01: Nice To Meet You

sorry for this bigass para I'm about to write, but I feel like it's very necessary to say this. STOP IT WITH THE HATE COMMENTS. I know this book is a very typical cliché badboy/nerd/dramatic trope, AS I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE FOREWORD ALreADY??!!#%##& no one is forcing you to read this book. if you comment things like "wtf is she even saying; girl, you need to stop with the cheesiness/stupid stuff" i will get annoyed.

i am AWARE this book is not upto the par, but this was my very first book I wrote wayyyy back, and im sorry if its not upto your standards but you were warned, as a matter of fact. as far as my knowledge about the book I WROTE goes, there are 0 to none grammatical mistakes and I improve in the further chapters. if you dont like it, don't read it goddammit! No matter what you say, I'm very proud of this book bcs it helped me get out of a very bad phase of my life.

I've published a new book and am in the process of publishing 2 more, which are way better than this, which have more mature plots and themes that portray growth, love and compassion much better. so check those out if you don't want to read a cliché, or just simply be a HUMAN and don't read any of my works without leaving a bitchy comment.

I'm fucking proud of my failures, bad phases, cliché tropes and my growth. To those who stay and read, thankyou. To those who leave silently, thankyou. I don't hate you for that. You're allowed to have your preferences.

No hate, all love, peace.

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❝ I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22, everything will be alright, if you keep me next to you ❞

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"June, breakfast is ready darling!"

Mom's calls woke me up as I stirred in the sheets, kicking off the soft, crinkled  blanket after a few minutes of lazying around. A quick shower and dressing up later, I decided to send a goodmorning text to Stefan, well aware he would be still in his deep slumber.

That idiot, he liked to wake up late and then whine over how he was lagging behind on his schedule.

I was a morning person, I absolutely loved the fresh air and the sun peeking up from the brisk of the horizon, but Stefan was the one to pull an all-nighter and then sleep till the sun went up. We were often said to be the exact opposite of each other, but didn't they say opposites attract?

Stefan and I had been dating for three years, and those three years have been cheerful. I've known Stefan for about six years or so, and we thought it would be cool to take things to the next level.

Weird, I know. But then there was no one who'd be interested in dating me. People like me struggled to have a normal teenage life. I definitely wasn't the type of girl to have flocks of boys behind me. I was rather the girl found tucked away in the deepest corners of libraries, face stuffed in books.

Stefan was my best choice and chance, and I didn't let it slip. He captained for our school's football team, and was hence popular around school—unlike me.

"June, how long are you going to take to get out of that bed you're always in?" A frustrated mom shouted. Emily Williams, my mother, absolutely hated it when the hot and fresh food went cold.

Skipping giddily down the stairs, I saw her flipping the mouth watering and heavenly smelling pancakes skillfully, while the chocolate sauce and honey were waiting to be drizzled on them.

"Morning mum!" I kissed her cheeks lightly, as she smiled, her eyes staying focused on the pan.

"You are never on time. And I wonder where you got that habit from? Go now, seat yourself while I serve you hot pancakes."

"I know you love me mum!" I smirked, as she shook her head and slipped a pancake onto my plate.

"Excited about the first day of Senior Year? Is Stefan going to be picking you up?" Dusting her apron, she enquired.

"It's nothing special. I just need to survive another year and then I'll be out, chasing my dream to be a writer!" I said dramatically, waving my hands in the air. "And I'm walking to school with Katie."

"Dont be dramatic." She turned around, splashing the batter on the pan yet again. "Aren't you both—dating? Shouldn't he be picking up his girlfriend and driving her?" She had always found Stefan strange and called him the weird boy. He supposedly didn't pass her intuitive check.

"Yes we are dating, but it doesn't matter. We both have loads to do and we don't blame each other for that." I mumbled, the pancakes in my mouth not allowing me to speak clearly.

Well, I didn't really know what dating was supposed to mean. Stefan and I had always been friends and that is how we behaved around each other. He made me feel comfortable, occasionally took me out, and hung out with me on quite a few weekends. Mostly, for parties, because then he'd be wasted and I had to be the one to drop him home.

"Fine, whatever. I don't understand you teenagers."

