~•~

"Do you have a pen?" The person next to me asked. I fished out the pen in my bag and handed it to him. I focused my attention again on the board in front of me as if it was a wonderful piece of Michael Angelo's.

Minutes later, he poked me again and asked if I have an eraser. My brow shots up, eyeing the orange eraser at the top pencil he was holding. He glanced at it then break- he broke the pencil into half! What is wrong with Easton? Eyeing him cautiously I pulled out my pencil case and repeated the gesture.

"I broke my pencil. Do you have an extra?"

"Can I borrow your notes?" He nagged.

Seriously? Why not just ask me what's in my whole bag? I shifted on my chair and pushed my notes to him.

"Easton, class doesn't start yet so there's nothing so fancy to look at on my notes," I said gently.

"Just too excited for the school year knowing..." he paused dramatically. "Everything from now will be interesting since you'll be stuck with me for the whole sem." He whispered.

My cheeks flushed a tenth shade of red. I pushed the wild strands of hair behind my ear as I heard him chuckle.

"Are you that shy type?"

"I uh... well, not really."

"You're too cute for your good." He chuckled again as my cheeks, for the gazillions time today flushed. Dang. Can I stop blushing? It creeps me out just to think that blushing profusely isn't normal.

Or Is it?

Wait. He called me cute! The definition of cute was big eyes with a supernatural head and small form? Is he referring me to a bulldog?

"You aren't used to being complimented, are you?" He accused. Yes. Especially being adjective to a dog. (These lines sound so cliché!)

"You're blushing again." Easton tilted my chin up and continued complimenting me. Hearing his sweet words made my heart flutter and my stomach churns. Easton is a nice and sweet guy I start to like his company.

"Stop it." I swatted his hands away as he repeatedly poke me in my ribs. But he didn't stop in there so I bit my lower lip as my eyes turned slit ( I'd been practicing it in mirrors for more than 3 months ago with my friends), trying to look intimidating.

"Stop with all those cheesy." I scolded. Easton clutched his hands over his chest feigning hurt.

"What? Is telling the truth now a crime?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"Since I came here." That was my lame response. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked at me with those bright eyes of his.

"Now you're comfortable with me. So tell me about Annathea Marie Samuels. Who is she?"

Easton scooted his chair near mine (if that could be possible by the proximity between us!) and rested his arm around my shoulder which I removed the moment after.

"Hey! How'd you know my name?" My full name to be specific. Because as far as I know, I didn't remember unfurling my full name to anyone unless those two idiotic twins did. I know I shouldn't make big deal out of it but curiosity gets the best of me and I can't help but ask. Nothing to lose anyway.

"Connections. I found out just a bit of information about you." He crowed. "So, from exclusive all girls, huh."

A small chuckle left my mouth as I took my notes off his hands and tossed them back in my bag. "Besides of no boys loitering around what else you wanted to know?"

Rolling his eyes, he deadpanned. "Don't state the obvious! I mean if there are a lot of hot chicks in there?"

"More of a hen."

"Seriously? You mean..." He trailed off.

I nodded and a complete silence between us followed.

"Your face!" I laughed at Easton's reaction when his eyes bulged out from their socket and his mouth fall agape.

"Was that a joke?"

"Uh-huh." I nodded

"Ha.ha."

"I love my school back there. I miss the weather, my friends, the places, and kinds of stuff. " I sighed. "We got to make sacrifices so here I am sitting beside you. It's not that I don't like here but adjustment got its toll on me. In this place, I feel like a mushroom in the field of daisies."

He gently patted my back. "You don't have to feel alone. I'm here. My mom and I had to move here when I was 12 and we have to start from the base one. Do not be afraid of change. A lot of beautiful things happen from redirection. You will love it here, I'll make sure of that."

The door swung open and every head snapped when two gorgeous boys- Ashton and one of the twins barged in. I was amazed, to say the least, that the din noise quiet down just the look of them. They really are distinguished to have the upper hand on the students' bodies.

Most of the girls pulled out their mirrors and beautification kit and I feel like I was in a queue of fruit stands right now as most of them tugged down their tops, and show off their papaya boobies. I snorted.

