Chapter Three: First Day, Bad Impression

"Miss Alice, it is time to get up," I heard someone say, shaking me.

I groaned, "What time is it?" I said, my voice coming out hoarse.

"It's time to get up Miss Alice. You don't want to be late for your first day of school, do you?" I heard Melinda my house cleaner say.

"Do I have to?" I said, my words muffled by my pillow.

"Yes. Now let us go. Your mother and father both left for Russia this morning, so that means that I am in charge of you and Thomas, and I don't want to make a bad impression." She stated.

"All I heard was that mom and dad are gone and Alice is allowed to sleep."

She yanked the covers off of my now cold body. "I did not say that, and I don't think I was the one who was begging my parents to go to school," She said, glaring at me.

"If I knew that I would have to get up this early, I wouldn't have asked to go." I said, swinging my legs off of my bed and walking towards the bathroom.

As soon as I got in there, I looked into the mirror and my hair looked like a crow’s nest. I sighed as I tried to tame it, and when that did not work out, I gave up and proceeded to brush my teeth. When I came out of the bathroom Melinda was standing by my closet holding clothes in her arms.

I raised my eyebrows at her, "Holly called and told me exactly what to lay out for you to wear. She also wanted me to tell you ‘If you don't wear these clothes, I will personally rip your limbs off part by part, and dress you myself.’"

My eyes widened, "She said that?" I exclaimed.

Melinda chuckled. "No, I just wanted to see your reaction. She said, ‘you better wear these clothes...or else.’" She smiled amused, at my reaction and then left my room.

I stared at her retreating body. Melinda was like fifty years old, but had the brains of a teenager. I shook my head at the thought of Holly ripping my limbs apart. I then picked up the clothes Holly picked out for me to wear. It was a pair of blue skinny jeans and a white muscle tank with the infinity sign on it.

I smiled at the outfit, she had picked out. It was casual, yet cute. I quickly began to put my clothes on, as I tried to multitask and braid my hair.

I really wish my parents were here for my first day of school.

"Alice! You have ten seconds to get downstairs! Ben is here!" I heard, Melinda scream from down the hall.

Did I forget to mention that Ben is not only my bodyguard, but my driver as well?

"I am coming!" I screamed, back.

If mom and dad found out that we were screaming, they would have had our heads. One of the rules of the house was that there was no screaming allowed. If you needed someone or had a question, you were go to the person directly. You were not to be lazy and just yell. But, since the parents weren’t in the country and Thomas and I were now with Vice President Robert, or Uncle Robbie, as Thomas and I called him the rules were different.

When I arrived in the dining room for breakfast, Uncle Robbie was in his bathrobe, eating a bowl of cereal. I stopped dead in my tracks and slapped my hands over my eyes, "My eyes!" I yelled, sarcastically.

I heard him chuckle. "Ha-ha you’re a comedian, Alice," He said, his mouth full of cereal.

“And you eat worse than Thomas,” I said, shuddering, as he opened his mouth to show me his chewed up food.

“Nobody eats worse than Thomas.” Uncle Robbie said, visibly shuddering as well.

I walked over to the kitchen, grabbing the lunch that our chef, Marco was holding out to me. I thanked him, as I was walking over to pour myself a glass of orange juice. "You know, if dad ever saw you dressed like that he would have your head."

He smiled, "Yeah I know. That's why it's our little secret." He said, pointing to his lips.

I rolled my eyes. "What about the guards?" I asked, waving my hands over to them, as they were standing all around the kitchen, just casually watching us. Usually someone would be creeped out by this, but to me this was normal.

"Aren't you supposed to be heading to school?" He asked, switching the topic.

"Ben!" I screamed, remembering that he was supposed to be the one taking me to school.

Shoot I was running late, why had Ben not come to get me?

When I got to the front door where Ben was supposed to be waiting for me, he wasn't there. I then heard laughter from down the hall. It was coming from the west side of the house. I rarely ever went there because that was where all of the offices were located.

"Ben?" I called out to him, as I noticed that he was talking with two other guards, who were laughing and smiling at him. But once they noticed me, they straightened up, with all of the amusement that was once on their faces, gone in a second. "We have to leave or we’re going to be late." I said, quietly.

"Sure princess," He mumbled to me, waving a quick goodbye to the guards, and then leaving the scene.

As I began to walk towards the front door, I heard the sound of Ben’s feet, as he followed me closely. I pulled open the door and walked out, waiting for Ben to come up next to me. Once he did, we walked towards his red Honda Civic together.

“Nice car,” I said to him, but truth be told I knew nothing about cars.