I laughed and waved her a quick goodbye before heading to my bestfriends house down the street.

"June!" Katie squealed as she ran up to me and dissolved me in her warm but tight hug.

"God I missed you June, I've been away for like a week and the network range was so bad and I—" I cut her off before she could ramble away.

"I know, I missed you and your deathly hugs too. So how was camping with your step father?" I interrogated. She swung a hand on my shoulder as we started walking.

"It was alright, I mean my step father was all over my mother and I had to tolerate my dumbass stepsister who literally had her nose stuck in some Greek mythological book the whole time." I laughed as I pictured Katie being stuck with a studious sister.

Katie and studies? That was a bummer.

"But hey Greek Mythology is really interesting!" She slapped my arm and shut me up as I grinned.

"You know I hate books. I hate studying. But this society won't let me live if I don't have a degree. I'd rather open a bakery of my own." Katie loved baking. "But do you know what kept me alive?"

"What?" I asked, anticipating it to be some hot boy who stole her attention and made it livable for her.

"Our hot guide." Her eyes shone and I knew she was drooling over him in her imagination. So I was right.

"Seriously?" I asked, trying to control my giggles.

"Yeah he was so hot! But when I tried to make a move on him, he showed me a picture of his fiancé." Rolling her eyes, she kicked the pebbles on the road mindlessly.

I tried to hold back my laughter, as she sent a glare my way.

"Anyways that was a disaster. What about you? How's you and Stefan?" She asked, her tone suddenly serious.

"Its the usual, I'll meet him after practice and then he'll drive me back home. I thought you knew our routine." I pouted. She sighed and shook her head, her gaze drifting to the sky.

"June, little innocent June. I thought this summer vacation would've done something to you, but I see you're still the same." She sighed, turning her gaze to me. "Do you never get bored of him? He's not the ideal boyfriend, to be honest."

"What's there to be bored Katie?" Frustration started to build up inside of me. Well, I didn't have boys flocking around me, so hey, I made use of what was presented to me. Happily.

Katie always thought that Stefan and I were better off as friends. Agreed, we were friends before we were in a relationship, but I was okay with it. I mean who would want a girl like me?

I wasn't like Katie. She was beautiful with eyes a beautiful mix of green and golden colour, while mine were a simple pale brown. Her hair was wavy and an eye-catching auburn colour while mine were straight light brown locks. She was beyond beautiful and boys lined up to be with her. I was just the usual look over, whom people came to for favours when they had problems with their assignments.

Despite our differences, of course, I didn't hate Katie. I loved her with all my heart and soul, it was just that my life wasn't quite easy like hers. I had to ask around for party invitations to go to parties while Katie would get invited by ten other boys. I usually found my place with the nerds at the cafeteria while Katie would be dragged by the queen bees of the school to have lunch with them.

Of course she sat with me. Of course she took me with her to parties and introduced me as her bestfriend to everyone.

People smiled at her but just glanced at me. People hugged her while they just shook hands with me. People called her beautiful while I was recalled as "oh, that studious kid."

It stung but that didn't affect our friendship. I knew Katie never had that kind of negativity in her heart. In fact, she ran to save the freshmen and other under priviledged people like me from being bullied by the popular and famous groups. She was the founder of our school's anti bullying club. I was beyond proud of her.

"You need to live a little June, just fly a little, do stupid things. Youth is only youth when you cause trouble Chico," She mused, snapping me out from my thoughts.

I just smiled as the school approached; teenagers swarming in from every possible direction.

The first day of Senior Year was too lively and noisy for my liking. I couldn't wait to slip into the library and drown myself into books.

"Look, there's your man, approaching us at three o' clock," Katie informed, as she nodded her head towards Stefan, who was walking towards us with his friends.

He smiled and slipped a hand around my waist, pecking me lightly on my cheek.

"How were your holidays June?" He inquired, his friends engaged in a conversation with Katie.

"Uneventful. I read and read and read until I passed out!" I giggled, remembering how I had finished stacks of novels in three weeks.

"That's typical you." He guffawed, and his friends cleared their throats.

I blushed; clearly embarrassed.

