up a shirt before I opened the door- I regretted that choice as soon as the door was fully open. Jacks was standing in my doorway in all his glory. 

"Can't run from me now," he said tucking his hands into his pockets. Always a sign he was uncomfortable. "Nice place you got Kins." He stepped into my apartment without another word and all i could do was sigh and shut the door behind him. 

Here goes nothing.