Chapter 2 - Bump

I got out of my car and ran straight towards the school doors, I was late. "Why bother running? You're already late!" Ronnie yelled after me. I didn't listen too much to her - she was used to being late. Although she rode with me in the mornings, she was always tardy, either doing it on purpose or just being too lazy to get to class on time. But this time, she could blame it on me, we stopped by McDonalds to eat- I was craving a sausage egg McBiscuit - and I guess I enjoyed it a little too much. To add, we woke up late, ten minutes late from out regular schedule, yet we still bothered to get McDonalds, stupid hunger.

As I entered through the school doors, I went to the direction of my locker. I needed to get my book for my chemistry class and my binder. I made a screeching halt in front of my locker and opened the lock. I quickly shoved the items in my arms and slammed the door, making a run for my first block.

That's when I bumped into someone �" hard �" knocking me off balance, making my books and the contents that were in my binder fly all over the place. Like the papers, my butt also fell to the ground. "Ow." I said, rubbing my sides. "Oh shoot, I’m sorry Ruth." said the person that knocked me down.

I looked up and saw Connor offering his hand to me. I felt my cheeks turn hot. "Uh, hey… No, my bad, I should really look where I'm going." I said blushing. "And I should've walked, not run." I've always thought that Connor was gorgeous. I had sort of developed a tiny crush on him, but never said anything to anyone.

Connor had a charming personality and good looks to go with it. With his Irish sunset hair covering his hazel eyes, it made him look older than he really was, though we were the same age. His face was long with high cheek bones that defined his appearance, making his eyes stand out more with his light mocha colored skin. His body was wide and muscular, from all the practice he got from soccer and track.

With his hand still extended towards me, I ignored it and picked up my books. Being the gentleman that he was, he bent down and picked up my papers that were also on the floor as well. Handing my papers towards me, he asked, "Are you okay?" I took the papers from him. "What? Yeah, I'm okay. Don’t... I look okay?" I said glancing up looking at him, smiling. "No, I didn't mean it like that, like, it’s just seems like you have a lot on your mind at the moment." I put the papers in my binder. "Oh. I do?" He grabbed the last papers on the floor and handed it to me.

I didn't feel like explaining myself, at least not right now. I was already late for class. Though, it was true. I did have a lot on my mind. I grabbed the papers from him and stood up before he could say anymore. "Uh, thanks." I stuffed the binder in my bag. "Sorry about the whole bumping into you." I said walking backwards towards my class. "I'll talk to you later."

"Kay, see you Ruth." Connor stood there, waving.

I turned my back and started sprinting. I turned to the right corner and opened my chemistry class door, panting and gasping for breath - I am so out of shape. I found the whole class turning to stare at me.

"So nice of you to joining us Ms. Renold." said a sarcastic Mr. Herding.

"I-I- Sorry," He stared at me as I rushed to my seat.

I sat my tardy butt at the end of the 4th row, my regular seat. It was in the furthest seat from Mr. Herding, but still, when it came to a question I was clueless in, he'd still pick on me to answer it. I've managed to sit near my best friend, Suki. "Why are you so late? What the heck were you doing out there?" she paused, "Herding was about to have a b***h fit about you being late again. You know how he is when you’re late more than once." she lectured. I looked up at Mr. Herding. He pushed his small framed glasses up and marked me on the attendance. He set down the pen and scratched the side of his curly salt and pepper hair and ran his hands down his body, rubbing his slightly distended belly. Like usual he wore a worn suit, to his preference brown. It seemed that’s all he wore.

I put by book on my table and my bag to the left of me on the floor. "I'll tell you later." I shushed her with my hand. I wasn't planning on getting in more trouble.

"Take out your pencils, we're going to have a pop quiz." declared Mr. Herding.

The whole class let out a wave of moans and complaints.

"Silent! No matter how much you complain, you’re still going to take the quiz!" he shouted.

The whole class went silent and started to take out their materials from their bags. Who carries a pencil today anyway? It's usually mechanical pencils or pens. Mr. Herding really needed to get in touch with the 21st century.

Darnell, Ronnie's friend, a cheerleader, boldly asked, "Uhhmmm, sir? What if we don't have pencils, could we use the mechanical ones?" Mr. Herding glared at her as if she had asked him to do the quiz for her. "Pathetic," he muttered. "Raise hands, who here doesn't have a pencil?" I with the rest of more than half the class raised our hands. Only three people didn't raise their hand. Heather, a straight A student, who's known for being an over-achiever, Randy, Mrs. Bran's son, a math teacher �" so typical �" and Lloyd, the tuba player with the braces.

Mr. Herding sighed. "Sure, I guess you could use it. It's really sad. I would expect much more from you juniors."

The class had their silent moment of victory until, "Students that have no. 2 pencils get extra credit." said a smug Mr. Herding.

Once again the class sent out more complaints, Mr. Herding just shot a nasty look and all were silenced. "I'll give you about an hour for you to finish, if you don't you could finish it after class. We still have a lot to do."

The quiz wasn't that hard. It was basic questions, just a lot of it. I read the questions thoroughly, not wanting to miss anything that could give me the answer. I don't study, a nasty habit of mine. But if it were for a big exam, I would. I normally get low A's or high B's, the lowest grade I've gotten was a C. Not that I'm proud of it, it's just that I didn't turn in one project, big deal.

