BOY NEXT DOOR

Hotshot

Jade is lying on her bed reading a novel when I walk back inside. She grins up at me like we've known each other forever.

"I picked some clothes for you. We're about the same size so you'll find something you fancy."

I glance at the other bed, instantly cringing at the several dresses that have been laid out.

"Do you have jeans or something?"

"I only own two pairs and they're in the hamper. I'm not a jeans person. I'd rather show some leg."

I bite back a smile as I reach for the assortment of dresses.

"I didn't know this was a boarding school too."

"Oh, it is. Not many students opt to board, though."

"Why not? The dorms are amazing. I'd live here in an instant if I got the chance."

"See, this is an elite school to say the least. Parents who don't live around here opt to rent their kids apartments close by. The dorms are specially for students who are here on scholarship."

It's so fascinating what money can do. These dorms look just like small apartments, if not better, and this is meant for people who can't afford to live elsewhere?

It hits me in a blinding realization, then, that Daniel is paying for this.

He must really like my mom to want to spend so much on me when we barely know each other.

"You're here on scholarship, then?"

Jade shrugs, the tiny smile on her face never fading.

"My father stays at home since he got too sickly and my Mom works in a library. They'd need a whole lot of miracles to afford this."

"I'm sorry about your father."

"Yeah."

Her tone is suddenly aloof, and I quickly decide that her father is a bit of a touchy subject, so I shift the topic.

"How did you get the scholarship?"

"The school offered. I was supposed to be here for a year on an exchange program but then I got lucky alongside two other students. They didn't want to let us go because we happened to be too smart."

"That's so great!"

"Right? I still can't believe I made the list. So, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"How did you get a vacancy here? I understand they're very mean with those."

I shrug.

"I guess they liked my grades too."

Jade frowns but she doesn't push it.

I feel so weird, like I do not belong here. Everything is just so different; strange.

I guess it'll be a while before I'm fully immersed into Daniel's lifestyle.

I'm deep in thought as I settle for a black dress and Jade's sneakers since my boots were ruined by the damned coffee. Jade makes me sit, and she dries my hair before she curls it again.

"Your clothes.. I'll bring them to school tomorrow."

Jade makes a face at me.

"No, silly. I'll pick them when I sleep over."

"Oh?"

"You're new, right?" When I nod, she continues. "You need friends. I'll be your friend. Is that okay?"

I smile. The last time I made a friend that easily, I was six years old.

"The school would let you leave for a sleepover?"

She laughs.

"The school lets you do whatever you want as long as long as you get a permit from the teacher on duty."

"That's grand."

"Tell me about it."

"Why is Tatiana such a b***h?" I ask my new friend.

"My wild guess is privilege. She gets whatever she wants; whoever she wants. That's until Kain. She's obsessed with him. She bullies everyone who talks to him. She's like Hitler, if Hitler was a bitch."

"He wasn't?"

She smirks.

"You know what I mean."

"Let me guess, Kain doesn't want her?"

"Understatement. He can't stand her. She attacked his little sister once because Tatiana saw her hug him. Kain was pissed."

"And no one does anything about it?"

"Who should do something? The school? The one that her father practically owns? They're biased, and that has turned the little s**t into a monster. She has this vibe, you know? Like she's the queen around here so she's entitled to whatever she wants?"

"That's so cliché."

"What is?"

"The whole evil b***h wanting someone who doesn't give a s**t about her thing."

Jade just shrugs.

"Why did she pour coffee all over you?"

"She didn't want me taking notes in class. She wanted me to sit back and look pretty."

"Oh, you must be one of them! You gave me a totally different vibe for a second there."

"Them?"

"The spoiled brats?"

"What? No! Why would you even assume that?"

"Tatiana only talks to people she thinks are as rich as she is. Trust me, that's not a lot. Her father is the governor, a fact that she doesn't let people forget. She talked to you for a reason."

I chuckle to dismiss her.

"What is the Kain hullabaloo all about?"

"I guess there's only one way to find out."

"You have a crush on him?"

"Kain is my friend and my boyfriend is his best friend, so no, I don't have a crush on him. I just like pointing out the obvious."

I nod absently.

"I see."

"So, where were did you go to school before moving here?"

I flop on the bed and I brief her about my previous schools. She asks a lot of questions, and I don't hear the door opening until Jade looks up.

"Hey boys?" She smiles warmly.

"Hey, stranger?" Jay smiles back as he pulls her into a hug. She squeaks in mock pain when he tightens his arms around her, and I start to laugh before George pushes Jay away, scowling at him.

"You don't need to hug her for so long!"

Jay rolls his eyes.

"She loves me. It's not my fault I'm so hot. It's not like I can help it."

