"So how's your day been so far?" Emma asked, plopping down into the seat next to me.
I was grateful that she wasn't mad about me storming off earlier, but it was kind of unnatural the way she just let things go.
I gave her a small smile. "It's been alright. Just trying to get used to everything, you know?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I feel you. It's always tough starting a new year."
We chatted for a few more minutes before the bell rang, signaling the start of our next class. As we made our way to the classroom, I couldn't help but notice James up ahead, surrounded by his usual group of friends.
Emma followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. "Wow, he's really something, isn't he?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, something alright. Something I'd rather not deal with."
Emma gave me a sympathetic smile. "I get it. But hey, at least you have me, right?"
I smiled back, grateful for her friendship. "Yeah, I do. And I wouldn't have made it this far in life without you."
As we settled into our seats, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Emma was here with me.
As we chatted about our weekend plans, Caleb walked over and joined us. He greeted us with a grin and a playful punch on the shoulder.
"Hey, what's up, ladies?" he said with a grin.
Emma rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. Caleb had that effect on people - he was always so upbeat and charismatic, when he wasn't acting shy that is.
"Not much," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? You look like you're in deep thought or something."
I felt my cheeks flush. Had I been that obvious?
"It's nothing," I said quickly, trying to brush it off. "Just annoyed, 'James'," I said his name with distaste "is in the same home room as me'
Caleb nodded sympathetically. "I know you don't like him but just give him a chance, who know's maybe you'll end up being friends"
I laughed, feeling grateful for Caleb's infectious positivity.
"The day I get along with him is the day I get a B in Math"
"Just had to rub that in our faces didn't you" Caleb said with a disappointed look
As I sat there chatting with Emma and Caleb, I couldn't help but feel grateful for their company. They were my closest friends, the ones who had seen me through the toughest times.
"So how's your day been so far?"Caleb asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"It's been okay," I replied with a shrug. "Just a little stressful with all the assignments due this week."
Caleb nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it. I just crammed in all of my summer homework last week and they're already giving us more, and it's only the first day of school." he groaned laying his head down on the desk.
As we chatted, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. It was moments like these that made all the struggles of high school worth it.
But as we were getting ready to leave, I caught sight of James across the room. He was laughing and joking with his friends, looking carefree and happy. For a moment, I felt a pang of jealousy. Why did it seem like everything came so easily to him?
But then Caleb put a hand on my shoulder, breaking me out of my thoughts. "You okay?"
I nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good."
Emma gave me a knowing look, but this time we weren't thinking the same thing.
As we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I ever find my place in the world, or would I always feel like an outsider looking in? Only time would tell.
As the bell rang, Emma and I gathered our things and headed to our free period. Caleb walked with us, chatting away about his weekend plans and cracking jokes. It was hard not to laugh at his goofy antics, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for his easygoing nature.
As we reached the library, Emma grabbed a book she had been meaning to read and settled into a cozy corner. Caleb and I browsed the shelves, pointing out books we had read and recommending new ones to each other.
As I perused the science fiction section, Caleb nudged me and pointed to a book with a dog-eared cover. "You have to read this one," he said, handing it to me with a grin. "It's one of my favorites."
I thanked him and added it to my pile. It was moments like these that made me realize how lucky I was to have friends like Emma and Caleb.
As we settled into our respective reading nooks, the quiet of the library was interrupted by the sound of Caleb's stomach grumbling loudly. Emma giggled and I couldn't help but join in.
"Sorry guys," Caleb said sheepishly. "I didn't have time for breakfast this morning."
Emma rummaged through her bag and pulled out a granola bar, offering it to Caleb. "Here, you can have this," she said with a smile.
Caleb's face lit up with gratitude. "Thanks, Em. You're the best."
As Caleb happily munched on the granola bar, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. This was where I belonged, surrounded by good friends and good books, and all was right in the world.
After free period me and Caleb bid our farewells to Emma and headed towards Chemistry.
"Did you hear, we're being assigned lab partners this year."
"What! But we're supposed to be able to choose our partners." I whined
"Yeah apparently the teachers think that when we choose our partners we're to unproductive."
"Psh, as if"
He shrugged, "Not much we can do about it now."
I walked into the chemistry lab, my heart racing as I searched for my assigned lab partner. I had been hoping to work with Caleb, one of my few friends in the class, but as luck would have it, I was stuck with James.
I tried to keep my face neutral as James turned to greet me, but inside, I was seething. Of all the people in this class, why did I have to be paired with him?
As we settled into our lab station, James chatted away, making small talk about the class and the experiment we were about to perform. I gave him one-word answers, hoping to discourage any further conversation.
But James was nothing if not persistent. He kept talking, his words laced with a smugness that grated on my nerves. I tried to focus on the lab manual in front of me, but I could feel his eyes on me, studying me.
The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't wait for this lab to be over. As we worked, I tried my best to ignore James, but every time he spoke, my irritation grew.
Finally, we finished the experiment, and I practically ran out of the lab as soon as the bell rang. I needed to get away from James before I did something I regretted.
As I walked down the hallway, I caught sight of Caleb up ahead. Relief flooded through me, and I quickened my pace to catch up to him. We chatted about the lab, and I felt my frustration with James melting away as we laughed about our failed experiments.
For a moment, I forgot all about James and his arrogance, lost in the comfort of Caleb's friendship. But as I glanced over my shoulder, I saw James watching us with a strange expression on his face, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind.