The alarm sounded on my phone, and I instantly reached out beside me in the bed searching for the nagging sound. I kept my face buried in the pillow beneath my head as I continued my search. I finally found it, rolling over onto my back as I scrolled through the empty contact list. There were no long goodbyes when I left our last home. There were no BFF 's or BF's waiting to hear that I made it to my new home. I refused to make friends, because we never stayed in one place too long.
I heard a tentative knock on my door. "Amira, up." My mom said as I heard her foot steps slowly disappear down the hall. I hated being woken up, that's why I started using an alarm. If mom did not hear me moving around getting ready soon, she'd be back and louder. Noise was not permitted before breakfast.
I pulled the sheet back off my bed and threw my feet over the side of my bed. I dug my feet into my lambie sleepers. I took a 30 minute shower before I lotioned up and threw on my clothes I picked out last night. Today was the first day of school and usually I have no real emotions about journeying into a new school, or starting over where no one knows me. Today for the first time I had an uneasy feeling. No. More like pain, a forlorn feeling that I could not place. The feeling got worse as I continued to get ready, by the time I walked into the kitchen I had tears pricking the corner of my eyes. What was going on I could not understand these emotions and I knew I was not on my cycle, that was not until 2 more weeks. That's if it even came, my cycle was so irregular.
"Amira, What's wrong?" Dad said as I leaned into my hand with my elbow rested on the island.
"I don't know I feel like...like I just lost my best friend." A lone tear escaped and ran down my cheek.
Out of the corner of my eyes I saw a concerned, yet scared look cross his face. I turned to him with a questioning expression.
"Did you take your medicine Amira?" He asked.
Before I could answer he shook out my dosage and handed it over to me. I took the medicine as mom walked in.
"I don't think she should go to school today." Dad said to mom.
"We talked about this last night." mom said pulling out an egg casserole from the oven.
"I know but now she is feeling down."
"Wait, what did you two discuss." I interjected but it was ignored.
Matter of fact dads comment was ignored too which means that the conversation was over and I was going to school. By the time breakfast was over I felt better. I was headed to the door when dad appeared. "I'm driving you to school."
I exhaled but followed him out to the car.
The drive was silent but I still was not fully prepared to talk. I don't know what this new feeling was it felt weird and the only thing that plagued my mine was Caleb. He was very attractive and the first boy I ever kissed. I was already afraid to kiss a boy but with him it all felt natural. I wanted to see him again, I wanted his touch. Was he the reason I felt like this? How could it be, when I only saw him once, I only felt him once.
"We're here." I looked to my father when I heard his voice. That was quick, I must have been zoned out.
My attention shifted to the school where I saw students scattered around the front lawn. The school staff sprinkled between them ushering them into the school.
"Do you need me to come in with you?" Dad asked appearing more nervous than I have ever been.
"Dad, I'm 16. I have done this over five times, I think I can figure this out on my own."
I was afraid he would say I know and come in anyways. After sniffing the air briefly, he unlocked the door signaling he was going to let me handle this on my own. I grabbed my canvas backpack and climbed out the car. I waved to my dad and watched him pull away before I walked towards the school.
"How cute, you got a ride from daddy." A skinny brunette girl with too much make up turned up her nose at me, as she scanned me from head to toe.
"How cute you watched mean girl's." I said before brushing them off and heading into the building. I followed the signs to the office all the way to the back of the school. Brilliant design for a school.
A small women with dirty blonde hair stood behind the desk ordering everyone around. When her eyes finally landed on me I could really appreciate how beautiful she was. A smile graced her face and her hazel eyes twinkled as she walked closer to the desk approaching me.
"Hi hun, you must be new. I don't recall your face. Unless you're a freshman, in that case you go straight to the auditorium for orientation." Her voice was soft and welcoming.
"Hi I am new, I'm enrolling in my junior year."
"Let me see. You must be, those are boys, ah Christina, Tammy, or Amira."
"Amira Venari" I said just as polite
"Alright let me just print out your timetable." she walked to the printer and pulled out the piece of paper. She turned around as a boy around my age walked into the room, his head instantly turned to me as a smile graced his face. "Mr. Viribus, can you do me a favor and show Ms. Venari to her class."
He briefly looked to her and his gaze was back on me with a smile. "Sure." He looked back to her "Does my tardy get excused?"
"Yes" she answered with playful scorn.
He took my timetable from her hand and walked out of the office without checking to see if I was following him. I quickly caught up to his quick strides as he glanced over my time table. He seemed a little rude. He assumed I was following and he occupied my timetable not even giving me the chance to familiarize it. I guess he falls into the gorgeous asshole category. He stopped abruptly and I slammed into the back of him.
