320NO. 1: He Was Bad
Samara's POV.
"And he got a way with the girls in the back, and looking too hot to dance."
This is so not fair.
I repeat, this is so not fair.
What am I going on about, you ask?
My mother just informed me that I would be attending boarding school - BOARDING SCHOOL!
I'm going to have to stay in a dorm and wear a damn uniform. I do not do uniforms, but it's not like I have a choice.
Honestly, I'm not sure things can get any worse.
Ever since dad died, mom has been an insufferable pain in the ass. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother. At one point in time, she was the best mother a girl could ever ask for, and I'm sure that somewhere deep inside, she still is. I know that I can't expect her to let go of dad(after all, their love was epic), and I don't want her to. I miss my father just as much as she does, and I cry myself to sleep every night whilst thinking about that fateful night when God took my father away from us. Five months... it's only been five months.
A solitary tear trailed down my left cheek, causing me to fall back onto my bed. I don't want to cry - I don't, normally.
Crying is for the weak, and I tend to think of myself as one amongst the strong.
Still, that doesn't stop the salty tears from pouring out of my amber eyes, which in turn, makes my whole body shake.
In mere minutes, my tears turn into broken sobs, and then, nothing.
Once I'm sure there are no excess tears left behind, I return to packing my bags for The Knox School, which is the school that will be fortunate enough to have me, Samara Rayleigh Johnson, as their student come Monday.
Though I was using the packing as a means to keep myself from crying, I couldn't help but think about my dad. That stupid drunk driver came out of nowhere and rammed right into my father's car, somehow causing my father to fly forward. The doctors tried everything they could to save him, but in the end, there was nothing they could do. There was too much blood, and he just... died.
My heart constricted at the thought and I forced myself to quit thinking about him and focus more on packing for boarding school.
"I cannot believe Myra is making you attend The Knox School," a female voice exclaimed. I instantly recognized the voice as that of my best friend's, Faith Hanson.
Faith and I have been best friends since we could talk - she's my confidant, my go-to-girl, and she just so happens to be my cousin on my father's side, but we're more like sisters.
Faith is the average, beautiful seventeen year old. She has pretty brown hair, a pretty heart-shaped face, a pretty smile, and pretty hazel eyes.
What makes her beautiful, though, is her personality. She's bubbly, in the good way, and she's passionate about the world around her. She cares more for her friends and family than she cares for herself, and she has a heart made of Gold, not to say that's humanly possible or anything. Point is, she's a good person, and that's why she's my best friend.
It's going to suck having to move halfway across the country - okay, so, to be fair, St. James isn't that far from San Diego, but still, it stinks.
"Be fair, Faith," I started, "my mother just has my best interest at heart."
Faith picked up the gray sweatshirt she bought me last year for my birthday and threw it on top of the pile of clothes I have yet to pack.
"I know, it's just... it's not fair. School starts Monday, and like, you leave tomorrow morning, on a Saturday. It's like, not fair. We don't even have that much time to hang out or say goodbye because you have to pack, and I have soccer practice, and well, personally, I'm really, really going to miss you."
I enveloped Faith in one of my infamous bear hugs and forced back the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes.
I have too much damn pride to allow myself to cry twice in less than fifteen minutes.
Once Faith had pulled away from the hug, the two of us went back to packing my things, which ended in both of us sitting on my suitcases, and attempting to close them. I own a lot of clothes. I'm not a girlie girl, nor am I a tom boy - actually, I'm not sure what category I fall under. I don't label myself, and I most certainly don't label others. I get along with everyone at my school, or rather, my old school. I just have a certain air about me that draws people to me, and no, I'm not conceited. I'm simply stating a fact. Plenty of times, I've been told that I'm a likable person, and I can't say that I disagree.
Not all jocks are conceited jerks - Faith and me being two examples. Besides, I've always kind of hated stereotypes.
Last time I checked, labels are for store items, not people.
"You can always come and visit me during the Holidays," I blurted once we had finished packing my things. "We've been spending Christmas together since forever, and well, the Holiday wouldn't be the same without you. You can even bring Zev and Link along with you," I added.
"I'll even come and visit you when school lets out for Spring Break and stuff, I promise," Faith added. "I'm not the only one that's going to miss you, you know?" I nodded. I'm already aware of the fact that I'm going to be missed by all my friends at school - most I've said goodbye to, and some, well, I just can't say goodbye to them. It hurts too much. Faith seemed to notice my gloomy expression, so she quickly changed the topic. "Think of it this way, at this school, there will be more boys, and who knows, maybe you'll find that Mr. Right you've always been searching for."
Ah, my Mr. Right.
Trying to explain my idea of Mr. Right is extremely complicated, especially since I've convinced myself that I'm not going to find him anytime soon.
I'm a hopeless romantic, sure, but I hate clichés. I'm not looking for that jock falls for nerd, popular girl falls for jock, best friend falls for best friend kind of crap. I'm looking for something more... real, you know? Something stable, yet unstable. I'm looking for a guy that will keep me on my toes, and I have yet to find him.
