1985 (h.s.)

Chapter Three

It was Thursday and my fourth day at Ashland High. Every day I grew more fond of the town and the people within it. Currently, I was sitting on the bus next to Niall having a debate over whether or not the school lunches were made from alien slime. His mind was very creative.

"Niall, I highly doubt Mrs.Gale was abducted by aliens. It makes no sense," I argued playfully. Niall gasped with a false offense.

"But that's where you're wrong. How else was there that pink goop on my chicken nuggets yesterday?"

"Uh, I don't know? Maybe they were uncooked?" I retorted.

"But it was pink," he grimaced, "and slimy."

"Ok fine you win this one, but I still don't think the principle is Dracula. It's historically inaccurate," I stated with a 'duh' tone.

"Details details," Niall laughed causing me to roll my eyes. The past couple of days were really good with Niall. We learned new things about each other every day. It was helpful he rode my bus though he did stop walking me to class. I didn't mind because I had finally found my way around the small school.

The bus pulled up to its normal spot and we get off with a rush in our blood. The pep rally for the years first football game was today so everyone was in school spirit. I had no school t-shirts so Niall lent me one. It was a bit big, but I tucked it into some jeans and tried to make it work.

After we grabbed our things, Niall and I sat in our normal morning spot with the rest of his friends. I pulled out my book and started to read. I was already almost done with it.

"Do you ever put that book down?" Liam asked. Liam was one of Niall's very intelligent friends. He was in one or two of my AP classes with me. His warm brown eyes always had a flicker of happiness glowing inside of them.

"Sometimes," I chuckled. I closed the book and tried to get invested in whatever dumb conversation they were engaged in.

"Did you hear he's coming back today?" Zayn, another friend of Niall's asked. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Who's coming back?" I asked curiously. Zayn ran a hand through his thick black hair and looked at me dead in the eyes. The eye contact was a bit uncomfortable so I looked at the ground.

"Um no one important," he replied nervously, "Anyways, did you guys see how badly Josh got beat up. I hear he's got a broken nose."

Their conversations were completely unentertaining so I picked up my book again. I used the last few minutes before the bell to finish the chapter I was on. I stood up and waved to the boys before taking off to my English class. I walked into the room and sat in my normal spot. The popular kids next to me were doing face paint in green and white, our school colors. I felt underdressed in Niall's simple Ashland High Stallions shirt. Dr.Ashley was still absent from the room, but no one seemed to notice. Not too long after me, an unfamiliar face walked through the door.

My eyes stuck to him as he glided to his seat right next to me. I flashed him a friendly smile. His eyes met mine. They were an astonishing gray-green color. They contrasted beautifully with the tone of his skin. Few freckles dotted his smooth surface. He must be into skincare, I thought. His skin was flawless. His hair was a warm chocolate brown that was in loose curls falling to his cheekbones. His lips were a pale pink and pressed into a fine line. His jawline was sharp and he had healthy physic. He wore a simple black shirt that clung to his biceps. His black jean-clad legs stretched in front of him. His eyes were full of caution as he nodded back to me. He was flawless. My eyes weren't the only one following him though. Over half of the class was silent and focused on him as he sat in his chair, a bare look upon his face.