Chapter 1: 11th Grade

 Hannah

New year, new grade. Hopefully Grade 11 goes smoothly.

Me and Charlie: officially a couple! Cue the poppy cheesy music, him and me running to each other's arms from a distance on a sandy beach. I'm dolled up in a yellow sundress, Charlie in a white button down shirt and black slacks embracing each other and spinning me in a circle.

Our first date was wonderful: a quiet and private dinner. I didn't think he would kiss me, but he did. I felt like I was on a fluffy cloud of cotton candy, and we just melted inside. The entire summer consisted of makeouts, conversations, and late night dates, Charlie had to be inconspicuous, no one could know. He's an MVP swimmer and having a girlfriend might cause damage in his plans. So he says. His mom and dad's plan of no relationships for the rest of the school year, he could have dates and nothing more.

I'm not complaining, in fact I liked the idea of a forbidden romance but I would love a day date. For him to show us off, and steal kisses. I went to some of his swim meets after school, cheered him on as everyone else as he sped in the water. He's one of the fastest swimmers on the team. I can be supportive, I wanted to.

During the last week of July, we didn't see each other because he went to swim camp. Video chats and texts kept us in touch, our deep and humorous conversations were the best and... well it's not the L word yet but I really liked him.

This morning he hasn't called, only texted my daily 'good morning' greeting, which had me a bit worried. He was supposed to call back after coming home last night. I had to brush it away, thoughts on optimistic mode.

Seth came up by my side, startling me a bit. "New year, new torture," he said in a sullen voice walking in step. 

I pushed his shoulder and said "it's not gonna be that bad this year. Smile." He faked a quick one before it wilted down as we walked side by side. I found my locker for the year, I input my combination and closed it back. It's a habit of mine every year on the first day of school, a good luck charm for me.

Me and Seth made our way to the main office to receive our schedules, I noticed Charlie's friends. Some things that stood out was that all of them have either blonde hair and/or blue eyes, skinny and/or muscular. Clones. Take Lucy for example, blonde hair but green eyes. A fit frame, beautiful and head cheerleader. Second to become valedictorian and a terrible attitude. Next to her was Max, the comedian, brown hair and blue eyes, handsome. Muscular, and the swim team too.

The golden couple Austin and Ally, both blonde and brown eyes. They have been dating since the fifth grade. Austin had a lean body, a linebacker of the football team. Ally's more curvy, guys loved her big boobs, but she had eyes only for Austin. No sign of Charlie, though.

The whole group joined in chuckling/ cackling loud and forced of something one of them said. Me and my friends liked to call them Vapid, Gorgeous and Popular. (VGP) They were probably laughing at something that wasn't even that funny. We tried to walk past ignoring them but Ally noticed us, "you guys lost or something?" She wondered a snobby voice sneering.

"This is school, Ally. Public domain," I replied crossing my arms over my chest.

"What's 'domain'?" She asked with a confused expression.

Lucy rolled her eyes and spoke, "are you trying out for cheer leading, Hannah?" She stifled a chuckle, I jutted my jaw out pinching the inside of my wrist.

"Not this year Lucy." I wanted to erase the memory of my audition for the team freshman year.

"Good, we don't want you to get shitfaced again." She snickered white teeth on view, the rest of them joined in. I flare opened my nostrils and licked the inside of my mouth. I had a great cheer, waved my pom poms accurately with school spirit, did some aerials and one standing back handspring. When I went for the cartwheel on the grass, which was one of the worst ideas, because on the third tumble I slid into a pile of wet mud face first. It got all over my mouth and eyes. The squad took pictures with the hashtag #shitface. It was trending number four on Twitter and Instagram, created with gifs on a loop. All of my mentions were way too much, I immediately reported it. However, the internet was forever, occasionally I still saw it.

With a flip of her hair she passed by, hitting my shoulder hard I stumbled on my feet. I straightened up as her friends follow her behind, noticing Seth already in front walking away to the office. Coward, he didn't speak once.

"You better hurry along. I heard ants follow in pairs," Max retorted being the last behind. I unclenched my hands, rolling my eyes and walked off. You would think this kind of bullshit was over but it's not. I reached into my phone, praying for a text. New notification it said at the top. It was sent this morning, licking my lips I opened it: back home, sorry that I didn't call you. Came in late. See you at school. 😘

I smiled, holding my phone against my chest. I think this year would change my perspective.