"You know you shouldn't believe everything your Mom says, right? It's her job to make you feel good about yourself."

Jay turns to look at me.

"Do you think I'm good looking?"

"I mean-"

"Yes or no."

"I'm gonna go with yes, only because it's the truth."

Jay's lips upturn in a smug smile as he turns back to George.

"You keep your girlfriend. I have Bella now."

Jay is kind of strange.

He is very tall and very cute; with a nice, dimpled smile and sandy blond hair, and he appears to be rather sweet and playful.

And goofy, just like George promised he was.

"You're staring at me." He says with an easy smile as he lowers himself beside me.

"I was.. not."

These boys make me very nervous. I've never been so close with a boy in the past because..my mom.

"It's fine, Bella. I'll take the staring as a compliment. I'm glad you like this." He flexes his bicep, and I watch as it bulges under his shirt.

I follow the movement with pure amusement.

"That's not a lot of muscle, Jay. Can you not do that ever again?"

He bursts out laughing.

"You're in denial. Give it time."

"Honey, give Bella a break. You'll scare her off." Jade says from where she is standing with her arms around George.

"Am I scaring you off?"

"Just a little." I smile at Jay when he pouts. "It's fine. I can handle it."

The door knob turns.

"Kain is here." Jay says as he sits up.

The door opens and he walks in.

Oh..

Shit!

"Jade?" He acknowledges her with a polite nod.

"Hey, hotshot?" Jade smiles sweetly in return.

Both Jay and George burst out laughing while Kain cringes as he lowers himself into the chair beside the study table.

I just missed out on some inside joke.

Kain glances at me very briefly then he turns away, shaking his head at something George says before he pulls out his phone and focuses on it.

I guess we're just gonna ignore each other then.

I take advantage of the moment to steal glances at him.

He is rather tall; just a little bit taller than George and Jay. His hair is a dark mop and his eyebrows are thick. He's casually dressed in jeans and a jacket, and he is insanely gorgeous.

I tear my eyes away from him when Jade clears her throat. I peek at her, and she's giving me the 'told yah' look.

I bite my bottom lip as I look away, fiercely glad that none of the boys noticed me checking him out.

"We got you some books." That's George, and he's passing me a couple of new books.

"Thank you. Why are you guys even helping me?"

"Because you're very pretty." Jay replies, making George roll his eyes.

"Well, Tatiana was terrorizing you and we happened to be right there. The least we could do is help. Plus, you don't know anyone so-"

"Thank you so much. All of you."

I could cry with gratitude right now.

"Don't mention it." Jade tells me as she steps away from George. "I have class. I'll see you guys later."

"I'll walk you." George offers.

Kain gets to his feet and slides his phone back into his jeans pocket. Jay slings his bag over his shoulder while I gather my brand new books.

According to my timetable, we have one more class in an hour's time. I can't believe I already missed my first class in my new school.

It's such a relief that this school doesn't run like like any of the previous ones I've been to. I'm sure it's something to with the target students.

The classes aren't as many, and the core subjects are evenly spread out through Thursday and Friday. The timetable is very student friendly on the other three days.

This is like a fancy college on steroids.

I guess that's why Daniel chose it for me.

I'm so spoiled.

I snort under my breath.

"Where are you guys going?" I ask Jay as I stand up.

"To the cafe, I hope. I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry." Jade points out.

"Why are you saying that like it's a bad thing?"

"It's not bad at all. Now that Bella is here, maybe you could bring her to buffets in the future?"

"Well, I hope she won't get a boyfriend. You stopped going to buffets with me the moment George started thirsting after you."

"I can assure you I won't get a boyfriend." I tell Jay who's smiling at me. "I'll come to buffets with you."

If I want my Mom to kill me, I think to myself.

Jay's eyes light up.

"Thank you, shortcake. You're my favourite friend already."

I can't believe Jay just called me shortcake.

Right on cue, Kain's phone rings. We all turn to look at him when he cusses under his breath, and he frowns as he listens to the other end without a word. His shoulders visibly droop, and he finally shakes his head.

"I'm on my way. Don't let her out of your sight." He instructs the caller before he hangs up.

He gives his friends an apologetic look.

"I have to go. It's my Mom."

They all seem to understand, and he walks out of the door without a backward glance.

"I hope his Mom is okay?"

It's George who replies.

"She's going to be fine, Bella. Don't worry about it."

George wraps an arm around his girlfriend as we pile out of the room while Jay falls into step with me.

"How's your first day so far?"

"Crappy."

"Because of Tatiana?"

"More or less."

"Don't worry about her. We can handle her. Plus, I don't think she's going to mess with you again. She has some respect for kids who are as rich as she is."

