Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  Praises for the book

  “This story is full of emotions! There is less drama, but the way you wrote it touched my heart” <3

  ~ Isha ~

  “Amazing story! Brought me to tears. Your writing was beautiful and you’ve done a great job.”

  ~ Anushka ~

  “I could not stop reading it! Love the book~~ This story was definitely an unputdownable one!”

  ~ Kaitlyn Racheal ~

  “I literally sat and read the whole thing in one go. Such a beautiful story and such an amazing character development and… JUST PURE AMAZING!!! You are such a good Author and I wish you luck in everything.”

  ~ Addy ~

  “This is definitely one of the best stories on Quotev!” <3

  ~ Mia Bisset ~

  “From a reader’s point of view, I like how the writer pays attention to details; how she pieces up the story and how she talks about every character until we know him/her well. The story is sweet and there’s a spark in it that encourages you to read on”

  ~ Unanimous from Inkitt ~

  To my Mom, my only inspiration. And my bestfriends, Aarvie and Shubhangi.

  PROLOGUE

  I open an empty notebook, twirling my pen in my hand, thinking of what I need to write as my final work. I've been a writer for quite some time, but I decided to put an end to my writing career and concentrate on my family.

  I place the tip of the pen at the top of the page; still unsure. Looking around, my eyes fall upon a photo frame seated neatly on my study table. It was from back in the days, when I was in high school, with people most dear to me;

  Especially a certain someone.

  My mind swirls with the memories, but I push them back. This wasn’t thee time to be reminiscing the good old times. There’s a story that needs to be written

  With a smile, I look back to the empty page that I’ve been staring at all this time. I’ve decided.

  My final masterpiece is going to be, my story to the world.

  CHAPTER ONE

  I stood in front of a noisy classroom. The teacher seems to be struggling with quieting the students to announce to them a new student has transferred; Me.

  I moved to Lyon, France all the way from America. I was born and raised in Miami Florida, and a year earlier I wouldn't have imagined myself in a country where English isn't even spoken much, but a language I struggle with. But after an Incident, I needed a change. I needed to get away from my school, friends, and family to get a breather. My Dad studied in France during his college days, so he had quite a few friends he could get help from. One of them was the principal of the school I've enrolled in.

  The principal, Camille Andreas, is the younger brother of my Dad's best friend whom he had tutored while living in France. He was more than willing to take me under his care and have me enrolled in his school. Camille was only thirty-six and was living with his twin sister Felicity, who was married and had an obnoxious, rude son a year older than me. He had clearly been displeased seeing my face and demanded that I be sent back to where I had come from. He totally treated me like some animal from a zoo.

  A sudden loud noise brought me back to my senses. Looking around for the source, I find the homeroom teacher holding a steel ruler. She must have banged it on the table to get everyone's attention. It worked like a charm. Every single eye in the room strained on me. Sighing, the teacher turned to me apologetically.

  "Please go on dear," she says motioning to the class.

  It was weird seeing a class full of kids with Uniforms; White and blue checkered skirt, pants in guy's case, short white sleeved shirt, navy blue blazer with the school's badge on the left side and navy blue and white tie. My previous high school allowed casual wear; thus, it was such an annoyance to wear one of these uniforms first thing in the morning.

  "Bonjour." I start, flinching at my own greeting. "I'm Amelia Brooke. I've just transferred. Nice to meet you all." I say monotonously. I was never the dull kind. However, I had no intention of getting along with anyone in the class. I'm just here to pass my days and try to forget what happened.

  There was no response from anyone, except one kid who was grinning goofily from ear to ear, rocking back and forth on his chair. A baseball cap was plopped sideways on his head, slightly revealing his strawberry blonde hair.

  "Why did you transfer to our lycee in the middle of the year Amelia?" the goofy kid asks, his eyes gleaming.

  Lycee? He must mean school.

  "I had personal reasons," I reply to him in remorse. The kid did nothing wrong, but I hated being questioned.

  With a clap, Miss Valerie stood up from her seat which she had taken while I was introducing myself. She faced me with a smile.