Ashton's gaze roamed about until his gaze met mine. He walked in my direction and my palms turn all sweaty and my heartbeat beats erratically. Why is he heading this way? And why the heck am I feeling nervous?!

I looked around and realized there are only five unoccupied seats left; two in the front row, another beside mine, and another two behind us.

There is no way they'll sit in front considering they aren't the geeky type. Jocks like them used to sit at the back right, like in stereotypical high school movies? Then why aren't they stirring in front of us?!

"Is this seat taken?" I whispered to Easton.

"Yes."

My mouth formed o and I sling my backpack on my shoulder and got up. Easton's strong grip automatically locks on my wrist, a questioning look on his face.

"Where are you going?" He asked. I stare at Ashton and back at him. I frowned.

"You said this seat is taken so I'm moving to the other side."

"Yes, and it was taken by us." Said he. From agitated, his eyes morphed into amusement.

My mouth formed an shape again and I could feel my blood rose on my head and my cheeks heated up. I awkwardly slumped back on my chair, letting my raven hair cascades in front of my face. I could see everyone eyeing me strangely which adds to my discomfort.

Oh dang! I want to dig holes and let the ground swallow me, like right now!

"How lovely," Nate/Noah cooed. "Don't you mind introducing us to this pretty lady, East?"

"You're not worth thousandths of introduction, fück face."

"Simple intro will do. And why in a bad mood? Right. You're always in a bad mood. "

"I don't have time for your bullshit, Nate." Easton snapped, his voice full of venom. Nate laughed humorlessly as his palms formed fists. He opened his mouth to speak but Ashton beats him up and motioned to the back where he follows like a lost puppy.

Twenty minutes passed since the teacher barged in the door. The continuous tapping of the pen urged me to strangle and kill people. I tried not to mind the annoying noise seeking my attention, which is doing a great job and just focus on the teacher's discussion.

Exasperation ruled over me and I turned back, facing the annoying jerk who keep on tapping his pen on his oh-so-precious desk.

Ashton.

Oookkkaaaayyy. I take the jerk word back.

"Will you please stop it?" I whispered.

He raised his brow at me and his infamous smirk curled on his lips. My entreaty was fall on deaf ears as he kept drumming his desk, this time louder.

I mentally scowled and turned my back at him. I glanced in the teacher's direction and her body was facing the board, her newfound student. I peeked at Easton and he was sleeping dreamily at his side near the window.

Later than seconds, someone kicked my leg and my body jolted up. A gasp escaped my lips— catching the attention of everybody. Mrs. Black, the teacher, finally turned her back and looked at me sternly giving me a 'what-the-heck-is-going-on! look.

Great. First day and she already hates me.

Someone kicked me again and I fixed my eyes on Easton thinking he was winding me up but he was sleeping solemnly, small snores escaping his mouth. I bend down my table and found a sneaker coming from the back and came in contact with my leg.

"What?" I mouthed at Ashton.

He gave me an innocent look and shrugged. He looked so adorable in his deep ocean blue eyes and a small pout on his lips. Adorable? Really Ann?

I motioned my hands and mumbled the word stop but the attack continues so I pushed my back on his table and attempt to hit his strikes, backfiring it. I didn't realize we were making loud noises until Mrs. Black craved to be part of the picture.

"You two! Detention!" Mrs. Black snarled. My eyes involuntarily outsize the moon for a split second while Ashton, on the other hand, looks so gratified at the moment.

"But--"

"No more buts Miss Samuels. I don't care if you are new here and you still don't know the policies the school implement. That's why you have given a handbook, haven't you?" She barked harshly.

I slumped my back in disappointment and nodded meekly. Mrs. Black is terrifying.

She raised her brow, looking satisfied. "Now open your notes and save your little rendezvous with Mister Sullivan later."

"It wasn't my fault though." I mumbled.

"Excuse me? Do you want me to add additional hours to your suffering?"

"No Madame."

Easton nudged me at the side. "Hey, it's okay." With a wry smile, I answered, "Hope so."

I could feel I'd been watched from behind. I looked back and Ashton's piercing eyes that scream danger locked at my gentle chocolate-brown and a smirk played on his lips.

Uh-oh.