EAST SIDE ACADEMY
a teen romance novel
K.E. WOODWARD
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – The Beginning
Chapter 2 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Chapter 3 – Thank You for Being a Friend
Chapter 4 – A Little Party Never Killed Nobody
Chapter 5 – Perfect Strangers
Chapter 6 – Lost Control
Chapter 7 – Bad Blood
Chapter 8 – Save Me
Chapter 9 – For the First Time
Chapter 10 – Woman Up
Chapter 11 – Cautious
Chapter 12 – Cheap Thrills
Chapter 13 – Lucky
Chapter 14 – Hymn for the Weekend
Chapter 15 – Saturday in the Park
Chapter 16 – I Like Me Better
Chapter 17 – What Do You Want From Me?
Chapter 18 – Just Can’t Get Enough
Chapter 19 – Today Was a Fairytale
Chapter 20 – Something to Talk About
Chapter 21 – You & Me
Chapter 22 – Don’t Take Away My Heaven
Chapter 23 –Night Fever
Chapter 24 – Too Little Too Late
Chapter 25 – Bet On It
Chapter 26 – Everything But Mine
Chapter 27 – That’s My Girl
Chapter 28 – Don’t Talk About Love
Chapter 29 – Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
Chapter 30 – Tell Me Baby
Chapter 31 – 4 in the Morning
Chapter 32 – When You’re Gone
Chapter 33 – Evil Woman
Chapter 34 – Secrets
Chapter 36 – What I’ve Done
Chapter 36 – Hear Me
Chapter 38 – Jealous
Chapter 38 – Torn
Chapter 40 – Don’t Let Me Down
Chapter 40 – Kung Fu Fighting
Chapter 42 – Please Forgive Me
Chapter 42 – My Story
Chapter 43 – I Did Something Bad
Chapter 44 – Smoke Clears
Chapter 45 – The Game
Chapter 46 – Not Afraid
Chapter 47 – Come Clean
Chapter 49 – This is Me
Chapter 49 – Wake Me Up on Judgement Day
Chapter 50 – The Final Countdown
Chapter 51 – Cheers (Drink to That)
Chapter 52 – What About Now
Chapter 53 – Don’t Kill the Magic
Chapter 55 – Apologize
Chapter 55 – Save You
Chapter 56 – Let’s Talk About Sex
Chapter 57 – Do It for Love
Chapter 58 – All You Did Was Save My Life
Chapter 59 – How to Touch a Girl
Chapter 60 – I Could Not Ask for More
Chapter 61 – The Best
Epilogue – Remind Me to Forget
Chapter 1 – The Beginning
“That was then, this is now / Here we go, starting over / You decide, change your mind / Miracles happen every day” – The Beginning, RuPaul
Arya
“So, this is it then?”
“I’m sorry, Mia,” I reply. “I never meant for us to end up at East Side Academy.”
“Don’t apologize, Arya,” Mia says. “This is a fresh start for us.”
“A fresh start at our rival high school,” I joke.
“Are you worried?” Mia asks.
“I just don’t know how well they’re going to like us being here,” I say. “Two West Siders switching to East Side halfway through the year? It’s not normal.”
“You're exaggerating, Arya” Mia says. “We'll be fine.”
“Okay,” I say. “But wait, I thought I was supposed to be the big sister? How come it's you that's calming me down?” I look at Mia. We look alike in a lot of ways. Tanned skin, long brown, wavy hair, green eyes. Her hair is on the darker brown side while mine is more golden and I am slightly taller than her, but I fear that she will soon grow taller than me, which isn't saying much.
“You have a lot of emotions, Arya.” Mia says. “Sometimes you just need someone to keep you in check so that you don’t go completely crazy.”
“Completely crazy?” I ask.
“Well, we all know you’re a little crazy.” Mia smiles. “But it’s not a bad thing.”
“Thanks,” I say sarcastically. Deep breath. “I didn't think I would be this nervous.”
“Remember what you said, Arya? This is a new beginning for us,” Mia says.
***
Transferring to East Side Academy was not what I had planned when I started my Grade 11 year at West Side Academy, but after only a week into the second semester, I didn't have much of a choice. And unfortunately, my sister, younger by just two years, was caught in the crossfire as well and came with me. East Side is our rival school, it's everything West Side is not. Where West Side is rich and prestigious, East Side is just making ends meet. Where West Side wears uniforms and has prefects, East Side can barely get their students to follow the dress code. Where West Side has the best teachers, offering high-level classes, East Side struggles to ensure all the required classes are offered. So why would someone send their child to East Side over West Side? Is it the money? Well yes, but West Side is not a private school, there is no fee for admission. The big difference between the two schools is that West Side is a Catholic School and East Side is a Public School. The schools are part of two different boards, and it is obvious that the Catholic School Board receives more funding than the Public.