That's why, I've decided to let him, whoever he may be, come to me.
"I've given up on looking for Mr. Right, and you know that," I replied, grinning wryly. "Besides, I've yet to feel that... that spark. I want that spark."
Faith rolled her eyes melodramatically. "Sam, you are such a hopeless romantic."
"I am not hopeless," I murmured, feeling slightly frustrated. "However, I am a romantic," I added, flashing Faith my 100 mega-watt smile.
"I'm going to miss you so much," Faith blurted, once again changing the subject. I might have forgotten to mention that Faith has a mind of her own - one second, she's talking about one thing, and the next second she's talking about something completely unrelated to the first topic. That's just the way she is, and the way that she's always been. It just so happens to be one of the many reasons that she's my best friend. "Who am I going to go shopping with? Seriously, none of our other friends like Beverly Hills, and it's like... our place to shop, you know? Zev and Link won't go with me, because they're always busy doing things with each other, if you catch my drift, and Stace morphed into a major bitch this summer. So, basically, it's going to be me, Zev, Link, Lucy, and May at the lunch table, and outside of school, I'll be bored out of my mind. I might just go insane with boredom, because everyone else will be too busy."
Zev and Link are Hoover High School's resident gay couple, and they have been Faith and I's best friends since first grade when they threw mud at us during recess. We threw the mud back at them, and viola, an everlasting friendship was formed.
Lucy, otherwise known as Lucille Barnes, was someone Faith and I met in third grade. Lucy was the new girl in school, and out of kindness, Faith and I allowed her to sit with us in the classroom, and she also sat with us at the lunch table. When Lucy said she despised Britney Spears as much as Faith and I did, the three of us formed a bond that was never meant to be broken.
When May came along, however, all of our friendships were tested. Maya Sanchez came into the picture when we were in seventh grade. Lucy had morphed into a girlie girl over the summer, and Maya was the new girl that took the school by storm, causing everyone to be her friend, including Lucy. I'm ashamed to admit that Faith and I felt threatened by Maya, so we simply cut Lucy out of our lives for being friends with her. For about a month, Lucy ignored us and we ignored Lucy, but when all of us were forced to work together on a school project, we apologized to Lucy, and Lucy apologized to us, and much to our surprise, Maya turned out to be intelligent and nice. That was about the time I learned to never judge a book by its cover.
Ever since then, we've all been the best of friends, and now, I'm being forced to leave it all behind.
Once again, I say, this is so not fair.
"Faith, hon, it's not going to be like that," I chimed in, finally. "You're going to need to take my place as the nice girl, and I want you to look after our team, okay? Those girls still have a lot of work to do in order to live up to expectations, but I know they can do it, and it's going to be your job to make them believe that. You're captain this year, girl, and you're going to do great."
A watery smile graced Faith's lips. "I promise not to let you down."
Her words were so sincere that I had no choice but to believe her. Hell, it's not like I wouldn't believe her, anyway. Faith has never lied to me, and she never will.
"Faith, your mom is here to pick you up!" my mother shouted from downstairs.
Fresh tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them to stay back.
I would not cry, not again. Not already.
Faith bit down on her now quivering lip, and instead of saying something, she hugged me.
"I love you, best friend," Faith whispered before pulling away from the hug.
I smiled, albeit sadly. "I love you, too, best friend. We'll always be cousins by blood, best friends by choice, and sisters by heart."
"Always," Faith whispered before waving goodbye and exiting my bedroom.
Once she disappeared from my sight, I sprawled out on my bedroom floor and stared up at the ceiling, wishing that I didn't have to move, wishing that my mother would be okay, and wishing that my dad were still here. Things were always better with him here, and now... things will never be the same.
"Why'd you have to go?" I whispered before squeezing my eyes shut and drifting off into a deep slumber.
"Mom, do I really have to do this?" I complained whilst staring out the window of her SUV.
"Samara Rayleigh Johnson," my mother started in that silky, melodious voice of hers, "how many times have I told you not to complain about this school? Sending you here is for the best. I wouldn't be saying that if it weren't the truth." I wanted so badly to believe her, but I just couldn't. How is shipping me off to boarding school for the best? "We need to get our lives in order, and sending you to The Knox School, I believe, is the best thing I can do for you right now. Everything is going to be fine for you here, I promise you that. How many times have you been told that you're a lovable person?" She paused momentarily, as if waiting for my answer. When all I did was shrug, she continued. "I know for certain that it's been more than a few times, so there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you'll be loved here as well. Just use that Samara spunk."
I wrinkled my nose in distaste. I hate when she refers to my unique personality as my 'Samara spunk.'
"I don't have any spunk," I protested, rolling my eyes good-naturedly.
My mother sighed whilst pushing a few stray strands of her gorgeous, wavy fire-red locks behind her ear.
"You do too," my mother insisted, patting my back in a reassuring manner. "Everyone is going to love you here. I guarantee that."
