Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  The morning classes go by as slow as a turtle. Half the time I was nodding off, along with my sidekick Pierre and had the teachers throwing the duster at us.

  Like right now, I’m about to nod off, when the bell rings loudly jerking me from my most needed nap.

  I blink once, then twice and try my best to make out my history teacher’s face, but no matter how much I blink, his partially bald head is full of dark hair, and his stuck-up face is full of goody goody handsomeness.

  And what the fuck!? The pervert is panting so loudly looking at me.

  I shake my head hard to clear my head and grab my pencil case to throw at the creep, teacher or not; he needs to be punished, but his hand wraps around my wrist grabbing the pencil case from my grip.

  Ewww!

  “Oh… wait… Adrien? Why are you, my history teacher?” I ask confused to which he gives me an even more confused stare like I just asked him the weirdest question.

  Oh wait, I did

  “What? What the hell are you talking about you weirdo? And are you drooling?”

  Shit.

  I quickly pry my hand from his strong grip and wipe my mouth with the sleeve of my blazer, my face flushing in embarrassment.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask a now smirking Adrien.

  Ninnon extends a hand and grins at me wickedly. “Pay up.”

  Ohhhh. So its lunch break now. Damn! Adrien must have run all the way, which explain the panting earlier.

  “And she’s grinning now.” Ninnon sighs pulling back her outstretched hand.

  “You were betting if I’d show up or not Mia? You wanted to have lunch with me that bad?” Adrien said, his lips tugging upright showing us a sneaky smirk.

  “Oh shut up twinkle-toes. Ninnon made the bet herself.” I grab my lunchbox and stand up yawning and stretching myself to clear away the remaining drowsiness inside of me.

  I stare at my friends and Adrien and they in return stare back at me with a raised brow.

  “Back to school happiness much girl?” Ethan asks jokingly and I stop myself from yawning again and give the four a lopsided grin.

  Adrien shakes his head and grabs my hand pulling me after him. I turn around and wave my lunchbox at my friends and follow Adrien. More like he’s pulling me like some toy and I’ve to follow him with no other option.

  Right now I’m a second year, which means our secret hideout is on the same floor. Just the thought of going back there sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.

  I couldn’t keep the grin from showing up on my face.

  Adrien sensing my excitement chuckles and I join him laughing at how childish I am.

  When we get closer, I make a run towards the secret hideout, hoping no bratty first year had taken over.

  Like I’d care. I’d grab the collar and throw em out.

  “Slow down, would yah?” Adrien called out from the back, continuing to walk as slow as a snail. I just stick out my tongue at him, not giving a damn to what he says.

  Thankfully, the staircase was deserted.

  Yes!

  “Now what? Dance the maraca?” Adrien teased and I throw him a glare earning a chuckle.

  We were having pancakes with blueberry sauce and fried bacon. Of course, Adrien had his share of rolled omelets which sooo did not match the food in the lunchbox.

  I open the small container which contains the sauce and pour it over my pancakes. Grabbing the fork, I dig in.

  I moan as the deliciousness hits my taste buds. I forgot I’ve got company, and so he reminds me of his presence.

  “Seriously? Moaning? What are you having se-“ I cut him off before he said something vulgar, by shoving a loaded piece of pancake and syrup into his mouth.

  And so I hear him moan in delight. He quickly stops and stares at me. I smirk. That’s how it’s done bitch.

  “Fine fine. It’s delicious.” He says and soon starts eating ravenously.

  Oh, how I’ve missed Aunt Fel’s pancakes!

  “So how have you been?” Adrien asked in between eating. I raise a brow, trying to interpret what he’s actually asking.

  “America. Home. You did well?”

  “ofcoooourse.” I drag mockingly. “That’s why I came back”

  “Oh”

  That was all he replied. ‘Oh’

  Sighing I take a bite out of my pancake and turn to completely face him. “It wasn’t bad. But not entirely good either.” He waits for me to continue. “It was good being back home with my family and friends. But going back to that hell-hole of a school wasn’t very entertaining. What with that A-hole always within my sight. And then there’s his bimbo followers and the rumors which kept escalating each day. I kept remembering unwanted memories.”

