Unexpected

Gabby the Clued-In New Girl

Monday rolls around and after getting acquainted with Alex and his friends, I'm not nearly as apprehensive as I was before. Alex picks me up for school like he said he would and during the car ride he tries filling me in on as much petty drama that he can think of. It's entertaining to say the least, especially since I'm not as worried about trying to make friends with these people. From the sounds of it, I moved in down the street from the right person. Alex and his friends are so genuine and easygoing that I can't even pretend to hold interest in befriending the strangers I haven't met yet.

Alex's girlfriend, Sarah, was especially nice to be around considering she's one of the few girls in the group. I'd be lying if I said it didn't also reassure me that Alex wasn't being friendly for the wrong reasons. Nicole and I spent a lot of last week at Alex's watching him and his friends play video games and occasionally joining in. By Sunday night, I was starting to think this move might be for the better. It's not like I didn't have friends back home, but they were either school friends or the occasional person I had just enough in common with that hanging out together outside of school wasn't awkward. Alex's group is different, they cracked jokes that brought me to tears and made me feel like I was in on every inside joke they had.

After Alex parks his car that's admittedly too nice for someone his age, we walk to the cafeteria together to meet with the rest of the group. He told me they usually meet before school starts to have breakfast together, a ritual I find endearing.

Not being much of an early bird, I pick at my food until I decide it's time to get my schedule and locker combination from the office. I let Alex be, since he's eating and already gave me a ride. The student body isn't as large as my last one, which I've picked up on from the way everyone's in each other's business, so I assume the school's relative size won't make it as difficult to navigate on my own.

Passing through the double doors of the cafeteria, a boy heading towards me stops short when he sees me, turns around, and begins walking in the same direction. I decide not to comment on it, knowing full well he didn't just forget where he was going.

The office isn't far, I make it without any interruptions from my new travel companion.

"Gabrielle Davis." I tell the front desk upon prompting. They hand me my schedule and a packet of welcome material that I'll most likely be tossing soon. After pleasant exchange and reassurance that I won't need any more help, I leave to meander around until I find my locker.

The boy from before is waiting outside the office, bright hazel eyes glinting beneath a head of wavy brown hair as I notice him. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to do whatever it is he was planning on doing. He just continues to look at me, unperturbed by my questioning glare. His tan arms are crossed loosely in front of him and a subtle smile plays at his lips. A mixture of annoyance and flattery hits me as he stands there, leaning against a wall with so much ease it's unsettling.

I push both feelings away, opting for a peaceful solo tour around the school before it gets busy. As I begin walking away, he falls into step beside me and I realize that may have not been an option.

"Are you new?" He asks, craning to see my papers.

I just nod, already tired of this conversation.

"What's your name? I'm Austin." He says smoothly, causing me to look at him and catch his smile.

"Austin? Like Alex's friend, Austin?" I ask, as it starts to come together. Austin, the one with the player reputation. A pretty foul one too, from what Alex was willing to divulge about his friend. Even then, I know he was trying not to speak too badly of him.

His face falls ever so slightly, as though I've disappointed him. He was probably counting on having the advantage of a more clueless new girl.

"You know Alex?" He asks, some of his charm gone and an uncertainty taking its place.