I scoffed. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that life holds no guarantees?"
My sarcasm didn't go unnoticed by my mother, who was now scolding me with her striking green eyes.
"Don't use that tone with me young lady," my mother scolded, her tone demanding. "Run along now, honey. I wouldn't want you to miss out on meeting your roommate before she goes off to do whatever it is these kids do on the weekends. Her name is Mingmei Wu, remember that - you know, so you don't get confused or anything."
Truth be told, I wasn't really listening to my mother. I was kind of just staring out the window of the SUV, dreading the second I would have to leave the safety of my mother's car and enter a new school. It wouldn't be so horrible if I weren't going to be light years(exaggeration much?) away from my friends and my family. I won't be able to come home after school and eat dinner with my mother, and I won't be able to hang out with my friends on the weekend and shop until we drop, or dance until our knees give out, or play soccer nonstop. I won't be able to hang out at Starbucks, which was the hot spot(during the day, anyway) for my group of friends, and I won't be able to sneak into clubs for people over twenty-one. I won't be able to live.
"Honey, why are you crying?" This time, I did hear what my mother said, and to be honest, until she spoke up, I wasn't even aware that I was crying.
I wiped vigorously at the tears falling from my eyes and forced the excess tears to stay back. I was just so sick of crying.
"I'm fine," I lied.
Truth is, I'm the furthest thing from fine.
"I should go," I managed to choke out, ashamed that I had been crying once again. "I need to get my bags in there, and then I might go around and uh... meet some of the students that have already arrived, and stuff."
Clearly, I wasn't telling the truth, but my mother didn't have to know that. Lucky for me, my mom has never been one of those moms that seem to be able to read minds.
"You do that, honey," my mother replied, pulling me into a one arm hug before popping open the trunk. I hugged my mother once more before exiting the van and retrieving my bags from the trunk.
I waved as my mother drove away, and then, when she was out of sight, I headed into The Knox School.
My very own Hell.
Now I understand why most kids hate boarding school.
"You must be Samara."
I nearly jumped out of my skin once an unfamiliar female voice filled my ears.
I quit unpacking my suitcases long enough to get a look at my new roommate. She was pretty... and Chinese. Erm, well, that was unexpected, though her ethnicity should have been obvious to me when my mother told me her name.
She was pretty - stunning, actually. She had glossy, jet black hair, striking brown eyes - so brown, in fact, that they appeared black, elegant features, and a petite figure. She was wearing a red leather jacket which accentuated the red highlights in her hair, a black tank underneath, black leather pants, and black stilettos. It definitely contrasted the school uniform, which is what we're being forced to wear come Monday. Wearing the same damn outfit five days a week isn't my idea of fun, nor is my idea of fun being cooped up in this school.
But then again, maybe it won't be that horrible.
"Yeah, I am," I eventually replied. "And you must be Mingmei. Do you mind if I just call you Ming?"
Mingmei giggled. "Of course, it's not like anyone here actually refers to me as Mingmei, anyway. You'll be the first to call me Ming."
I grinned. "Let me guess, everyone else refers to you as Mei?"
Mingmei nodded. "Unfortunately," she grumbled. "I hate it because every teacher here thinks it's spelled M-A-Y, when it is clearly not."
"Yeah, well, it can't be any worse than everyone calling me Sam," I joked.
To my surprise, Mingmei laughed.
It's official - my roommate rocks.
"If it makes you feel any better," Mingmei started, "you don't look anything like a boy. I wouldn't be surprised if half the boys here fawn over you. I'm guessing you get that a lot, though, right?"
I shook my head. "Nah, not really. As crazy as this might sound, most of the guys thought I was too nice for them. Besides, I haven't exactly found Mr. Right as of yet. Are any of the boys here interesting?"
At my question, Mingmei blushed. "Uh, sure," she stammered.
A knowing smile graced my lips. "Anyone in particular that you have your sights set on?"
Mingmei shook her head, but I wasn't convinced. "Not really."
"Liar," I accused whilst getting back to work on unpacking my things. Mingmei followed suit.
"His name is Liam," Mingmei blurted, albeit randomly. We were still unpacking our things, so I couldn't see her face, but I knew she was referring to the guy she had her sights set on. I'm normally not wrong about these kinds of things. "He's a sweetheart, honestly - it's his best friend that keeps getting in my way."
I furrowed my eyebrows at this and cocked my head out of confusion. "What does his best friend have to do with anything?"
Mingmei growled, startling me. What the hell was that?
"His name is Gabriel James," she started, not giving me a chance to ask anymore questions. "He's like, the Anti-Christ or something. Okay, so, I wouldn't go that far, but he's pretty damn intimidating. I've been crushing on Liam since freshman year, and we've talked plenty of times, but each time I come close to telling him how I really feel, Gabriel shows up and ruins everything. He's the bad boy in this place, and he scares the shit out of anyone that gets within a ten mile radius of him. This year, though, I'm not going to let him get in the way. I will not be intimidated by that asshole anymore."
