Falling for mr popular: Book 1

GREY POV

"This is going to be nice" I sighed with relief, standing before my bedroom mirror cautiously brushing my French bangs. "This dress is perfect" I assessed the green floral gown on my body.

"Greyhound!!!" Kelvin's soft voice echoed in the empty house. Kelvin has been a pest and my best friend since I was ten. He has become a brother to me, always keeping me in and out of trouble.

Normally I would ignore the unpleasant yelling but today I am going to be nicer.

"I'm coming down hunter!". I nicknamed him hunter because he always disturbs me and in turn, he nicknamed me greyhound just because I am called grey. I gently removed the mirror from the wall and placed it on the floor.

" are you going to continue combing your hair until each strand falls off? Then I'd call you witch". He stood at the door entrance. " look at what I found" he waved a piece of paper in the air.

I glance at the paper and recognized it as the bucket list I created on the ten things I need to do before graduating high school.

"Omg, it is the bucket list I made in a sophomore year" I reached for the paper but kelvin pushed my hands away. "Come on give it to me," I said.

Kelvin sat down on the floor and rested against the wall. He urge me to sit next to him which I did without hesitation.

" Ok let's see. Own my first car. get laid. Take a trip with my friends, blah blah blah. Oh I love this wear a disco dress to school" he turns to me and in a serious tone, he says "so which of these are you going to do first" he gave me an expectant look.

"None, it was a silly____"

"No no, and no, you have started it so you will end it" he flashes a wicked smile.

"I don't want to" I spoke in a childish voice, trying to cheat my way out of this one.

He scoffs "I'm your best friend and it is my job to help you in fulfilling your dreams. So we will start with number one; get a boyfriend"

"Well that won't be difficult" I got up to seal up the final box.

"And how?" Kelvin spoke as though he does not have faith in me. He stands up and picks up the box.

"It can't be that hard, I am already beautiful" kelvin cracks up "why are you laughing," I asked frowning, as I picked up the mirror.

"Sorry, no offense grey but you have never had a boyfriend ever, why?. Because you are scared of boys, you get frightened when you know a guy likes you. And now you are speaking with all confidence about getting a boyfriend" he clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

I knew this dick head thinks little of me but I will prove to him that I can be badass. I can get a boyfriend not just one but five, ten arrrgh I am angry.

"In a month I will have a boyfriend" I spoke with vigor "and the reason I have not had a boyfriend ever! Is because I did not want one but now I will show you that grey Cruz can be a bad bitch"

Boom I drop the mic and walked out of the room, leaving kelvin completely stunned.

"Hmmm wait up" kelvin followed behind. "You know for a moment there I believed that you could pull this off" he whispered into my ear.

I paused for a moment and gave him a dark stare before walking down the stairs.

"You don't have to worry about anything, you got me" he hits his chest with pride.

"Yay so glad I have you" *sarcasm*

"So what are you going to do when you get to green side hills"

"Get on my knees and thank God for taking me four miles away from you". My dad has decided to move back home after eight years. "No no no the box goes into the car," I told kelvin. I wanted mom's things with me while traveling back home. I never knew my mom, she died at childbirth.

"Grey grey!!" Dad yelled struggling with the couch Auntie got him last Christmas. The couch was hellbent on staying back seeing that the door handle has pierced through the leather and got stuck.

"Let me get that for you" mr Alfred offered, a friendly neighbor. I would forever cherish those moments on Saturday when dad and I go over to his place for game night. Kelvin always teamed up with me against his uncle.

The men successfully placed the couch in the moving van. "Thank you," dad said gripping mr Alfred into a tight embrace.

"Old men" kelvin chuckled watching them.

"Are you going to continue resisting the desire to hug me?" I asked.

"Nah" he shook his head. "screw it come here" he squeezed me in his arms." I'm going to miss you big time" he assured him. "I love you greyhound"

"I love you too hunter"

"It's time" dad pats my back. "I will go with the van, you ride with Auntie".