About forty or fifty minutes into the quiz, the door opened. I didn't bother looking up. The person that usually came through the door is either the person collecting a student or a teacher asking Mr. Herding for something.

"Oh, really now?" Mr. Herding asked the person, "Well, welcome. Have a seat and I'll introduce the class when they're done with their test."

Oh what fun, most likely a guest speaker. I thought sarcastically. I still didn't bother to look up. It was most likely to be a boring presenter, who'd talk about his job at the chemical plant or something. I really didn't want to listen to that, and neither did any of my classmates.

About five minutes later, "Okay, then. Everyone pass up their test to the person in front of them, and put their pencils away." Mr. Herding said. I passed my paper and I opened my bag, putting my binder and pencil away.

"I want you to pay attention." Mr. Herding addressed.

I closed my eyes, tilting my head back. I rubbed my temples. My eyes felt heavy. I didn't have much sleep last night. Dreaming of Justin was more of a nightmare.

Mr. Herding cleared his throat, "I'd like you to give a friendly welcome to your new classmate." In the corner of my eye I saw my class look up from what they were doing, I didn’t bother. My eyes were still shut. I kept thinking of my dream last night. Ugh my dream.

"Just state your name and give three facts about yourself. So we somewhat know who you are." Mr. Herding explained.

From what I could hear, the new student got up, and dragged their shoes across the floor to the front of the classroom. The one thing that I despise from teachers, in the beginning of the school year is that they make you introduce yourself in front of people you don't know. If you’re lucky you'll know at least two or three people from your classes before. Sadly, this isn't the case for the new kid.

The student sighed, "Uh, hi." That voice, it sounded familiar. My eyes shot open, with my head still tilt back.

"I'm Justin." My heart dropped, I shut my eyes as soon as I heard his name.

I slowly made my head straight, my eyes still shut. "Justin Hernandez."

My head felt dizzy. Did I really hear what I heard? Why, out of all the times to come back into my life would he suddenly come back now? It didn't make sense.

I swallowed hard, trying to get myself back into reality.

Before talking more he paused for what seemed like hours, "I'm seventeen... I went to school here originally, but had to move for personal reasons... and... I came from New York."

I had to face my fears. I had to see if it were really him. I exhaled and opened my eyes.

I looked toward the front of the class.

It was him. My heart fluttered in my chest like a hummingbird. It'd been years since I've last seen him, physically seeing him, not counting in my dreams. It was Justin, but not how I remembered him from long ago. The Justin I remembered had a round face, childlike, with soft features which made him look adorable, like he was still in the early stage of his teen years. He also had tan-ish skin, the color of a semi-dark cream. His eyes were almond shaped; his light green eyes making them stand out. His lips full, a strawberry color that made it seem like he put gloss to make it that color, but didn't. His nose was slightly bigger for his face, making it look like he was born with the wrong nose. His hair was short and spiky, clean cut. And his body was tall and lean. This Justin was different in many ways.

The Justin standing before be now had a long, strong boned face. His features were more defined. His skin now a lighter color, making him a nicely even color of cream. Making his light green - still almond shaped - eyes pop against his skin. His lips not full as before had become thin, with a pink color that made them look healthy. His hair was longer, hiding his forehead, making him have this grunge, scruffy look. His nose now fit his face, making it look as if it surgically changed. With his body still tall and lean, they now had muscle on them, making it seem as if he worked out.

Wow, had Justin looked... this sexy?

Overall, he looked good. He changed physically, but had he changed mentally for the better as well?

"Oh, he's hot." Suki whispered to me.

I glared at her, she didn't seem to notice.

Seeing him before me was upsetting. I felt like crying, screaming. My chest started to swell, making it hurt. I was breathing hard, close to hyperventilating. Tears started to make their presence know. I wiped them before anyone could see. I needed to excuse myself. I wouldn't want my sobs to cause a scene.

I raised my hand and bit my lip, forcing myself to stop crying.

Mr. Herding looked in my direction, "Yes, Ms. Renold?" I hid behind my classmate, so Justin couldn't see me from here. Though I was sure my last name was a dead giveaway.

I coughed, "May I use the restroom, please?"

He sighed, disapprovingly. "I suppose if you need it."

I waited, I needed to get out. Mr. Herding held up the pass for me to take, Justin was still up in the front, standing awkwardly.

I got up from my desk, letting my hair hide my face. I hurried to Mr. Herding’s desk, trying not to let Justin see my face. Maybe he thought it was another Renold. Distracted from trying to hide my hair, I tripped on my classmate’s bag, making me stumble to a few desks in front of me. OMG, how can things get any worse?! My class smirked at my clumsiness. I took a peek at Justin from my jungle of a hair; he was staring at me like I was an idiot. He didn't seem to know it was me. Hope he didn't.

I straightened myself up before going any further, no use in hiding it now. I pushed my hair away from my face, revealing myself to him.

I saw his face go stiff, his mouth slightly drop. I was staring right into his eyes, something that I haven't done in a long time. Mr. Herding cleared his throat. From my peripheral vision, he was waving the pass.

As quickly as I took the pass, I rushed to the door for the second time that morning, passing Justin on my way out to the hallway. My heart was beating like crazy, I was shaking. It felt so weird to see him, like I’ve seen a ghost. I wish I had seen a ghost, because seeing Justin come back was the scariest thing I've seen.

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