"Cartwright, how were your holidays? I suppose it was just clicking workout photos and showing off on Instagram, wasn't it?" Katie stepped up for me, and I couldn't help but laugh at her comment because it was utterly true.

Stefan liked to show off his body too much. His cheeks reddened as his friends sniggered, some high-fiving Katie as she smirked.

"Whatever," He grumbled, rolling his eyes and turning to me. "I'll see you at lunch June." He smiled a little and I nodded. "Or not. I may have football practice." Katie put on a disgusted face and flipped her hair, as she watched the retreating figure of my boyfriend.

"He's weirdly obsessed with his body and I hate it, how can you even date him June?" She dramatically rolled her eyes, and shook me as if to wake me up from my dreams.

"You should really try to get along with him. He's my boyfriend after all and I wouldn't ever want my bestfriend and boyfriend to be on bad terms." A sulk creeped up my face and I walked away before she could even reply back. She caught up with me, and we strode through the hallway, suddenly hearing people whispering about some change that was made newly this year.

"What's going on?" I asked Katie as she quickly stopped a guy who looked too happy to be talking to Katelyn Evans.

"They've changed the classes this year due to some extra transfer students coming in. The management took this chance to shuffle everyone, having at least seven talented kids in each class so that they can help the average people." He filled us up, and walked away. We saw people crowding near a notice board, probably to see the classes they were alloted to.

"June, what if we get separated? Who's going to save my ass from failing?" Katie whined as she stomped her feet in anger.

"It's alright, we won't be separated Katie. And even if we are, it's not like we won't meet!" I assured, patting her back. We made our way towards the notice board, as Katie tiptoed to look.

Now that's where I was at an advantage. I was taller than Katie, much taller actually. She reached up to a cute height of 5'4 while I elegantly towered upto 5'7. Most of the girls weren't that tall, and many admired my height.

"June, just use your height for once!" She gave up her feeble attempts to see the board and stepped back giving me some space. I smiled and pushed my way to the front, towering over a group of girls.

My eyes scanned over to the 'J' section and I saw that I was placed in the fifth and the last divsion of grade 12th, while Katie was placed in the third.

It was heartbreaking. Now I wouldn't have Katie to sit beside me in lectures and it also meant that I would have to make new friends, which was apparently a huge challenge for me. She was always a motivator and an energy machine. I'd miss her presence.

"That's not fucking fair. Why do they suddenly find the need to improve the grades of the wasted?" She was ready to throw hands.

"Katie, it's okay. We'll meet at lunch and we already do sleepovers. I always do your homework, so stop making a big deal out of it and accept it. The school probably had their own reasons to separate us." I tried to negotiate with her.

"You always manage to convince me with your wisdom-laced words." She pouted as she hugged me.

The bell rung, and Katie gave me the long face which meant that she didn't want to part ways with me. Neither did I. To say, I wasn't really excited about the whole situation but I was looking forward to how it would be with an altogether new class and teachers.

"June, you know right that the division you are in consists of the school bullies? You could apply for reconsideration to the Principal. I'm sure Mrs Jones will understand, taken that you are an asset to the school." She pleaded.

I knew she was trying to sway me and a part of me wanted to, but I had never really been out of the box. How bad could it be with a bunch of bullies and smokers? Like they would even care if I was there or not. I had always been the girl to be left alone because people assumed me to be serious about homework and someone who sacrificed parties for exams. I usually blended in with the background.

"Katie, it's okay. Anyways people won't care about me and I'll be left alone to my books," I cooed, hugging her back. "Go now, your class is starting." I pushed her towards her class, as her lips set in a thin line.

"Okay then, see you at lunch baby girl." Defeatedly, she hung her head and dragged her feet to her class. She could be such a baby sometimes.

Remembering that my books were still sitting in the locker and I had only five minutes to make it to the first lecture, I started to run.

Clutching the economics textbook in my arms, I started to walk to my class which was at the far end of the hallway, quite deserted from the rest of the school.

A low grunt made me stop in my tracks. The low grunts seemed to emerge from down the stairs, a few feet away from the classroom. The hallway was mostly deserted as people had already left for their classes.

Who could it be? Was someone hurt?

