It rained a lot today, the first day I started at St.Michelle high school. Two minutes run through the heavy rain from the parking lot to the building was good for a quick shower, but soaked, dripping hair and clothes were not good for the first impression. I was greeted by a bit of lazy applause and a lot of snickering, especially because my red hair looked ridiculous sticking to my pale face. But nothing new there. One of the reasons I hated anything to do with water. My hair looked exactly like some kind of weird seaweed when it was wet. After a simple and very awkward introduction, I got my seat assigned at the back of the class. A girl next to me shifted uncomfortably in clear disapproval as I put down my soaked bag on the desk. Her glare made me stick to the edge of the seat, but truthfully I didn't care. I was no stranger to unwelcoming and repelling. Plus it wasn't like I transferred here hoping for things to get better.

“Here’s your timetable.”

An old lady at the administration office handed me a piece of paper, followed by heavy sack of books. I swayed a little under its weight but managed to regain my balance and turn around, only to be knocked out as soon as I took the first step.

“Bitch look where you’re going!”

A tall blonde girl spat annoyingly, rubbing her shoulder where my books had hit her.

“Sorry, sorry.”

I mumbled as I sat up and hastily began to pick them up. She swore under her breath and stormed off, but not before kicking away one of the books. I felt the all the eyes in the office focusing on me, meeting the uncomfortable silence with a face redder than my hair. I clumsily cleaned up the mess, which covered the entire floor of the narrow hallway.

I reached out to the last book that the blonde kicked across the room, but found the other girl holding it out for me.

“You ok?”

I took the book without meeting her eyes. Which wasn’t the politest behavior, but right now I couldn’t look at anyone in the room. Even though I’ve always been accident-prone due to my inherent clumsiness, the embarrassment of such situations never faded.

“Yeah, thank you.”

“This looks heavy, I’ll help you get to your car.”

Then was when I finally looked at her properly. What was all this hospitality? When my eyes land on her, however, I was more surprised than to have her willingly help me. She was the most beautiful girl - no, most beautiful person - I’ve ever seen. Halo-like long black hair was making her alabaster skin more prominent, and her eyes were like a sapphire at the bottom of the ocean.

“Uh-uh.... It-It’s ok, you don’t have to.”

I managed to stutter, forcing my eyes off of her slender feature.

She smiled encouragingly, “I know I don’t have to, I want to.”

Without giving me any time to recover, she grabbed half the sack and marched through the door. I followed out with now crimson face, and we walked up to my shabby car at the end of the parking lot.

“Thank you so much.”

I cautiously gave her a small smile after all the books were loaded.

“My pleasure,” she grinned, “umm... what’s your name again?”

“Oops, sorry. My name is Alexandra. But I prefer Alex.”

“Alex,” she murmured as if she was testing the pronunciation, “I’m Isabelle.”

“Thank you again Isabelle.”

I said politely, struggling to stop myself from staring at her with too much interest. Not only that she was gorgeous, she was dressed in a way that accentuated that beauty. Green shirt with fitting leather jacket, jeans with knee-length black boots. It was modern and casual but somehow she made it special.

“You can pay me back if you want.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the new kid, right?”

“Yes....?” I nodded, now cautious.

She gave me a bright smile.

“Then you can pay me back by hanging with me tonight. It’s Friday, so girl’s night out. How about that?”

I was totally taken aback. I wasn’t sure what exactly I was expecting her to ask, but it certainly wasn’t this. She, what, wants to spend time with me? I hesitated, but decided to give it a shot. What’s the worst thing can happen? I’ll probably screw it up and she’ll leave me alone like other kids, having lost her interest.

“Umm... sure, if you want to.”

“Great. I had a movie I wanted to check out. How about meeting at the Heather cinema at 6?”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

“Oh, you’ll need the address. It’s in the Mason street, next to a church.”

I already knew the address. Heather cinema was one of Jason’s favorite places. But not that it was something I was going to let out in the open.

“Thanks, see you at 6,” I simply said, letting her leave, waving at me.

I got into the driver’s seat and hugged myself tightly. My fingertips were cold as if they were on an ice cube. I buried my face in both hands and breathed deeply, trying to calm down.

It’s okay, there’s nothing you can do now, you’re okay, it’s going to be fin-

A knock on the window snapped me out of it. I turned, finding myself facing Beth’s worried eyes. I unlocked the door and stared out the windowsill as she climbed up onto the passenger seat.

“Alex? Are you ok?” she asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m fine,” I said curtly as I started the engine, “how was school?”

“Usual. I had A in maths test though.”

“Good job.”

And that was the end of the conversation, as we both sat there awkwardly. I wasn’t used to her presence, not that she was any better. Beth would probably feel way more distant than me, since she was very young when I left.

When we arrived at the house, mom wasn’t home yet. I made sure Beth was doing her homework after making her an egg sandwich, and headed straight to the shower. When I was clean and dry I raided my closet, trying to find something decent to wear. I didn’t know why I was so self-conscious, but it was my first peer interaction in many years after all, so maybe it was the nerves.

“Where are you going?” Beth asked when I stumbled down the stairs.

“I’m going to the movies. Tell mom I’ll be a bit late.”

“Alone?”

“No,” I blushed, wait- why the hell am I blushing? “With a..... friend.”

She raised her eyebrows, amused.

“Wow, you got a friend on the first day?”

“Yeah.... bye.” I mumbled as I walked out. Let them think I’m doing well. After all, that’s what matters, wasn’t it? Not letting them worried and fussing over me.

I drove down to the cinema, trying to clear my head. Deep-in-thought-Alex wasn’t exactly presentable to the public. I needed to be presentable to Isabelle tonight, so that even though I mess it up, she wouldn’t be that much weirded out. Just smile and shine, I whispered to myself, just a little longer.