Breathless 

Chapter 2


When I first caught a glimpse of my new high school, I had to do a double take. Okay, so maybe South Carolina doesn’t have the biggest schools, but this school was the mother of every other. The campus and landscaping were amazing. Pops of colorful flowers were everywhere you looked, and big thick palm trees lined the parking lot. It could be a lot to take in at one given moment, but once you stopped, it was mesmerizing. Elijah got out and slammed his door, snapping me back to reality. I was so glad I picked my lucky outfit to where to school. By the looks of things, I was going to need all the luck I could possibly get.
When I was little, I could talk to anyone who came up to me. I wasn’t the least bit shy. My mother used to always say I had very good people skills. But, as I got into middle school, I became really shy and timid. I think we all hit that phase at some point. As for me, it lasted all the way up until eighth grade. Sure, I had average looks, and an average body, but let’s face it. If you don’t have any friends the chances of a guy noticing you are slim. Eighth grade was a big change. I met my best friends. I put out, like any normal girl does. Here’s where my people skills kicked back in. I knew everybody at my school. It was a good sized school, if I do say so myself. Knowing what to say at exactly the right time was like my sixth sense. That’s why I was good at lying. And, of course, getting people to do what I wanted them to.
As I walked into the main office, I took in the whole scene. Brightly painted walls, check ; uncomfortable plastic chairs, check ; weird smell that always seemed to linger like rotting fruit, check ; and, of course, the school’s ‘bad boy’ waiting for his daily talk, check. I did a double take of the boy sitting in the chair, and then quickly decided he wasn’t my type. I was quick to make snap judgments. I drummed my fingers on the counter loudly, trying to get the secretary’s attention. She looked up at me, brushing her bangs out of her eyes as she did so. Bleached blonde hair, blue eyes, and a tan, this definitely fit every description I’d ever heard about California. She was pretty, I’ll give her that. But, she needed a different wardrobe, in a desperate way. I mean, for a twenty some year old, you think she’d have better taste. 
“How can I help you, sweetheart?” She smiled warmly at me. Okay, so she was nice.
“I need my schedule, and my brother’s. Elijah and Addison Sparks.” I flashed a well-practiced, fake smile. The woman tapped a few keys, and handed me two warm pieces of paper. I walked out of the office, my heels making a dull clanking sound against the tiles. Elijah stood just outside the door, leaning against the white wall. I rolled my eyes at him. “We have all the same classes. Looks like you can look at this beautiful face all day long.” I winked at him, and started walking towards my locker. Locker 3055. I walked down a couple of hallways, and stopped in front of a set of lockers. I was completely and utterly lost. I stared down at my paper, dumbfounded. Maybe orientation wouldn’t have been such a bad idea. A bright, redhead came sauntering down the hallway.
“You look lost.” Her voice boomed off the vacant walls in the hallway. I studied her. She seemed just as out of place as I did. She had long, straight, bright red hair that came down just between her shoulder blades. Freckles dotted her cheekbones and nose, standing out against her pale skin. She was beautiful, and I envied her, not like I’d ever admit that to any girl. If there was one thing I learned about girls, it’s that they can be really nasty. I’m talking from experience. I’m pretty nasty myself. So, you have to be careful who you talk to. This girl, by the looks of it, didn’t seem harmless. In fact, she seemed vicious, another copy of me, just different details.
“Actually, I was just ---,”
“Don’t give me that bull. I can tell by the look on your face,” The girl said, cutting me off. “Now, what are you looking for?”
“Locker 3055,” I said, pointing down to my paper. The girl looped her arm through mine, and hauled me off in the opposite direction. So much for avoiding the girls around here. I sighed, listening to the steady clanking noise my high heels made. We stopped abruptly in front of a locker. The red head opened it up. “Thanks,” I said, stuffing my bag in it.
“I’m Grace Prince, by the way. If you ever need anything, give me a holler, alright?” I nodded, and closed my locker. “Come find me today at lunch. We’ll talk.” Grace flashed a gorgeous smile, and headed off into a classroom. Well, so much for staying out of trouble.