Unexpected Friends

I gasped for breath, my heart pounding as I ran through the practically empty halls of Orange County High School. It was the first day at my new school and I was already late.
What a great way to start off the year I thought as I stopped outside of my first period class.
Through the tiny window in the door I could see that the class had already started. I took deep breaths, attempting to calm my breathing a bit. When I was sure that I didn't look like I had just run a mile, I knocked and opened the door. As soon as I stepped foot in that classroom, it felt like all 30 students' eyes were on me. I began to feel warm from embarrassment and avoided eye contact with my classmates. Thankfully, the teacher stepped forward.

"Ah, you must be Jillian Jacobson." She smiled, noticing my discomfort

"Yes ma'am." I politely replied. "That's me."

"Well Jillian," She replied, sticking out her hand. "I'm Mrs. Gibson and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," I smiled, shaking her hand. "I go by JJ though."

"Alrighty, that's not a problem." Mrs. Gibson said, writing that down on her clipboard. "I'm afraid the only seat available is the one in the back right there." She pointed at an empty seat next to an intimidating group of boys.

I nodded and walked to my seat, a sinking feeling in my stomach as I felt the intimidating group of boys look at me, sizing me up.

I kept my eyes down and plopped my black and blue Under armour backpack next to my feet. I could feel their eyes on me still. I pulled out a book, determined to not let them get the best of me. They eventually turned back around to each other, chuckling about what I guessed was me. I glanced up at them, observing them. I was able to pick up their names from their conversation. Matt was the buff one with the brown hair. Jimmy was the tall one with the crazy blond hair spiked about half a foot high. Zacky was the smaller one with spiky black hair and Brian was the one with brown eyes and brown hair. They all seemed like the type of guys that did drugs and drank, even though they were all underage. I guess my observing wasn't very subtle because they all quickly turned around to face me.

"You need something sweetheart?" Zacky asked, smirking.

My cheeks felt warm, and I racked my brain for a smart aleck answer.

"Nah," I answered, lamely. "I'm good."

I prayed that would be the end of it, but the boys had a different plan.

"Are you new?" Matt asked. "Haven't seen you around here."

"Yeah," I answered. "Recently moved here from Texas."

"Well that's cute." Brian said smugly. "I'm guessing Orange County is a lot different from your farm back home huh?"

I raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "For the record, I didn't live on a farm. But I did live in a small town."

Brian smirked. "Well that's nice, Texas. Sounds like a lot of fun."

I simply nodded, inwardly cringing at the fact that Brian already had a nickname for me.

"What grade are you in?" The tall one, Jimmy, asked. "You seem kinda small to be a senior."
I smirked. "That's because I'm not a senior. I'm a freshman."

"What?!?" The group exclaimed.

"How are you in a senior math class?" Matt asked, amazed.

"Back home," I explained. "I was two years ahead in Math. But I guess here the order of Math classes is different so I ended up being put in a senior math class, which is three years ahead."

"Oh ok." The group nodded. "Makes sense."

"By the way what's your name?" Zacky asked.

"JJ" I answered.

"Well, I'm Zacky, that's Matt, Brian, and Jimmy." Each of the boys extended their hands, grinning.

I smiled back, and shook their hands.

"Whoa, you like Metallica?" Brian said, noticing my shirt.

"Sure do," I answered, looking down at my Ride the Lightning t-shirt.

"That's pretty cool." Jimmy remarked, looking at me with a new perception. "You didn't seem like the type to like metal music."

I smiled. "Appearances aren't everything Mr. Jimmy. I like metal music, but I just choose not to walk around dressed all in black and wearing thick eyeliner."

"Hm." Jimmy said thoughtfully. "That's a good point."

I was surprised to admit it, but I was actually warming up to the group of boys. They seemed intimidating, but were actually nice and funny. Since it was the first day of school, we didn't do anything in class, so we just spent the rest of the period conversing and laughing as if we, including me, were all just old friends.

Notes

Hi there! Thanks for reading! So I know this chapter is kinda slow, but you gotta start somewhere!

Anyway, feel free to leave a comment! :D

~JJ