Now there are plenty of students at West Side that are not Catholic. Actually, there are probably more non-Catholics than Catholics at the school. They just know that they can get a better education at West Side, and if that means taking one religious class a year, then it's worth it. But not everyone feels that way. Not every parent wants their child to attend a Catholic School, not every student wants to attend a Catholic School. Not every student wants to surround themselves with the preppy snobs of West Side either. West Side Academy is as close as you can get to a fancy private school without actually being a private school. The Catholic School Board funding along with generous donations from the rich families of the school helps the school maintain its prestigious appearance. So if you don’t come from money or aren’t Catholic, West Side isn’t the most welcoming school. So it’s not surprising that West Side is dominated by rich families and less fortunate families end up at East Side, having to sacrifice a proper education, which isn’t fair but is unfortunately true.
My family is Catholic, and my dad is a dentist, so there was never really a question of which high school Mia and I would end up at. Mia's experience of West Side was short-lived, just a semester of Grade 9, so I am confident she will be fine with the transition. She didn't get enough time to make a name for herself at West Side, just exceptional grades that East Side was more than happy to accept. She didn't get a chance to make close friends. But it's different for me. I'm supposed to be graduating next year, and now I have switched to a school that will only know me as the West Side snob because of the school I attended for the past two and a half years.
As much as I’d like to think I’d go unnoticed, these East Siders will know me. You can’t be captain of the soccer team that has defended their title for the past two years and go in unnoticed. Even if they don’t know me, they know of me. This was supposed to be my third year leading my team to victory, a Grade 11 leading a senior team is unheard of, but a soccer player like me is unheard of. Oh, and one more important difference between West Side and East Side, while West Side dominates academics, East Side dominates athletics. So of course, East Side will know me from helping to take their t
itle the past two years. Mia doesn’t get it. They are just going to see me as a West Sider, that I think I’m better than them, but it’s not true. I just don’t know how to make them believe that.
***
“Here are both of your class schedules and a map,” Mrs. Slughorn says, handing pieces of paper to both Mia and me. The pretty dark-haired secretary has a friendly face, all eyes and lips, but beautiful, nonetheless, and she is being very kind to two students starting the semester a week late. I was expecting annoyance at our arrival. Ms. Pince from West Side was annoyed any time she had to do any more work than simply looking at her screen, but Mrs. Slughorn is different. Although, I know that Ms. Pince had a personal dislike for me ever since I bumped into her and spilled her coffee all over her blouse when I was in Grade 9. Never have I heard a woman shriek that loud. After that, I forever feared asking her for anything. I used to call her a fire breathing dragon. I swear, she would glare at me any time I was in her peripheral vision. She was also young, so there was no hope of her retiring or leaving West Side any time soon. “Now I've written your locker numbers on the top of your schedules. You can drop off your bags and then head to your first class. Let me just write both of you a late slip so that you don't get any trouble from your teachers, but they should already know that you are coming.”
***
“Locker 647,” I say as we walk out of the admin office. “On the second floor in the science wing, where’s yours?”
“259,” Mia replies. “On the first floor it looks like. What courses do you have?”
“Let’s see. Physics, Chemistry, Ancient History, and English,” I reply. “You?”
“French, Math, English, and Music,” Mia says.
“Okay, I’ll take you…” I start.
“No Arya,” Mia says. “I can manage this on my own.”
“It’s a new school, I just want to make sure you make it to your first class okay,” I say.
“You didn’t seem so concerned when we were at West Side?” Mia says.
I take a deep breath. “West Side and East Side are two very different schools. I don’t know the people at this school, and I don’t want to leave you on your own.”
“You do not need to worry, Arya,” Mia says. “Let this be our new start. I promise to come to you if anything goes wrong, but let's just make the best of this while we are here. A fresh start, remember? Away from West Side.”
“I guess you are right,” I reply.
“And just think, no kilt, no Religion class, no Ms. Pince, no…”
“Princess barbies with their kilts so short that you could see their asses,” I interrupt.
Mia laughs. “Pretty sure your kilt was rolled up as well.”
“Okay sure, but not to the point where you could see the colour of my thong when walking up the stairs,” I say.
“Ha! You'll never change Arya. You do realize there will probably be a version of the princess barbies here as well,” Mia says, and just then a girl with a very deep V-neck pink sweater and jeans at least two sizes too small walks by. Or struts, I can hear the click-clack of her heels down the hall.
“Do NOT dress like that, Mia,” I say when the girl is out of earshot.
“Yeah, like Mom and Dad would ever let that happen,” Mia says. “Anyway, I think we should at least try to make an appearance in our first class.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll just see you later then. Good luck with the first day. And make friends with someone in French,” I say.
“Why is that so important?” Mia asks.
“Because the extent of my French is Bonjour, Aurevoir, and ca la vie," I say. Mia laughs. “Not kidding, Mia. I’m lucky I’m not taking Grade 9 French with you right now.”
“Happy first day Arya,” Mia says as she turns away. I just stare at her walking away from me. A new start. A new start for both of us.
***
“Now please turn to page 35 of your textbooks.” I hear as I close the door behind me. I turn and see everyone look at me. Great. “Are you the new student?” the teacher asks from the front. A middle-aged woman with straight brown hair past her shoulders. Her black dress pants and green dress shirt make her look smart, but her high brown boots make her look fashionable.
“Yes,” I reply.
