5. First day impressions

My first hour was Math, and I'm really good at it and enjoy it. Shocker. Lily always tells me I'm crazy for loving math, but numbers calm me down. Crazy, right? When the bell rang for the end of class, Lily asked,

"Did you notice the guy that changed his seat?"

"Yeah, why?"

"It's really weird, don't you think?"

"Not really, maybe it was just a coincidence."

"His name is James Johnson. From what I heard, he's bad news. He dated a lot of girls, but none of the relationships lasted more than two weeks."

"I don't really care. It's not like I'm going to talk to him or something.

"I didn't need that kind of drama in my life. I just want to live a quiet life for another two years until I save another two thousand euros from my job. I'm working multiple jobs-tutoring rich kids, working as a librarian, and helping out in the animal shelter. My tutoring job brings me a lot of money, but after paying the bills and buying groceries, there isn't much left. Still, it's a decent amount so I can save money to run.

I went to my locker and saw that the boy from my class had his locker above mine. Our lockers weren't that big-we mostly had them just for sports clothes and shoes. The next class was P.E., so I really had to grab my stuff, but he was just on his phone. I tapped his shoulder.

"What?" He looked annoyed, but when he looked at me, his gaze softened into something more embarrassed, with a hint of something I didn't recognize. I flinched but gathered my courage and asked,

"Excuse me, I have to take something from my locker. Could you move for a second, please?"

"Yeah, of course. And sorry for snapping at you, I didn't mean to. I was just having a bad day."

"It's okay."

I grabbed my bag and ran to the changing room. I don't like sports. I like watching them, but it's just not for me. We were playing dodgeball, which I was very good at because of my reflexes that I'd perfected over time but i didn't like playing it.

After class, Lily and I walked home together.

"How was your first day?"

"Good, because you were with me. And I also got to know a girl named Vicky. She was really kind."

"Ahh, Vicky-the one with black straight hair and like three piercings in each ear. She's very cool."

"Yeah, but you're still my favorite and the bestest friend in the whole world."

"Awww, you're so cute, and I wouldn't doubt it. You're also my favorite and the bestest friend. By the way, is 'bestest' even a word?"

"I don't know, but I like it."

We started laughing. Lily hugged me and said,

"That's my street. See you tomorrow, love you, byeee."

"Byeee."

I started walking and arrived at our apartment. When I went in, I saw Shawn reading a book on the couch. It felt like it was yesterday when he was playing with Legos that I had to hide before Father came home.

Hiii, I'm home. How was school?"

"Boring, like always."

"Of course it's boring when you're that smart."

"I got it from you, sis. How was your first day?"

"Awww, thanks. It was good, I got a new friend and I had a great time."

"Was she nice to you? If she wasn't, I'll go turn the whole school upside down."

"Yeah, of course she was. Now I have to go cook."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"Yeah, if you have time and did all your homework, you can come wash the vegetables."

"Okay."

He helped me, and we talked about the new gossip.

"I heard that Jack got an F on the essay because he accidentally misread the theme." Shawn knew everything at his school.

"Poor boy. Did the teacher give him another chance?"

"No, she said it was his problem and that she can't do anything."

"OMG, his parents will probably be really angry at him."

"His parents don't really care about that kind of stuff."

"Oh well, he seemed like a nice boy when I dropped you off for a playdate. Ah, that reminds me-his parents asked me to tutor him."

"Yeah, his older brother is busy with soccer, so he doesn't have time to help him. Could you please say yes? They are also VERY rich, so the pay won't be bad."

"Okay, I'll text them right away."

He finished washing the vegetables, and then I told him to go to his room. After I finished cooking, the front door suddenly flew open and there was my father, who today looked like he was in a good mood.

"Today I got my pay," he said, and then I wasn't surprised anymore that he was happy. I was also relieved that I wasn't going to endure his beatings tonight because he was going back to that damn bar.

"And I also heard that someone will be moving in next door in a week."

I silently listened and gave short responses so as not to agitate him. I'm really curious who will move in.

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