“Thanks.” He muttered to me, getting inside the car.

I buckled my seatbelt, turning to Ben as he started the engine and proceeded to drive towards the gates.

"Good Morning, Miss Alice." The guard who was opening up the gate said to me, completely ignoring Ben.

"Morning, how are you?" I said, smiling at the guard.

"I am good thanks for asking, so where-"

"For the love of God! Can you open up the damn gates, we have somewhere we've got to be." Ben said, angrily.

The guard looked somewhat frightened by Ben, and shocked by his outburst. "Um, sure," He said, signaling for the two guys opening the gate to hurry up. Once the gate was fully open, Ben pressed on the gas causing the car to lurch forward, as I grabbed onto my seat belt.

I looked at Ben, whose eyes were focused on the road ahead of us. "You know you didn't have to be so rude," I saw his grip on the steering wheel tighten. "Someone’s got their panties in a twist,” I mumbled, looking out of the window.

I felt Ben's eyes on me as he let out a sigh, "I am sorry. Things have just been hectic lately."

I nodded, not feeling the need to answer back. The rest of the drive was quiet, with only the sound of the radio filling our awkward silence.

When we pulled up to the school’s parking lot and Ben parked the car, I began to get nervous the same nerves as the day Holly took me to my first ever High school party. I rubbed my clammy and sweaty hands on my jeans, as I breathed in and out, trying to calm my nerves.

"Don't be nervous, don't draw attention to yourself and you'll be fine." Ben spoke in a monotone, opening the car door getting out of the car not bothering to wait for me.

I quickly got out of the car, rushing to catch up with the boy who was just a few feet ahead of me.

Must he always walk ahead of me?

"Who's she?"

"Is she Ben's girlfriend?"

"She looks like a whore."

Ouch, that one hurt…

I stopped in my tracks as I looked back at the crowd of people watching us, trying to find the source of the person who called me a whore. I suddenly felt someone's hand resting on my lower back, "Just ignore them, they’re jealous." Ben said, whispering to me in my ear and guiding me inside the school.

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion, "What are they jealous off?"

"You," He stated. "After all, you are with the hottest guy in school." He said, cockily.

I rolled my eyes at Ben’s ego, slapping his arm. "Ha- Ha, you’re hilarious!" I said, sarcastically, as I did a quick scan of Ben, my eyes trailing his body head to toe. Ben just rose his eyebrows at me in return, “Trust me when I say that I’ve seen better.”

He smiled at me, his facial expression amused. “Whatever," He said, flipping his non-existent shoulder length hair over his shoulder.

I chuckled at Ben. He was a pretty funny person when he wasn’t snapping at people. We continued to walk and make small talk all the way to the main office to get my schedule.

"Hey, Miss Kuch." Ben said, to the lady at the front desk.

"Hello Ben, who have you brought with you?" She said, looking at me with a small smile.

"This is our new student her name is..." Ben said, knitting his eyebrows in confusion as he looked at me to finish his sentence.

"Ali Clair," I said, sticking out my hand for her to shake, which she took.

"Hello, Ali." She said, smiling and shaking my hand. “I knew there was going to be a new student, but they usually come with a file from their old school or any sort of school. However, I didn't receive anything from you." She said, curiously.

"I was homeschooled for most of my life, and my parents recently thought about putting me to school so that I can experience it before I go off to university." I said, honestly.

"However, I usually I get some sort of background check or any medical forms as well. But, I never received anything from you. Also, your parent’s never signed the forms." She said, looking at me unsurely.

"Well, that's my parents for you, very forgetful." I said, in a joking matter.

"But, even if you’re home schooled, you still should have some medical-"

"Okay," Ben said, interrupting Mrs. Kuch, before she could question me again. "The bell has already rung for first period and we don’t want to be late.”

I raised my eyebrows at Ben. That was his excuse? We were already late as it is, what’s a few minutes more going to do?

 I opened up my mouth to speak, but he sent me a glare, basically telling me to go along with it.

"Um sure, I'll write you two a late pass as well." She said, scribbling her signature on two slips and handing them to Ben and me. She then grabbed my schedule off of the printer and handed it to me.

"Thank you," I said to the secretary.

She smiled at me, her eyes filled with curiosity. "No problem. Be sure to come back if you have any questions, or just ask Ben. I am sure he will be glad to help! Anyways, have a great first day!" She said, waving to us.

We both thanked her, quickly leaving her office and walking down the empty halls. "Let me see your schedule." Ben said, grabbing it out of my hand before I even had a chance to say anything. "You have third period with me, second and fourth with Holly, as well as lunch with the both of us."

