the cheerleader and the outcast >> dan howell

Chapter 1

Ring ring ring

"All right class, settle down, settle down." Mr. Hurch, our social studies teacher, says getting up from his desk.

My friends and I keep talking for a while and then quiet down. Just another boring day at school. At least I have cheer practice afterwards.

"Class, we have a new student." Mr. Hurch announces, which shuts us all up. "Dan, come on in." Mr. Hurch calls out as he opens the classroom door. A tall dark-haired boy walks in the door. A few people snicker at him, but I give my full attention. He's cute, kinda. "Class, This is Dan Howell. Say hello, class."

A few kids murmur a hello, and Dan gives a smug smile. His hands are shoved in his pocket, and he tries to avoid eye contact with everyone in the classroom. Poor guy.

"Dan, is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself?" Mr. Hurch grins at him. Dan just shakes his head slightly.

"No." He says in an adorable accent. I kind of have a thing for accents. A few kids laugh, and Mr. Hurch shoots them a look and clears his throat.

"Alright then. Why don't you have a seat next to Rachel there?" The teacher points at the seat next to me and Dan shrugs his shoulders, having a seat. I smile at him, and he just sighs and looks away. Okay then.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around and see my friend Julisa with a note in her hand. I unfold it and read it.

"What a loser. lol." Julisa's handwriting reads. I bite the inside of my cheek and reply.

"I know right :P" I write down on the paper and hand it to her. She chuckles when she reads it.

Sometimes I hate being mean, but I want to still be on the cheer team and have my friends. I look over at Dan and see he is drawing a picture of some Pokemon I cannot name. He catches me looking over at him and blushes, sliding the drawing back in a folder. He's cute when he blushes.

"Ms. Ali." I hear Mr. Hurch grumble, snapping my head towards him.

"Y-yes?" I stutter.

"What was the answer to my question?" He asks. Oh crap. What question? I bite my lip.

"Uhhh...the French Revolution?" I mumble. The class laughs. Great job, Rachel, you manage to make a fool of yourself yet again. Mr. Hurch sighs loudly.

"I see you were too busy staring at Mr. Howell to pay attention." He says. My face goes red as the class laughs some more. "Now who can tell me the actual answer-" His voice is cut off by the bell ringing. I let out a sigh in relief. "Page 66 for homework!" I hear Mr. Hurch blurt out as we make our way to the next class.

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We finish the last class before lunch, and head our way to the cafeteria.

"Rachel!" I hear Julisa call. I turn around and see a big smirk on her face.
"Staring at Mr. Howell, are we?" She laughs and flips her blonde hair. Ugh.

"N-no...I mean I was just...uh..." I stutter like an idiot. I gotta stop doing that. Julisa bursts out laughing, making me flinch. She grabs me by the arm.

"Don't worry, I'll let this one slide." She winks at me "Now come on, we will be late for lunch!" Julisa exclaims, dragging me to the cafeteria. We have a seat at our table and, as usual, Julisa sits by her boyfriend, Ethan, and I am left sitting alone at the end. Third wheel much?

Julisa goes on chatting with the other cheerleaders and flirting with her boyfriend as my eyes wonder the cafeteria. My gaze lands on Dan, who is sitting at a table with Jacob from my English class. They are talking about something. Dan looks so cute, the way he flips his hair and talks with his hands...