No, he didn't just say that

I groaned at him, I hated the fact that auntie has a car and a driving license because she drives so slow. Ever since her ex-husband nearly had an accident with her in the car, she has refused to step on the accelerator. Whenever I beg her to increase the speed she would reply "During the accident, I saw the light".

What light. That's what people with Tachophobia would say!

"Get in, we haven't got all day" she shouted. I shook my head and sighed in frustration.

I entered the car and waved to kelvin for the last time. As the car hit the road I was brimful with happiness, fondling my mother's necklace. I couldn't wait to get to greenside hills and prove to kelvin that I can do it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TONY STONE POV

B b b b br r r r iiiiiiiig!!!!

The alarm clanged in the room

"Claudia stop it" I called out to the maid, burying my head under the pillow.

"Sorry mr tony" she apologized putting an end to the nasty sound.

"Is mom up yet?" I asked getting up

"Yes," she said, positioning her head down avoiding eye contact with my hot naked body. "But she has been asking for you mr tony"

"Ohhh Claudia, mr tony" I moved closer to her and took her to chin up gently " mr tony" I love it when she calls me that.

"Mr tony," she said shyly as I leaned in for a kiss.

Like she doesn't want it. I know she isn't naive, just faking it making me yearn for her more.

"You may go" I smirked, I was going to have her but not today. Today I got to go and meet up with Mark at the mechanic shop where I spend most of my days lately.

After a quick shower, I walked into the bedroom with a towel tied around my waist. Going through my dresser for an outfit I thought about senior year, I don't know what's in store for me. Getting my head right I finally picked up my favorite black t-shirt and black faded jeans with a black cap outfit.

"Good morning mom," I said walking into the kitchen.

"Tony stone what's this" she gestured to my outfit." you look like someone without a will to live"

"Do I?" I collected a plate of flatbread alongside Greek yogurt with berries as toppings. Mom's idea of a perfect breakfast. She keeps me away from real food, always quoting her vitamins and minerals bullshit.

"Leave him alone, you better focus on serving me breakfast," grandma said.

"Ma" mom said in irritation. "there's a reason why we employed maids in the house"

"Oh my oh my is this how you would behave toward your mother!" Grandma snapped. "I know there are maids but it wouldn't make a difference if you serve me yourself, would it?" Grandma asked expecting mom reply

"No," mom said. Like a warrior who has been defeated, she served Grandma breakfast.

Mom and grandma are similar to the characters tom and Jerry. Grandma as tom always out to get mom. Anyways, They both love eating healthy.

My phone light up displaying a message notification from Mark: WHERE ARE YOU. "I gotta run, I'm taking the jeep," I said leaving the house

"Ok but you barely touched your food!" Mom yelled.

"I will just get something to eat on the way" I shouted as I drove the jeep out of the garage.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

GREY POV

The moving van was no longer in sight. I don't know how long I will be able to bear this terrible pace. About nine minutes ago, we had driven past the welcome to green side hills signboard

"How was your life at green side hills growing up," I say to my auntie, holding my hand out to feel the wind as we drive.

"My Life wasn't that awesome". She shrugged. "Well if it interests you I never liked your mom"

"Why" I raised an eyebrow

"At first it was just your dad and me until he set his eyes on her. And he was like she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen" she made a funny voice.

"Wow that's fate, their stars were destined to meet" I felt optimistic that fate will create a unique encounter with my MR RIGHT.

"And I was also jealous because she had what I couldn't have," auntie said.

"Speed?" I teased auntie.

"Love". I felt auntie stroke my hair gently " you remind him of her"

Well, he barely talks of her.

"Little wonder why he didn't remarry" I muttered.

"Welcome to your new street," auntie said taking a turn. Suddenly the wheels screech to a stop when the car almost collided with a Jeep that came out of nowhere. "Oh my God" I yelled

"Watch the way you drive" auntie shouted.

