29. Hot new transfer Natalie Bloodsucking Monday is back. I was holed up in my room the whole weekend. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. I feel a little guilty about not replying to Jacob. It is his first day at this school. I am sure it will be great. As I put my stuff in my locker and turn. Millie almost bumps into me, then gives me a smirk. What is that smirk about? She has a locker next to mine. She often passes mean comments or strange questions in my way. Norris has been dating her for the past few months. From what I have heard, she is super possessive of her boyfriend. Norris could do better. Ok, Stop... Not my problem. “I heard that hot new transfer is your neighbor.” WHAT?? Has his house address leaked already? “New Transfer?” I am not gonna admit I know him. It will end up with the same signature question. Are you planning to fuck him, too? Not exact words, but something subtle. “Oh, come on! He lives somewhere near the lake. You live there too… Rich people!!” I roll my eyes. There must be hundreds of houses and not everyone there is well off. “I thought you had a boyfriend.” She shrugs, ”Not gonna order… but that doesn’t mean I can’t see the menu!!” Jeez... Objectification… Would she be generous to Norris if he cracked that joke? Because she wouldn’t be generous to me. I don’t have a boyfriend or anything. Still; I am not allowed to look at the menu. Oops, Objectification. I walk away from her. I am glad I avoided Jacob like a plague over the weekend. Felt like a bitch for standing him off for our study session. But I couldn’t help it. This tiny conversation with Millie is proof that it was the right thing to do. That evening, while playing games at his place. Being around West for almost an hour fucked me up more than I would like to admit. I should have left without accepting his invitation to spend time there. I didn’t want to give West the satisfaction of knowing that he still affected me. The irony is, he still does. Nothing like I want him back bullshit. No. It felt suffocating. It was a reminder of our old times. How I had everything, then nothing. He took my friends away. I still feel vulnerable at school sometimes. Being friends with Jacob won’t do any good for either of us. I am not even sure why I am thinking about him so much. We barely knew each other for four days. Six more months and I will finally leave this bullshit behind and it will be a fresh start at college. Then, out of my sheer stupid luck, I notice him. The Hot New Transfer. Our eyes meet, he smiles and my heart starts beating like a drum. Millie is walking almost behind me. I cannot talk to him now. He is approaching me. Ignoring him over the weekend now seems like a bad idea now. I should have given him a brief about what he is about to hear about me at school. How everyone considers me a… What’s the word for it? A woman of easy virtue… Which is funny, considering some girls around me change boyfriends every other week. Obviously, there is a rotation because there ain’t many hot eligible boys available. Jacob is a new hope for them, and I am not willing to take their hope away. Nope. And why is he smiling when I ignored him so much? I don’t want to be rude to him, but I cannot acknowledge him either. I keep my head down without returning the smile and I pass him. It feels pathetic. I feel pathetic. It doesn’t matter if I pay no heed to him. He has his team here for him. He has known many of them for three years. He has known West for three years. Not me. So why would he choose me? Nobody chooses me. Rest of the day goes uneventfully. Jacob doesn’t even spare a glance in my way. I should be content, but I am not. I assure myself this feeling will be over soon. Because avoiding Jacob is me taking control of my life. 30. My First Day. Jacob It was supposed to be a good day... Instead, I am annoyed at myself. She clearly ignored me for two days. Why didn’t I get the message? When I saw her in the hallway this morning, Like an idiot, I smiled and tried to approach her. My heart cracked a little when she didn’t acknowledge me. With that, all my hopes vanished, and I knew she didn’t want me around. “Hey!” A girl sits next to me and I groan inwardly. This must be the sixth girl to approach me in the last three hours. “I am Millie… Norris’s girlfriend.” Thank Goodness! Not some single, ready to mingle, trying to share her number girl. “Hey, I am Jacob.” “Oh, I know.” She replies in an extra chirpy voice and sits too close to me. I shift away from her uncomfortably. What was that? “So, have you chosen someone already?” That was direct and downright degrading. What kind of girl is she, Norris? “I didn’t know I was supposed to.” She giggles. Did I say something funny? “You aren’t in a relationship. Are you?” She asks. I sigh internally. I know where this is going. Once I open my mouth, the news will spread like wildfire. Then they will start approaching. It would be freaking exhausting for me to deal with them. I shudder to recall the last time it happened when I broke up from my last relationship. “Millie… No offense, but this is none of your business.” I tell her in a calm voice. If she is this much nosy, she will get it out of Norris. But she isn’t gonna get anything from me. I was supposed to ask Natalie out. Now she doesn’t want anything to do with me. So I am clueless about my dating life again. As long as nobody bothers me with the ‘Are you closeted’ question, I will be fine. This school doesn’t seem to have a homophobic crowd. Saw some gay couples today. So that’s a relief. But nobody understands the lack of sexual attraction. I tried to explain it a few times. Learned my lesson. “Do you know Natalie?” WTF is her problem? Are we playing some rapid fire? I give her a confused look. Why does she wanna know? Did West mention it to others? “Stop prying, Millie.” Norris comes and sits next to her. Soon, our instructor enters the class, followed by Natalie. She goes towards the back to take her seat. The mere sight of her makes me feel dejected. I could really use a hug. I wish Coco was here with me right now. 31. Anger issues Jacob “So… how do you like this school?” West asks as he sits beside me with his lunch tray. “Good, so far.” Basic amenities are there and in good condition. No students lurking around in hallways during class. That was a surprise to see when I was late for one of my classes. “You ain’t happy, it seems.” I roll my eyes and say dryly, “It’s a school. What’s there to be happy about?” Norris, Millie, and one more girl come to join us. West’s girl. “Jacob, this is Riley!” I smile at her, “I have seen you at matches.” “Sorry I didn’t meet you sooner.” She smiles sheepishly. I chuckle, “Don’t be. I get it. Being around West in the locker room is no fun, either.” West smacks my arm. “I am sitting right here, asshole.” We continue with our lunch. Food is better. At old school, I had to pack lunch. It was hard to swallow the food they served there. We continue eating our food. Millie asks some more annoying questions. Riley calmly cuts her off. I like her already! “Did you bring that phone you were talking about, West?” Norris asks after a while. West nods and pulls out a phone pouched in a transparent bag. “What happened to that?” I chuckle. The screen is completely smashed. I can see the screen’s bits and pieces in the bag itself. “Someone has anger issues.” Riley teases West. “Oh, come on!! Happened more than a year ago. Quit it already Babe…” He turns to Norris, handing him the phone. “You know what! Fix it… sell it or throw it. Do whatever you want, but don’t ever mention it to me again.” Riley coos, “Doesn’t matter… I won’t stop teasing you.” “You can fix that!” I exclaim. “Yea, I have been trying my hands on phone repair… It’s easy money.” Norris says inspecting the phone, “It’s old but still can be sold after fixing.” “Wow, that’s cool!” “He is cool,” Millie adds, rubbing Norris’ arm. I almost rolled my eyes. Is it only me or is she really annoying? “I will remember that in case I smash my phone.” I take a jibe at West. “Will see you at ice, Jacob.” West squints his eyes at me. “Yea, I am spooked.” Rest of the day goes normal. I barely notice Natalie, so that is a relief. It would be better if I didn’t see her around for some time. “We are gathering up at David’s place tonight. Do join us at Eight there,” West tells me after school. David, our teammate, Loudmouth, but good at his game. “Anything special?” “Yeah, it’s his birthday.” “Then maybe start by saying we are gathering to celebrate his birthday.” I laugh and he shrugs.