CHAPTER SIX  (unedited)

--- Kindly put your playlist here ---

"What is meant to be yours,
Is already making its way to you.
What was never yours,
Is starting to flee from you.
With time, It will all make sense.
For now, bear the confusion,
And focus on living fully in the present.
Don't let your whole world be '-I'll be happy when-'
BE HAPPY NOW."

- UNKNOWN

Song:

                Wild Things by Alessia

                         * * * *

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"The usual?" Grace, the head server ask as she raise her tongs. I nod and her grin expands.

As I wait for my usual, which is the chicken teriyaki sandwich with a cup of coffee. I feel the entire cafeteria fall into some sort of hush whispers and heads starts to turn, I too suddenly turn.

Hair as brown as a copper coin.

People begin to part like the red Sea as a tall brown haired tattooed boy walks through the cafeteria.

His brown wavy hair pours out of the beanie, and curtain his face. My eyes travel from the tattoo peeking on his neck to his white fitted t-shirt down to his muscular arms that are covered in tattoos as well, not even an inch of his skin is left untouched —at least none that is visible. He match it all with a skinny black designer jeans and a pair of black boots.

Everything about him screams badboy.

He continues to walk, staring at his phone, unaware of everything around him. That or he just really couldn't care less. Perhaps arrogant, seeing as his strides are so confident as though he owns the whole damn place. Broad shoulders, long legs... Even though I don't get a good look of his face, I know it has to belong to an archangel.

Epitome of a badass.

"Here you go." I look away, breaking my semi daze to get my order from Grace outstretched hand before paying and offering a small smile with a warm 'thank you'. I burn bright red as I walk over to stand where Isabelle is picking up some cutlery and serviettes.

Who Is he?

"That's Cameron, the new transfer student." My sheer fascination most likely gave me away.

"Oh...." I think back, those two girls from the locker room mentioned him.

"Yeah, the new big deal around here." Isabelle rolls her eyes. "His family owns the Armstrong Aviations."

I don't know if she added that to help me recognize him more or something.

"Okay." I retort flatly.

Isabelle shakes her head, smiling. "Instead of always trying to stay out of everyone's way, try to pay more attention to things and be more aware of the social happenings around you, yea?"

I nod, though I love my gossip-free life.

*

Isabelle walks me towards the left to a table near the centre where three guys were already seated. I can't help it, I find myself turning again to see the brown haired tattooed boy now talking to Leigh.

Why do I even care?

"Hey boys, this is Annie and she's sitting with us from now on." She tells them and sits, gesturing that I sit down as well.

"Hi." I greet, with a weak wave.

"Welcome to the group, freakishly hot girl who I have no chance with," The one with soft blonde hair, cute dimples, and bluebell eyes sings, "I'm Tyler but you can call me T.Y "

"Nobody calls you T.Y, Tyler." Isabelle responds with a sigh.

Tyler frowns skeptically, and shrug. "Yeah, she's right. Just call me Tyler." He says with a warm smile, "You'll love me," reaching out to touch my shoulder. Coming across as the most friendly one of the group.

"Ryder." The other guy with killer blue eyes, tangled black hair, high cheek bone, thick lashes, and a pale pink lips...

My head snaps to Tyler and right back to Ryder.

He smirks, cocking his head slightly. "Yea, unfortunately, we're twins."

Isabelle stifle a giggle while the third of the boys, who is busy chewing on his pizza, chuckles and pats Tyler on the shoulder.

Tyler shove him off, mumbling out a few 'I hate you' to three of them, but smiles charmingly at me and a steady heat build in my cheeks.

"I'm Matthias, but I usually just go by Matt." He is a dark caramel skin tone boy with dark eyes, braided afro hair, and full pink lip.

I think they're cool.

"Nice to meet you all." I smile lightly.

"No fucking way! She eating in our table?" A tan, mixed Asian girl squeals as she take a seat next to Matt.

"This is Cyntoia." Matt wink his eye and her face go red.

She says warmly to me, "Please call me Toia." Her straight black hair cut in a blunt shoulder-length bob that makes her face even more round and beautiful.

"Hey baby. Hey twins. Hey Iz." She flutter her eyelashes, smiling at each of them before looking back at me with her almond-brown eyes.

"Hey Toia, you look awfully cute today." Tyler playfully tease.

"Shut up man." Says Matt.

"Tyler, thanks for your service." Toia moves on to Isabelle. "Iz, you was badass!"

Initially, I thought it would be extremely awkward making friends with a group of total strangers, especially since they're all friends. I was expecting the worst; from sarcastic remarks, death stares, mocking jabs and backhanded compliments. As I was used to feeling radically out of place —like a social outcast with Hunter's friends. For that reason, I stopped trying to be a part of their group.

Surprisingly, that isn't the case as I feel welcomed straight away. They're very affectionate. I am even included in their inside jokes. They direct few questions, —in attempt to get to know me, to me and I join in with laughter when appropriate. The first time in years, I am not treated as the quiet antisocial girl who no one would've recognized if it hadn't been for Hunter who always said hi or Leigh who dissed.

"I think this new dude has us in some serious competition, what do you think guys?" Tyler ask randomly.

"If I have to listen to how hot this guy is again, I'll scream so loud everyone in Asia will hear me." We all laugh at Cyntoia and she bury her face in Matt's chest.

"Cameron was here till 8th grade." Isabelle state.

"Right! So what, he's scarier, deadlier and much more sexier now." Cyntoia rolls her eyes. "Cameron is from England along with ten million other people, big deal?"

"You gotta understand Toia," Tyler begins, "this is the most interesting thing that has happened to this school since-" he stop and stares at me.

She looks at him, arching a brow as she waits for him continue.

"Since Ashleigh snatched her ex-best friend's best friend, no offense Annie." Ryder clarify.

I shake my head, chipping in shyly. "None taken."

"Don't be a dick." Isabelle silently apologise for her friend's antics and continue eating her salad.

"Being one has gotten me into every girl's pant," Ryder says monotonously. "Which includes yours."

We all give him an incredulous look before we burst out laughing.

Isabelle whack him across the head. "That's low, even for you."

"But it's true. Y'all know you have eyes for me." He replies with a cheeky grin.

"Well too bad because this heart only beats for Nick Jonas." Cyntoia says matter-of-factly.

Matthias scowl at her, "Uh? That's definitely not my name."

Cyntoia grins at his response, "Aw, come on Matt, I was just teasing." She throw her arms around his shoulders to draw him in for some intense game of tongue hockey. "Babes, you put Nick Jonas to shame."

"Get a room." Isabelle scrunch her face a bit.

"Get a man." Ryder shots her a knowing look.

Cyntoia burst out laughing, attracting attention. But none of them seem to care too much.

"You're a fool." Isabelle narrows her eyes at him.

"But you love me anyways." Ryder says nonchalantly.

"In your dreams, buddy."

"Even better."

"Fuck you, Ryder."

"That's exactly what you do in my dream."

"Motherfucker."

"Right back at you, darling."

The rest of the day goes fairly drama-free asides from the occasional stares I get from few students and ruthless gossiping. Tomorrow is a new day to hope for the best.

But I have to admit, my new friends are so cool.

         --- THANKS FOR READING ---

Author's Note: Well finally, you got to meet Cameron. So tell me, what do you think of him?

Looks like Annie made friends after all. Nothing beats the feeling of having people to call your own.

*** Remember to encourage me with either by your vote, comment or follow <3 ***

{12th of December, 2020}