Welcome to My World

Chapter 8 Callum's POV {The Scariest Thing Here is Emotion}

I sigh, hunched over my math worksheet. I can tell Genelyn is dying to sink her clutches into me, and that's why she sees Rayla as a threat. But honestly, was it really necessary to hit a concussed girl? I can tell Rayla's hurt more than she's letting on, physically and emotionally. I feel guilty, but I bury it under stubbornness. She shouldn't have let her temper flare like that, then. And besides, she's just crazy with her stories about dragons, what is she talking about?

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Now, I'm sitting in Assembly Hall when a boy about my age comes and points to the empty spot next to me. "Hey, this seat taken?" He asks, his fluffy brown hair framing bright blue eyes and chocolate skin.

"No, you can sit here." I reply. "What's your name?"

He hesitates for a second. "Ezran." He says finally. "Just call me Ez."

"Hmm, your name sounds familiar." I notice. "Nice meeting you. I'm Callum Harrowson, and you may not call me Call."

"Ok then." Ez says, sitting down next to me. He glances across the room and catches the eye of a girl sitting next to Rayla. I think she must be disabled because she's got a huge brown husky with her. She looks back at him, giving him a slight nod.

"Who's that?" I ask Ez. "That girl with the husky."

"Her? Oh, her. That's Ellis." He explains. His voice sounds slightly sad, kind of like a young child who's lost.

"Hey, are you ok?" I ask.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." He says quickly. He's using the same dismissive tone as Rayla did earlier.

I'm about to pressure him further when the microphone squeals, a sharp sound surprisingly similar to the sound of Mrs. Harriston's voice. "Good morning, Ivywoodians." Mr. Hingsworth says gruffly.

Around us, everyone rises to their feet and salutes stiffly, so Ez and I quickly follow. Across the room, I can see Rayla and Ellis doing the same. He grunts, and we sit down again. I try to catch Rayla's eye, but she's not looking at me. She's quietly talking to Ellis.

"Ivywoodians, as you may know, this month we will be having our annual Spooks' Ball." He says. Some kids cheer, but others groan. Ellis and Ez look at each other with strange expressions. For a moment I catch Rayla's gaze, but she turns.

Jeez, I forgotten how bad it can get when you right with Rayla. Note to self: Find a way to get on her good side again.

"Art Club! You'll be in charge of the decorating." He continues. Art Club? I just signed up for that, and got accepted immediately! Art Club members stand up proudly, me among them. We sit down again.

"Music Makers! You'll be in charge of the sounds and effects." He declares. The Music Makers stand up, and to my surprise, so does Rayla. Wait, what? When'd she sign up for Music Makers?!?!?!

They sit down, and not surprisingly, Genelyn is elected as Spooky Supervisor. I sigh. The sooner we get this over with, the better.

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The next thing is lunch. I've got new friends to sit with, Jamie and Matthew. Jamie is a short, geeky sort of guy, but Matthew is the sort of guy girls fawn over. Ya know, jock. Speaking of girls... I sigh softly, staring at Rayla's back. She's sitting alone, nobody wanting to sit with her. Her new friend, that Ellis girl, is sitting with Ez.

"Yo, bro, you got girl trouble?" Matthew teases.

"Nah. She's my best friend. We're not dating." I reply casually.

Jamie looks up from his Chromebook. "Oh, really?" He remarks. "You seem pretty... Close."

I roll my eyes. "We've known each other since I learned how to walk. Of course we're close."

For a moment, both are silent. The Matthew speaks up. "You get into a fight, then?" He asks.

I sigh. "Yeah. Know what I should do about it?"

Jamie grins. "Just... Chill. If she's really how you say, she'll come back to you in a bit."

I grin, too. "Great, then. Thanks for the help, guys. Now, about that game you were gonna teach me, that D & D thingy..."