Chapter 6

We walked all the way across campus to get to my study hall. I insisted that Jasmine head to her own class to avoid being late, yet deep down, I genuinely appreciated her walking alongside me. She marked the beginning of genuine friendship in this new environment, where it felt like everyone else kept their distance as if I had a contagious disease or something. After thanking her, I entered the classroom and chose a seat towards the back. With no homework to occupy my time, I found myself overthinking about various aspects of my life. I planned to interrogate my father when he picked me up from school; evidently, we had a lot to discuss. I was also terrified that I couldn't shake Dante from my thoughts. The emotions that lingered after he walked away left me with a sense of cold emptiness, a feeling that seemed irrational considering he was just a stranger I had one conversation with. I couldn't stop thinking about how soft his lips would be against mine. How it would feel to run my fingers over his bare chest, which I was sure was riddled with muscles. I had never experienced desire like this before; was this normal? Was it worth fixating on someone who his own sister labeled as a "dog"? Abruptly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Retrieving it, I noticed an unknown number flashing on the screen with a message: "Just thinking about you, princess." My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. While I acknowledged it could be a coincidence, a fleeting thought crossed my mind—did he somehow sense that I was thinking about him? I paused for a moment, contemplating how to respond: Oh, is that right? I might have had a thought or two about you too. He replied immediately. So glad I could leave a lasting impression on you. Another message followed before I had the chance to respond: I can't wait to see that beautiful face of yours again. I rolled my eyes, a blush creeping up my cheeks. Don't hold your breath, I replied with a winking emoji. It wouldn't be hard to find you, you light up every room that you enter. I didn't realize I could blush any harder; my face was now flaming. You really are a flirt, aren't you? Don't start falling in love with me just yet, Princess. In your dreams. I stowed my phone away and spent the remainder of class trying to divert my thoughts from him. nstead, I found myself anticipating the rest of the day with Jasmine, even if our conversation during class would likely be limited. Despite my eagerness, a bit of anxiety crept in as I thought about meeting her other friends; I wondered whether they would like me or not. Being an introvert posed its challenges and making friends had always been a struggle for me. This new school environment seemed especially challenging since everyone appeared tightly knit. After class ended, I met Jasmine in the hallway, and we made our way to the cafeteria together. Fortunately, our lunch period wasn't crowded, ensuring an abundance of available tables. In line to get lunch, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Jasmine had informed the cashier that I was "in her group," resulting in my meal being unexpectedly covered. As we settled down at the only large, circular table in the cafeteria (while the rest were rectangular), two other girls joined us. "Angel, this is Peach and Mya," Jasmine introduced, gesturing towards me. "Peach, Mya... this is our new bestie, Angel." They both offered tight smiles and nodded in my direction. I couldn't tell if it was just my perception, but it seemed like everyone at this school was exceptionally attractive, both guys and girls alike. Peach, in particular, embodied the epitome of perfection. Her flawless golden skin complemented her long, straight auburn hair, which framed a widow's peak hairline. She fixed me with curious jade-green eyes. Mya was a bit shorter than the rest of us, yet her robust frame hinted at a toughness that likely surpassed all of us combined. Her thin, olive face adorned with brown freckles framed deep-set brown eyes and a square jaw. A pixie-cut of black hair with green highlights adorned her head, complemented by an outfit of all-black leggings and a hoodie. "Wow, this school feels so laid back. I can't believe we only have four classes, and school ends at 10:30!" I remarked, aiming to break the awkward silence. Initiating conversations wasn't typically my forte, but I wanted Jasmine's friends to perceive me as friendly and, hopefully, likable. "Thank Goddess, I would hate to spend any more time in this hellhole than necessary," Peach scoffed, elegantly nibbling on the fruit from her tray. "Yeah, we have too much stuff to do outside of here. I can't wait to graduate and just be done," Mya chimed in. Her voice held strength and captivation; I wondered if she had been a warrior or something in another life. "Honestly, I don't even know what I'm doing after graduation. I guess I could find a job around here, but there doesn't seem to be a lot going on in this small town," I admitted quietly. A hush fell over the table, a tense silence lingering until Jasmine playfully interjected, "Bestie, I told you there's more to this town than meets the eye." She giggled. "You know what? We go to Lunar Lounge every Friday night. You should come!" I contemplated for a short moment. My eighteenth birthday was approaching on Friday, but I wasn't planning to make a big deal out of it. Having just moved here, I didn't want to burden my first new real friend with the celebration. Besides, it had been a while since I hung out with other teenagers, and I just wanted to have a good time. My usual routine involved spending time at home taking care of my dad since he didn't have anyone else. "Sure, that sounds interesting! There's no drinking or anything, right? My dad would have a fit," I asked with a laugh. Although it was meant as a joke, the truth lingered beneath the humor. My dad seldom allowed me to go out, so I could only imagine his reaction to me going to a place with a bar. Most likely, he wanted me to spend my birthday cooped up at home with him, as we did every other year.