Time Flies

Chapter Three

"Girls, let's go! You're going to be late for your first day of school!" Mom shouted up the steps. Sprinting down the three sets of stairs with my messenger tote bag, I grabbed a muffin and apple, hopped into the passenger's seat of the car, and let Mary drive to school. 

Elizabeth sat in the back with her headphones on, listening to some punk rock music that she listened to every day. I was the one that got her hooked on Asking Alexandria, and after that she started to like all of those kinds of bands. Groaning, I pulled my skirt down just a little farther. 

"God, I hate these uniforms," I mutter and Mary scoffs. 

"They're the ugliest uniforms I've seen in my life," She exclaimed. 

"Just be glad they aren't plaid," I answer and she groans. 

"Don't even get me started on plaid skirts..." 

Now we did not want a rant from Mary about plaid skirts this morning, so I just kept my mouth shut. The  uniform was a white button up long sleeved shirt, a forest green skirt, and a matching green blazer with the initials LRA in cursive right where a lapel would be. If anything, Lake Ridge Academy was probably the last school I wanted to attend. At least it was the first day for everyone...

We pulled into a massive parking lot, the school layed out in front of us looked more like a university that a 9-12 grade academy. The place was massive, made out of brick. There were fancy cars parked everywhere -- definitely bringing down a little self esteem there about our mustang. 

"Let's go," Mary snapped and I rolled my eyes. 

Elizabeth took off her headphones and put them in her bag. I gave her a reassuring smile and said fakely, "Welcome to hell," 

"You've got that right," She muttered. 

The three of us walked up to the front doors, and everyone stared. We had just stepped up to the concrete before the steps when arms were slung around all of us. A voice whispered in my ear, "You didn't think you'd get away from us that easily, did you?" 

"Oh my god, Jake, leave me alone!" I groan. Looking over, there was a look of annoyance on Mary's face while Marcus bombarded her. Elizabeth and Lucas were chatting happily and quietly, though. How come Lucas couldn't have rubbed off on Jake and Marcus?

"Never!" Jake sang, smirking. 

I gave him a sweet smile, stomped on his foot, and walked forward with my two sisters. They were all staring at us, whispering. Almost every single girl had their hair up, even Lizzy and Mary, but I had left my curly hair down, the ringlets bouncing. 

Making our way to the office, I heard someone say, "I heard she had a quickie with Jake Moore..." 

I fake gagged and Mary laughed, obviously she had heard what they said too. Rolling my eyes, we entered the office and Mary strode confidently towards the secretary. 

"Hi! I'm Mary Johnson, and these are my sisters! We're looking for our schedules," She said brightly and the old secretary smiled kindly. 

"Mary, Talia, and Elizabeth Johnson? Yes, here are your schedules and a map of the school to help you find your way," The old woman said. I thanked her and we parted ways, finding our lockers and getting ready for homeroom. 

"Well, well, well, looks like I've got a fan," Jake said from behind me, and I could almost hear him smirking. 

"Get over yourself," I mutter and he just chuckles. 

"Ain't gonna happen sweetheart," He whispers in my ear then opens the locker to my left. Groaning, I shove the rest of my things in my locker, pull out what I need for my morning classes, and leave him in the dust. When I walk into the room, I keep my head low and take a seat in the back left corner, the same side as the door. 

Someone drops their books on the desk next to mine, but I don't bother to look up. I keep focus on my notebook. 

"Hey, you must be new here. I'm John," a voice comes from beside me. I take a peek at him and notice that he's pretty good looking with dirty blonde hair, halfway spiked, and brown hazel eyes. Giving him a timid smile, I nodded. 

"Yeah, I'm Talia," I tell him shyly. 

"So I saw you walk in with Jake Moore today..." He trails off and I rolled my eyes. 

"I want nothing to do with that idiot. But sadly, we're neighbors," I mutter and John laughs. 

"Hah, he told me about a girl he met last week. Must've been you, he even said you and your sister had killer voices," He says. 

Oh my god, "You're his friend!?"

"Yeah, best buds. But I understand why you'd hate him, he always comes on strong," He jokes and I laugh lightly. I look up and see Jake walk in. As soon as he walks in, he spots me and stares me down as he walks over and sits in the desk in front of John. 

"Ladies man?" I clear with John and he nods, chuckling. 

"Hey man," Jake greets John, though he never stops staring at me. Even when the teacher goes through role call, he doesn't look away. 

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," I mutter and John starts laughing at the priceless look that played on Jake's face. 

After a long morning with Jake and John in every single one of my classes, it was finally lunch time. I quickly bought my lunch and stepped out. Where the heck am I supposed to sit. Looking over, I saw Mary sitting next to Marcus. He had his arm around he while she scowled at her lunch tray. Next to her was an open seat, John, then Jake. Walking over, I sat down and greeted my sister. 

"Hey fatso," I chirped and she glared at me. 

"Shut. Up." Okay, so she's in one of those moods...

"Hey, Talia," John spoke and I gave him a smile. 

"Hey," I said easily. 

"John, please trade seats with me!" Jake pleaded but John shook his head fiercely. 

"And sit next to the witch? Hell no!" He exclaimed. But he clapped a hand over his mouth as a tall blonde took a seat next to Jake. 

"Hey, Jakey-Poo," She purred and I almost gagged on the sight. Laughing at Jake's face, I quickly covered it up with a cough and pushed my curly, carmel hair back behind my ear. 

"What the heck?" I whispered to John. 

"That's Cassie, don't mess with her. She'll claw out your insides with her five inch fake nails," He explains and I laugh. 

"Let me guess,.. Slut who thinks Jake belongs to her?" I guess and he laughs, nodding. 

"Who are you?" Cassie suddenly screeches, bringing the entire cafeteria to silence. 

I look up and see she's staring right at me, her gaze intense. Giving her a solid fake smile, "I'm Talia, you must be Cassie! I've heard so much about you! It must be awesome to be the most beautiful girl in the school," I gush falsely and she bats her eyelashes. 

"Well it is an honor!" She squeals and nods her head approvingly, "I like you. You can stay! Now who are you?" She asks Mary. 

Marcus speaks for her, "My girlfriend who will kill you if you wear plaid!" 

The entire cafeteria stares at her now and she stares wide eyed at Marcus. Suddenly, she slaps him and shouts, "I'm not your girlfriend!" Mary then storms out of the cafeteria. 

Cassie smiles and says, "She can stay too," 

Guess we passed the test...