Chapter 3 Part II

I sprang out of my seat as soon as the last bell rang. I darted between people trying to get out of this hell hole, ducking my head down. On the other hand, Central High did not seem to be a jail. With its recently restored outside, new brown paint and brick, and freshly painted walls inside, you'd assume it was a welcoming place. But it wasn't like that. Although the walls were a bright yellow and each classroom had a distinct color scheme, it was really a jail. I've never liked school, but my dislike for it has risen recently.

With backward glances, I dashed over to the parking lot. Maybe my automobile won't have a silly string on it today. I'm not sure how someone obtained that much silly string.

I observed Mitch and his pals standing by his vehicle ahead of me, so I took the long route around them. I once walked right by them in the hopes that they wouldn't notice. They did, and it was terrible.

I exhaled as I passed them and went toward the rear of the parking lot. The less engagement you have with them, the better.

Because of my current social standing, I was assigned to one of the worst parking locations. I was at the far rear, where getting out and walking into school took forever if I was ever late. I was just a few vehicles away when I saw my tragic automobile. I marched towards it, groaning loudly.

My silver 2010 Honda Accord was adorned with pink and purple silly string. Even though the automobile wasn't brand new, it ran like a champ. It became my baby the instant I saw it last year. My parents agreed that if I earned straight A's and saved half the money, they would help me purchase a vehicle. I received this gem five months later.

After unlocking the vehicle, I put my suitcase on the passenger seat before beginning the dreadful chore of removing the ridiculous string. This has been occurring for the last week, and it takes about 15 minutes to get it off. Fortunately, it stays together, making cleanup simple. I was thankful it was just a silly thread that had irrevocably destroyed my automobile.

I could hear everyone behind me laughing as I began to pluck off the thread. I tried to ignore it, gritting my teeth so I wouldn't shout back at them. It would be pointless for me to say anything.

"Have a good time cleaning it up, tramp!" Rebecca Roberts exclaimed. Rebecca is the top cheerleader and resident bitch at Central High. She despised me from the time Mitch asked me out, and I had no idea why until now. She wanted Mitch all to herself, and now that I was out of the way, she didn't hesitate to seize him.

Mitch walked up with Rebecca on his arm the day after he admitted to using me for a bet. Everywhere I turned, they were devouring each other's faces and dry-humping or making sarcastic comments about me.

Rebecca, on the other hand, isn't your typical blonde bimbo. No, she's astute and understands she doesn't have to dress sexily to attract a man. Rebecca dressed just enough to show off her great physique without seeming trashy. Every female aspired to be like her, and every man desired to be with her. Of course, she was aware of this and exploited it.

Her remark made me roll my eyes. It was amusing that she dubbed me a tramp after dating almost every football player on the squad.

I was cursing under my breath. I shook the thread between my fingers and dropped it on the ground. My swear words undoubtedly made my grandmother roll over in her grave, but I didn't care. I was done with this nonsense.

"Who knew the geek could curse so much?" A voice said from behind me.

"Thank goodness I'm not a fucking geek," I mumbled while turning my back.

"You really need some soap for that mouth."

"Please leave me alone." I was nearly through with the thread and could finally go.

"How come you want me to do that?" I almost heard the smile in the guy's voice.

"Because I'm not interested in talking to you." He was here to poke fun at me like everyone else. What more could he be saying to me? No one does that unless they want to embarrass me.

"That stings," I said.

"Good."

I wiped my hands on my pants after picking off the final clump. I turned around, still feeling the guy's gaze on me, and met a set of incredibly gorgeous grey eyes. In front of me stood a man who put literary figures to shame.

Silky black hair was longer than usual, with a few strands falling into a set of gorgeous grey eyes. Of course, the man had beautiful lashes and brows that any female would kill for. I had high cheekbones and a jawline that made my knees tremble.

There was no denying he was hot. But he had to be Alex Kinley, the other 'popular' man at school, for different reasons. You either adored Mitch, the all-American with blonde hair and blue eyes. Alex, the nasty lad with black hair and steel eyes. I know it's cliche.

I had no idea why Alex Kinley was regarded as Central High's bad guy. He rode a motorcycle, had tattoos, and was rumored to be a gang member, but I wasn't convinced. The rumors about here ranged from ridiculous to strange. I would know if half of what was said was false.

When I realized Alex was gazing at me, I hurriedly turned away. My cheeks became hot after checking him out, and I spoke back to him.

Looking down at my shoes, I said, "I'm sorry about that earlier." I didn't care about gossip, but I didn't know Alex, so who knows what he'd do to me. At the very least, he couldn't further damage my reputation.

"I had no idea you had a mouth."

"I didn't believe anybody was paying attention," I said. I looked up at him, and I saw he had a permanent smile on his face. He was scorching.

"I was delighted." I didn't know what to say in response. I wasn't sure what to do with him talking to me right now. He was the last person I expected to speak to out of everyone. Alex was the sort of person who kept to himself and a limited number of pals. I seldom observed him conversing with anybody else.

"Well, I have to leave." I turned and pushed myself into my vehicle, not wanting to disgrace myself anymore. With one final look at Alex, standing there with a strange expression on his face, I shifted into drive and drove away.

As I drove out of the parking lot, my hands trembled slightly. Did Alex Kinley just speak to me? It was the most anyone had said to me in over two weeks, and he didn't even call me names, which had to be a record.

I knew chatting with Alex was going to get me in trouble as I drove to work. And I didn't need any more trouble right now. All I had to do was keep my head down until the end of the year, and I'd be free.