Friday's at school always seem the longest. Not only am I usually slightly hungover from the night before, but there was always the anticipation of the weekend. Being only three weeks into school, I still didn't have any major homework to do (not like I would have done it anyways). I began to fumble in my locker for my binder for second period biology when someone tapped on my shoulder.
With a jolt I turned as I slammed my locker shut. My long blonde hair seemed to have caught in the hinge though because as I went to finish my 180 degree turn I was hauled back with a stinging pain eminating from the back of my head. "For fuck sakes..." I mumbled as I turned back and started to work the bit of hair out of the crack of my locker.
I could hear the laughter before I managed to get all my hair out and realised I didn't even know who it was who threw me into this situation. After a few more seconds of trying, I finally got the majority of my hair out and was able to fully turn and face the guy - who was still laughing - who put me here.
"I don't even know who you are and you have so far managed to shit all over my already crappy day." I tried to stay stern in my demeanor but I couldn't help but giggle along. Whoever it was, his laugh was just the most contagious thing I had ever heard.
After a few deep breaths, he was finally able to speak. "I'm so sorry, but that was entirely your fault."
"Excuse me? How is being scared by someone and therefore getting my hair caught in my locker my fault?" I didn't even know this guy and he was already accusing me of something he did? Yeah, not in here.
"Well if you didn't jump when I simply tapped your shoulder....or if you didn't have such long hair....I mean the entire situation was avoidable." The smirk that crossed his cheeks as he spoke took me back for a second. As much as I wanted to be rude to him, I couldn't help but copy his smile back as I spoke.
"Maybe if you didn't go around tapping random people then we wouldn't have an issue."
"You know, I'm just going to ignore your sexual inneundo." He laughed out loud again and relaxed a navy-sleeved sweater against the locker next to mine. "Anyways, I think we should just blame Campbell because he's the one who told me where to find you."
"Yeah, blaming Campbell has usually gotten me out of trouble, so I guess you can use him as an excuse this one time. But why were you looking for me?" It amazed me that I could probably spend hours talking to this stranger, hearing him smile, and looking at his deep blue eyes and I probably couldn't care less about who he was or why he was here.
"Oh shit sorry. I missed that part. My name is Niall, I'm the new kid." He stood up straight and stuck out his right hand in a gesture that meant I was suppose to shake it. I looked down at it quizically before he spoke again, "it's a hand. Where I come from you shake it. It's a normal 'greeting' gesture."
Without another word I extended my hand and shook his. His large, firm grip seemed warm against my cool hands and the feeling made me nervous. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as he pulled his hand away and resumed his position leaning against the locker. The bell signally second period was starting should be going off any minute but I didn't want to leave.
It had seemed that almost every one of my friends had had a chance to either meet Niall or have a class with him, but this was a first time I got a chance to be with the new kid. Judging by his thick accent, he had probably just moved here from somewhere in the UK. His brown hair looked like a perfect mess on top of his head - and regardless of how I think it was suppose to look like he just rolled out of bed, I knew he probably spent at least two minutes working on it. The deep blueness of his eyes looked so pure and clean, and they brought out the faint hint of pink underlying his cheeks.
"Anyways, I was chatting with Campbell first period and he invited me to hang out with you guys next Thursday. Figured I would introduce myself to the ring leader though beforehand so here I am. He told me where your locker was, and I figured I would just intercept you before second period starts."
As if there was no god, in that instant the bell rung, signally we were already late. I didn't want to stop talking to Niall - not like we had some undeniable connection but he was so ridiculously good-looking it didn't seem fair.
Before I had a chance to speak again he was already starting to walk down the hallway, the opposite direction of where I needed to go. He waved back at me and turned to walk at a fast pace before sliding into the second door on the right.
"What the hell was that?" I whispered to myself as I started down the hallway to the science hall. It didn't make sense that the hot new guy would want to introduce himself to me. Not that I was ugly. Because I'm not. I'm just plain - and plain is common - and common is undesirable. Simple as that. But still, Campbell told me about him and I shouldn't be surprised he introduced himself to me first. He was really just being polite. I walked into the science class, ignoring my whiney teacher go on about my being late.
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The entire gang sat together at lunch at the third table in from the main doors to the cafeteria. As I took my seat, Campbell came and sat across from me, instead of next to me where he usually goes.
"So I heard you and Niall met."
"Wow good news travels fast around here. Yeah, he scared the shit out of me. Seems nice though, so I don't care if he comes with us on Thursday."
A weird smile grew on Campbell's face as if he knew a secret I didn't. "Excellent. Brittany, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
"Okay, you're freaking me out Campbell...what's going on?"
"Nothing. I just think he will be a great addition to our group."
"No you have this stupid smile on your face. I swear to god if you are setting me up with another guy I will shave your head in your sleep!"
We all couldn't help but laugh. That was the groups life goal - try to set one of us up with someone else. And it never works out. Rarely do boyfriends or girlfriends make it to the group - except for Jeremy. None of us really got into the whole long-term relationship. And besides - I don't date. I may go on a couple dates and maybe fool around a bit, but I'm not the loving girlfriend kind of person. To be honest, it just seemed like a lot of work trying to please someone who in the end probably will just screw you over.
Our lunch banter went on for the duration of the hour. The afternoon seemed to fly by and before I knew it, the bell rang to end the torture that was "school-half" of Friday, and begin the "hell-yes half".
