There are friends, there is family and then there are friends who become family.
(That's Cady Harrington above)
..10 years ago..
Jake's POV
First day of high school. It was supposed to be a different life, as showed by different t.v shows and narrated in different books and novels. Well, it was true. As cliche as it sounds like.
I made my way to the office, where I was supposed to get my schedule for the year. I was kind of hoping to meet the teachers before class so that I could make a nice impression of myself.
Yeah, I was here to be the 'coolest' and 'smartest' kid in history and I wanted people to know that!
Upon reaching the door to the office, I politely knocked three times and waited for my permission to get in. There was a conversation going on inside and I couldn't help but eavesdrop.
" It's happened again , Ms.Harrington. No matter how much you stay out of trouble, trouble always finds you."
It was probably the Principal's voice that I could hear. What was her name again? Cara? Clana?
Mental note to self: I need to try harder to remember names.
"It's not my fault, Principal Clara. Please, just hear me out. Let me explain it to you."
Principal Clara, right!
And this must be the voice of the lady in distress.
"Ahem." At the sound of it, I jumped in surprise to see a tall, broad-shouldered guy towering above me and I did not like the look on his face.
He was glaring at me.
He had a clipboard on his hand, a whistle on his neck. He was definitely the gym teacher. I gulped, clearly sensing that I was in trouble.
"What are you doing here, young man?" He asked, his voice stern and commanding.
"Uh..."
Think, Jake, Think
What were you doing here anyways, Jake?
"I'mheretopickupmyschedule!" I blurted out as fast as my tongue would allow me. This man right here was the definition of Napoleon.
Napoleon?
From Animal Farm?
Don't know?
You guys should read books!
Though that character was my personal favorite, I'm quite hating the fact that someone like him existed on this planet and was standing right in front of me. Honestly, I'd never been this afraid or nervous in my entire life. It was only the first day and I was caught eavesdropping by the gym teacher. I didn't want this to happen.
He narrowed his eyebrows, clearly trying to understand what I had just said.
Frankly, I would have done the same thing if I were in his shoes.
He opened his mouth to probably ask me to repeat my words but his words never came out , as that was the time Principal Clara chose to open the door.
"Louise?" She asked and the gym teacher whose name I had now learned was Louise turned his attention towards her. His glare softened and his lips curved upwards to produce a smile.
"What are you and this young man doing outside my office?"
"Nothing, to be exact. I was helping this young man find your office. He's new." Louise lied, blatantly. He didn't even know me and blatantly lied.
He could've turned me in.
Why didn't he do that?
That was when I realized that I had zoned out and probably missed a question asked my way. I could only answer with a 'huh?'
"What is your name?" She repeated her question, a smile on her face. Well, it was a nice change of environment.
"Jake. Jake Matthews."
She nodded and asked Louise to head back after mumbling a quiet 'Thank you' to him. I was quickly ushered inside and her office. The office was nicely decorated from the different posters the students made. The room was illuminated from the sunlight coming from the large window on my left hand side. The office - or cabin- had a nice view.
That was when my eyes landed on the girl who was quietly seated on one of the chairs opposite the Principal's table. Her hands were intertwined on her lap , I saw as I walked closer to the other empty spot to take my seat.
Her head was hung low, probably to hide any tears.
If she were crying , that is.
"So, Mr. Matthews. Which grade are you in?" Principal Clara spoke as she rummaged through her files in the cabinet that was on my left.
"Tenth grade, ma'am."
"Okay..." She spoke, still rummaging through tons of files. After a couple minutes, she handed me a slip of paper. "Here you go."
That's my new routine.
"Thank you, Principal Clara." I smiled as I stood up turning towards the door.
"Uh-huh. Wait a minute, Jake." She called back and I turned again to face her. What happened?
"Cady?" She called the girl who I assumed was Candy?
Damn it!
"Yes, Principal Clara?" She held her head up to look at the principal. The Principal smirked and I definitely heard a sigh escape Candy's lips.
Was her name actually Candy?
She literally said 'Cady' ! How the hell did you hear Candy?
Oh , right! Cady. But Candy suited her better.
Her voice was as sweet as candy.
"Meet Jake Matthews. Your new computer student."