Chapter 4

Freya

I sat in class with Brown's notes in my hands. I was planning on giving them back to him the minute he walked into the room but for some reason, my hands were shaking. I still didn't know his name, and frankly, I knew nothing about him except that he's the headmaster's son and he's always the top of the class which is why he gave tutoring sessions and helped other students out. He didn't seem sociable though. He seemed like the kind of guy who kept to himself and only interacted with others when necessary.

I was the first one to come to class since we had Mr. Schneider again and I didn't want to be scolded for twice on a row. I heard the bell ring and students start to walk in. I watched as everybody took their seats and waited to see Brown come in. Only he didn't. The teacher followed seconds later and started with the lesson the minute his old bum was on the seat. I tried my best to focus on what he was saying, only my eyes kept roaming around desperately searching for that messy blond hair and those hazel eyes.

-Miss Richardson? The teacher called startling me. I snapped my head toward him, eyes wide.

-Yes sir? I said, praying that he wouldn't humiliate me once again.

-I just asked a question. Do you happen to know the answer?

I started to shake my head when I heard a voice reply from behind me. The teacher nodded appreciatively at the correct answer and I couldn't help but look over my shoulder to see the reason why I wasn't paying attention to Mr. Schneider in the first place, sitting casually at the table behind me.

-Thank you, Micah. Mr. Schneider said and it took everything in me not to turn around again as I heard his name for the first time.

Micah Brown.

When the bell rang and everybody started to leave, I rushed to shove my stuff into my backpack and hurried to catch Micah.

-Hey! I called while still running toward him. He had already made it to the end of the hall, he suddenly stopped hearing my voice and slowly turned around almost bumping into me.

We came face to face and I had to catch my breath because up close, he was even more handsome. I could notice the little freckles on his cheeks and nose, the dots of green in his hazel eyes, and the ever so slightly scruff of his growing beard covering his jaw and his chin.

-Yeah? He asked with a raised eyebrow bringing me back to reality.

I was so drawn in every feature of his face that I didn't realize that I was caught ogling him. I felt my cheeks flush and shame washed over me. I cleared my throat and took a step back, dropping my eyes to the papers in my hands.

-I just wanted to give you these back and thank you again. I said handing them to him without looking at him so I wouldn't see the coy smile he probably had on his face.

-You can keep them. I don't need them. He said, his voice serious. Only then, I dared look up at him.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah. He assured with a nod.

-Well, thanks. I found myself repeating awkwardly. He nodded again then took a few steps back before turning around and leaving.

Hilda

I wanted to say something but we were both caught by the bell.

-You better go to class before you earn your second yellow card. Mr. Hardwin said with a wink before he jogged away toward the building. Only then I noticed that he was wearing a sweatshirt and sweat pants and he looked much younger than with the three-piece suit.

I joined the group for breakfast and then we split when the bell rang again. I was walking toward my first class that morning when Daniel came up to my side and said:

-Where were you yesterday evening?

-I dozed off. I replied with a shrug.

-We're not supposed to ditch unless we're sick. You're going to get called to Mr. Brown's office.

I shrugged again because I honestly didn't know what he was expecting me to say. Getting sent to Mr. Brown’s office in my old high school used to be my routine and I still couldn't understand what all the fuss is about. You get called by the secretary, you sit in the waiting room until Mr. Brown finishes scolding the other naughtiest before you and then when it's finally your turn, you sit in the chair and wait for the scolding and the moral lessons to be over. And then you go back to class like nothing happened. Sometimes you get a few hours of detention but if you're really lucky, you get a few days of holidays. I mean suspension.

As expected, the secretary came in during the lesson of Mrs. Cromwell and called for me to Mr Brown's office.

I grabbed my backpack and followed her out of the room.

The only thing that was different this time, is that I didn't have to wait for any other misfits to be scolded before me, I was addressed directly to the office.

-Miss Morgan, please take a seat. Mr. Brown said gesturing for the empty seat two feet away from his desk. There were two empty seats and for some reason, I felt this compelling desire to choose the other one, like it would prove some point.

I watched a small smile creep onto his lips as he watched me sit down.

-I'm glad to see that you're wearing your uniform Miss Morgan. I hope that it isn't messing with your confidence now, is it?

I shrugged and crossed my legs then put my hands on the armchair.

-Why am I here? I asked, playing dumb.

-I think you know why. He said with one raised eyebrow. I pursed my lips and waited for him to begin with his lecture.

-You know, Miss Morgan, I've been in the system for a long time and I've had my fair share of students like you. And I think that this is exactly why schools like ours exist.

-Students like me? I said folding my arms against my chest.

-You know, the ones who think they're different and they don't belong among the other students. And I'm not saying that you aren't different. Everyone is. I'm just saying that being different doesn't mean being a misfit. Maybe you don't understand why we set the rules like we did but they are what helps us coexist in the same society. What makes us fit. You don't have to change who you are to feel like you belong, you just have to accept that the others are different as well and respect them the way they are.

I wanted to hate the old man, but somehow, his words sounded reasonable and wise and they hit home. I've never felt like I belonged before, not in my school nor in my family.

-Tell that to my parents. I muttered under my breath as I looked away from him and my eyes fell on a family portrait. They seemed so happy and so perfect all three, the parents and the son and my heart twisted in my chest remembering that I would never know what being in a true loving family feels like.

-Your parents are different as well but I don't think that their tough love and your attitude are making it any easier for either of you to learn how to accept the other.

I felt a tear slip from my eye and I quickly wiped it away before he would notice it.

Old bastard.

Freya

I stopped by the cafeteria to grab something really quick before work when I noticed Hilda waving at me. I cursed under my breath for being caught and tried my best to smile back while I walked toward her table. She was sitting with a group of five friends and I wondered how she had already managed to make so many friends while the only person I ever interacted with since I came here was Micah and he was far from being a friend.

-Guys this is my roommate Freya. Freya, these are the twins Daniel and Danielle, Mariana and José, and. . . She trailed off, frowning at the Asian girl sitting next to Mariana with a book in her hand. She didn't seem like she was paying attention but surprised us when she said without even taking her eyes off her book:

-Akira.

-Right. Hilda said with a snap of her fingers -Come on sit with us. She added patting the seat next to her.

I hesitated for a moment, trying to think of an excuse to get out of there but then Joshua's words came rushing back to me about trying to move on with my life and making new friends. I took a deep breath then sat on the chair.

-We're having a gathering after school hours, in the pool. Do you want to join us? Danielle offered with a warm smile.

-Alright. I just have a few things to take care of and then I'll meet you there. I responded, returning her smile.

-Are you Australian? Mariana asked with both eyebrows up.

-I love your accent. Is it Australian? José asked and I blushed.

-Yeah, thanks.

No one has ever complimented me on my accent, especially not a British guy since they are known for their sexy accent. But José didn't sound all too British and I wondered if he as well wasn't British. He was still staring at me and my blush deepened as I looked away, feeling too self-conscious to hold his gaze. It has been so long since someone has looked at me that way, and the memory of it wasn't pleasant at all for me to want to think of it ever again.

Soon enough the attention was shifted from me and to Hilda again. My cheeks had finally started to cool off and I began to feel comfortable. I didn't like being among many people and I hated when I had all eyes on me. There were times where I wished that the floor would crack and swallow me, or wished I could crawl in my bed and never wake up again. But I knew that I couldn't let myself think of feel that way anymore. I was only seventeen years old and I had my whole life in front of me. Being in this school, where no one knows anything about me or my past or where I came from was the best chance to start over and my ultimate ticket to a new happy life.