The Angel Awakens

Chapter 6: Owen and the Popular Kids

Locker 77, Daryl's locker, was situated on a space where two hallways met and was parallel the stairs leading to the second floor.

Daryl didn't like his locker's location, it was to crowded. People kept bumping into him as he put his stuff in it. Not to mention how hard it was to get to it.

Daryl checked his watch once he was finished organizing his locker. 15 minutes left before classes started. He sighed and looked at his schedule.
How was he supposed to find his classroom, his hands got all sweaty just by thinking of asking someone.

Daryl couldn't help but think of various situations of him asking others where the classrooms were, in all of them they laughed at him.

He shook his head. Stop that. Just take a deep breath and ask someone.
Daryl followed his own advice and took a deep breath. Then he closed his locker and turned to walk off.

But before Daryl could fully turn around, someone opened the adjacent locker and the door smacked Daryl right in the nose. The surprise was so much that Daryl fell on the floor.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry." Said a boy's voice.
The boy helped Daryl get up.
"I'm fine. I'm fine." Daryl said, holding his nose. He didn't dare open his eyes, he knew everyone would be looking at him. There's nothing people like more than a scene, except maybe for money.

Daryl ventured opening his eyes. He was sure everyone in the hallway was looking at him. But when he opened his eyes the only person that was looking at him was a dark blond haired boy. He had a very concerned look on his face.

"Are you all right?" He asked, "I swear that was by accident."
"It's fine." Daryl said again, taking his hand away from his nose.
The boy took a deep breath and started laughing.
"For a moment I thought your nose was bleeding."
Daryl started laughing with him. His nose was still hurting, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

"Hey, your new here aren't you?" The boy asked after a while.
"Uh, yeah." Daryl responded shaking his head.
Was it that easy to know Daryl was new.
"I knew it. No one's used that locker all year."

Daryl adjusted his glasses, which were almost falling off his face.
"I'm Owen by the way." Owen said, holding out his hand.
"Daryl."
They shook hands.
Daryl couldn't believe he found his first potential friend. Sure he smacked Daryl's face with his locker door, but that was an accident, and besides, Owen seemed like a nice guy.

Owen had short messy hair, brown eyes and was fair skinned. He was about Daryl's height, maybe an inch taller.

"So, when'd you move into town?" Owen asked.
"Last night."
"And you woke up early and came to school?" He whistled after he said that. "That's determination bro."
"No, not really, it's mostly my dad."
"Ah, the old parent card," Owen crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Don't worry man, I won't judge you if you like coming to school."
"But it's true, if it was for me I would've stayed sleeping."
"All right. All right. I believe you." He held his hands up in defeat and laughed.
Daryl laughed also and looked over to the stairs.

On the stairs landing was a group of guys talking to each other.
For some reason Daryl's eyes stopped at a blond haired guy. He felt like they had some sort of connection. Suddenly the guy turned around and looked at Daryl.
The guy had tanned skin and his hair was a neat mess that covered the his ears.
The guy raised his hand towards his head and waved in a sort of salute.
Daryl shyly returned the gesture.

"No way," Owen exclaimed, "Did Lucas Goodman just greet you?"
"Uh, yes?" Daryl said, even though he had no idea who Lucas Goodman was.
Owen looked like he remembered Daryl was new and didn't know anyone.
"Lucas is one of the most popular guys at school," Owen explained, "And according to all the girls 'Mister Perfect'." He made air quotes with his fingers.
Owen then went on to say what the girls said about Lucas, all in a mocking girly voice. "Oh, he's so hot and kind and nice and bla bla bla."
Daryl couldn't help but laugh.