I raised my eyebrows at him, "How do you know what classes Holly has?"

"Um, it's a small school." He said, his hazel eyes darting around the hall, refusing to meet mine.

"Uh huh." I told him, unconvinced as I began to continue to walk down the hall in search of my first period class.

"Hey, where are you going?" I heard Ben yell from down the hall.

"Away from you!" I shouted back, sarcastically.

I heard him snort, "Like you know where you’re going."

"Whatever," I muttered under my breath, waving my hand dismally not bothering to turn around.

"Okay," I said to myself, leaning against a locker. "Where the hell am I going?" I muttered, looking down at my schedule for the first time.

8:10-8:20 Announcements

8:20-9:35 Drama- A. Moore (115) 

9:40-10:55 Chemistry- J. Kelly (200) 

11:00-12:00 Lunch

12:05- 1:20 Math- E. Jennings (101) 

1:25-2:35 Physical Education- S. Angel (Gym)

I let out a sigh, as I looked down at my schedule and then up at the empty hall. I had no idea where I was, or how to get to room 115.

After ten minutes of walking around, I eventually did find my first period class, it was the first room when you came up by one of the staircases. I didn’t quite understand how I missed it, but I did.

I stood in front of the door for a brief second, taking in a deep breath. Slowly twisting the knob pushing open the door, I watched as students eyes one by one, settled at me- the stranger standing by the door.

"Acting is how many people are famous today. For example-“ The lady said, speaking as she slowly came to a stop, when she noticed her students eyes being directed elsewhere.

She looked to be in her mid-thirties, she looked at me with curious eyes like the secretary did earlier. "Hello there. And how may I help you?"

I smiled shyly, trying to ignore my classmate’s stares. "Hi, my names Ali Clair, and I am new." I said, fidgeting with my wristband.

"Oh, why didn't you say so, instead of standing there awkwardly? Come on in, don't be shy." She said, waving me over to her. "I am Mrs. Moore your drama teacher for the rest of the semester and I like to get to know my students before I scare them away." She said, laughing lightly. "Why don’t we start by you telling us a little bit about yourself?" She said, sitting on her chair and propping her feet on the desk.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

Mrs. Moore shrugged, "It doesn't matter."

"Okay, hello." I said, turning towards the class, waving awkwardly. "My name is Ali Clair-"

"We already know that." I heard a guy shout from the back, causing the class to erupt in laughter. 

I ignored the person’s outburst and continued. "I have one younger brother, my favorite color is purple and this is my first high school I've ever been too, due to being home schooled." I finished, not knowing what else to say.

"That's it?" Mrs. Moore questioned. I nodded my head, "You sure you don't want to add anything else?" I shook my head, "Alright, nice to meet you Ali. You can go ahead and sit beside Sarah Rose please." She said, pointing to a red head that was raising her hand.

As I was walking to the back where Sarah Rose happened to be sitting, the guy who called out during my introduction stuck his foot out, which made me trip, causing the whole class to burst out laughing once more. I looked back at Mrs. Moore who had her back turned for a brief second, not aware of the guy who just tripped me.

I felt my face get extremely hot from embarrassment. I quickly got up and took my seat next to Sarah Rose, ignoring the stares and soft snickers from people.

I turned to look at Sarah Rose. She had dyed red hair and dark brown eyes, she was scribbling some words down on a paper and kept tapping her pencil on the desk in concentration. My stare must have been noticeable because she turned to me and smiled.

I smiled back and rested my head on the desk, trying focus on what Mrs. Moore was talking to us about. But I couldn’t stay focused.

My mind just kept thinking about how Ben knew Holly’s schedule and why he was acting all weird when I asked him how he knew. My thoughts were then interrupted by the bell. As the class stood up to get to their second period class, I felt someone call me before I could make it to the door.

“Ali!” I turned around to see a blob of red hair coming towards me, “Do you want me to show you where your second period class is?” Sarah Rose asked me, a little out of breath.

I smiled at the short little red head, “I would like that.” I said, nodding my head.

She beamed at me, taking my schedule, her eyes scanning it. “Cool, we have the same second period class. Mr. Kelly is a thirty year old teacher, and he’s really chill, so you’ll like him.” She said, dragging my arm towards the staircase.

When we got there, I noticed Holly sitting on a desk, on her phone, most probably texting, while the teacher was sitting on a chair and looked to be grading some papers. I went up to him, handing him my slip informing him that I was a new student.

