What a Ride - Harry Styles

Chapter 1: Day One

"Jesse! Let's go, we're going to be late!" I yelled as I ran down the stairs and into the living room, dodging all of the unpacked boxes. Today was the first day at a new school, in a new town, and I CANNOT be late.
"Don't rush me, Sky! You're all of seventeen years old, don't rush me" Jesse laughed as his wondered out of his bedroom still in his pyjamas. Jesse is my brother, he's two years older than me. Ever since our mum passed away almost two years ago, it's just been the two of us and our little sister, Matilda.

Jesse and I eventually made it out of the house and into the car and we are now on our way to drop Matilda at the babysitter's house before we make our way to school. My nerves are running on overdrive. It feels like my stomach is in my throat.
"You'll be fine" Jesse said, putting his hand on my knee that was shaking uncontrollably. I couldn't talk, in fear that my stomach might fall out of my mouth so instead I just nod and try to control my shaking leg.

"Are you excited to see Aunty G?" Jesse asked Matilda, looking at her in the rear vision mirror. Matilda just nodded her head, not wanting to break her concentration from the toy that she had in her hand.
Georgia is the best babysitter in the world! She used to look after Jesse and I when we were younger. She was Mum's best friend and she's like family to us, hence why we call her Aunty G. She has always been there for us the we needed her.

We pull into Georgia's drive way and she comes running outside to greet us.
"Tilly!! My most favourite child in the entire world!"
"Aunty G!" Matilda screamed in her adorable toddler voice. As soon as Jesse undid Matilda's seatbelt, she slid from her seat and stumbled towards Georgia.
"Thanks for dropping her off guys. David has taken the car again for the weekend" Georgia explained.
"It's no worries" I said, grabbing the bags out of the back of the car containing everything that Tilly would need for the day.
David is Georgia's ex husband. They recently divorced and the court declared that they would have shared ownership of the car. In other words, the have to share it. Unfortunately, Georgia doesn't have enough money to buy a new car. Her ex, on the other hand, is rolling in it and he's making Georgia's life difficult just for the hell of it.

"Well, you guys best be off. We've got things under control here don't we, Tilly?" Georgia said, looking at Matilda who was being held by Georgia. Matilda nodded in response.
"Ok, bye bye my honey" I said, walking over and giving Matilda a quick kiss on the cheek.

A short car ride later and we were pulling into the car park of Croydon High School. The butterflies in my stomach were going crazy as Jesse turned the engine off and stepped outside. I just sat, staring straight ahead at the crowded courtyard, thinking of all the ways that this could go horribly wrong.
"Come on, it's just one foot after the other" Jesse encouraged.
I took a deep breath and exited the car, stumbling as I tried to walk. My feet had apparently forgotten how to walk.. Helpful.

We walk towards the front office and there was an elderly lady sitting behind the desk.
"Good morning. How may I help the two of you?" She asked with a sweet smile.
"Good morning, Joan" I read her name badge. "My name is Skylar and this is my brother, Jesse. I spoke to a lady named Sue earlier in the week about registration for the two of us."
"Oh yes, we've been expecting you but I only have registration papers for you, Miss Penn" she said with a confused look.
"Oh no, there should be papers for the two of us" I insisted.
"Actually" Jesse chimed "I won't be attending"
"What?" I questioned in disbelief.
"I've decided that I'm not going to continue school" he stated. "I got a full time job on a construction site that starts next week." I was left gob smacked. How could he turn up today, knowing that I was already nervous and then drop that bombshell on top of it all?
"Here are your classes, Miss Penn" Joan said as she passed me a class schedule and a list of books that I needed to get from the library.
"Thank you" I replied blankly, still in shock.
"Hi, I'm Emberly. I'll be showing you around today." The voice came from a young lady, around my age, who was now standing next to us.
"Hi, I'm-" I started but was quickly interrupted.
"I know who you are, Skylar" she said with a giggle. "Have you got everything you need?" Emberly asked, looking at all the papers in my hands.
"Umm, I think so" I hesitated.
"Great, let's go. I'll show you to your locker first and then we can check out your first class" she said, walking towards a door that lead to a long hallway. Without saying anything, I follow Emberly down the hallway, glancing back at Jesse every couple of steps. Jesse just stood in the office, watching as I made my way, as if to make sure that I didn't chicken out. Not going to lie, the thought had crossed my mind.