  I stare into Adrien’s deep emerald green eyes as he stares back at my grey ones. I delve deeper trying to find a hint of pity. But no. there was none but understanding.

  I was only a stair below him. His big, warm hand crept over to mine, taking a hold of it and giving a gentle squeeze.

  “It’s okay now. Your home safe.” He says and I can’t stop myself from smiling.

  “I missed Lyon. And my friends here. My classmates. The school. Uncle Cam. Your parents. And-” I take my hand away from his. Heat creeping onto my face as I was about to mention that I’d missed him as well.

  I stopped myself just in time. The last thing I want is having him teasing me and laughing in my face.

  My hand was recaptured by the guy. Seriously? Why not glue it with yours?

  “Adr-“

  “I missed you.” Was all he said as his eyes bored into mine making me feel double self-conscious. It wasn’t the I’m-checking-you-out look, pfft that’ll never happen. But more like an I’m-so-glad-you’re-back nostalgic kinda look. And this weird shitty look he’s giving me was making my stomach do flip flops.

  Speak Amelia speak!

  “Pfft.. what? I’m pretty sure you didn’t Omelet boy.”

  Wow. Omelet boy? Original much? And who’s teasing whom now?

  Adrien pulled me closer, leaning forward his face was closer to mine, his breath making my face tingle.

  “I did.”

  Why oh why does he have to have such a manly, husky voice?

  I bet a million bucks, I was blushing furiously with my face looking like it’s been dipped in ketchup.

  Shit.

  Shit shit shit. Why do I not have any comebacks when most needed?

  And so I opened my mouth and said the worst thing that popped into my mind.

  “What? You falling in love with me or something?” I said with a laugh, prying my hands away from his and turning forward to close my finished lunchbox.

  Great. Now I’ll never be able to see his face.

  “Maybe I am.”

  One second.

  Two seconds.

  Three seconds.

  Fuck.

  WHAT!?

  I turn my face around quickly to get the bastard to repeat whatever it is that he said. “Wha-” but I was cut off when something warm and soft touched my dry lips. And it wasn’t the yummy pancakes.

  It was Adrien’s soft, pink, plump lips.

  Adrien was kissing me.

  It was a quick peck but felt a lifetime. Adrien stood up and lowered his gaze to meet mine, his lips which a moment ago had been pressing on mine, held a smirk now.

  And just like that, he left leaving behind a poor, mind-shattered/blown/destroyed or whatever the fudge girl behind a.k.a ME

  Mother of sweet unicorns! What the fucking fuck just happened?

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Okay, Amelia, Just calm down.

  Calm down.

  Calm the fuck down! Geezes what the actual unicorn shit just happened!?

  I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a gazillion hair fall right about now, with all the hair-pulling I’ve been doing.

  Like, the hell? Who wouldn’t?

  Oh god. Did Adrien just… kiss me? On the lip!?

  My first kis
s.

  Oh god. Why the hell did it feel so… good?

  I touched my lips with the edge of my fingers, reminiscing of what had happened during lunch break two days back. I could still feel his soft lips as they touched mine. His warm breath which fanned my face, as his god-gifted emerald green eyes staring at me.

  It hasn’t even been long since I came back, and I’ve already started hiding away from the jerk who stole my first kiss. Creeping away when he’s in view. I even climbed out a window and dashed home, slamming my room door shut before he could bang in.

  Thank heavens it was the ground floor of the school.

  Urghh... Why did he do that? What did he mean by ‘Maybe’?

  Does Adrien actually… love me?

  No no no. That’s a big NO bitch! Oh, C’mon! What’s it in me that he even likes? We’ve never even gone on a single date before.

  Okay so we’ve been out together a couple of times, BUT, but those were times out with a friend

  Or were they?

  Did he invite me all those times, cause he wanted to go out with the girl he likes?

  I kicked the dustbin in front of me, making the papers in it fly all over the god damn place. Do I care? Hell no!

  I got a few weird stares from passing by students. Do I care? Fuck no!