"Is he cute?" I blurted without really thinking. I'm not into jerks or anything, but sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me. Scratch that - my curiosity always gets the better of me.
Mingmei snorted. "Is he ever!" she gushed. "He's the most sought after guy in this school, and it's been that way since freshman year. No one knows why Gabe acts the way he does, but rumor has it that he's been in like, jail and stuff. I don't believe the rumors, but everyone else does, which just makes him all the more desirable. I, however, fell for his sweet best friend."
I didn't miss the way Mingmei's striking eyes lit up whenever she mentioned Liam. It's official - I have to get them together, but first, I actually have to meet the guy.
"Anyway," Mingmei drawled, interrupting my train of thought, "you have to meet my best friend, Jayden. You'll love him. He's gorgeous, but he's gay, so... don't go getting any ideas." Mingmei paused, as if thinking through what she wanted to say. After a moment, she continued. "You aren't a homophobe or anything, are you?"
I guffawed with laughter. "Me, a homophobe?" I questioned, my tone full of disbelief. Mingmei blinked, staring blankly in my direction. "I am most definitely not a homophobe." I paused, and as an afterthought, added, "Two of my best friends are gay, actually, and they're one of the happiest couples I know."
Mingmei grinned, and her eyes sparkled. "Awesome!" she exclaimed. "You are going to love Jayden, I swear."
"Where are we going?" I questioned, my tone confused as Mingmei practically dragged me out of our dorm and into the abandoned hallway.
"The soccer field," Mingmei yelled over her shoulder as she started walking. I quickly caught up with her and fell into step beside her.
"Why the soccer field?" I frowned a little when I thought about how I would be playing soccer with a new team, and not my old friends, but I knew I'd get over it.
"Jayden plays soccer," Mingmei stated matter-of-factly. "The boy's tryouts are today."
"When are the girl's tryouts?" I asked.
"The girls have tryouts after class on Monday, and then, the teams are announced on Tuesday," Mingmei answered as she led me outside the doors of The Knox School and onto the soccer field.
We took our seats in the front row of the bleachers, and I watched intently as the boys kicked the ball around.
"Do you play?" Mingmei asked once the boys took a break.
"Not to brag or anything," I began, wearing a proud smile on my face, "but uh, I was captain back at my school in San Diego."
Mingmei grinned. "No worries, hon, I've been captain three years in a row. Most of the girls were pissed when Coach named me captain freshman year."
"I know the feeling," I replied honestly. My Coach back home had named me captain freshman year, and a lot of the girls on the team disagreed with his choice because it was my first year being on a high school team - not to mention, I was the only freshman on the team at the time. Faith didn't join the team until sophomore year. The girls eventually got over it, though, especially when we won the championship at the end of the season, and went undefeated. Our team immediately ranked number one in the state at the end of the season my sophomore year.
"Well, it looks like I'm going to have myself some competition this year," Mingmei teased.
"Wu, girl, you came!" a distinctly male voice sing-songed, momentarily startling me.
Mingmei's entire face lit up, and that's when I realized that the boy must be the infamous Jayden.
Suffice to say, Mingmei was not exaggerating when she said that her best friend is gorgeous. He had curly brown locks that instantly made me think of Dylan from Degrassi, hypnotic brown eyes, a six pack and a chiseled chest(he just so happened to be shirtless... drool), and he had to at least be six feet tall. Why is it that most of the good guys are gay? It's most certainly not fair.
Once I realized that I was staring, I removed my eyes from his chest and flashed him my most brilliant smile.
"And you are?" he questioned, his tone curious, before taking a sip of water from his water bottle.
"Johnson," I greeted, and then I mentally slapped myself for saying my last name first. "Samara Johnson," I corrected.
That was a well-played James Bond moment.
Jayden giggled, which in turn, made me blush. "Hart," Jayden started, forming a gun with his fingers and pressing his fingers to his lips, "Jayden Hart."
Mingmei rolled her eyes at our childish antics. "You two are so weird," she teased. "It's perfect!" she exclaimed, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
"Jayden Hart, get your ass back down here!" a harsh male voice exclaimed. Jayden jumped about ten feet in the air, which made me laugh. Jayden glared.
"That's my cue," Jayden murmured. "It was nice meeting you, Mara!" Jayden sing-songed before skipping back onto the field.
"He's... colorful," I stated in between giggles.
Mingmei nodded her head in agreement. "That's why I love him so much. I've known Jayden since I could talk. He came out to me first when we were in third grade. It was a shock, really. I wasn't really shocked that he was gay - I was more or less shocked that he knew he liked boys at such a young age. It was for the best, though. It gave his parents more time to get used to the idea. He came out to his mother when we were in fifth grade. That's when he got his first boyfriend, actually. His mother knew something was up, confronted him about it, and viola, he tells his mother that he's gay and has a boyfriend. His mom had never been a hardcore Christian, so it didn't bother her as much as it did his father. The stupid jackass left Jayden and his mother after finding out about it during the summer after our sixth grade year. His mother was devastated, so my parents adopted Jayden, and we ended up here our eighth grade year. Everyone here knows about Jayden, and none of them really care. He's accepted because he's so damn lovable, you know? I mean, sure, there are a few homophobes here and there, but none of them ever cross paths with Jayden, so we don't worry about it."
