Chapter 2 The New Guy

Ann was nearing her breaking point. For the past two days, it had been nothing but Rex Radford this and Rex Radford that from her best friend Judith. Morning, afternoon, lunch, study hall-Judith couldn't seem to keep the boy's name out of her mouth.

"Oh my gosh, Rex is so handsome," "Did you see him smile at me during Chemistry? That pants-dropping smile!" "I swear he was staring this way! Like, directly at me!" "Rex has the most amazing jawline-it's like it was carved by angels!" "The way he just stands there-it's intoxicating!" Ann always scoffed at the flustered expression that would flash across Judith's face each time someone mentioned him. Each gush reverberated off her nerves like a jab-and increasingly, she found herself snapping inside. Ann gripped her fork with a strained smile as she sat across from Judith at their usual table in the canteen. Her mashed potatoes had long gone cold. Her sanity was hanging by a thread. And then came the final straw. Judith sighed dreamily, "You know, I think he smells like rich almond wood and sin-" "Enough already!" Ann snapped, slamming her hand on the table loud enough to make the tray rattle. Judith blinked at her. Ann exhaled sharply, trying to reign in her tone, but her irritation boiled over like a pot left too long on the stove. "This craziness has to stop. I need my mental health intact, and your constant 'Oh Rex this, Rex that,' is making me lose the last few brain cells I have. I don't want to go brain dead, Jud. So please-just stop for one minute!" Silence. Ann closed her eyes in blissful relief, relishing the rare peace... until the silence stretched on a little too long. She opened one eye cautiously. The canteen was dead silent. Which wasn't normal. Not by a long shot. Every pair of eyes was locked on her like she'd just stripped naked and done a backflip off the dessert cart. Some students looked stunned. Others amused. Many horrified. Judith sat stiffly beside her, eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal. Ann's heart dropped. "...What just happened?" she hissed under her breath, already standing and grabbing Judith's hand. "Time to go. Right now." They fled the cafeteria like fugitives, Ann's face burning with embarrassment. She didn't stop until they'd rounded two hallways and ducked into the old music practice room, now empty and dark. Once alone, Ann let go of Judith's hand. "Okay, what the hell was that? Everyone was looking at me like I set the building on fire! Did Avirina or one of her barbie minions do something to me when I wasn't paying attention? Did I trip some social landmine or-?" Judith clapped a hand over her mouth, trying-and failing-to stop giggling. Ann narrowed her eyes. "Are you laughing? I just humiliated myself in front of half the school and you're-?" Judith lost it. She cackled like a hyena, holding her stomach. "Ann... I swear... the way you said it!" She mimicked in a dramatic tone, "'I'm losing my brain cells, Jud, and I don't want to go brain dead!'" She wiped a tear from her eye. Ann just stared. Judith tried to catch her breath. "And the entire cafeteria heard you! You shouted it without realizing. And the best part? Rex Radford was sitting two tables away." Ann froze. "You're kidding." "I wish I was." Judith leaned against the wall, giggling again. "But the look on Avirina and her posse's faces? Priceless. They looked like someone just told them their Louis Vuitton was fake." Ann groaned. "Judith. Why does this kind of chaos always find me?" Judith shrugged. "Honestly? I think this year's going to be hell for you. But highly entertaining for me." Ann rolled her eyes. "Great." A shadow moved in the corner of her eye. She turned-just in time to feel a light tap on her shoulder. She slowly turned. And there he was. Rex Radford. Standing right in front of her. Up close, he was worse than she'd imagined-tall, immaculate, with a dangerous kind of handsomeness that made you forget your own name. His uniform looked like it had been tailored in Milan. His smile was calm, confident-predatory. Ann blinked. Boy, who goes around smiling like that? I almost got blinded. He extended a hand for a shake. "Hi," he said smoothly. "I'm Rex. That was quite a show back there." Ann hesitated. He continued, tone casual but laced with something sharper. "My friends said you were just trying to get my attention. Because you're poor and miserable or something like that. One of many theories floating around." Ann's mouth parted slightly in disbelief. "But..." he tilted his head. "I'll admit, you're beautiful. I'm sure there's a nice figure under all those baggy clothes." The room fell silent. Judith's jaw dropped. Her voice was the first to recover, dripping in disgust. "So beautiful... until you opened your mouth. Then all that came out was garbage, more garbage, and blah blah blah." Ann nearly laughed, but her irritation snuffed out the humor. She turned her eyes to Rex. Her gaze was flat. Cold. Unimpressed. Then her gaze flicked behind him-to the cluster of students standing nearby, some stifling laughter, others recording. With a voice calm and steady, Ann said, "By those friends of yours, you mean the sluts, backstabbers, drug-abusing cowards and plastic Barbie wannabes standing behind you, right?" Gasps. Rex's smirk faltered. Ann didn't stop. "I thought you had some brain cells hiding behind that pretty face. But then you opened your mouth and reminded me why I trust my instincts. You're just another spoiled brat who thinks the world should bow because you walked in wearing expensive shoes." Another beat of silence. Ann finished with a small nod, her voice icy and clipped. "And people wonder why I don't like you. From the moment I saw you, I knew you lacked sense. And like always-" she turned her back to him, "-I was right." She took Judith's hand, who was now laughing so hard tears were leaking from her eyes, and walked away without looking back. Behind them, Rex stood frozen, the crowd parting around him in awkward silence. His eyes narrowed slightly, mouth tightening. And then he spoke, voice low and sharp, directed at no one and everyone. "I want to know everything about her."