Today was the first day in my junior year of high school. I’ve hated school since preschool. Any one who looked at me would guess I was one of the popular girls, on the cheer team, and dating the quarter back. They would be wrong, very, very, very wrong. I was the girl people veered away from, mostly because I’d hit those I don’t like. I wasn’t in to sports or had an interest in any club. I also didn’t have a boyfriend. I made up my mind men were useless until they were out of school, and even then, most remained useless.

I loved the walk to school. There was lots of time to kill and I got to plan my way around everybody. If I could avoid running in to people I don’t like, I could avoid a fight. I stepped on to campus and began my planed route.

It was quite a large school. It just looked that way because it was all indoors, even the gym. The many hallways divided the classes by what they were, math, English, and so on. Avoiding people was easy. All I had to do was take the halls were the “delinquents” hung out. There were about three other routs for everyone else.

I checked my schedule to make sure I was heading the right way. I sighed in annoyance. Advanced biology was all the way across the school. To make matters worse the warning bell rang telling everyone they had five minutes to get to class. In a hurry, I picked up my pace to a slow jog. This wasn’t going to cut it though. I checked the halls and saw no one. I broke in to a sprint. I’d get there in no time… or so I thought.

I decided to run alone the edge of the hall in case someone had the same idea I did and came down the middle. The door to the principal’s office swung open. I hit it full on and fell to the ground. Stars started spinning around my now impaired vision.

“Are you ok?” a worried voice exclaimed. It was definitely male and sounded like one of the students. Oddly, I found it very nice and comforting. Two muscular arms wrapped around my midsection and hauled me up on my feet.

As soon as he touched me I felt something strange. Something in my heart, not the littoral one but the metaphorical one, snapped. Time its self slowed and could hear it beating. I had the feeling that I had just realized something really important, but what?

When he let go I stumbled back, in to his chest. He wasn’t buff like the meat head on the sports teams, but he was fit. He turned me around and grabbed my shoulders, asking again, “Are you ok?” Slowly I looked up at him. He was a little taller than I was which was uncommon since I was the same height as most of the guys my age. My sight adjusted, and I could start to make out his face. He had strait dark brown hair with bangs that fell just above his eyes. His skin was lightly tanned from what ever sport he probably did. He was very good looking to, and it takes a lot for me to think that about a guy. Not quite a pretty boy and he wasn’t exactly rugged, but a perfect medium His soft brown eyes were wide with concern as he waited for me to answer.

At this point I realized I had been staring. “I’m ok.” I said shakily and looked away before did something stupid. I don’t know why I cared about what he thought of me. I never valued anyone else’s opinion besides Kenra

“I should help you to the nurse or something. You hit the door pretty hard.” He examined my head for lumps the best he could

“No, no. Its ok I’m fine.” I started to walk away. He wasn’t going to give though.

“Well I hit you with a door. At least let me walk you to class. What if you pass out on the way? I’d feel even worse.” He fell in to pace with me, “What’s your first class?”

“Its fine, its good. I’m ok. You don’t need to.” I spread my arms wide and grinned, “See, I’m ok”

“But what if I want to?”

My past experiences told me he was just testing me to see how easy I was. A part of me didn’t believe that. I was just telling myself that because a guy like him would never be after anything serious in a girl like me. Then again… how did I know he was lying? I shoved these thoughts deep down and away.

“I have to go. Thanks for helping me up.” I started to run.

“Hey! W-wait!” he called

“Sorry I can’t be late. I promised I would do better this year.”

“Well are you sure you want to do that again?” he smiled

“Your still in the hall so I think I’m safe.” I waved and continued.

I stepped in to class just as the late bell rang. Taking a look around I noticed all the desks were paired. Lucky for me there was one desk completely empty, and it was the last one. Everyone was forced to sit next to someone, but I made the class an odd number and since I was the last in I got to sit alone. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Good morning class! My name is Mr. Frank,” the teacher boomed cheerfully. Mr. Frank was a short heaver man and looked to be in his early forties. What gray hair was left on his balding head was neatly combed back. Thick round glasses sat upon his round little nose. The perfect word to describe him was jolly. I had a good feeling about this teacher. He didn’t seem like the type who would judge me based on my very large file.

“Welcome to advanced biology where you’ll learn the wonders of life!” he laughed loudly, “The person you are sitting next to will be your lab partner for the semester.”

“Mr. Frank!” I razed my hand, “There’s no one next to me. Can I work by myself?”

Just then the door opened and the guy from the hall stepped in. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was glad to see him again. I didn’t want to leave him in the hall like that but what else could I do?

“Ah! You must be Kevin. You’re late. Not the best way to start at a new school.” Mr. Frank scolded in his own kidding way.

“Sorry sir, I had a little mishap in the hall.” He chuckled nervously fearing he was actually in trouble.

“That’s alright. There’s only one seat left so please take it.” He turned to address the class, “Class this is Kevin. He’s new to our school and I trust you’ll make him feel welcome.”

Two girls giggled a few tables away. No doubt gushing over his looks. I rolled my eyes and continued to doodle in my notebook.

Kevin, that was a good name, it kind of fit him. Him being new explained why he was talking to me. I had to laugh just a little. I wondered how long it would be before he got sucked in to school drama and put in the social pyramid. He’d probably be put right at the top. Then it dawned on me, there was one seat left. That was next me! I looked up just in time to see him pull the chair out.

He was clearly surprised to see that it was me he was going to sit next to. Quickly it turned in to a grin. My stomach was in knots and my voice was stuck in my throat. I hadn’t expected to see him again little lone sit next to him. He made me nervous, mostly because I didn’t know what to think of him. Everything I had learned told me he was trouble but everything else was fighting it.

“We meet again” he grinned and chuckled quietly.

“Hmm, decided you didn’t knock me out the first time so you want to try it again?” I replied evenly.

“Sorry, that’s not the way I normally greet people.”

“I guess that makes me special.”

We both laughed quietly so we didn’t disturb the class. I got shot some real nasty looks from the girls but all I had to do was glance back. They knew I had attacked other students for less. If it wasn’t for the fact he was here and several anger management classes I would have tossed a chair at them.

“So… I’m Kevin as I’m sure you heard.” He stretched his hand out across the table, “What’s your name?”

“El.” I replied a little embarrassed as I did whenever anyone asked. I couldn’t help but feel bad for not knowing my name.

“Is that short for Elaine or Elena?”

“No, its just El. Don’t ask, it’s a long story.” I cut him off before he had the chance to drag up my issues.

“I hope one day you could find the time to tell me. I like El anyway. It gives you a certain mysterious quality.” He looked right in to my eyes. I turned away quickly praying he didn’t see my face flush.

We spent the rest of the class talking. Its not like we were learning any thing. It was just rules and procedures. He was surprisingly easy to talk to. We also had a lot in common. We liked the same music, foods, places, movies, and shared a similar sense of humor. I was crushed when the bell rang, and we had to move to our next class. Bio was the only common class we had and that left me a little disappointed. Knowing I got to start my day off with him though brought a little pep to my step.