"Have the two of you always played soccer?"
"I've been playing since I was old enough to walk, same goes for Jayden," Mingmei answered. "Hey, there's a party tonight in the student lounge. It's this thing they do every year to welcome the students, old and new. Jayden and I attend every year just because we can, and it'd be a way for you to meet some of the other students here. It's not completely lame, either, so you might have some fun."
I doubted that I would have any fun, but the idea of a welcome-to-school party didn't sound half bad.
"I'd like that." It wasn't a total lie.
Mingmei grinned. "Great, because now, I can introduce you to Liam. This time, Gabriel will not be getting in my way."
I had almost forgotten about the infamous Gabriel she spoke of earlier in our dorm. Could one guy really be that intimidating?
Hmm... I guess I'll just have to find out.
A mischievous smirk graced my lips and Mingmei stared at me as though I had grown another head.
"What?" I asked, putting on my best innocent expression.
Mingmei grinned knowingly. "Don't do anything stupid, kay? Gabriel is known for breaking girl's hearts."
Her 'warning' didn't faze me. Besides, it's not like I wanted to date the guy. I'm merely curious, is all.
Curiosity killed the cat.
That saying is beyond ridiculous. Curiosity did not kill the cat.
"I won't do anything stupid," I promised, whilst thinking, I wouldn't do anything that Faith wouldn't do.
And trust me, Faith will do a lot of things.
"Ugh, I cannot find anything to wear!" Mingmei groaned before throwing herself onto her bed.
It was thirty minutes until eight, which is when the party starts, and Mingmei and I had yet to find something nice to wear to the party.
"Do not fear, for Jayden is here!" I jumped as Jayden came flying into our room, flushing crimson when I realized that I was merely in my pink panties and beige bra.
My embarrassment quickly faded when I remembered that Jayden is gay. A sigh of relief escaped my lips, but for the sake of avoiding anymore mishaps, I had Jayden shut and lock the door.
"Why aren't the two of you dressed?" Jayden asked, his tone demanding.
"There's nothing for us to wear," Mingmei complained. "Liam is going to be there, and I cannot look like a freak."
Jayden rolled his pretty brown eyes in Mingmei's direction and sauntered to the closet.
I frowned once I realized that Jayden was throwing our clothes - clothes that we had just finished unpacking.
"Jay-" I began, only to be cut off as a piece of clothing landed on my face. Once I removed the piece of cloth from my face, I flashed Jayden a 'what-the-fuck' look.
"Put it on," Jayden demanded, and that's when I realized I didn't have much of a choice.
I looked down and scrutinized the piece of clothing I was holding. It was a pretty black dress, like the ones you see in the little black dress commercials, only much more provocative.
Truth be told, I kind of liked it. The leggings he threw at me seemed to go with it well, and I noticed all this before trying the dress on, mind you.
Fifteen minutes later, Mingmei, Jayden, and I were ready for the 'party'.
Mingmei looked stunning, of course. She was wearing her signature red leather jacket, and under that was a red and black harlequin print dress that went well with her red fishnet pantyhose and black stilettos. Her makeup was done perfectly, courtesy of Jayden, and the bright red lipstick helped bring out all the red she just so happened to be wearing.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that Mingmei's favorite color is red.
Jayden had forced me to straighten my hair and wear more makeup than I had ever intended to wear. The little black dress fitted my body perfectly and accentuated the curves that I knew I had, but rarely ever showed off. The leggings helped cover up my legs and made the dress look less provocative, which I loved.
Jayden was wearing a white blazer, a red and black ACDC undershirt, and his jeans were so dark that they almost looked black.
I wouldn't be surprised if some straight guys turned gay tonight just because of how sexy Jayden was looking at the moment.
"Shall we?" Jayden sang gaily before locking arms with me.
"We shall," Mingmei sing-songed whilst locking arms with me on the other side of me, leaving me in the middle of the two.
With that, we were off to the party... of sorts.
The student lounge was set up with a ton of table games - meaning pool, air hockey, and so on and so forth. A bunch of students were gathered in front of the television, which was currently playing 10 Things I Hate About You. Some students were dancing in the corners of the lounge, and as we edged closer to the corners, I could hear faint music emanating from the speakers. I had yet to meet anybody of interest, but still, I remained the nice girl I had been at my old school and talked to anyone who was willing to have a conversation. A few of the teachers were chaperoning, though I'm not sure why. It's not like any of us kids could have snuck any alcoholic beverages in here, anyway. Then again, by the looks of it, they were probably trying to keep some of the couples from engaging in sexual activity.
"Jayden, Mingmei," an unfamiliar male voice greeted.