"You watch it!" Said the rich spoiled

brat whose parents must have gifted him his first car yesterday.

"Fuck you," I said giving him the finger as he drove past us.

Finally, auntie parked in front of the house things were already been moved into the house.

Note

Hi there, please comment I want to get your opinions

GREY POV

"Take it, take it!" the woman yelled, "try it again".

"I'm very sorry but your card has been declined," said the young lady, who seemed upset.

"That's a lie, do you think am stupid" the woman sputtered.

"At that moment a middle-aged man who was the manager approached the woman and gently holds her by the arm."

"Please ma, come this way" he smiled.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled as she slapped the manager across the face and gripped him by the neck.

Dad lets out-loud laughter. "what book is that?"

"It's the Richardson's a crime novel" I smiled.

Today I made sure auntie did not drive me to school. If only dad could trust me enough to let me drive on my own. I got a license you know.

"Thanks for driving me to school," I said as I unfastened the seatbelt, bringing out from my bag a light black scarf and wrapping it around my neck.

"Isn't that your mom's" dad points at the scarf

"Yes, it is," I said unsure of how he will react.

"I gave her that on our first date" he smiles "well it suits you perfectly".

"Thank you". I never expected him to be calm because eight years ago he would have been so angry if I touched her things.

"Take care" he takes my hands and smooches them.

"Bye" I got out of the car and wave at him. Watched him drive off, leaving me alone at the parking lot. I turn around to face a building with the label greenside high written boldly. I thought about senior year and what awaits me at the other end of that front door. I guess I am used to always having Kelvin by my side.

I walk up the front stairs of greenside high ignoring the gaze of some guys that stood at the front door. I took in deep breaths to prep my body and soul.

"Hey, there" someone called out.

I turn around to see three girls who seemed to have raided a fashion house with their leather boots, designers bags, and fur coats all identical.

"Excuse me," I said, checking them out.

They walked in sync with me "I guess you are new here" they laughed. "Well, I am Elena love your eyes did you laser them?" Elena asked staring at my grey eyes.

"No" my eyes flicker. " I was born with it," I said still trying to figure out why I caught the interest of this girl.

"Well I am anna and this is Rayna, we saw you at the parking lot and wanted to introduce ourselves to you," said Anna with her baby voice that sounded awful to me.

"Your clothes are so last season" Rayna giggled using her pen to inspect my outfits.

I push her hands away causing the pen to fall off "sorry, my reflexes" I force a smile "Isn't it too hot for fur coats?" I fired back.

"Hmmm" Elena mumbled. The girls smiled and whispered to one another as they pushed the front door open.

"Three idiots," I said under my breath.

I walk down the hall which is, by the way, swarmed up with students going about their activities or gossiping about some hot school gist,

"Could you point me in the direction of the principal office?" I asked some students who gave me an awkward look. Trying to figure out where the principal office was located. I realize that greenside high was ten percent better than my former school.

Kelvin needs to know this. I thought.

"Hey! Excuse me" a female voice called across the hall.

I turned around to see a tall skinny girl, light-skinned on the low cut with glasses on running towards me

"Hi, are you grey Cruz," she asks trying to catch her breath

"Yes I am"

"Great I am Juliet and I will be your escort for today" she extends her hands for a shake.

"Nice to meet you, Juliet, I was supposed to meet with the principal"

"Yes I know he had something important to attend so he assigned me to guide you," she explained.

"Ok," I mouthed.

"So first off I will take you to your locker," she urges me to follow her. I had to double my steps to keep up with her pace. "Love your nail art" her smile responded to my flattering.

Auntie always told me the way to a girl's heart is flattering. Maybe I won't be lonely in school, after all, Juliet looks like we can be friends.

Juliet took me to another hallway, where she showed me my locker and I placed my books, pencil case, and planner inside. I will have to restock on the decor aspect of the locker since it looked too simple

I was about to engage her in a conversation when I heard the cheering of students. In less than a second, the hallway was already crowded as students rushed out from every corner just to catch a glimpse of what's happening.

