Sarah's P.O.V.

"So he hasn't texted you since?"

I shake my head and purse my lips, "Nope, nothing."

Gina frowns as she pulls into the school parking lot, "Maybe he's just really busy?"

I shrug and get out of the car once she parked, "Oh well, who knows."

"Well, I got to get to my early class, see you later!" She waves goodbye and rushes into the school. We're already ten minutes early, and she's going to be late!

Kids stare at me as I walk by, making me question my outfit for the day. Are jeans and a hoodie such a bad thing or something? I walk a little faster up the steps, pulling at my locket awkwardly as the staring multiplies. Seriously what is going on?!

"Hey." I stop dead in my tracks and turn around to meet the person whose deep voice came from behind me.

I smile politely at the medium height boy, whose hair is dirty blond, eyes bright blue, and skin beach tan. Looks like he popped right out of a movie set! "Hello, can I help you?"

He smiles down at me, his pearly white teeth threatening to blind me. "Yeah actually, I'm new here and could really use some help finding my way around the school." He laughs awkwardly and scratches the back of his neck.

I nod slightly, "Okay. I can lead you to the office to help you look for someone to help you." I nervously jerk my thumb in the direction of the office, which is only a few feet away.

He grins at me and shakes his head, "No, I meant you." He chuckles softly then throws his bag over his shoulder, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

I blush embarrassingly and fiddle with my locket, "Oh, okay. Yeah, I can help you. Do you have your schedule yet?"

"Uh no, actually. I need to get that." I nod in agreement and motion for him to follow. I start towards the office and hear him following along behind me. I open the door for him, smiling and gesturing for him to enter.

He grins and bows sarcastically, both of us laughing while we walk in.

"Hi there, how may I help you?" The receptionist, Claire, smiles flirtatiously, pushing her chest out to show off the oversized balloons she calls breasts. If only I had a pin . . .

"I'm here to pick up my schedule . . . " I glance around the office and completely zone out their conversation. My eyes lock onto the clock above the door, the warning bell threatening to ring any second. I look back over at the two and notice him trying to subtly get away but Claire had him trapped. I force down a laugh and head over to them, wrapping a hand around the boy's arm and starting to pull him away.

"If we don't go now we're going to be late!" I smirk at a glaring Claire, then rush the boy down the hall. On the way we glance at his schedule and learn that his first two classes are right next to mine so it's oddly convenient for me.

We stop in front of his classroom and smile at each other. "Thanks for the help," He pauses when he realizes he doesn't know my name. My eyes widen when I realize I don't even know his either which causes us both to laugh and stick our hands out for the other to shake.

"Sarah. Sarah Jones." I chuckle lightly and take his hand, giving it a firm shake.

"Keagen. Keagen Richland. Nice to meet you miss Sarah. See you after class?" He grins down at me and shakes back, both of us awkwardly holding each other's hands while smiling up at each other.

I snap out of it and pull my hand away, an embarrassed blush rising across my cheeks. Why can I never control these stupid blushes?! "Of course. See you then." I smile awkwardly at him, then back away to go into my classroom. He chuckles and waves goodbye then walks into his class. I sigh heavily and head into mine as well, a small smile stuck on my face the whole lesson. I think I just made a new friend! Take that, Samantha!

~•~

"And then - ha! - and then he slipped on the ice and fell! Breaking it even more!" We laugh loudly, both of us barely able to breathe from his hilarious story.

"I don't get what's so funny." Gina walks over to our table and sets her plate down, giving me a questioning look but then smiling over at Keagen. "Hi, I'm Gina, Sarah's best friend. You are?"

He looks over to her and waves, "Keagen Richland, nice to meet you!" He grins up at her, his smile causing any girl in a ten foot radius to sigh in delight at the sight. Literally, I heard at least a whole table of girls sigh - it was weird.

"Nice to meet you too. How did you two meet?" Gina plops down across from us and digs into her hamburger, ever so gracefully devouring it while somehow still smiling and chatting with Keagen. How this woman does such a thing without looking ridiculous is beyond me.

I sit and listen to them talk, taking interest into how anytime Keagen would let out a little laugh or smile that big heart warming smile a table beside us would sigh. But not as heartwarming as Zander's . . . Wait what? I quickly snap out of my gazing and frown down at my plate. Why would I think that?

"Hey, S. Are you okay?" I glance up and meet Gina's worried gaze, silently asking if I needed to talk. I frown again and flicker my eyes from her to the cafeteria doors. Her eyes fill with realization and she immediately takes action.

Sighing, she gets up and smiles widely over at Keagen. "Excuse me, but I actually have to go use the restroom. Sarah, come with me?" I quickly nod and get up, leaving our stuff behind as not to lose our seats.

"Okay, I'll wait here for you." He smiles widely and turns back towards his food.

We leave in a rush, Gina basically dragging us towards the bathroom. We barge in and quickly check if we're alone, then she quickly starts drilling into me.