My eyes settled upon a very good-looking guy, and by the look on Mingmei's face, I guessed that I was staring at Liam, her infamous crush.
He was just as gorgeous as she had described him, and to my surprise, he had that whole pretty boy thing going for him. He was the epitome of the whole blonde hair, blue eyes cliché that most girls love - not to mention, he was also tall, dark, and handsome. His blonde locks were in a disarray, but in the sexy kind of way, and his eyes were such a beautiful blue that they almost appeared the color of the ocean.
Also, his smile was just as handsome as the rest of him.
No wonder Mingmei is practically in love with this guy.
"Who's your friend?" Liam asked, never taking his eyes off Mingmei. The way he was looking at her, and his body language made it so obvious that he is just as into her as she is into him.
I'm not normally one to play Cupid, but these two are like... destined for each other, no doubt.
"I'm Samara Johnson," I chimed in once I realized that Mingmei wasn't going to be speaking anytime soon. I nudged her to snap her out of her lovesick trance. To my surprise, it worked.
"Samara Johnson," Mingmei started, "meet Liam Sanders."
"Samara is an interesting name," Liam stated, still keeping his eyes on Mingmei. I felt like screaming that I was standing beside Mingmei, but I kept my mouth shut for the sake of my new friend. "Mingmei, would you like to dance?" Liam asked once a slow song began playing.
Mingmei's eyes lit up and Jayden squealed. It's no surprise that Mingmei and Liam didn't notice that Jayden had squealed.
"S-sure," Mingmei stammered, which resulted in Liam leading her to the other side of the room, where most of the students were now slow dancing.
"It's about time that guy asks her to dance," Jayden murmured whilst turning to face me. "So, got your heart set on anyone here as of yet?"
I laughed. "I've yet to meet anyone of interest," I remarked. "I haven't been here very long, thank you very much. Besides, I'm not searching for anyone right now."
Jayden sighed. "Yes, well, I'm a hopeless romantic who loves playing matchmaker, so consider yourself warned."
I rolled my eyes melodramatically. "I'm not going to be falling for anyone."
Just then, I felt someone's body colliding with my own, and within seconds, I was lying on the floor, and the entire room had gone silent.
Jayden put a hand to his mouth so as to keep himself from laughing and then asked, "You were saying?"
I quirked a brow at his random question. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Jayden extended his hand and I took it without protest, allowing him to help me up. Once I was on my feet, Jayden grinned. "You just fell for a total bad boy," he teased.
Instead of replying to Jayden's somewhat childish remark, I tapped the shoulder of the jackass that had run into me without so much as an apology afterward.
"What?" the jackass growled, not bothering to face me. The nerve.
"Listen, ass-" I started, only to stumble over my words when the guy turned to face me.
Oh. My. Gosh. He's gorgeous!
I'm talking Greek God Adonis gorgeous.
His jet black locks were pulled into a ponytail that reached mid-back(that was something I had noticed before he turned around), he had a chiseled jaw, toned muscles that were visible underneath his white wife-beater, and he was at least six feet, three inches tall. My breath hitched in my throat once I met his eyes.
Those eyes. I had never seen more beautiful, striking eyes on a male before. His irises were so blue that they resembled sapphires, which just so happen to be my favorite jewel.
I didn't think I'd ever be able to look away, that is... until he spoke.
"I know I'm good looking, honey," he started in a deep, sexy tone, "but uh, staring is rude."
I scowled, immediately snapping out of my trance. "You, good looking?" I scoffed, feigning disbelief. Jayden, Liam, and Mingmei looked shocked. Up until then, I had been unaware that they were standing near me, not that it mattered. "That has to be just about the funniest thing I have ever heard. Saying your good looking is like saying that pigs can fly."
The jackass didn't look fazed. "Oh, sweetheart, you know you want some of this," he whispered in a husky tone, one that sent chills up my spine. I ignored my hormones and simply glared daggers at the jackass standing before me. My body was screaming for me to just randomly kiss him, but I had too much dignity to do such a thing.
Besides, I'm no slut. I don't just jump random guys at a welcome-to-school party.
"I don't want any part of you," I snapped vehemently. "And quit staring at me like I'm a piece of meat," I added, unsure of where all this sudden confidence had come from. I suppose it didn't matter. Telling off this bastard felt good, and helped inflate my ego just a little. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a vampire."
The jackass rolled his eyes. "Sweetheart, this isn't Twilight, and I'm no Edward Cullen."
Did he really just make a reference to Twilight? Oh well, at least I could come up with a good retort because of it.
I smirked. "You're right, this isn't Twilight, because I'm not as dense as Bella, so there is no way in hell that I'd ever fall for the likes of you."
Something sparked in his eyes, and I instantly recognized it as mischief. Ah, great.
"Wanna bet?" he challenged, staring me down. His gaze was so intense that I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.
"I don't gamble," I retorted before turning on my heels and stalking out of the student lounge.
Jayden followed me out of the student lounge, but Mingmei stayed behind to talk to Liam, not that I minded. I was glad that she was finally getting her chance with Liam.