“Secord. Arya Secord?” she says looking at a sheet in front of her. I nod. “Well, welcome Arya. I hope you had no issues finding the class.”
“No, Ms. McGonagall,” I reply, silently thanking myself for checking the teacher’s name on the schedule before walking in.
“Excellent,” Ms. McGonagall says. “Now everyone, please welcome Arya Secord to our class. I trust you will make her feel right at home. Arya just transferred here from…”
“We already know she’s from West Side,” I hear a male voice call out and then whispers filtrate throughout the class.
“Silence please, everyone,” Ms. McGonagall says. “Arya please find a textbook from upfront and an empty seat and then we can return to class.” Ms. McGonagall glances at me, a knowing glance, an apologetic glance. Whether it was for the call out from someone in the class or that a West Sider switched to East Side, I have no idea.
Chapter 2 – You’ve Got a Friend in Me
“If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too / There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you / We stick together and can see it through / 'Cause you've got a friend in me” – You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Randy Newman
Arya
I take my time leaving the classroom, no one comes up to talk to me. They all just leave in their little cliques that have probably been established since Grade 9. But I can feel them look at me and I know they are talking about the new girl.
“It’ll get better,” Ms. McGonagall says, and I turn and see that I am the last one left in the classroom.
“Thanks, I’m sure it will,” I say, not believing it.
“They’re not bad kids but being from West Side they just automatically assume that you think you are better than them,” Ms. McGonagall says.
“I don’t think that, Ms. McGonagall,” I say.
“I know,” Ms. McGonagall says. “Although I am curious as to why you would transfer to East Side halfway through Grade 11.”
“There were just some issues at my old school, so I ended up transferring here,” I say. I’m not going to go into the details of why Mia and I are now at East Side Academy.
“Okay, well if you need anything, just let me know,” Ms. McGonagall says. “Personal or class-related, I'm always here."
“Thank you, Ms. McGonagall,” I say. “I should probably head to my next class.” And with that, I leave the class and head to my locker.
“So, you must be my new locker mate.” I hear as I start turning the combinations of my lock.
I look and see a beautiful tall girl with dark skin, curly black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and beautiful brown eyes. “Yes, that's me,” I say.
“You must be new. My name is Diana,” she says.
“Arya.” I say. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she says. “What grade are you in?”
“Eleven,” I reply.
“Oh okay, same as me,” she says. “What school did you come from?”
I hesitate slightly. “West Side Academy.”
“Oh,” she says. “Well I guess this is quite the change for you then.” She doesn’t say it rudely, more as a matter of fact, because it is true. A West Sider coming to East Side is a big change.
“Yes, it took me so long to choose an outfit this morning, not used to having so much choice,” I say.
Diana laughs. “Did you like wearing a uniform?”
“Honestly, yes,” I reply. “Just because it was so much faster to get ready in the morning. I didn't even have to think about what I was going to wear. But I haven't done back to school clothes shopping since elementary school, so my closet is lacking."
“Makes sense,” Diana says.
“Sup Diana,” a tall guy with d
ark skin and short black hair says, coming up next to her.
“Hey, Teddy!” Diana says. “Meet my new locker mate, Arya.”
“Nice to meet you, Arya,” Teddy says with a friendly smile. “You must be new here.”
“Yeah,” I reply. “First day.”
“She’s from West Side,” Diana says.
“Oh,” Teddy says, a little surprised, but not judgmental. “Well welcome to the dark side, there are plenty of people here who will bite, but I promise we won’t.” I laugh and he smiles. “What grade are you in?”
“Grade 11, same as us Teddy,” Diana says for me.
“Would you please let Arya talk, Diana?” Teddy says jokingly. “She’s not going to want to be friends with us if you don’t let her talk.”
“Oh, shut up, Teddy,” Diana says. “We were getting along just fine before you got here.”
“Maybe to you, you were getting along, doesn’t mean Arya feels the same,” Teddy says and then turns to me. “You can tell her to shut up anytime Arya, she talks far too much and asks too many questions.”
“Hey!” Diana says, slapping Teddy on the arm. “Don’t listen to him, Arya. But feel free to tell him to take a hike whenever he annoys you. Like now.” Diana eyes him.
“Sorry, hun,” Teddy says. “You're stuck with me for the next period. And your favourite class too!”
“Shut up. Minus Lisa and the other two barbies, I love Chemistry,” Diana says.
“Chemistry?” I finally interject. “I have Chemistry next as well.”
“Ms. Lockhart?” Teddy asks. I pull out my schedule and confirm that yes, it is with Ms. Lockhart. “Great! You can sit with us then.”
“What other classes do you have?” Diana asks.
“Physics, Ancient History, and English,” I reply.
“We’ll see you in English as well then,” Diana says. “Mr. Trelawney?” I nod. “Would be in Physics with you as well but decided to take it last semester. Already taking Math and Biology this semester.”
“Why do you do this to yourself?” Teddy asks.
“Getting into training for my Asian six-pack,” Diana says while patting her stomach.
“Asian six-pack?” I ask.
East Side Academy Page 1