"What's up? Who is he? Dude, I saw you looking at him! Do you like him?!" She jumps up and down in her spot, clapping her hands excitedly.

I laugh and shake my head, reaching out to grab her shoulders so she'd stop jumping. "I just met him this morning. He asked for my help around school and hasn't really left my side since." I shrug towards the end and release her shoulders. A small laugh bubbling up my chest when I think about Keagen and I together. We literally just met, that's insane!

"Oh my cheese, you do like him!!" She starts giggling and jumping again, clapping her hands like a happy seal. My eyes widen slightly and I open my mouth to protest but we're instead cut off by a shrill voice.

"O-M-G! So exciting! Not." We both jump in fright when the voice intrudes, both of us whipping around to face her. The blood drains from my face when we turn to see a smirking Samantha, only one of her friends with her this time.

Gina glares daggers at her and crosses her arms, moving to subtly stand protectively in front of me. "What's it matter to you?" She spits out, sneering over at Samantha with pure hatred.

"Oh nothing really, other than the fact that he's mine and neither one of you can have him." She rolls her eyes and inspects her nails disinterestedly.

Gina rolls her eyes and snorts, "You can't just claim every guy in the school, Samantha."

She looks back up to Gina and smirks, "Oh I wasn't talking to you, honey." She moves her gaze to me, giving me a sickly sweet smile. "I was talking to Sarah here. Did you hear me, Sarah?"

I gulp and nod quickly, looking down at my feet as not to set her off. I hear her laugh in victory then the clicking of her heels getting closer.

"Stay back, bitch." She sneers towards me then turns away laughing, flipping her hair off her shoulder to slightly hit Gina while she walks away.

"Why you fu - " Gina starts after her but I quickly grab her arm, holding her back.

"Don't. It's not worth it." I whisper the words tiredly, not even believing them myself. I sigh and let go of her arm. "There's no use."

She turns back towards me angrily, still fuming. "Of course there is a use! The use is to make that bitch pay! Sarah you don't deserve this, you deserve to be able to like a guy without being bullied for it!" She stomps her foot in irritation and glares at the door. "Besides, she hasn't even talked to Keagen yet, how could she even 'claim' him like that?!"

"She wasn't talking about Keagen. At least not for the most part." I whisper softly, afraid of my own voice in case I hear it breaking.

Gina whips back around and frowns in confusion, "Then who was she talking about?"

"Zander." I advert my eyes and gaze down at the floor, "Ever since she first saw Zander and I talking she has been constantly 'reminding' me that she laid claim on him. I guess she must have saw us still talking and decided to 'remind' me again." I sigh and walk towards the sinks, gently tossing water on my face.

"She is literally so selfish it disgusts me to no end. Girl, you're allowed to like whoever you want - or even be friends with whoever you want. I will back you up, okay?" She walks over and smiles at me in the mirror, gently rubbing my back. I smile back and nod, a feeling of relief washing over me from the comfort of my best friend.

"Okay." I smile and turn towards her, giving her a quick hug before we both head back to the cafeteria. I spot Keagen in the same place, staring down at his phone while eating the salad he got with his burger.

He looks up and sees us coming, smiling instantly. "Hey, you're back." He locks eyes with me and seems to give me an exceptionally bigger smile than Gina, making me want to frown in confusion.

"Hey." I smile brightly, masking my precious feelings, and take my seat beside him again.

"Hey there too!" Gina interrupts our smiling session, giving me a knowing smirk. I roll my eyes and turn towards my food, lightly poking at my fries with my fork while they engage into conversation again. Once and a while I join in too, but I mostly just listen. Lunch quickly passes by and soon enough the day is ending. Keagen and I walk out towards Gina's car, both of us lightly laughing and joking about.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?" He grins down at me and shoves his hands in his pocket.

I smile sarcastically and glance towards the school, "Well it's school so yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." He laughs at my joke and nods and starts walking away, waving goodbye with a smile.

I sigh softly and get into the car, patiently waiting for Gina to finish up in the library then take me home. I watch as Keagen gets in his car and pulls out of his parking spot, slowly driving away and out of sight.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and I immediately take it out to look at it.

Hey Cupcake :) -Z

I smile down at the text and quickly type back.

Hey! What have you been up to? :) -S

Busy busy, missing your kisses everyday... :P -Z

Awe, poor thing. Hurry back then :)
-S

I sure will ;) You, Gina, and I should go out to the movies Saturday. What do you say? -Z

Okay! I'll ask her about it and get back to you :) -S

Alright, until then :) -Z

I smile down at the text, my heart feeling fuzzy and light. What is happening to me?

~•~

Yay, chapter 17 is here! This week has been pretty rough but Thanksgiving was amazing ❤️❤️

Oooooooh, new boy in town *wiggles eyebrows* What do you think of him so far? 😏😂 (p.s. I'm currently in the process of changing up all of "his" chapters so if you see anything different - that's why!)

Don't forget to Vote, Comment, Share, and Follow me! ❤️

Stay sweet!
~Molly