He looked up, and let me to tell you, he was definitely good looking for an old man, with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. “Welcome Miss Clair, you can take a seat anywhere,” He said, giving me a smile.

I smiled, telling him thank you and walking back to where Sarah Rose was sitting. “You didn’t tell me he was cute for an old man.” I said, playfully bumping hips with her as if we’ve known each other our whole life.

She chuckled, “Oops?” She said, bumping hips with me. I waved goodbye to her as I headed over to sit next to Holly. Sarah nodded her head understandingly, as she went back to writing in her notebook, just like in first period. I felt bad that I had ditched her and made a mental note to ask her to sit with us, next time.

I plopped myself down next to Holly who was just staring at me, “What?”

“Why were you talking to Sarah Rose? She’s an outcast, and unless you want to be too, I suggest you stay away from her.”

My eyes literally popped out of my socket when Holly said that. When did she become so harsh? “What’s your deal? She was just showing me to second and she seems like a really cool girl!” I said angrily to Holly, upset with her for even saying that.

“Listen Ali,” She said, rubbing her face with her hand. “I told you, our school is very superficial, so don’t get all mad with me. I am just stating a fact.”

“Whatever,” I mumbled to her.

Who even made all these rules anyway?

For the rest of the period, I did not say anything to Holly. I was upset with her and I knew she was annoyed by me, so it was probably best if we did not talk to each other.

The bell rang for the third time today and Holly and I made our way to lunch silently, when she finally decided to speak up. “I’m sorry I said that. It was rude and uncalled for,” She muttered to me. “I just don’t want you to be part of the rumor mill like I was in junior year.”

I gave Holly a quick hug. “Thanks for looking out for me cuz, but I’ll be just fine.” She gave me a small smile in return as we headed towards the cafeteria for lunch. I kept my eyes trained on the ground, not really looking where I was going, and when I finally looked up it was too late. I had already bumped into someone.

"Watch where you’re going nerd!" Someone said, knocking me down and sending my books flying.

I let out a sigh as I crouched down, collecting my books from the floor. Once I got up I saw that the person who had called me nerd a few seconds ago was standing in front of me, wearing a smug expression.

"What's wrong nerd? Cat got your tongue?"

I looked around the hallway, noticing that we’d drawn a crowd.

"What? Are you mute?"

I rolled my eyes as I began to walk away, only to be pulled back and slammed against the lockers. I heard a few gasps coming from our audience.

He seemed like a jerk, and judging by what he had just done, I was right. However, he was extremely good looking, I had to give him that, with dark brown hair seeming to stick out in all directions and dark brown eyes.

"Listen nerd, I don't know who you think you are, but no one walks away from me when I talk to them. Got it?" He hissed at me.

I let out a chuckle. This guy was unbelievable. "You don't own me, so I suggest you let go of me, before I do something that you will regret." I said in a bored tone.

His brown eyes narrowed at me, as he let out what seemed to be a forced laugh. "Oh, so the nerd does talk."

I heard a few people snickering as he let go of my arm. "I am going to let you go, nerd. But trust me, this isn't over." He whispered into my ear.

I watched as the boy and few other people who looked to be his friends, following him like lost dogs, walked into the cafeteria doors. I looked at Holly who looked to be in a state of shock, “Holls, what’s wrong?” I asked her, confused.

“D- Do you know who that was?” She asked, stuttering.

By now the crowd had gone back to their business. I looked back at where the boy had gone. “No. Am I supposed to know who he is?”

She nodded her head furiously. “That was Gavin Storm.” I felt my breath hitch in my throat. “And when he said, ‘trust me this isn’t over.’” She said, quoting what Gavin had just told me and looking me dead in the eye. “He meant that he will basically make your high school life hell and possibly crush you in the process too.” She finished.

My hand automatically flew to my mouth.

What have I just done?

*****

Hello Lovelies,

I just wanted to say thank you for all the votes and reads I've been getting... I am basically jumping up and down and I am pretty sure my mum is considering putting me in a mental hospital :p I am pretty late to say this but happy Eid to all my Muslim friends :0 Anyways I got more than 40 votes last chapter which surprised me so thanks and next update will be probably next Monday cause it's a very special day for me and another person *wink wink. PS: I read all comments and they make my day when someone says 'update' it means that the person enjoys my story... okay this is too long now. 

Also I made it to #148 on humor and #203 on teen fiction the closest I've ever gotten so, THANK YOU! AND OVER 4000 READS :) 

On the side is a picture of Ariana Grande potrayed as Sarah Rose

Please remember: Vote, Comment, Share and Fan!

Thanks, 

xoxo_mysteriousgirl