The New Girl

Chapter Five

I crushed the paper and dumped it to the floor. I told myself he wouldn't literally kill me. He was just mad at me for being reported. The worst he could do was beat me. I can endure that.

The bell rang and I jumped out of my thoughts. The second period was science, which took place in the practical lab in Building B. Professor Maya left the classroom, without giving us any homework. Or did she give us one when I wasn't paying attention?

There were scrapings noises of chairs and feet moving as the class rose up carrying their bags and all prepared to change the building. I crammed the book back in my bag expecting to hear Brooklyn's booming voice anytime in my ears. I was surprised when I heard Lovina's instead.

"So where are we having science class?" She was standing right beside my desk.

"Um, in block B," I said, weaving my hands through the bag straps.

"Come, let's go."

To my utter amazement, Lovina looped her arm through mine. Her skin was ice cold, and the other thing I noticed about her was a Chinese Dragon tattoo. It wasn't big and she had it inked on her wrist. I wondered if she knew I was one of the so called dorks of the college. Feeling little bit awkward, I looked around the emptying classroom. Arvon gave me thump up secretly, and Brooklyn was still on his seat, fire blazing in his eyes.

"Please don't mind my cold hands. I'm suffering from common cold." I took the last line as a joke because she laughed after saying it.

I grinned. Perhaps she wasn't as innocent as she looked.

We sauntered out in the sun, arm in arm like a couple. The campus' top dork plus top chick.

"Is Brooklyn your boyfriend?" I asked her.

She took a moment to answer. "Er, no. He's my ex, actually."

I was mystified. "But you're in our dorm this morning with him."  

"It's a long story. Be careful of him, okay? He isn't exactly what he seems."

"I know," I said, casting a look around for Brooklyn. He was nowhere to be seen. Did he stay back in the class? "Are you interested to patch up with him?"

"No. Not in billion years."

I had zero chance making this girl mine. But still I rejoiced in the reply she gave me. She would be better off without jerks like Brooklyn in her life.

"Can I see the list of your subjects?"

"Of course, you can." She gave me the folded paper.

"Short break after this, then drama class and the gym, and the lunch break" I said, reading from the paper in brief. "You've chosen every subject on my list. This would keep us in same classes."

"Excellent. So, Casper, you got girlfriend?"

That proved she knew nothing about my nerd status in Neon. I wish she would stay that way.

"No," I replied her.

"How about boyfriends?"

"I'm not gay."

"Okay. I was joking. Erm, what do you think if I help you find a girl?"

I let my silence speak.