"I'm sure."

"What's your surname? Your family must be renown around here."

"It isn't, actually. Mom and I just moved here." I clear my throat as I change the topic."Is Kain always that aloof?"

"Aloof? Kain is not aloof. Why would you say that?"

"He just gave me this vibe, you know? Like he doesn't like anyone?"

"I'm sure he likes us a lot. He just doesn't know you. Plus, he's kind of going through something right now. Hey, wanna go get food? Zac is paying."

"Zac?"

"He's our friend. He lost a bet last night, so lunch is on him this week."

"He has to pay for your entire friend group?"

"Just me. You're my guest.. My plus one."

I smile despite myself.

"I could pay for myself."

"That's not how plus one works tho, is it?"

"I can't even believe that we have to pay. Every normal highschool I've been to provided food for their students."

"This isn't a normal school. You've met Tatiana. You should know." I stay quiet, so Jay glances at me before he continues. "They used to make food like regular high-schools, but the students rioted because the food was allegedly crappy. Now you have to buy whatever looks good to you."

"That's...unusual."

"The school has a relatively small population so it's easily achievable, and we all like the new system better. You can buy food or snacks whenever you want."

"That makes you very happy, doesn't it?"

Jay smiles back.

"I could tell you about it all day."

"I'll introduce you to my best friend tomorrow. You're going to love her." Jade tells me right before we part ways.

"I can't wait to meet her. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

George walks away with her while I follow Jay through the café to a table which already has one occupant. He fist punches Jay before he grins at me.

"Hey? I'm Zac, but you can call me tonight if you want."

"Bella." I smile back.

"Sit next to me, Bella?"

"I'd rather not." I reply pleasantly, lowering myself into the booth directly opposite him. Jay chuckles as he sits beside me.

The cafe has waiters. How odd! The fee here must be equivalent to a small bag of gold.

A girl who is barely my age approaches our table, and Zac makes a face when I ask for a cupcake and a canned drink.

"I thought girls only ate salads?" He jokes.

"Yeah, we are rabbits. We only eat veggies."

Jay laughs so hard he almost falls off the booth.

**

Before I go home, I have Jade and Zac's phone numbers. I kind of made friends on my first day and I even managed to copy the notes from the class I missed.

I feel really good about myself.

Students stop to stare again when Ryan parks the car. I wave goodbye to Jay and Zac who walked me to the parking lot before I get in the back seat. Their eyes are wide with shock since they weren't around in the morning when the rest of the school was gawking.

My Mom, who is lounging on the sofa when I walk in, furrows her brow at my dress code.

"Those are not your clothes. What happened?"

I quickly think of a lie. If I tell her the truth, she'll get paranoid, and I don't want to worry her.

"I slipped and fell. A friend I made today offered me her clothes since mine got all dusty."

"She walks around with a change of clothes?"

"She stays in the dorms."

"They have dorms? I thought it was a day school."

"You didn't look at the newsletter?"

"We only got here last night. Daniel had reassured that this was the best school ever, and I happen to trust him a lot."

"What are the odds that you'll let me live in the dorms?"

"What do you think?"

"That you'd go back to Dad before you let me out of your sight?"

She smiles at me.

"You're a smart girl, Bella."

*

Upstairs, I take a long shower and I change into a pair of comfortable sweats and a tank top. I brush my hair, then I sit to do my homework.

As a last minute thought, I decide to close the curtains since the sun is setting.

I grab the curtains, and I'm about to pull them together when something catches my eye.

It's someone.. But still..

My breath holds in my throat as I watch Kain.

Shit!

The room that's directly opposite mine is his bedroom!

He's standing there, gazing at the ground between the two houses, and he appears to be lost in thought. A frown is etched on his face, and he's absently tapping at the window sill with the pen he's holding.

His hair is all over the place. It looks like he's been running his hands through it all day.

I'm not sure how long I stand there wondering whether it'd be intruding to ask if he's okay. The shock of finding him here hasn't fazed out yet, and I'm scared that he'll just ignore me.

He's done it before so excuse me.

When he feels the intensity of my eyes on him, he slowly raises his gaze, and he tenses when his eyes hold mine.

Recognition flashes on his face as he stares at me.

He's obviously surprised to see me just like I am shocked that he lives next door.

He hesitates, like he's considering saying something, but he appears to change his mind. Very slowly with his eyes on me, he pulls his window then shuts it. I watch as he closes the curtains and I can't see him anymore.

Great, just great.

Taking a deep breath, I follow suit; closing my window all the way and pulling the curtains.

I sit on the bed, my heart beating like crazy.

I guess living here won't be all sunshine and confetti after all.