serendipity [h.s.]

four

Song of the Chapter: Stay Out by Nina Nesbitt

The alarm on my phone blares in my ears and I literally jump out of bed. My eyes are wild and the noise thunders from the speakers. I quickly find it and shut it off. I throw myself back onto my bed and rub my hands over my face. I sigh loudly then realize my breath smells like cow manure so I quickly go to my bathroom and brush my teeth. I jump into the shower and let the warm water seep into my skin and relax my muscles.

Minutes later I exit and throw my hair into a bun, I'll deal with it later. I let the towel fall and I walk to my closet. I pull out a thin straped black dress and a maroon, tribal print cardigan. I grab my black Docs and walk to my mirror. I let down my hair and dry it slightly, putting it into very messy half up-half down. I grab my bag, which is now filled with school supplies that remind me of the inevitable. I put on my hat and leave the safety of my home.

***

"Josephine!" She calls loudly as my feet thump against the pavement. Girls screaming and boys laughing fill the air and I quickly gain a headache. I force myself to smile.

"Hi Steph, how have you been?" I answer. Stephanie Grace is the girl I've known since second grade, who I guess you could say is my best friend. However, she's the best friend that I've known forever. Not the the kind that I can talk to about everything and anything, there's a difference. Stephanie Grace, this girl whose name was pure irony because she was anything but graceful.

"By the way, " she adds. "Heather and Makayla have already started fighting. I swear those two are always at each others throats. That day just started! Whatever. Just beware."

I nod.

Her voice is high as she wraps her arms around my waist, mine lightly placed on her shoulders. Her green eyes are bright when we pull away, her blonde hair perfectly straightened.

"I've been so good! What about you? I hope we have classes together!" She exclaims and I snicker to myself.

One.

"Me too..." I mutter and she smiles. She nods her head to a group of acquaintances and I study all the familiar faces. I approach and I hear a variety of "Josephine!"'s and soon I'm at the number twelve.

I watch Heather and Makayla and they stare at each other dramatically and I roll my eyes. Makayla wears circular classes and some kind of rope around her head. A tye-dye dress and sandals. She looks like she just came back from Woodstock.

"But seriously, Josie, where were you this summer?" Heather asks me and her mocha eyes watch my intently.

"What do you mean?" I gulp. "I was here."

"No way, dude." Jacob adds. His brown hair is swept up and his jawline is hard. I'd find him attractive if I didn't know what I know. "You just disappeared."

"Family trip." I answer shortly. They all stare at me skeptically and I can feel participation form on my hairline. The bell rings and their attention is diverted as we begin our senior year.

***

I sit down for homeroom, we'll be in here longer than usual as everything gets settled and that's what I always dreaded about the first day of school. Also, we are put in our homerooms by last name and Jace just so happens to have the same letter as I do. Wonderful.

I take a seat in the back and shove my face into the newest Rick Riordan book. I came to the conclusion that he is my favorite author. Hemingway coming next of course. I had actually met him when I was in kindergarten (Riordan, not Hemingway... obviously), my mom introducing me. That was the best day of my life. My reminiscing is interrupted when a familiar voice speaks.

"Josephine Wilson, what a pleasure it is to see you again." His voice hisses.

"Hello." I answer, keeping my eyes on the pages.

Leo, convince Apollo. You need the cure. However, this is all very sketchy. What are you planning?

"You look stunning as always, Josie." He continues to speak and I can already picture his pink lips moving. The overly plump things frighten me.

"Aren't you a charmer?" I say sarcastically and he chuckles.

"You know I am. But Josephine, how is it that you are so beautiful? Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"

I close my book and finally turn to meet his eyes. He's wearing a Rolling Stones tee but I know in my heart he knows maybe one song. Maybe not even that.

"What's your favorite song by them?" I point to his shirt.

"Oh... Um all I know is 'Miss You'..."

I nod and mumble, "Typical."

"What?"

"By the way, I never understood how the term "fallen angel" was seen as a compliment. Fallen angels are wicked and rebellious. They have been cast out of Heaven by God for they have sinned. He burned their wings and they plummeted into Hell. They were committed to chains and darkness. They dwell with Satan."

He mouth is left agape and I continue.

"I don't see how residing with Lucifer could provide much enjoyment, but I suppose that might be your thing. Falling from Heaven is not a very good pickup line. You are basically calling them sinners who have been cast out of Heaven for disobeying the Lord. That's not very flattering."

He stutters and I turn back to my book and wait for the period to end.

***

The first couple classes are as predictable as they come. Syllabuses and the labeling of spirals and folders. The introducing of my new teachers and their lives is the activity that somewhat intrigued me. My classes are filled with familiar faces and new ones- it's a good balance. Fifth period approaches and soon it's lunch time.

I walk to the cafeteria while Heather blabs in my ear about the hot boy in her calculus class. I nod along and smile every now and then, not really listening. I go over all the conversations I've had today and add marks to my mental tally chart. I'm at twenty-seven.

She snaps in front of me and I apologize. She asks if I'm eating, but I find myself with a small appetite.

"Are you anorexic, now?" She jokes, but I frown.

"Anorexia Nervosa is not a small lack of appetite. It's an emotional disorder dealing with the extreme-"

She cuts off my definition with the wave of her hand. "I know, Josie. Relax. Go get your juice."

She smiles and I nod. I have to give her credit for paying attention to my lunch choices. Every since middle school when we had more options it's been: Monday, Wednesday and Friday equalling juice. Tuesday and Thursday I choose iced tea. I couldn't tell you why I did this and it was strange because I could tell you the exact longitude and latitude of Ahmedabad, India. 23.0300° N, 72.5800° E.

Strange right?

I choose a random line, knowing they all sell juice and wait until I hear a cough behind me. I turn. And it's him.

"What do you want, Jace?" I hiss.

"Just wanting to see your gorgeous face," he replies and I scoff. "Getting a juice?"

I open my mouth to say something but I just stand there, the words caught in my throat.

"Seriously, Josie? I thought you knew all?" He laughs and I stand up straighter. The line moves and he steps towards me. I bump into the person next to me and apologize quietly.

"I've wanted you for who knows how long, don't you think I would've watched you? I know you get tea on Tuesday and Thursday."

I choke on my breath and my stomach drops. Just the thought if his eyes following my every move makes me nauseous.

"Joe, are you alright?"

I turn my head to Jace; he doesn't call me "Joe". His dark eyes are fixed on the person I had previously bumped into. I turn.

And it's Harry.