Once I was in the safety of my dorm, I threw myself onto my bed and rested my head against the bed frame.
Jayden entered the room not a moment later and instantly began scolding me.
"What the hell were you thinking!?" Jayden exclaimed. "You do not talk to him like that, and you most certainly do not leave the room when he asks you if you want to make a bet. Lord only knows what he's going to do to you now. Do you even know who you just told off?"
Jayden took a seat at the end of my bed and I shook my head.
It's a shame, really. I didn't even know the jerk's name, and I had just told him off.
I sure hope my mother doesn't get word of our, uh, brief altercation.
"You just told off Gabriel James." My jaw dropped. I did what!?
Mingmei may have been exaggerating when she referred to Gabriel as the Anti-Christ, but I wouldn't be surprised if the guy had put the fear of God in a few of the unlucky people that have ever crossed paths with him.
Fortunately for me, he didn't frighten me, not in the least bit.
He may be intimidating, but I've dealt with worse.
Besides, his attitude is just a cry for help, and I wouldn't be surprised if Gabriel acted the way he does for a reason.
It'd make sense, you know?
"So...?" I drawled, not quite understanding why it was such a big deal. I mean, sure, I was shocked at first when Jayden said that I told off Gabriel James, the apparent Anti-Christ of The Knox School, but it's not like I thought it was a big deal or anything. I'm sure anyone else would have done the same. Okay, maybe not, but then again, I'm not like anybody else.
"He's going to make your life hell," Jayden stated matter-of-factly.
"He can only make my life hell if I let him," I began, "and I'm not going to let him. I'm not one for letting people get under my skin, especially jerks like Gabriel."
Jayden grinned. "Well, then, you're a bigger person than half the people in this school, including me."
I furrowed my eyebrows, not quite understanding why I was a bigger person than Jayden - metaphorically speaking, of course.
"Freshman year, the year Gabriel transferred here, the two of us were partnered up for a science project. He knew I was gay - hell, everyone did, and I knew for a fact he wasn't a homophobe because I had seen him talking to another gay student just the day before. He, however, tried to get me to do all the work, and when I refused, he met me on the soccer field after school. He kicked my ass. It wasn't anything too serious, but it left some bruises that didn't heal for another month or so." My eyes widened in disbelief. Gabriel beat up Jayden because Jayden wouldn't do all the work in science class? It's a wonder that jackass didn't get expelled. "I thought of it as a cry for help on his part, so I simply let it slide. He hasn't bothered me since, so it's not like it matters anymore."
I gawked. "It doesn't matter? The jackass beat you up for like, no reason. I swear, if I see him again, I'm going to knock him one."
Jayden rolled his eyes, very well aware that my words were an empty threat.
I can't get expelled or else I really would punch the guy.
"Didn't Mingmei tell you not to do anything stupid?" Jayden chided.
I groaned inwardly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything that stupid. I figure the best way to annoy the jerk is to ignore him. I'm sure he's not so used to that."
Jayden chuckled, albeit bitterly. "You're right about that, Mara. He's like, the most sought after guy in this school, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone that looks like you ignoring him pisses him off."
An involuntarily blush creeped onto my cheeks at Jayden's somewhat compliment.
"Don't be so embarrassed, girl," Jayden teased. "You've got to flaunt what you got, or else Mr. Right will never come knocking."
I scoffed. "Jayden," I drawled, "if a guy merely likes me for my looks, he is so not worth my time."
"You've never had a boyfriend." It wasn't a question, obviously.
His statement wasn't far off, either. Actually, he was right on point.
I never have had a boyfriend, but it's not like it matters.
"I was too nice for the boys back home, is all," I murmured, though it was only partly the truth. I'm simply too picky when it comes to my idea of Prince Charming.
"I don't believe you."
"Are you insinuating that I'm lying?"
"If you are insinuating that what you just said is the truth, then yes, I am insinuating that you're lying."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"I'm not trying to make sense."
"Okay, now, you really don't make sense."
"Well, good, my job is done."
"What job?"
"I don't know, woman. You're confusing me."
"Good, because now we're both confused."
Jayden and I burst into guffaws of laughter, so when Liam and Mingmei entered the room, we were both sprawled out on the floor and clutching our stomachs.
How... awkward.
"Are we interrupting something?" Liam teased as he and Mingmei joined us on the floor. Jayden and I sat up so that we were facing the other two, and I simply grinned.
"Not really," I chimed in. "We were just laughing about something Jayden said."
"Erm, yeah, blame it on the gay guy," Jayden mumbled, his tone teasing.
I scowled at him before facing Mingmei and Liam, who, I noticed, were holding hands.
I winked at Mingmei and she blushed fiercely, embarrassed that I had noticed she was holding hands with Liam.
"Honestly, Liam, I do not understand why you are friends with that jerk," I blurted, once again not thinking before I spoke. Liam laughed, and I blushed. "What I mean is, you seem like too sweet of a guy to hang out with the likes of Gabriel James." I spat his name out with so much venom that Mingmei and Jayden actually looked scared. Liam wasn't fazed by the harshness of my tone.