  “Amelia Brooke?” a hand grasped my shoulders making me shriek and I decide to run away, but the hand grabs hold of my collar, stopping any movement.

  Ass-hole I’m about to choke!

  “Let me go you, alien invader, from the world of unicorns!”

  Great. Just swallow me whole darn ground. You’ll be doing the world a favor.

  “Alien invader? Unicorns? Now I know how you spend your free time.” A teasing voice said from behind me.

  My captor.

  Oh god, and I so knew this voice.

  Turning behind, I brace myself to stare into the pretty-boy face of our school Student Council President a.k.a the best friend of the first kiss thief.

  Evan chuckles as he looks at my uncomfortable form, squirming like a caterpillar in front of him.

  “Everything alright Amelia Brooke?” he asks, his lips oh so very obviously trying to break into a wide grin.

  “I’m fine. Stop laughing!” I snap, which only makes him chuckles once again. I sigh giving up.

  “Sorry sorry. But are you sure you’re alright? You’ve been staring into space these couple of minutes, then you pull out your hair, mess it and the final victim was the poor dustbin whom you kicked.” He says all these in one breath

  Dude, you’re superman I tell yah.

  “Sorry. I’m all good. Just a little messed on the head.” I said, sighing once again. He steps back a little since we were standing too close much to my annoyance and he must have felt it.

  “Messed up? Why?”

  What are you, my Mom?

  I just gave a shrug

  “Does it have something to do with Adrien?”

  “Adrien? What? Where, where? Shit! I gotta r-” Before I could dash away he grabs hold of me one more

  “Woah there, girl. Hold your horses. I asked if it’s something to do with Adrien. Not Adrien is here.” He says, a smirk now adorning his well-polished face.

  I glare at the guy. I mean, it’s not even his fault I’m so jumpy. I can’t help getting mad.

  “So it does concern, Adrien.” When Evan spelled his name out, my body tensed. “Did something happen?” he continued to ask me. I just remained tight-lipped.

  Should I ask him if Adrien’s said anything lately?

  No. just keep quiet Amelia!

  “What are you even doing here?” I ask annoyed. He gives me a weird expression like I’ve gone crazy

  “I study here? Senior year?” he said in a questioning manner like he’s questioning my sanity. I face-palm myself and groan aloud.

  “I meant, what are you doing here, on the second years’ floor? Aren’t you guys supposed to be studying and making society and shit proud?”

  Wasn’t that what Ms. Valerie barked at us? How come we’re not allowed to set foot on their floor, yet they waltz into ours whenever they want.

  When the fuck did the school belong to you 1ilting1? My conscience whispered to me, but I kicked it aside.

  “Oh. Well, the principal asked for me, and his office happens to be on the first floor. And since there’s a single stairway we students use, I have to pass by the second floor to descend to the first years’ floor through the stairway.” He explained to me as if trying to make a toddler understand. I’m pretty sure my brainpower is worse than a newborn baby.

  “So. About Adrien.” He began ignoring the fact that I’d stupidly demanded why he was here and went straight to the subject on what was going on.

  “What does Uncle Cam want?” I ask trying to change the subject.

  “Really Amelia Brooke? Why are you dodging the topic?”

  God! Be on my side for once

  I sucked in my breath and formed a tight line, keeping my lips shut. Evan gives in and sighs in defeat.

  Yes, baby!

  “We, the Student Council members are in our final year. So it’s time we start looking for new members to take over.”

  Oh. That’s right. This is Evan’s, Esmee’s, and Adrien’s final year in school. Just a couple more months and they’ll be graduating.

  A sudden pang of hurt struck me. Adrien will be leaving school.

  We live in the same house. But once college starts he might move out.

  Geezes. Why did he have to kiss me and confuse me now!?

  “Amelia Brooke?”

  “Dude, stop calling me by my full name for god sake. Amelia is fine.” I cry out loud, so the pipe-brain in front of me would stop going ‘Amelia Brooke’ every time he addresses me.

  “Sorry about that. Anyways, about the Student Council.” He stops and I raise a brow.

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you interested in running for Student Body President?”