Something always triggered inside of me if someone was hurt. My instincts kicked in and I just had to look out for anyone who was in pain. My father, being a doctor in the military, had always taught me to help others if they were hurt, no matter who that was.

I slowly stepped down the stairs to see a boy clad in black leather jacket and black jeans, clutching his head, as his eyebrow bled. The blood oozed out steady and fast, and he seemed too dazed to know what was going on.

I panicked and frantically searched for anyone around, but my voice was stuck in my throat. I ran towards my locker, bringing out the first aid kit I always kept for safety reasons, and rushed back down the stairs. Throwing my bag and books on the floor, I sat in front of the boy.

He was insanely handsome.

I shouldn't be thinking about his looks right now.

His eyelids fluttered and opened a little as he saw me fumbling with the antiseptics. Dabbing the cotton with a bit of savlon, I brought it up to his head, my hand hesistant.

"I—I'll need to touch you, excuse me." I apologized, as I gently removed his hand from where he held it and cleaned the wound. He winced and I felt like I was hurting him, so I dabbed his bleeding wound more gently.

He fell silent and closed his eyes. My eyes settled on him, observing his sharp features.

I caught his hazel brown eyes which were just like mine when they pierced in mine earlier. His jawline was sharp and enlightened his facial cut. His lips were soft and full, not too big and not too small, just the perfect. His hair was black and messy, making it fall over his forehead.

I applied a band-aid and closed the box, the noise making him open his eyes.

"It's done." I informed, looking down and turning around to walk back. Suddenly pulled back to the ground, I squealed, his hand gripping my wrist tightly.

For a moment he spoke and did nothing as his beautiful hazel orbs dived into mine. My stomach was on a roller coaster ride; his fingers searing my skin wherever he touched me. Jolts of heat rushed through my abdomen, my heart picking up a dangerous pace.

Too fast, it was too fast.

"Thank you." He whispered, his gaze still holding mine. His eyes shone and at that moment I felt as if there was nothing around us. It was just me and him. His eyes seemed to break the barrier between me and my soul, and peeped right in. It was so intense, that my hands shook. He stood up, giving me one final look and strode off to God knows where.

Shaking myself from the trance I was in, I made an attempt to stand up but my legs gave away. I held the railings tightly as my breath hitched.

What had he done to me? Was I bewitched?

Picking up my scattered books, I shakily  made my way to the class, apologising to the teacher for coming in late. The whole class stared at me. All of them were unfamiliar faces. I had never seen them in school ever before. Were they really a part of Moordale High?

Fortunately I found an empty table for two, and happily made my way to it.

"I will begin on the basics of macro economics. I expect you to open yo—" The door was pushed wide open roughly as a boy stood there, panting.

That boy.

The one who was hurt.

"Ah Ray Rutherford. I was wondering where you might have been? Been fighting again, huh?" The teacher, Mr Smith, as he had introduced earlier asked, as the boy, Ray, just smirked.

His eyes searched the room and set on me. Right in front of everyone.

Too amused and embarrassed, I looked down, pretty sure that my face must have been a bright shade of red by now.

"I suggest you sit by Ms Williams. She is the first ranker at our school and it is a pleasure to have her here amongst you rookies." Mr Smith complimented, jutting out his chin and motioning towards me.

All eyes turned to me as some of them snickered, clearly finding me a joke. Rounds of whispered "nerd" went around as I bit my lip and continued to look down.

"It would be my pleasure, sir." He replied, his voice deep and husky, though sarcastic. Walking down the row in his elegant stride, he hung his bag and leaned into the chair, spreading his legs as he sat comfortably.

Way too comfortably for my liking.

His thighs, oh my god.

I frantically fiddled with my fingers but the fucker caught me and smirked.

Shit, he saw me ogling him out. What the fuck June?

"Nice to meet you, June." He mused, my name rolling out of his mouth so sexily that I suddenly fell in love with my name.

He simply scoffed at my reaction and continued playing with his pen, dwindling it between his long fingers. My eyes drifted to his hands, the veins popping out so very clearly.

I gulped at the thought of them on my neck.

Boy, what did I get myself into?

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First chapter is down! <3 lmk in what areas i should improve!