Chapter 3 WHO ARE YOU

CHAPTER THREE

As her mom stopped the car at the front of a large building, Anika looked up and read the large inscription "HORRY HIGH" carved at the top of the building. She was so carried away by the sight that she didn't know when her mom got out of the car.

"Aren't you coming out?" Her mom asked.

"Mom I can't"

"Why?"

"This skirt is too short and I am not comfortable in it".

"Anika!! Don't get on my nerves. Come out while I am asking nicely or I'll come over there and drag you out."

"Alright. I'm coming" she grunted then closed her eyes and took deep breaths.

Picking up courage, she got out of the car, drew her shirt lower then went to her mom.

"It looks good on you" her mom commented with a proud smile plastered on her face.

"Seriously?" Anika couldn't stop fidgeting with her skirt.

"Yes, I'm serious. All you have to do is feel comfortable in it, then it will look better".

"Okay mom, I will. Bye".

"Bye. You can go ahead. I'll watch you go before I leave".

"Okay." she said and started off into the building. She felt giddy and unsure.

She had all the unanswered questions and feelings that came with getting into a new school.

When she got to the main entrance, she turned back to wave goodbye to her mom, then she entered the school building, getting ready for the worst.

"What are you doing out here when classes are ongoing?" A smartly dressed lady, who Anika later realized was Miss Ivy, questioned her.

"Good day ma'am. It's my first day here." Anika responded

"So what are you doing here? Go introduce yourself to your classmates".

"Ma?"

"Oh, you are new and don't know your class. Okay follow me... what's the name?"

"Anika. Anika Michelson."

"Hmmn, Anika...nice name."

"Thank you."

Miss Ivy led her to a hall way and pointed to a door by the left.

"That is your class. Would have taken you in to introduce you myself, but I'm really busy right now, so I have to go. See you later." Miss Ivy excused herself as she turned and started walking towards where they had come through.

Since Miss Ivy had left, it was up to Anika to walk to her class and introduce herself and that she will do. Picking up courage, she started walking towards her class room.

Now getting closer to the classroom's door, she saw a teacher coming out of the class and heard the student in the class saying "thank you sir" while some said "get out sir" and there and then, she lost the courage she had. She knew that it will be very difficult to introduce herself to this sort of people.

Such rudeness.

No one had the guts to do this at her previous school. The teachers were strict about manners.

She took hold of the door knob, took in a deep breath, then she turned the knob and opened the door. Now inside the class, she looked around and saw that a lot of activities were going on that they didn't notice when she entered.

Some students were singing, arguing, drumming, laughing in groups and they were obviously having so much fun.

So Anika decided that instead of interrupting their fun with her introduction, she would look for a place to sit and later, they will know themselves better.

She found a seat beside a dark girl and was about to ask for permission to sit there when someone shouted.

"Hey who are you?!" the voice asked and unexpectedly, the class became quiet and all eyes were now on her.

When she rose her head to speak, her eyes met with those familiar eyes and that made her surprised and uncomfortable.

What is that guy doing here? Wait. Don't tell me he attends Horry High also. Aaggh! Anika was still lost in her thought when another voice called out.

"Hey don't you have a mouth? Speak up."

All eyes were still on her. Then she decided to talk. After all, talking was not a problem for her. She loved talking.

"Hi everyone, I'm Anika Michelson and I'm new here, so I hope we get to know one another better as time goes on and we achieve greater thing together." Anika spoke, with her head held up high and her eyes meeting everyone's apart from Vincent's.

The silence remained for some seconds and suddenly, the class became noisy again and everyone went back to his or her activity.

When Anika heaved a sigh of relief, was when she realized that she had been holding her breath all along. She then went back to prepping to talk to the dark girl.

"Hi, I'm Anika and can I be your sit mate? As in can I sit beside you?" Anika asked.

"Sure, feel free". The girl said and went back to reading the book that was on her table.

"Can I know your name, please?" Anika pleaded.

"Oh sorry." She finally took her gaze from the book and looked at Anika. "I was so engrossed in this book that I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Belle Anderson."

"Hmmn, Belle. What a nice name you've got."

"Thanks." Belle said with shy smile.

"So Belle what is Horry High like?"

"It is just a school for students who love books, sports, games and so on"

"That's good I think I like the sports and books aspect".

At the moment, Anika turned her head to take a glance at the activities going on when she noticed Vincent was staring at her.

The thrilling part was that even when their eyes met, he never looked away.

What does that guy want? Why can't he stop staring at me? Or do I look like a piece of rag to him? Hmmn. Such a proud and arrogant guy. Anika soliloquized not knowing that she said it loud enough for belle to hear.

"Who is it?"

"Hmmn?" Anika was surprised that Belle heard her.

"Who were you talking about?"

"It's not a big deal." Anika shrugged, almost brushing her off. Then she thought better of it as nothing could be lost. "It's that guy sitting in the second to the last seat in the first roll.

Belle turned back to check if her assumption was correct. Because no one sat on the second to the last seat apart from Vincent. And of course, it was true.

"Do you mean Vincent Danielson?"

"Is that his name? Do you know him?"

"Of course I do. Everyone in Horry High knows him and his group '3Hs' which consists of the three most handsome and richest boys in Horry High. But do you know him from somewhere?"

"Hmmn?" Anika was taken aback by the sudden twist. "Well, sort of. It's just that we live beside each other, I mean my house is beside his. And shockingly above all, our room windows are directly opposite each other."

"Are you serious? Or are you just pulling my legs?" Belle had a doubtful expression on her face.

"I'm dead serious".

"If it is true then why are you bothered? Just be happy my dear. But in your happiness, don't forget that there are people that you mustn't cross their path".

"Like who and who? Uhm, not like I'm that curious. Just asking."

"Look at that blonde girl." Anika had to turn to the far right to see who Belle nudged her head at. "Her name is Milly. She goes around acting like Vincent's girlfriend when the guy take her as shit."

Milly was a medium sized blonde girl with sharp black eyeballs and through the way she carries self, you will know that she was one of the 'big' girls in school.

"Why will a beautiful girl like her be falling from an arrogant guy like that?" Anika questioned.

"She looks beautiful on the outside but, my dear, she is a beast in the inside. I'm just warning you never to cross her path else, you might.." Belle was interrupted.

"Hello, what's the name again?" The individual asked.

Anika and Belle looked up to see a tall guy looking down at them with slanted black eyes.

"The name is Anika Michelson. And you are?" Anika spoke up after few seconds of hesitation.

He let out a low chuckle that didn't reach his eyes, then said, "No need to worry. You will know me very soon." Then off he went.

"Who's that dude? " Anika asked looking dumbfounded.

"That is another person you have to avoid. His name is Mark Davis, but he's fondly called 'The Devil'. Through that kind of name, you are supposed to realize the kind of person he will be. So Anika, I advise you mimic the likes of us by being on your own."

"Alright I understand. But Belle you are not going to be on your own anymore because I want to be your friend. Can I?"

"Me? Your friend? You are too beautiful to be my friend."

"Belle you are beautiful too. Alright what is the meaning of your name?"

"BELLE means BEAUTIFUL in French".

"You see. And I like your personality. When others didn't have time for me, you gave me a sit and explained things. I like your kind of person, so can we be friends?

"Okay, I will think about it".

"Belle, please." Anika said with her palms together batting her lashes, playing along. "Please."

"Alright I have heard you." Belle replied smiling.

"For real?"

"Yeah."

"Wow. Thanks."

"My pleasure."

Anika and Belle hugged each other.

I've got myself a friend. Anika thought with a bright smile plastered on her face.