Yes.

"What's happening?" I asked stunned about the whole thing.

"It's the starlings of greenside high," she said excitedly. "They are coming".

"Starlings?"

"Yes and there they are" she pointed at three guys each on black jackets. "The ruggedly handsome one at the front with a metallic headband on his brown curly hair is Tony stone, the one on the right with broad shoulders and his prominent chin is Mark then the cute one with luscious lips and a guitar bag hanged around his shoulders is mike" she screamed so loud like a fangirl.

I stared at tony somehow he looked familiar. I have seen him before. Within a second it clicked. Ah yes, he was the one that almost collided with auntie's car.

The bastard! Oh this is what I call the perfect coincidence

I hurried to get to him to make him apologize for yesterday's incident but the crowd was too strong, I couldn't meet him on time.

"Where are you going?" Juliet held my arms.

"Him! Tony where can I find him" I asked hastily.

"Ohhh you must be a fangirl too" she laughed in amusement.

Fan Girl! more like an anti-fan.

"You will see him in class and that's where we are headed". She took my hands and led me away.

* * * * *

I walk into a class fuming, searching with my eyes for tony stone but it seems like my arrival was too early or he's just like those students that always draw the attention of the class from the teacher by walking in late.

I took a seat in the front row, my legs jiggled in anticipation of his arrival.

Juliet rushed to me.

"You can't seat here," she said in a whisper.

"Why?" I asked already hearing whispers from other students.

"The seat is reserved for tony stone," she said

"Wait, Reserved?" I asked in surprise.

Does he think this is his house? Reserved seat my ass

On Sight of me, they all stopped and stared with shock written on their faces.

That's right. Stare, I always knew I was born to be a star.

"Hey, new girl!" Elena shouted.

I ignored her. She came over and leaned on the table placing her face at my line of sight

"Are you deaf?" She asked

"I don't know, are you?" I glared at her.

"Get up, the seat is taken," she said with a hostile expression.

"Well, I didn't see anyone here when I came in," I spoke with all boldness.

"Get up!!" She yelled.

"Make me," I said knowing she couldn't take me on.

"Ok," she responds in a relaxed manner. She slowly walks behind me and pulls the chair away.

I fell to the floor and my ass hurt. Everyone burst into laughter. Juliet instantly came over and helped me up.

At that moment I could feel the blood pumping through my veins. I wasn't going to let this idiot number one embarrass me and get away with it. On second thought this is the perfect time to get back at tony. Before he had the pleasure of seating on the chair I pulled it away causing him to land on his ass too.

The laughter suddenly ceased. I'm sure no one has ever made tony stone fall on his ass before.

"Who do you think you are!" I shouted, amidst the silence. "You enjoy riding on people"

He gets up with charm "I'm mr popular". The class cheers him on while he fists bum mark and mike with a large grin on his face.

"Who are you," he said, now so up close to me I could feel his warm breath on my face, staring at me with those angry dark eyes.

It is starting all over again, my heart is racing. I feel frightened.

An angry Elena comes at me and yanks my hair. "You!!!"

"Hey!! What's going on here" a woman's voice chimes in, a loud bang on the door, all eyes move from me and tony to where she was standing. She has light brown hair pulled up in a neat bun. She's probably in her late twenties but her glasses make her and Juliet look like sisters.

Elena lets go of my hair, not without giving me the This-ain't-finished look.

I took a step back from tony. Does he want to kill me with those eyes? And sat down on a seat behind Juliet at the back close to the window.

"Good morning and welcome to your first AP biology class. Senior year huh, I'm missing Sarah and I will be your tutor" miss Sarah sits on the edge of her desk

"So that means you will be stuck with this pretty face and I will be stuck with your not so pretty faces" she smiles, picking up a folder and opening it

"I believe we have a transfer student in our midst... Um mm, grey Cruz?"

"Yes, that me" I signified with my hands.