"Shit." I said as I rubbed my nose. What the hell was he made of bricks?
I looked up at him and almost missed the change in his eyes. They darkened and a state of confusion graced his face. Instantly he dove his nose towards me almost grazing me.
"What...are...you...doing?" I said slowly taken back by his actions. This town was definitely weird. What was worse is my dad has seemed to pick up the habits. They sniffed everything as if they were all dogs.
"You smell weird...almost familiar." He said looking as confused as a father picking out pads.
"It's Vera Wang Princess." I said sniffing the perfume that lingered in my clothes
"No, it's something else." He shook his head now looking disgusted
"Your extremely rude. First you don't even introduce yourself, then you don't even make sure I am behind you before you storm off, and then you insult the way I smell." I said throwing a mild tantrum. I grabbed my Time table from his hand and began to walk off. "I'll find my own way."
"I apologize" he yelled to me before I got too far. "My name is Mark, Mark Viribus."
I slowly turned back to him. I stared in his face assessing to see if he was being genuine. He did look sorry, and almost wounded at my reaction.
"Your class is actually this way." He nodded behind him.
I slowly walked back in his direction. This time he waited until I stood beside him and then began walking, in the direction of the class. He inhaled deeply again and I could not decipher the emotion that flickered across his face. He peered down at me, "You are very beautiful you know."
Blush instantly took over my face. I never experienced this much male attention in my old town. I don't know if I liked it or not. I usually tend to fly under the radar and something told me Mark was anything but under the radar. We walked into the class room and Mark held the door open for me.
"Thank you for joining us Mr. Viribus." The teacher said as she turned in our direction.
"Your welcome." He said looking proud of his comeback. The teacher peered beside him and caught my gaze. "This is Amira Venari"
The teacher pulled out a clip board and looked over what I am assuming is her roster. She took her pencil and checked off my name. "This year I have every two desk paired together. So that no one has to go through the act of picking out their partner, and because I just don't want the headache. Everyone is alphabetical. You and Mr. Viribus have the last two desk. I do apologize in advance."
"Mrs. Kinley, I am offended." He said mocking offense.
"Sure you are. Ms. Venari, I am praying you can keep him in line. Mr. Viribus you remember where the books are stored? Will you grab yourself and Ms. Venari a copy of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'."
"Yes, I already read it." Mark smiled as he walked to the cabinet behind Mrs. Kinley's desk.
I slowly made my way to the desk and sat down pulling out my notebook and a pencil. Mark sat beside me soon after handing me a book. A boy turned around and glanced at me. He stuck his hand out towards me, "Alexander but they call me Alex."
"She is not interested." Mark said throwing a piece of his eraser at him. Alex withdrew his hand, before I could shake it, to block the piece from hitting him.
He smiled at Mark before producing his own piece and throwing it back. "But she'd be interested in you?" he said joking.
I instantly could tell they were friends as they began to fling bigger and bigger pieces at each other. I held up my notebook in defense once I seen the girl next to us get hit.
"Mr. Viribus and Mr. Turner! Do not let your antics disrupt the learning of your peers." They instantly straightened up and Alex turned around.
When she went back to teaching Alex turned back to us smiling. He sure did smile a lot. " So who is your partner?" Mark asked him
"Lexi Turton."
Just then the blond head 'beauty' from this morning walked in and sat next to him.
"Oh look daddy's little girl is in this class."
I ground my teeth preventing myself from saying anything. Stay under the radar, I'll have to keep telling myself. I felt Mark's hand pat my shoulder and I felt comforted and safe instantly.
"Don't forget daddy's little slut hound," Alex spat before turning around and smiling at me. I looked over at Lexi whose face twisted with annoyance. My eyes quickly switched over as I caught the change in Alex's eyes as they landed on me.
"You smell intriguing," He said mildly confused
"She does not like when you comment on how she smells," Mark said sarcastically.
"Smelling intriguing is better than smelling weird," I retorted.
"Are you one of us," Alex said and then looked as if he should not have said that. I instantly heard Mark growl beside me, I even seen Lexi tense beside him. Definitely a weird town.
"Of course she is," Mark said staring Alex down as he reared back in shame. "You'll sit with us at lunch?"
"Um, sure," I said feeling unsure about this commitment.
The next two classes I did not have with either of them, though Mark showed up at the end of each class and walked me to the next. I walked into the third class and sat down at the empty science bench. I was looking over my timetable trying to memorize it. I felt someone sit next to me and rustle besides me. I looked up and to see a beautiful curly haired girl about my height.
"Hi," she stuck her hand out towards me after placing her pencil and notebook on the desk. "I am Ava Dux"
"Amira Venari," I thought it was weird how everyone introduced themselves with both their first and last name. Hey when in Rome... She shook my hand subtly sniffed in my direction. Not her too. "Let me guess I smell weird? Or intriguing? Wait or is there a new one?" I blurted out playful and exasperated.