I continue down the hallway, trying to stay close to Emberly to avoid getting lost.
"This is you" Emberly stated, pointing to a locker that we were approaching. "Have you got the code with you?" She asked as we came to a stop.
"Umm.." I paused, rummaging through the papers that I had in my hand, remembering that Joan had said something about a locker combination. "Yes!" I exclaimed, full of excitement, realising that I hadn't already lost it. Emberly giggled and showed me how to enter the combination.
"What class have you got first?" Emberly asked. I look at my schedule, hoping that I'm reading right.
"Biology, with Mr White" I replied
"Awesome! You're with me" she said with excitement.

The bell rings indicating that first class is about to start. I put all of my belonging into my locker, except for my biology books, and followed Emberly to class. We walk through the door and Emberly introduced me to the teacher.
"Good morning, Mr White" Emberly said with a smile. "This is our newest friend, Skylar." She said gesturing in my direction.
"Everyone just calls me Sky" I said blushing slightly as I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"It's nice of you to join us Sky. Welcome. There is a seat for you just over here" Mr White said gesturing to an empty seat in the middle row. Emberly took her seat, next to mine.
"Hey guys, this is Sky" Emberly said, turning to three other girls that sat on the side of her.
"Hi" they all said in unison.
"This is Spencer, Taylah and Kendall" Emberly continued pointing to each of the girls who waved as she said their name.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you guys" I said politely.

"Mr Styles. You're late. Again." Mr White stated has a curly haired, supermodel walked through the door.
"Oh come on, Shane, you should be used to it by now" the boy mocked with a beautiful, British accent.
"Take a seat" Mr White said sternly.
"Who's that?" I whispered to Emberly as the boy made his way to the back row.
"That, is Harry Styles. You're going to want to stay away from him. He's trouble" she warned.

Class went rather quickly. The second the bell chimed, students hurried to the hallways, making their way to the cafeteria.
"Will you be sitting with us in the cafeteria?" Spencer asked, looking at me.
"Is that ok?" I asked, hopeful
"Of course it is" she stated and walked towards her locker.

"Oh sweet! We're right near each other" Kendall said, excitement clear in her voice.
"Nice" I said with a grin.
Kendall and I made our way to the cafeteria and met up with the other girls who were already seated at a table almost central to the room.

As we sat making light conversation, I noticed Harry standing in the corner with his group of friends. I quickly look down at the table when his gaze is sent in my direction, hoping he didn't see that I was staring at him.
"Careful" Spencer laughed, noticing what had just happened. I feel the heat rise to my cheeks.
"What's his deal?" I asked, curious as to why everyone warned me against him.
"He has a reputation for trouble" Emberly spoke.
"What kind of trouble?" I asked, my eyes trailing back over to where he was standing.
"Some say he's in a gang. Others say he robbed a servo and he put a guy in hospital" Kendall said with a slight hint of fear in her voice.
"So, is there anyone who can confirm these sayings or are they just rumours?" I asked, almost defending him. The girls just looked at each other, trying to figure out if any of them knew whether it was truth or rumour. None of them could come up with an answer.
"Either way, he will definitely hook up with you and then break your heart. Apparently he has a list of names and every time he gets with another girl, he'll add her name to the list. He's a womaniser for sure" Spencer said. I rolled my eyes. More gossip.
I glanced to where Harry was standing to find he was staring intensely in my direction.
Did he know we were talking about him? He couldn't, we are way out hearing range.
All of a sudden, he stands from the wall that he was leaning against and begins to walk in this direction.

SHIT...