  "Now that introductions are out of the way, why don't we assign you a seat?"

  Saying so, she turned to the class scanning every nook and corner.

  "How about over there? Next to Pierre? He seems to be willing to be best buds with you." She gently pushes me towards the class. Tugging my school bag strap, I stare at the class.

  Who's Pierre?

  The guy with the baseball cap motioned to the empty seat in front of him. Guess he's the one.

  I drop my bag on the desk and sit down. I could feel the stares from every direction but I ignored all and faced the whiteboard in front.

  "Psh. Psh! Amelia!"

  Turning around I was closely faced with the goofy guy. A wide grin still plastered to his face. I wasn't sure if it was fake or genuine.

  "What?" I ask him quite rudely trying to make it clear to him I was not here to play friends.

  "I'm Pierre Thomlinson. Ravi de Vous rencontrer Amelia." He says extending his hand. He sure loves saying my name a lot. Not sure what he meant, I just shook his hand, gave a nod and turned.

  "Amelia. Amelia!" He was calling my name again. I clenched the strap of my bag tightly. If he doesn't stop, I'm going to hit him with my bag.

  "Ame..." a whiteboard duster came flying and hit Pierre straight in the face, his cap dropping down revealing the most ridiculous bed hair I'd ever seen.

  "Leave Amelia alone, you moron!" Miss Valerie yelled, hands on her hips. Pierre gave her a grin, to which she groaned earning the laughter of the entire class.

  "Forget about him. He's always been a bird-brain," a girl, seated next to me, said, pointing her thumb to Pierre.

  "I'm Ninnon. Nice to meet you." She says with a vague nod. I gave one in return.

  She wore glasses, but behind them, I could see large chocolate brown eyes. Her hair was bluish-black done in a high ponytail with bangs covering her forehead. She faced the class once more, and so did I.

  The classroom was filled with laughter and teasing, and I tried my best to zone out of it all.

  Unlike back in America, where we had to shift classes, here in France the respective subject teachers came to the classroom. Which was a disadvantage to me. I was hoping to bunk a few and go find a spot I could call my own.

  After what felt like forever, the bell rang signaling break time. I’d been seated on the same spot for hours, my butt started to ache. Everyone around me sighed in relief. Pierre dashed out of the classroom even before the Math teacher had left.

  What's with this guy and his way of living?

  Everyone in the class formed cliques and began eating home-made lunch boxes while a few walked out in groups to the cafeteria. I am on my own, so I decide to head out and look for that personal spot of mine. Ninnon turns to me, and at the same time, Pierre arrives, panting aloud as he stood in front of my desk, holding a wrapped hotdog, looking at me expectantly.

  What? He ran all the way to the cafeteria and back just so we could eat together?

  "Am..." He starts but was interrupted.

  "Mia."

/>   I'm called Mia back home, but the only person who calls me that here in France just to irritate me is that jerk. Even before I saw his face, I scowled.

  Standing by the doorway, leaning on the wall with a bored and arrogant expression was none other than Adrien Valentin, aka Principal Camille's rude nephew.

  "Yeah, it's bad to see you too." He said looking at me pointedly.

  The class grows silent as they exchange glances from Adrien to me. What? They've never seen opposite sex interaction?

  "You know the Vice Prez?" Pierre whispers to me, but his shock must have been as enormous as his voice, because he was practically yelling. A look of utter shock replaced his goofy grin.

  "Who?"

  "The Vice President of the student council. You seem to be acquainted with him." Ninnon says nodding her head in Adrien's direction.

  The guy in my vision had his shirt untucked, tie loosely hanging around his neck, blazer unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up. How in the world can such a person hold the vice president position? More like the school's number one delinquent if you ask me.

  "Are you coming or what?" Adrien asks his voice laced with annoyance.

  What's the big deal? I never asked him to come fetch me for Christ's sake. The fuck is he acting so arrogant?

  Unzipping my bag, I grab the lunchbox rude boy’s Mom generously prepared for me and get to my feet.

