Page 7 of Fractured Souls
Well, I guess I'm on my own. It makes much more sense now why that lady was so okay with being a jerk. She doesn't even work here and is just a student.
I take a deep breath, then turn around to leave the office, only to stumble slightly. The same guy with the gorgeous eyes is leaning against the wall by the door. I inhale sharply, then start walking. As I pass, I can smell him, and holy shit, the man smells heavenly. It's like a mix of musk, leather, and something else I can't quite pinpoint.
I find my locker easily with the help of the map. All juniors have their lockers in the same hall on the first floor. Luckily, I am able to figure out how to get it unlocked fairly fast. That leaves me time to walk and find each of my classes before first period. Once I locate all my classes and make sure to circle them on the map, I head back towards my first class. I'm still early, so I just sit in the hall by the door and study my schedule:
1st: English
2nd: History
3rd: Piano
LUNCH
4th: Study Hall
5th: Math
6th: Gym
I'm nervous since I'm so far behind in everything. My body is also already tired from all the moving I've done so far this morning. I get winded really fast, and there is a slight ache in my ribs when I move too much. It makes me wonder how I am going to do gym and pass it when I barely even get a meal a day; I'll probably end up passing out. I didn't even get a meal yesterday, so I'm extra hungry today.
I make it through first period confused as hell, but the teacher seems nice and gives me some handouts to help me get caught up that I'll study later. As I'm leaving the classroom, a girl steps into my path. She's short. Shorter than me, which is pretty short because I'm only 5’3. She has cropped black pixie hair, bright green eyes, a black ring in her nose and another on her lip, dark skin-tight jeans, and a green cropped sweater with black ankle boots.
She flashes me a bright smile and says, “So you're the new girl, huh? You're the talk of the school today. It's okay, I know you are mute. I figured you could use a friend, and I can talk enough for the both of us.”
I'm pretty sure she didn't even breathe while talking. She talked so fast. She looks delighted before quickly grabbing my hand and pulling me along. She doesn't see the way I flinch when she grabs me, but I don't pull my arm away, instead trying to seem normal. I really could use a friend. Well, I'm not sure if having a friend is the best idea, but it would be nice anyways.
“Do you have your schedule?” she asks as she drags me along next to her.
I nod, still in shock and very unsure of what to do or how to feel. She holds her hand out, and I realize she is waiting to see my schedule. I hand it to her, and she scans it over before looking back at me. “Sweet, dude! We have history together for second and study hall after lunch and gym for sixth. Although, I am going to work as a TA during study hall some days, so I might not always see you. But I'm claiming you as my friend. You play piano?”
I nod and trace a heart over my chest. She smiles and says that's awesome. We walk into history, and I realize I don't even know this girl's name. When we take our seats, I get my notebook out and write,Name?And show it to her.
Her eyes get wide and then she laughs loudly, “Oh my god! How the fuck did I not tell you my name? I'm Lexington, but I go by Lex. I fucking hate Lexington, and I already know that you are Harley.”
I nod and offer her a small grin.
“I really like the name Harley. Does it have a special meaning?”
I write,I don't know. Mom always said it was from the best memory of her life until I came along. Then I became the best. So she wanted me to have a piece of it, I guess. She wouldn't ever give me any more details than that.
Lex reads it and nods. “Huh. Mysterious. I like it.”
All throughout history, I felt eyes on me. Eyes that felt like they were burning a hole in me, seeing all the things I never want anyone to see. It's the same eyes from the office this morning, I realize. The guy that was in there with the batting lashes girl is sitting in the back right corner staring right at me. I look away quickly and sit still the rest of class, trying hard not to fidget with the weight of his stare on me.
When the bell rings, Lex grabs my arm and pulls me along after her. She walks with me to my piano class and whispers, “It seems you've caught the eye of the resident bad boy.” I look at her confused, and she continues, “His name is Cayden, and he doesn't talk to anyone really besides his two best friends. But girls throw themselves at him all the time. Just be careful, okay? I've seen him staring pretty hard, and you’ve barely been here. Him and his friends aren't the best company to keep.”
She says it like it's nothing and then takes off waving and smiling, leaving me standing there wondering what the hell that means and why that dude Cayden was staring at me. She said he is a bad boy and apparently not good company, but why do I get this nagging feeling that is the farthest thing from the truth?
Something about him is telling me that there is nothing actually bad about him.But who the hell am I to trust my instincts? Just listen to Lex, Harley.
I'm most excited for piano since I haven't played since my mom died besides at the Allstars Competition last week. When I walk into the class, there are only five other students. Two at each piano besides the third one, which only has one guy sitting at it. There is an older gentleman at the front of the room writing on a whiteboard, and he turns to look at me as I come in.
“Ah, Miss Wilson, I presume?” I nod. “We work in sets of two and have a rotation system for playing since we are all stuck in one room with the three pianos. Luckily, now you will even us out! You will be working with Mr. Anderson. Please take a seat with him, and he will bring you up to speed and explain how class works.”
He points to the one guy sitting alone. I nod and walk towards him. He hasn't taken his eyes off me since I came into the classroom.
I take a seat next to him and keep my eyes trained on my lap, scared to look at him being so close to me now. Slowly, I see a ringed finger reaching towards my face, and I flinch before I can stop myself.God damn it, Harley. Why? You saw it coming towards you!
