Welcome to Melview High School

“Get the fuck out of the car.”

I flinch, swinging my eyes over to her. She inhales, her cigarette between her lips and she raises her eyebrow when I don’t move.

My thumb runs over the scar on my wrist.

“Get the fuck out, Alina.”

I swallow, grab my bag and get out of the car. I don’t say anything, not even a goodbye. The hatred in mother’s eyes has gotten worse over the last few months. It tears me apart.

But I don’t blame her. It was my fault. I killed them. She has every right to be mad at me. To hate me.

Hell, even I hate myself.

She speeds away, blasting her music as I turn to face my new school. Mother couldn’t live in our old house, and I couldn’t either. When she announced one random Saturday morning that we would be moving across the country, I didn’t object.

It’s a fresh start.

No one knows me here, no one knows what I’ve lost.

I run my thumb over my scar again, and force myself to walk into the front office. The AC blasts into me and I wrap my arms around myself as I approach the desk.

“Hi,” I whisper.

The lady behind the desk holds up a finger as she finishes typing something out. “What can I help you with, my dear?”

I look over her shoulder to the motivational posters hung up behind her. They sour my stomach, and I blink away the tears. “I’m a transfer student.”

Her face lights up. “Oh. Alina? Alina Hanson?”

I nod.

“I have everything ready for you here. Your schedule, event and sports information, along with prices for lunch items and such.”

She places a folder in front of me and I offer her a thank you as I take it. I look at my schedule, twisting my lips together as I look at the classroom numbers.

“There’s a campus map in there for you, as well.”

I’m about to say thank you again when a deep, panty dropping voice drawls, “Good morning, Cheryl.”

I look to the door, spotting the person that just spoke and my mouth dries immediately. I blink, turning back to look at the counter as if it is the most interesting thing in the world.

The lady behind the desk looks up, her eyes beaming as she looks at him. “Aiden Matthews, late again today?”

I don’t dare look up as he stands beside me, warmth radiating from him. “You know our game was really intense last night, didn’t get home until 2am.”

Cheryl blushes. Literally blushes at the high schooler before her. I press my lips together, attempting to hold back my judgement.

“Oh. I know, I was there last night. You really pulled through in the last quarter. You saved us.” She rests her chin on her hands and I twist my lips together.

Aiden chuckles beside me. “That’s my signature move, Cheryl.”

“Well, I do need word from your father that your tardiness is okay.”

“Oh come on Cheryl,” He leans over the counter, and I catch sight of his sandy brown hair. “He just left for the city. He’ll be there a few days. You know what a busy man he is, I would hate to bother him for such a trivial thing.”

Cheryl shakes her head, smiling as if she can’t help the charm in his voice. “Fine. I’ll write you a pass if you show Alina around today. She’s a new transfer student.”

She looks to me and I widen my eyes, trying to tell her that I’m fine and do not need a a tour guide. I don’t want any attention drawn to me, and by the way Aiden carries himself and the way he talks, I’m sure he’s popular around here.

But, it’s too late.

He turns to me, giving me all of his attention.

I take him in again, drink in those perfect amber eyes of his. They’re warm, deep in a way that makes you feel like you are the only person he sees. His hair falls over his forehead, poking his eyebrows, and two deep dimples pierce his cheeks beside his deep smile.

“Well, hello there.”

“Hi,” I manage in a whisper.

He cocks his head to the side, smirking at me. I can feel my cheeks heat, the teasing look on his face is too much for me. He’s god-awfully handsome and it hurts me to look at him.

The phone rings and Cheryl sighs. “I have to take this, but be nice to her, Aiden. For me, please?”

She winks at him and I reel in my wide eyes, shock spreading through me. Cheryl picks up the phone and pins it between her ear and her shoulder. “Melview High School…”

“Alina, huh?” Aiden raises his eyebrows.

“Uh, yeah.” I tighten my hold on the straps of my backpack.

“Welcome to Melview, fresh meat.”

I frown. “I’m not a freshman.”

He bites his lower lip, those perfect, straight teeth of his turning his skin white from how hard he presses it. “You 18?”

I frown at the question, and shoot Cheryl a look, pleading for her help but she’s too busy talking on the phone. “Um, why?”

He cocks his head to the other side and shrugs. “Just wanna know.”

I nod.

His eyes study me, lingering on my chest before he looks down to my legs. It burns right through me, my stomach twisting and I press my legs together, awkwardly trying to ground myself. I rub my scar again and the movement catches his eyes.

He says nothing, just smirks and before I know it, he has an arm around my shoulder and he pushes me toward the door that leads to the inside of campus.

“I’ll show you the ropes, Alina.”

My stomach twists even more. His cologne wafts off of him and I have to stop myself from breathing it in with a long inhale.

I don’t miss the way he lets his hand brush over my breast. It shocks me, but I don’t say anything. I don’t even move when he does it again.

“English for first period? Fun.”

I look to him as he reads off my schedule which he has conveniently ripped from my hands. I have to lift my head, he’s almost an entire foot taller than me and when he looks down at me, he winks.

“Looks like half of your classes are with me.”

Fuck.

“I’ll make sure you feel right at home here.”

Fuck.