  "The only guy I know in this school is my Dad's friend's arrogant jerk nephew." Saying so I follow Adrien who had already started walking away not waiting for me.

  "Isn't Adrien Valentin the nephew of the Principal?" I heard Pierre asking Ninnon. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her give a nod.

  "SHE'S FRIENDS WITH THE PRINCIPAL!?" Was what I heard last. Pierre's yell was most likely heard by the entire school.

  CHAPTER TWO

  It's only been a week since I transferred to this school, and I'm already fed up. I never asked to be all chummy with the school's number two idol. Let me tell you, the bastard hates it too.

  Adrien only kept an eye on me because he was asked to by Uncle Camille. Since I was a foreigner, he was worried if I'd fit in with the rest and ever so sweetly asked his stupid nephew to give me a hand occasionally.

  Ever since the first day, when he came to fetch me for lunch, half the female population in my class started giving me the cold shoulder. The heck? It's not my fault he appears when the lunch break bell rings or that he walks to school with me. We live under the same roof for jinxies sake!

  The whole living-together had become THE-NEWS of the school. And before long, I had girls from other classes and even seniors coming to check who this girl who stole their prince charming was.

  Grumbling I pull out my chemistry textbook and pencil case. Walking through the hallway with every single eye on me was super exhausting.

  "You seem to be in a good mood."

  Looking up with a frown, I notice Ninnon standing there with a smile. Over the week the two of us had hit off. I know I didn't come here to make friends, but she wasn't like any other girl here. Not too outspoken, nor bitchy but with a unique smartness and gentleness, she easily won me over.

  "From which angle, do I seem to be in a good mood?" I ask her as she sets her bag on the ground beside her chair. She gives me a shrug and before she could say anything more, there appears the other nuisance who had me feeling exhausted.

  "Ameliaaaaaaa!" Pierre shouts rushing towards me, in full-speed. I had come to terms that his goofiness is not a facade but a part of his easy-going personality.

  Throwing his bag over my head, he crushes me with a mama-bear hug. Ninnon rolls her eyes as she pulls her books out of her bag.

  "Do that again, and I swear I'll throw your bag out the window, Pierre," I snap at him, pushing his hands aside. Laughing, he ignores me and skips to where Ethan is.

  Ethan Beckham is the popular guy in class. With his lustrous, tousled brown hair, hazel eyes and a tall built figure, the girls in the class considered him a gift from God. I would have thrown him to the playboy category if he had been a guy with just his looks. Unfortunately, he is smart too. Oh, and he happened to be Pierre's childhood friend.

  "You're staring too long Amelia."

  Shit!

  Ninnon didn't have to be so loud. This caught Ethan's attention, and he looks my way. Our eyes meet, but I soon turn around.

  "Next time, warn me before you do something stupid," I grumble to which Ninnon gives me a playful smile.

  "Alright, kids. Back to your seats." Miss Valerie barks as she enters the classroom. Everyone shuffled to their seats. "That goes for you as well Vivienne. Get off of Ethan's desk and for the love of God, pull down your skirt and button your shirt!"

  Vivienne is considered the most beautiful in class. Is that all it takes? First few buttons of the shirt open, showing off a great deal of cleavage, skirt too high that could show your panties with a light breeze, and face swallowed with the latest makeup, to be the most beautiful? Then the bimbos I knew back home would be considered Greek goddesses here in France.

  Flicking her dark hair and shooting Miss Valerie a glare, Vivienne walks to her desk. Of course, after throwing a flirty kiss towards Ethan. Gag me now!

  What's with the air kiss? urgh!

  Once again, I find myself glancing over to Ethan. He had his head facing downwards, staring at his open textbook. He wasn't the typical popular guy who basked in all the glory of being the best in class. Surprisingly he never paid attention to anyone in class except for a selective few guys and Pierre. Which is why I couldn't help myself but be slightly interested in him. Not romantically, but more nostalgically. He reminded me of someone back home.

  "Amelia."

  "Amelia."

  "Amelia Brooke!"

