It’s smaller than my last one, but that’s to be expected now that I’m living in a much smaller town. As a positive, the building looks nice and relatively new. Groups of students are already hanging around the parking lot or trickling through the doors.
“Seriously,” I press, genuinely curious. “Why would you think I was popular?”
Axel doesn’t look at me, just kills the engine and grabs his bag.
“Because you’re stunning, Lina.” Axel sighs as he hastens to get out of the car.
My mouth drops open as I sit there, mind racing. Surely, I didn’t hear him right.
He gives two pointed taps on the roof. “Let’s go!”
Snapping back to reality, I shut my mouth and get out. Not knowing what to say, I trail behind him in silence. It’s not that I don’t know I’m naturally pretty with my blonde hair, blue eyes, button nose… butstunning?No one’s ever saidthatbefore. Definitely not like that.
As we head down the main hall, I feel the weight of eyes on me. Looking around, I see people are staring. The attention weirds me out, so I hurry to catch up with Axel, suddenly craving the safety of his indifference.
“Everyone’s looking at me,” I murmur, just loud enoughfor him to hear.
“What’d you expect? You’re officially the new girl.” He says it like it should be the most obvious thing.
I anxiously pop my knuckles and try to ignore the looks, but they make me feel like my skin’s crawling. I’m beyond relieved we reach the door to the front office.
“Grab your shit, and I’ll show you to your first class.” Axel leans against the wall outside, furiously typing away on his phone.
I step into the room, where a middle-aged secretary is mid-call. Patiently, I look around the quaint space while I wait. It’s a little cluttered, but welcoming all the same.
Upon ending the phone call, she offers me a warm smile.
“Hey, hun! What can I do for you?”
“Hi! I’m new. I need my schedule.”
“Name?”
“Carolina… Harrington.”
My new last name almost trips me up, feeling foreign coming from my mouth. I’m definitely going to need to practice saying it.
She swivels in her chair and rifles through a stack of papers behind her.
“Carolina, Carolina, Carolina,” she chants to herself. “Ah! Here we are!”
She hands me a single sheet with my name at the top and my class schedule printed below.
“We’re on a block schedule,” she explains. “Two classes in the morning, and two in the afternoon. Your locker number and combo are there at the bottom,” she points. “Do you need a tour?”
“I’ve got her covered.” Axel’s smooth voice comes from right behind, making me jump.
When did he come in?
The secretary beams at him. “Lucky girl, having Axel Harrington as your personal tour guide!”
Axel gives her a wide grin, showcasing perfect white teeth and an even more perfect set of dimples. I stand there like an idiot when he winks at her. He winks! And who knew he could smile?!
He guides me out the door to the tune of her calling, “Happy first day!”
Back in the hall, I start skimming over the paper—only for him to snatch it right out of my hands without missing a step.
“Hey!” I protest, trying to grab it back. He, infuriatingly, holds it just out of my grasp, flat out ignoring me. This is becoming too typical for my liking.
