Chapter 1 - Shifting lines
Ethan hit the alarm and got up from bed. The bed not far from his contained his brother.
"Frederick! Get your ass up!"
Frederick twisted in bed and looked at him.
"You get up first, dufus."
Ethan got up and got ready for school. After a while, their family sat for breakfast.
Ethan always hated this particular time of the day. His parents were obviously bad at their job, but they still awkwardly tried to make up for it now.
"Ethan, honey, do you need me to drop you off—"
"No."
His response was sharp. His mom always found a way to embarrass him ever since he started at this new school. He knew she was just looking out for him after the incident, but at times, she took it too far.
He heard his dad descending the stairs and knew things would only get worse.
Quickly, he grabbed his coat and rushed toward the door.
"WAIT... Your lenses!" Ethan's mom screamed.
Ethan grabbed his lens case and shook it at her before leaving.
He felt good about this day. He had managed to escape talking to his dad.
Could the day get any better than that?
---
Jane had already been up for an hour.
She turned off her alarm, sprung from her reading table, and headed toward the bathroom.
After a long shower, she stepped out and saw her older sister slumped on the couch again.
Jamie had just gone through a breakup. And this one was hitting a little harder than the last.
Jane dressed quickly and headed to the living room to eat.
She tilted the cereal box, but only a few grains fell out.
Frustrated, she grabbed her phone and texted:
- Grab a PBJ on your way, please -
She put her phone away and headed for the door.
"Jamie... Tell Dad I said hi," she said, slamming the door before she left
--
Samantha and Jane were two different people.
They had met at an ice skating rink in grade school. Samantha pushed Jane out of her way as she skated past her that day.
Jane had broken her arm as she landed.
Sam felts guilty and she even cried that day, but Jamie found it funny and was even laughing through the pain.
Since that day on, they had been best friends
Now, they rode together to school on their bikes after meeting up at the bus stop
Jane took a bite out of the sandwich and tilted her head in pleasure
"I love ur PBJ, babe"
"It's just a sandwich–anyone could make it. Why didn't you just eat at home"
"Nevermind"
Jane and Sam entered the school gate and all eyes turned to them
They were the sophomore queens
Sam was badass. She was ruthless to anyone at anytime. She once broke a guy's nose with one punch and another time slapped a tooth out of a teacher.
No one messed with her.
And this was good for Jane. She was more of the carefree type. She loved making friends and she was the third smartest in their class. Everyone loved Jane.
All eyes turned to Jane the moment she entered the gates. As Sam threw her death stare, everyone's eyes were off them.
As they shoved their books into the lockers and picked new ones for their class Jane told Samantha about how she spent her night
Noticing the lack of response, she looked up at Sam
Sam was focused on Dylan.
Dylan was in their class. He was the most popular sophomore kid. Strong, athletic, handsome, and even smart
But the most powerful thing about him was that he was always confident
He feared no man, or woman
That was what made Sam like him even more.
He was the only boy who looked through her dark, tense side and saw her as a fluffy bunny.
––
Dylan was chilling with his friends from soccer practice
" Bruh, I think Sam is looking here"
Everyone stole a quick glance before looking away
"Hey Dylan, we'll talk later" and they all stood up and left. All except one.
Dylan exchanged glances with his closest friend Kingsley before they both headed in the girls direction
––
Jane tapped Sam out of her daydreams
" Sam, what if he saw you looking at him like that"
Sam jerked out of it and looked at Jane
" He didn't see me, dumm"
" I'm pretty sure he did"
One of Jane's book fell and then she bent to pick it up
Her hand touched it and as she picked it, a foot quickly came on it and left, leaving shoe marks
Jane looked up at the hooded figure
" Hey, what was that for?"
She said as she dusted the dirt off
Sam quickly looked at him " hey dumbass, are you drunk"
"Sorry" the boy replied faintly before he continued.
He hadn't even turned to look at her
*Weird*
Jane thought as she stood back up
Sam quickly helped Jane up and squealed a little.
" Dylan is coming!"
––
*Pussies*
Ethan hadn't stepped on her book on purpose.
He entered his class and sat on his chair before facing the window
A hand fell on his shoulder and he looked back
"Hey bro, wassup"
It was Kennedy
Kennedy and Ethan were best friends
They had just met the week. But the bond was instant and real
The had visited each other's house and played video games all week. They chatted and called.
The whole deal
Ethan looked at Ken as he sat on the chair besides him
" How do you even like that Jane girl. She is just weird"
Ken smirked a little " You are talking about someone being weird"
Ethan tilted his head in the other direction
And Ken quickly apologized then the teacher walked in
" On your seats every one"
The whole class quickly settled and everything became orderly
"Miss Hans, please pass the test scores around please"
Jane collected the scripts and passed them around.
She came upon Ethan's own
*Second highest again*
She knew he was smart, but it was as if he was limiting himself
Ethan was always a mark or two behind her
* Was he purposely hiding at her back*
She returned to her seat but just as she sat down she felt a piece of paper hit her cheek. She turned to the direction and saw it was from Dylan
He quickly waved his hands in apology and mouthed
" Read the note"
Jane picked it up and opened it
/*Meet me behind the cafeteria during the next period*/
––
The period flew by fast and Jane excused her self to use the restroom
She met up with Dylan behind the cafeteria. She secretly hoped he wanted to use her to get to Sam
"I honestly thought you would bring Sam along"
" Should I have, I could still go back to get her" she quickly turns as she heads to get her
*This could be Sam's cha–*
Dylan quickly grabbed her hand
Jane turned * What the fuck?*
" This isn't about Sam, it's about us..... I think I love you Jane"
––
Ethan quickly headed to the toilet which is close to the cafeteria
After doing his business he opened the window and felt the breeze blast him
That was what he loved the most. The wind in his air and the sun on his skin
He quickly brought out his drawing book and began to draw.
Ethan wasn't just smart..... No
He was an artiste to the core.
He quickly noticed something going on behind the cafe
He strained his eyes and looked closer
*Was that Jane and Dylan? Why were they holding hands? And why was Sam hiding from the bush far away? And why the fuck is Sam crying?