"Well please introduce yourself," she said waving her hands as though setting the stage for me.

Awkward. All eyes turned to me wanting to know the girl who made tony stone fall on his ass.

"Hi, my name is grey Cruz. I'm from the Philippines, my dad and I recently moved here umm umm" I did not know what next to say and everyone's gazes were still fixed on me

"I love painting, K-pop...BTS, Blackpink, and I hate jerks who enjoy bullying and issuing death threats" I declared.

"Say no to bully ok that's nice," Miss Sarah said nodding. She takes out a handful of paper rolled up in small pieces from her bag as she begins to walk around, handing each piece out

"Do you know the first thing I smelled when I entered this class today?"

"My Chanel perfume?" Rayna said fondling her hair.

"No not your suffocating excuse for a perfume" miss Sarah said bluntly. "I smelled energy, so this is what will happen each paper roll contains different topics which you guys are going to research on and present before the class"

Some students gave a disapproving groan

"Shut up! I'm not done talking, this research is going to be done in pairs that means right now two people have the same topic on their paper roll" she stops over at Elena's seat. "For example, Elena what's your topic?".

"Concept of homeostasis blah blah blah"

"Do not blah blah blah in my class and take off that sunglass, you have eyes to see there is no sun in here" miss Sarah frowned at her. "Now who got the same topic?" Her eyes search.

"Me," said a guy with a nerd look.

"Great Jefferson meets your new lab partner" she pointed at Elena.

"Nooo" Elena cried

"Yes," Miss Sarah said.

* * * * * *

I sat still on my seat while students move from one seat to another finding their partner.

In front of me, I could already see a love seed blooming as Juliet is paired with mike. She just could not stop blushing and it's so obvious. My gaze turns to tony stone sitting idle.

"I pity whoever is his partner" I muttered turning my gaze away.

"You can't find your partner sitting down" Juliet whispered.

Tell that to tony stone

"What's your topic," She asked

I look down at the crumpled little paper "Genetics huh effect of genes during sexual reproduction"

"Oh my oh my such a nice topic" she flashes a smile at the mike.

I lean an elbow on my desk and stared at tony stone, my gut told me he is my partner seeing that he still hasn't gotten a partner or maybe his partner is chickened somewhere unable to approach him.

Miss Sarah began her teaching and it just went on and on until the sound from the speaker ended the long torture class. As I walk out of the class with Juliet by my side, miss Sarah informs me that the principal wants to see me. In response, I gave an okay nod.

* * * * * * *

TONY STONE POV

PE was the last class I had to endure. I sat down on the benches with a basketball in hand. I thought about what happened in class, the humiliation I had to endure from that transfer student. Oh the nerve, making me fall to the ground like that. I had to make her pay if not people will think I have gone soft. My reputation will be tarnished. I need to show I am still in charge.

I glance at mike exercising, preparing for dodgeball. Then at the mark as usual entertained the girls in their white sleeved top and cute blue gym shorts with his fucked up jokes. I still don't understand why they always laugh at his jokes either they are stupid! or just being foolish.

"So um you and Elena huh" Mark smirks. He comes and sits next to me after amusing the ladies.

"What do you mean me and Elena," I asked, mimicking his expression.

"Marriage," he said.

"What marriage," I asked, staring at him.

"Elena is going around the school talking about you and her getting married after college".

"What? That's more of my dad, not me, he wants to have business ties with Elena's family sealed with marriage" I said

"Oh so it's like an arranged marriage kind," said Mark.

"Are you going to marry her?" Mike chips in.

"I don't know" I mumbled.

"Have you gotten a partner?" Mike said, laying down on a mat doing push-ups.

"Nope"

"What are the chances that you are paired up with grey Cruz," mike said mischievously.

"Who, the transfer student? Zero to none" I replied.

"Well get ready to be shocked, she still hasn't partnered up and you also," mike said, laughing.

