The New Guy

Chapter 3

Ryan

I don’t know what it was about her that made me feel the way I did. She was pretty yes, but it wasn’t just that. She had this easy, carefree way about her that almost forced you to feel comfortable around her, and she seemed to really understand me. Being funny as heck helped her case too.

Whatever it was that made me so attracted to her is the only thing that pulled me out of bed the next morning. Looking at my phone I saw a text from Alyssa.

Good morning! If you want to walk to the bus stop together meet me outside at 6:45 :)

As I read, my heart started racing. I glanced at the clock: 6:30. “Oh shoot” I muttered as I threw on my clothes and went to brush my teeth. I couldn’t be late for the first day of my new life, and I certainly couldn’t leave Alyssa waiting…

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Alyssa

When I walked outside that morning the first thing I saw was Ryan. He was sitting on his porch in a rocking chair, his gaze fixed on a point in the distance. My movement must have caught his attention because his head snapped in my direction and his face lit up. He bolted up and bounded over to me, like a puppy happy to see his owners.

“Hey!” he exclaimed when he met me halfway between our houses.

I couldn’t help myself from smiling. “Hey. You ready?” I asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” he said, his smile fading a little.

We turned and walked to the bus stop in silence, Ryan buzzing with nervous energy. At the corner where we were supposed to wait, a few other high schoolers stood huddled around someone’s phone, laughing at some funny post on Face Book. I made my way over to them, dragging a resistant Ryan along with me.

“Hey ya’ll,” I called with a smile. “This is Ryan. He just moved in.”

5 half awake faces looked up and grumbled “Hey” then went back to whatever they were doing. So much for southern hospitality.

“Sorry about that,” I apologized to Ryan. “They aren’t really morning people”.

Before he could reply, the bus came speeding around the corner. It pulled to a stop and the doors swung open. I gave Ryan a smile and climbed aboard.

Sitting in the first seat was my best friend in the entire world, Travis. He was my polar opposite, short, blonde, artsy, and sarcastic. Our opposing personalities are probably why we have always gotten along so well. He gave me a confused look as I passed our usual spot in seat one and flopped down behind him. His bemusement only increased as Ryan stepped on to the bus and sat beside me, looking nervous as hell.

“Trav, this is Ryan. Ryan, Travis. Ryan just moved in next to me, and he’s totally cool.” I explained.

“Hey man,” Travis greeted Ryan. “Tough luck being stuck living next to this spaz”

I playfully blew him a kiss and replied “You know you love my spazziness!”

Ryan laughed, obviously loosening up, and said “Yeah she’s pretty insane,” making me slap him too.

After that, Travis launched into some story about a time I randomly showed up at his house on my golf cart and “kidnapped” him (in my defense, he had it coming after pushing me into his pool. And it was only for 3 hours). I sat back in my seat and smiled at the memory, and the fact that the two boys were getting along perfectly.

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Ryan

I had to admit I was nervous. A brand new school where I knew no one but my (hot) neighbor? I didn’t know how I was going to survive in the classes she wasn’t in. or if she wasn’t in my lunch. The not-so-warm welcome at the bus stop only added to my anxiety about not making friends.

When I followed Alyssa on the bus, she waved to some confused looking blonde kid sitting in the first seat, who she introduced as Travis. He seemed like a really cool guy, and he and Alyssa acted like brother and sister, so I wasn’t worried about him as competition. By the time we got to school, I had two friends instead of one.

When we got off the bus, Alyssa turned to me. “I’m guessing you have to go to the front office to pick up your schedule, right?”

I nodded. “Will you help me find my way around?” I asked.

“Of course!” she smiled and hooked her arm in mine. “Think of me as your personal tour guide.”

My heart sped up at the close physical contact. I got the feeling that Alyssa was a touchy person.

We walked through the crowded halls of the seemingly endless high school. I was never going to be able to find my way around this maze alone. I expressed this to Alyssa, who just laughed and said “You’ll get used to it.” Ok then.

When we got to the front office (after walking what seemed like a mile), she greeted the secretary by name, and introduced me.

“This is Ryan. Ryan…”

“Rosden” I finished. “My mom registered me a few weeks ago. I’m a transfer from San Jose High School.”

The secretary was a short blonde woman with an Irish accent. “Oh yes! The California boy! I have your schedule right here!” She handed it over with a smile. “Mrs. Peters I assume you’re going to show him around today? Don’t worry about being tardy, the both of you. I’ll contact your teachers. Need anything else?”

Alyssa said no, thanked her, and pulled me out of the door. “Phew” she sighed, giggling. “That was a close one. A few more seconds and she would have roped us into listening for hours about the potato famine or something like that. That woman can talk for hours!”

 With that she took my schedule and scanned through it. “Let’s see… Well we have chemistry together. That will be fun” she said. (It took me a second to realize she was talking about the class.) “And English. That’s a really fun class. Mrs. Gardener rocks! And you’re in B lunch with me and Travis!” She was practically bouncing up and down. It felt good to know that she actually wanted me in her classes.

Suddenly, a bell rang overhead, causing me to jump and Alyssa to laugh.

“Come on, let’s get you to class” she said, taking my hand. My entire body heated up and started tingling. “Holy shoot. She’s holding my hand. She’s. Holding. My. Hand!” my mind screamed. It probably wasn’t a big deal to her. This didn’t mean anything. It was totally normal. She’s just that kind of person. Right?

All I knew was I definitely wasn’t going to be paying much attention in class today.