  “Yeah right. No way! I’ve enough on my hands. The last thing I want is trying to tame annoying bratty kids, and run a school according to rules.”

  He chuckles when he sees my face all screwed up. I can’t believe he even asked me something of the sort. Me? Student body President? Pfft, God wouldn’t be able to bear that fact.

  Evan opens his mouth once again, but I raise my hand and he halts. I’m not having this guy asking me about his annoying and confusing as hell best friend.

  “Uh…” he starts and I just stare at the dude. Does he not understand that raising a hand means ‘Stop’?

  “If you’re trying to hide from Adrien, then I think you better start running”

  Wait what?

  “What?”

  “He’s walking towards us from behind you.”

  Fuck!

  I turn around and sure enough, walking towards us in all his glory and majesticness (if that’s even an effing word!) was Adrien Valentin.

  “Shit. Say it sooner dip-shit” I yell as I run off.

  “Dip-shit?” I hear Evan repeat to himself in shock. Guess no one has ever called him that.

  There’s always a first right?

  “Mia! Mia stop. Don’t you dare…” Adrien yelled making heads turn, I just continue to dash away.

  Don’t follow. Don’t follow. Don’t follow!

  “Owww…” I hit my face hard on something.

  “Are you alright?”

  Okay. It’s not a ‘thing’ but ‘someone’

  “I’m fine. Next time don’t stand in the middle of the effing way dude.” I snap rubbing my now hurting nose. I check for nosebleed but come clean.

  What? Precautions people!

  “Effing? Dude?” metal-chest body guy repeats after me. Doesn’t anyone use ‘effing’ and ‘dude’ here? Or is this guy a special exception?

  I look up and meet chocolate brown orbs, staring directly at me. A hint of excitement and playfulness visible.

  Someone like Pierre.

&nb
sp; He’s a crazy tall guy. Must be 5’10 at least. I had to crane my neck to stare at his face, which I must say is quite cute.

  “You are the new kid.” He said looking at me, his accent laced with French, a grin breaking out, revealing a set of perfect white teeth.

  Uh hello? New kid?

  “No. I’m not a new kid. You’re the new kid here dude. I just left for a couple of months and am back. So stop the ‘new kid’ shit.”

  He stares at me, seeming to be taken aback by my way of talking, but then grins once again.

  Okaaaay. This kid reminds me of Heath.

  “Sorry. Guess I am the new kid here.” He said correcting himself now, and I nod, nose held high, hand planted on my hip, my body oozing awesomeness.

  Girl, you were just running away from the guy, in whose house your living in!

  Damn you conscience. You just had to ruin my mood!

  “Yeah, whatever. I’ll be hea…”

  “I’m Shyne.”

  “What?” he dares to disrupt me? And what the hell is he talking about?

  “I’m Shyne.” He repeats.

  “Okay. And what am I, Glimmer?” I scoff and the guy who thinks he’s hot enough to call himself Shine. Even the pretty boy president is humble.

  “No no. what I meant is, my name is Shyne. S.H.Y.N.E. Shyne Fendis.”

  “Oh.”

  Who the fuck name’s their kid Shyne?

  “Well, ‘Shyne’ It’s nice to meet yah. I’m Amelia Brooke. I’m in a hurry so…”

  “I know you. Well, literally everyone does in the first year section since your always with Adrien Valentin, the stone-face.”

  Did he just,

  Oh no he didn’t!

  “Did you just call Adrien, Stone face?” I ask an edge to my tone. Why I’m annoyed, let’s figure that out later.

  “Yeah. That’s what everyone calls him. Since he does have a stone face. Or must I say had”

  “What are you implying weirdo?” I ask, tapping my foot on the floor impatiently.

  “He used to be grumpy, with no smile and less talking. Which earned him the title ‘Stoneface’. But now, he’s, well you know, a cheerful guy disgustingly. I wonder what happened to make him be a normal human.”

  I tried to ignore the fact that this creep kept insulting Adrien. My mind was trying to make me fight for justice, but my heart kept skipping beats and so finally it won, making me flush for god knows what reason.