  "Yes!?" I say aloud as I quickly turn to see who was calling me. Oh, it was the homeroom teacher.

  "Glad to see your still here with us." And she marks my attendance. Ninnon givese me a smirk while I hear snickering from the back. Turning behind I give Pierre a death glare, the boy just grins back. I really ought to give up trying to scare this guy.

  I find Ethan looking directly at me. I couldn't read his expression. He was neutral.

  My phone vibrates. Looking at the caller ID, I leave the phone to continue ringing.

  It's Ryan.

  He's been calling me over and over since I moved. I left without even saying goodbye, and we've been friends since we were five! I was so messed up back then, I would have left even without letting my parents know if it hadn't been for them dropping me off at the airport.

  "You've two minutes to answer the call before Mr. Elias walks in," Ninnon says but I just shake my head at her. She gives me a sad smile and I turn to face the front ignoring her. I don't need pity. She doesn't know what had happened. No one does except for Uncle Camille, and his family. Which includes his nephew of course.

  Urgh! Just thinking about him makes me boil. He is utterly infuriating. He finds pleasure in irritating me. Or that's what I think since that's the only thing he does whenever I'm around. The dude doesn’t even like sitting at the dinner table when I’m around.

  I'll give him some credit though; Unwillingly. His Panko and Parmesan-Crusted Cod Fillets was the very first French dish I had eaten when I arrived at the Valentin household. Surprisingly I fell in love with it. Only later I was told that Adrien was the cook behind this delicious dish. Ever since, whenever I'm feeling down in the dumps, or when I come down after crying myself out, I find a plastic-wrapped plate of Panko and Parmesan-Crusted Cod Fillets sitting on the dining table. I'm not sure if they were meant for me, but eating it had always made me less miserable.

  However, that doesn't mean I would stop hating him. I take out my revenge through food of course. His favorite dish happens to be spicy rolled omelet.

  His Mom prepares us a lunchbox to school every day since she considers cafeteria food to be unhealthy and bland. And Adrien needs his rolled omelet every day! He lacks sweet tooth, so I always make
sure to add heaps and heaps of sugar into the omelet mixture while aunt Felicity looks away. I always get yelled at by the ass, but who cares? I just love to see his face morph into utter disgust once he takes a bite of his mouth-watering omelet.

  We always eat by the staircase leading to the school's rooftop. There were two stairways. The one we use is the old staircase which is under repair. We aren't supposed to be near the site, but Adrien being a delinquent ignores this and has me tag along.

  "Amelia." Someone shakes me hard. Swatting the hand away I glare at the person responsible for making me bang my head on the wall beside me.

  "What Ninnon?" I didn't mean to yell, but I was pretty much annoyed.

  "You've been zoning out quite a lot today. Are you alright?" Ninnon asks ignoring my outburst. She's gotten used to my ways of handling people. Sighing I give her a nod and a weak smile.

  "You two are being all friendly leaving pauvre Pierre behind," Pierre says with a pout adorning his face. He is said to one of the most adorable guys in the entire school and seniors come bearing sweets for the guy.

  Adorable my ass.

  He is plainly nerve-wracking. Like he is right now, shaking my arm back and forth. Ethan shakes his head and looks out the window.

  Clenching my fist, I turn to smash his head, but he's saved by our grouchy Mr.Elias walking into the classroom with a stern look on his face, yelling at us to open our books to page 139. The last thing I notice before I turn to face Mr.Elias is the look of pure hatred from Vivienne.

  My back is pressed to the door of a stall in the girls' restroom. Typical of these girls to drag me to the unused washroom. Standing before me was Noelle, Vivienne's partner in bullying as I call her. Vivienne is beside her, glaring at me.

  Right after class was over, and the bell had rung for the lunch break, Vivienne asked to see me outside of class. She got me to follow her, and I realized too late that a group of girls followed behind me.

  I stare back at everyone. If they think they can make me cry, they're in for a surprise. I've broken down so much in the past few weeks that something so trivial as bullying would never affect me.