She smiled sweetly at me, "No...don't worry about it."
"No, go ahead," I tried to appear just as sweet, feeling bad for going off on her.
"You just smell like a friend" she said turning back to the front of the class.
"Sorry I've just been a little weirded out by everyone sniffing me like a dog since I got here." I saw her flinch. "It just a little different than where I come from.
"Not everyone does it." She held her friendly gaze. "Only those of us that are superior to the others." I held a shocked face. "I'm joking."
The teacher began talking and we turned our attention to the front. I kind of liked her.
When class was over she waited by our table till I finished putting everything away. "I'll walk with you to lunch."
"Thanks" I said unsure if Mark would think to pick me up.
We headed out of the classroom together and there Mark was, posted on the side of the class. "Hey little sis," He said smiling at Ava as he shook up her hair, messing it up.
"Go away Mark," she said pushing him with enough force to make him stumble. She was strong.
He wrapped his arm around me, which he has been doing a lot. When he placed his arm around me it didn't feel romantic or creepy. It was almost like he felt the need to protect me from everything. Ava peered between us, "Do you even know her?"
"She is new and I have been her tour guide," He said proudly
"I am so sorry," She said with sincere sympathy
I laughed because she was the second one to apologize for him today.
"You ready for lunch?" Mark asked ignoring Ava's statement.
"I have to go to my locker first," I said holding the books from all my morning classes.
"Mark!" we turned to see Alex standing at the end of the hall waving a phone.
"Um," Mark's arm slipped from around me. "You two go straight to your lockers and then to the lunch room. If you need anything Cameron should be in there."
Ava rolled her eyes, and I just smiled and nodded at him. He retreated down the hall towards Alex.
After placing all of our books in our locker, which happened to be right next to each other, we headed to the lunch room. When we walked in Ava waved at a boy sitting with a few people and a phone attached to his ear. When we stood in line he swiftly walked over to us and paid for both of our food. "Thank you Cameron." This was Cameron.
"You're most welcome," He said smiling at her. He turned to me and I waited for him to make a comment about my smell after attempting to smell me discreetly. "Cameron Princeps," He spoke without commenting about my smell, without sniffing me. He was charming and quite the gentleman. He grabbed both our trays.
"Thank you for lunch, I'm Amira Venari," he nodded towards me politely and looked back at Ava.
"Where are you sitting?" He asked Ava.
I looked around and spotted Mark and Alex sitting at the table Cameron was previously seated at. "The usual," he walked towards a small table and sat her tray down. "Sit with me Amira," He sat my tray down as well and walked away.
"You don't sit with them?" I asked her as I began to open my food containers.
"Sometimes," She said as she took a bite of her salad, "They are loud though." Just then I heard a loud sound and looked over to see Alex slap Mark's hand in some game they were playing. Everyone at the table gave out a full throated laugh. Everyone but Cameron who smirked at their antics. "I prefer the quiet," Ava said pulling my attention back to her.
"Is Mark really your brother"?"
"My brother is their friend but they all call me that. They all try to play the big brother roll, which can be annoying," She rolled her eyes, "You like him?"
"Who Mark? He is attractive but no," I said determined that the feelings I had for him were platonic.
She giggled, "I am not sure if he likes you or if he sees you as cub to protect." She seemed to be pondering it further, "I am not sure if he knows. I am usually good at reading these sort of things."
"You and your brother are the same age?"
"No I am 15, we're Irish twins. I was skipped up a grade in fifth grade. Do you have siblings."
"No I am the only child," I looked over at the table trying to figure out which one was her brother. She did not look like any of them but that did not mean anything.
"My brother is not here today, he is away taking care of some family business." I looked at her puzzled, how did she know. "I saw you looking back and forth between me and them." She is very observant.
Ava and I continued to ask each other questions getting to know one another,
The rest of the day went by fast. I had my last two classes with all the boys and Ava. They kept me laughing I never not once felt like the new girl. At the end of the day we stood outside by the bike racks talking while the school emptied out. I turned just as my father pulled up.
"I'll see you guys." I waved to them as I walked to the car.
My dad peered back at the group I retreated from as I slid beside him. The look on his face showed that he did not approve but I didn't know why. "How was school?"
"It was okay." I said pulling out my phone.
"New friends?" he asked.
"I was bound to make some new friends; I don't have any old friends here."
My dad could tell I was not for conversation and allowed me to put my headphones in and listen to my music.
The rest of the week went the same and I waited for my dad to forbid me to hang out with my friends. He seemed to be trying to control me more since we moved here.