I wave goodbye to Jedd, watching as he speeds off down the road. He’s glancing at his watch and I let out a small laugh. He’s forever worrying about being late. As I’m standing there, my thoughts turn back to last night and Brody. He left early this morning before anyone woke up. I’d slept in his arms all night, surprisingly comfortable around him in my most vulnerable state. I bite back the growing smile on my face, feeling like a love-struck teenager —
“Hey Bella!”
I spin around, unsure if I’d heard my name come from someone else.
Sure enough, a girl from school is leaning against the fences, staring directly at me. She’s wearing a distressed denim jacket, multiple band and music badges covering the front. Underneath she’s wearing ripped black jeans and biker boots. Her hair is pin-straight and jet black, cut short into a pixie cut. Despite her fashion sense, her face is round and sweet, complete with a set of heavily made up blue eyes. I glance around, a frown on my face.
Is there another Bella around here?
“Im talking to you,” she states, raising her right eyebrow at my actions. I notice a silver eyebrow ring, glinting away in the sunlight.
“Oh, erm. H-hi.” I stutter, giving her an awkward wave. She simply stares back at me, lips twitching upwards as if she’s attempting to hold back a laugh. I glance around me again, feeling awkward as hell just standing here.
“Well, bye.” I say quietly, turning to walk towards the school entrance. Biker Boots suddenly pushes herself off the fence, trudging over to me.
“Wait up,” she says casually, walking beside me. I glance at her from the corner of my eye, unsure of what she wants from me. . . Who is she?
“Okay,” I respond, my voice quiet. Is she one of Beatrice’s friends? She doesn’t look like one of Beatrice’s gang of minions. However from my past experience, I have learnt to not trust anyone. Looks can be deceiving.
“What’s your first class?” She asks me, her steps mirroring mine. A thousand and one thoughts whirl through my head and I pause, turning around to look at her. She also stops in her tracks, a look of surprise in her eyes.
“I don’t mean to be rude but, who are you? I haven’t spoken to you before.”
Biker boots nods slowly, chewing on her bottom lip. She lets go of her backpack and surprisingly, holds out her hand towards me. I glance down at it, still confused as hell. My hand automatically reaches out and I shake her hand, feeling her heat radiate through my palm.
“I’m Tia.” If she was offended by my blunt question, she doesn’t show it. I nod slowly, swallowing the nervous lump in my throat.
“I’m Bella,” I respond before realising she already knew my name.
“How do you know me?” I ask, dropping her hand. Tia shrugged, signalling towards the school building. “I’ve seen you around. Thought you were cool so I wanted to talk to you.”
I wasn’t ready for that type of response.
“Oh.” I blink, taking a step back. Is Tia genuine? With no ulterior motives to humiliate or shame me?
“Do you like Beatrice?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at her suspiciously. Tia immediately scoffs, a look of disgust written across her features. Huh, good reaction.
“You mean the troll in heels who parades around here like she owns the place? Yeah, I despise that girl.
Her and her little group of followers. I’d rather stab myself in the eyes with sharp pencils than be friends with her.”
I blink a few times at her, unable to believe Tia is real. Eventually I let out a small laugh, a smile lighting up my face.
“That is hands down the best response you could have given me.” I grin, feeling myself become a little more comfortable around Tia. She grins back at me, holding out her palm for a high five. I slap her hand back, my cheeks heating up as I realise I’m actually speaking to someone.
Another human being.
Without being awkward or weird.
“I don’t have any classes with you but I can meet you outside the canteen at lunch. Would that be cool?” Tia asks, pausing as she waited for my reply. Her blue eyes were hopeful, holding eye contact with mine.
“S-sure! I mean, yeah. Of course.” I reply, giving her a small wave as she walked off. She grins, turning back to wave at me.
“Thanks! See you later Bella.”
I watch as she disappears behind the school doors, the bell ringing loudly to signal the start of a new school day. It takes me a few minutes to snap out of the confused daze I’m in. Did I just make a friend?
“Holy cow,” I mutter, glancing around to find the school car park deserted. “Crap.” I mutter, jogging towards the doors as I realise I’m now late for class.
*****
I knock on the classroom door, hopping from one foot to the other nervously.
I’m minutes late to English, Miss Parks is going to kill me. The door flings open and I slowly take one step in, keeping my eyes trained on the floor.
“Bella, why are you so late?” Miss Parks asks me, shaking her head in disapproval. The entire class is silent and I glance up, my eyes immediately meeting Brody’s. He’s smirking at me, green eyes sparkling mischievously. I can’t help but grin back at him, feeling butterflies flutter through my stomach.
“Bella?”
“Sorry, erm. I went to the wrong classroom.” I mutter, walking over to my desk and taking a seat. Brody’s eyes follow me and I feel my body heat up in embarrassment. He’s making it so obvious something is going on between us. Miss Parks continues to teach the class and I turn my head, giving Brody a questioning look. He shrugs, leaning back in his chair casually. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, revealing his toned arms. The muscles ripple as he moves and I couldn’t help but stare at him. At one point I swear I begin to drool.
How am I only just seeing this now?
Huh, maybe I didn’t realise I find arms attractive.
I feel my phone buzz inside of my pocket and I sneak it out under my desk, unlocking the screen. The text is from Brody and I frown. How did he get my number?
I glance up again to find him staring intently at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. The corner of his lips is turned up into a smirk and I grin, shaking my head at him.
You look beautiful today Bella.
I read the text over and over again, my cheeks becoming two flaming hot coals from his words. Before I can respond, he sends me another message.
Last night was hands down the best night of my life.
I re-read his words, eyes widening in disbelief. I quickly text out a response, glancing up every few seconds to make sure I wouldn’t be caught by the teacher on my phone.
Thank you and it was mine too. I slept like a baby.
I send the text and shoot Brody a small smile, turning my attention back to the board. His phone pings loudly and I widen my eyes at him. The whole class silences and everyone turns to stare at him, the culprit. I groan inwardly and slide down in my seat, out of sight. Brody remains cool and calm and simply put his hands up in surrender.
“Sorry Miss Parks, I’ll put it on silent.”
She let out a loud huff however her face looks far from annoyed. Brody simply shoots her his best heart stopping grin, bribing her with his good looks. I roll my eye at him and his ability to stay out of trouble.
Frickin’ unbelievable.