I'm sure he's used to hearing shit about his supposed best friend.
"Gabe isn't all bad," Liam insisted. I wouldn't have believed him if it weren't for the way he was looking at me. "There's a lot of shit people don't know about him, and most people just assume certain things about him, so he goes along with the stories. If more people actually listened to Gabe every now and then, they'd realize he's not so horrible."
I'm not sure why, but for some reason, I wanted to be that person. I wanted to be the one that listened to Gabriel, and the one that Gabriel opened up to.
I had only talked to him for like... a minute, if that.
What is wrong with me?
I don't want anything to do with that jerk.
"Yeah, well, I doubt I'll be seeing much of him, so it doesn't matter," I grumbled, intent on dropping the subject of Gabriel James altogether.
Pretty soon, the boys were talking soccer, and Mingmei and I were talking about the girl's tryouts that were coming up on Monday.
If I'm being honest, I don't completely hate this place. I mean, sure, I haven't even been here a full day, but with the way things have been going(not counting my little altercation with a certain handsome jerk), I'm positive this place can't be as horrible as I thought it was going to be.
Perhaps I could even grow to enjoy this place.
"So, you're telling me that you told off the most sought after guy at The Knox School?" Faith questioned, her tone full of disbelief.
I had been talking to Faith on the phone for an hour, and I eventually decided to tell her about my little altercation with Gabriel. The girl basically pried the information out of me, so of course, I eventually gave in. I'm defenseless against someone as convincing as Faith - hell, the girl has been on the debate team for three years.
"Yes, that's what I'm telling you," I whispered, attempting not to wake up Mingmei, who was currently sound asleep.
Jayden and Liam, who had left a few hours ago, had worn both of us out by making us play a game of soccer. Mingmei and I won, of course, but that was simply because I had faked Jayden out more than once. I didn't think he'd fall for it so many times, but as it turns out, Jayden is extremely gullible. The boys eventually had to head back to their dorms, though, and Mingmei crashed as soon as they left. It was now midnight and I'm breaking the rules by still being up, but it's not like I care. I used to break the rules all the time - no use in changing that just because I'm attending a boarding school.
"I think you should have just kissed him," Faith blurted.
I rolled my eyes, very well aware that she couldn't see it.
I didn't bother telling her that I had briefly thought about kissing Gabriel - hell, she didn't need to know everything.
"So, how were soccer tryouts?" I asked, purposely changing the subject to soccer so that Faith would forget about Gabriel, or at the very least, quit asking me about him.
"Dreadful," Faith drawled, and I laughed at her exaggeration. "Okay, so, maybe they weren't dreadful, but they were pretty suckish. One of the freshman girls twisted her ankle, another freshman girl knocked over the damn net, and Coach blamed all the mishaps on me. The good news, though, is that I'm captain this year. Coach said I was the best one to fill your shoes, so to speak. Now, of course, I have to live up to you. No pressure, though, right?" I rolled my eyes at her sarcastic tone of voice.
"I told you that he'd give you my spot as captain," I whispered. "You're just as good as me. All you have to do is focus and it will all turn out okay."
"You're still planning on moving back to San Diego after graduation, right?"
"Of course, I am," I answered.
At the time, I found her question ridiculous, but I'd soon learn that maybe... just maybe, San Diego isn't the place for me.
"Good, because-" Faith started, only to be cut off by something that sounded like her mother yelling in the background. I laughed. I could always count on Faith's mother, my Aunt Janine, to interrupt a conversation. She had done that a lot over the years, much like my father, who is her brother. "Yes mother," I heard Faith mumble, her tone bitter. "Unfortunately, I must go. Mom is making me get off because I have to go school supply shopping tomorrow, since we have yet to do so. I promise to call again soon, though, and don't forget that you can call me, too, kay? I love you, best friend."
I didn't want to quit talking to Faith, but I knew I had to, so I sucked up my frustrations, and forced myself to sound happy.
The last thing I needed was for Faith, and the rest of my family, to worry about me.
"Yeah, goodnight. Love you, too, best friend," I whispered before snapping my cell phone shut and throwing it onto my dresser.
I quickly changed into a large t-shirt and a pair of girl boxers(I've never been a nightgown or pajama kind of girl) and climbed into bed, pulling the covers over my body to keep myself from freezing to death during the night.
Soon enough, I drifted off into dream land, and I was at peace with the world... for now.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I don't know what to say about this other than you'll see more of Liam next chapter - promise. Throughout the story, there will be more Jayden and more Mingmei. Also, I took a few things from my previous story, which I discontinued, obviously. I loved the name Gabriel too much to give it up, lolz. Besides, I think it fits Gabriel perfectly, and there will be more of him next chapter as well - obviously.
So, I hope everyone enjoyed, and thanks for the reviews.
It's very much appreciated.
:) Kara.