The New Girl: Chapter 3

Chapter 3 (Andrew’s POV)
Today was the day. It was 7:00. Damn I was late like always. I knew I was going to be rushing to get to school like always. The guys tell me I like to be Fashionably Late. I called Alex and told him to tell the guys to not wait for me.
“Hey, running late again.”
“Andy, this is the 3rd day in a row, what are you doing?”
“I just don’t hear my alarm, sorry. I’ll see ya in homeroom.”
“Alright, bye.”
I rush to get ready. I grab the classiest thing that I have. I always seem to be complimented on this outfit. Maybe Erica will like it. It’s a skinny tie and Army-styled shirt. I grab my backpack and rush out. Practically at a full speed run, I made it to school with 1 minute to spare. As I’m stepping into the school, the bell rings.
“Mr. Lee, you’re late.” I whip around to see Mr. Opaque standing in the Main Office’s door.
“I was here before the bell rang,” I said as I quickly try to make it to homeroom.
The guys are already seated around one of the tables. I sit quickly into my seat and luckily missed the attention of Sister Sherry. She always seemed to go after my group. She wanted to catch us in trouble, but we always seemed to JUST avoid it! Geometry was first and I was ready. I already told Jason that I wasn’t going to be sitting with them at Geometry. He just gave me the “are you picking up a girl” look and I just shook my head yes. A huge smirk came over his face. I wanted to explain to him that it was different not the normal hook up that our group was famous for. Erica’s eyes and hair were implanted in my head and I couldn’t get them out.
The bell finally rings and I book it out of homeroom. I’m the first one into Mr. Opaque’s classroom and I head to the seat where Erica was sitting at yesterday. I take a deep breath and act like nothing is wrong as I see her walk into the room. She stops as she enters and looks over to where I am. I see her take a deep sigh and slowly roll her eyes. She has to sit next to me because all the other seats are taken by other students in the class. The table we were at was the only open spot. As she sat down, I said hello.
“Hi.” She responded back coldly. This was going to be harder than I thought.
“How was your evening? Did you understand the homework?” I was trying to make some sort of conversation.
“Yeah, it was easy.” I would have loved to know what she was thinking, she seemed so aloof. Mr. Opaque walked into the classroom and the class got quiet. Mr. Opaque might have been a little odd but we all respected him because he respected us. Throughout the whole class, I noticed Erica slowly was moving her chair away from me. Her back was also facing me and she had her feet in the aisle instead of under the desk. I start to drown Mr. Opaque out again and just stare at the back of Erica’s head. I noticed she would do quick look backs at me throughout the class while she was taking notes. The bell rang and I noticed that Erica was packing up slower than she did yesterday.
“What was the homework again?” I asked. I really didn’t know the homework but I also wanted to talk with her.

“Pages 230-231 in the textbook, all the odd problems.”
“Oh, thanks. Are you really good at math?” This was all a part of my place
“I’m decent. I got all A’s at my school in Albuquerque.”
“Would you want to help me some? I never get it and really need some help.” I was holding my breath. If she said yes, I would be okay. If she said no, I had NO idea how to get her to talk to me more.
“Well, I’m really busy getting used to the city…”
“Please!” I interrupted her. She looked up at me with tons of questions in her eyes. I could tell she was trying to figure me out.
“Okay. Can you do today after school? Meet in the library?”
“Yeah, that’s fine!” I tried not to show the excitement in my voice but it was hard to hide. Part 1 of the plan was crushed. “Thank you so much. I will you see later, have to get to gym class.
I ran into the locker room with the cheesiest smile on my face.
“Uh oh, someone’s got a hot date.” Mike said hitting me in the arm.
I laughed nervously. “No, just a math tutor.” I was hoping it would turn into a hot date, but I don’t want to resort to my old ways.
“A math ‘tutor’” Jason said mockingly. He moved his fingers like he was putting quotation marks over tutor, implying something more. His mind was always in the gutter.
“Guys, seriously, she’s just helping me with math. I need to pass the class to graduate. I don’t think you want me to be stuck here while you guys are off getting all famous.”
The guys simultaneously agreed with me. I knew they needed me in the band. The rest of the day passed by slowly as I continued to watch the clock for 3:43 to come so school was over. The bell rang and I booked it out of my History class, to my locker, and finally made it to the library. I looked around at all the tables and found her. I took a deep breath and sat down.