"Grey?" Mark asked smiling " I like her she's fierce" he purrs. "And your type," he said stroking my back

"She is not my type!" I said clearly "there's nothing attractive about her, if she was a gift I'd return it".

" she has pretty eyes and face," mike says surprised. "And she is not attractive?"

"I kind of enjoyed seeing her making you fall on your ass" mark chuckles.

"Don't you think she looks like that girl who almost bit off Tony's hand when we were little" mike said to mark, rubbing his chin

"I don't think so," I said.

That girl was my first love, I think I was six when I met up with her professing my love with a made-up paper ring instead of accepting my love I got a biting from her deadly sharp teeth.

"Think of it the same grey eyes, bangs, and anger issues," mike said.

I shake my head "no she isn't the one, I hate that girl she's like a ticking bomb"

"Well, she hates you too" mike and Mark crack up.

"let's pick our prey" I changed the topic. it is a term we use when we play dodgeball. We pick a vulnerable person that would take a great percent of the hit. We find it amusing picking prey after analyzing everyone surviving skills. And right now our eyes are set on Jefferson who is sitting all alone with no backup, flinching at every sound.

Well, dodgeball was exciting not until mr peter, the PE coach who is standing by the door gave the come here signal. Instantly, I jogged over. I took in deep breaths "sir"

"The principal wants you in her office" he folds his hands and sighs.

"What for?" I asked because I haven't done anything at least not yet.

"I don't know, better be on your way." He pats my shoulders "I heard she doesn't like to be kept waiting. Alright boys" he claps for all the student's attention.

I never expected to be called into the new principal's office on the first day of school. Surely, Someone must have bad-mouthed to the principal. But who would dare to? Everyone knows it's suicide to cross my path. I knock on the door and was ushered in by a voice from inside. I slowly entered the office and behold, there the newbie was sitting directly opposite the principal. They seemed to have been engaged in a serious conversation but stopped the moment I stepped in.

So grey Cruz was the one.

"Thank you, I will be on my way" she spoke so politely not like the beast she was this morning. We both exchanged looks as she passed by me, leaving the room. The room is silent her eyes focusing on me as though trying to get into my head.

"Do you know why I called you here" she finally said.

"No, I am kinda expecting you to tell me"

She smiles softly and starts going through a document. "You've built quite a reputation here at greenside high Mr stone"

I know right. It wasn't easy but it was worth it.

"Reputation? I think you have me mistaken for someone else, I am just a normal student who wishes to graduate with honors and get into the university of my dreams" I acted innocently.

She relaxes her back on the chair "so you are in denial running a secret society"

"Secret society!!! Oh my God is this what grey said just to get back at me"

"No grey never talked about you" she pauses "why did you think she did," she asked curiously.

What was I thinking, it couldn't have been grey she just got here. Then who told the principal about the secret society.

"Well we had a brief encounter yesterday and I have been meaning to apologize but she won't let me. She's just too upset"

"Oh I see"

"I can assure you ma that the only thing I run is my social media account with over two million followers" I pick up a pen and paper to write my username CRAZY TONY. "yo-you can check it out. I promise if I hear anything at all I would notify you"

Seeing that she got nothing, she placed her hands on her forehead "alright you can go"

"Ok thank you, Mrs?"

"Miss Richards"

"Bye" I closed the door and heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, I did not expect that now where is that sister of mine" I whispered. Speaking of the she-devil, I sited her coming down the hallway, engrossed in her phone. I casually walked up to her before pulling her into an empty classroom.

"What?" She asked startled.

"Remove these glasses, you don't know how you look like right now" I took off the glasses. "I just came from the principal office and she knows about the secret society"

"How? Are you telling me I got a mole"

I nodded in response." well you can calm down, she doesn't suspect you. She thinks I am running the society".

She laughs out loud. "Well, I just wanted to tell you to keep me out of your business, okay?" I said.

"You don't have to worry about anything, I will get rid of the mole" she smiles and puts on her glasses "I am Juliet stone, everyone loves me" she opens the door and leaves.