The ‘F’ Word

Chapter 1: Foreign

We’re a different pair,

Just something out of step,

Throw a stranger an unexpected smile…

-- “Headlock” by Imogen Heap

I frowned at the last question on my biology test. What were the steps of translation again? I ran a hand through my chestnut hair and tapped my pencil on the evil paper before my eyes. Why, oh, why hadn’t I concentrated on that section more?

The classroom door opening distracted me, and I glanced up to see the principal, Ms. Kilmin, walking through the door, looking like she’d hit some Prozac before she came to work today. Her French bun was a little too tight, and anyone could see through that fake white smile plastered on her face, but it was the next person who entered the room who got my complete, undivided attention.

A tall, lanky figure walked into the room wearing a pair of worn out jeans, and a green All-American Rejects t-shirt. His dirty blond hair flopped over his eyes, and complimented his ivory skin. To my dismay, they left the room, along with the teacher, but the boy stared at me before disappearing, his eyes a startling emerald green.

When they disappeared, I tried to decipher the stare he gave me, instead of really concentrating on remembering those damn steps. Was it a look of fascination? Did he notice I was staring at him and wanted me to back off? Or was he just scanning the room and noticed my eyes on him?

Then it hit me.

I looked down at myself, and was yelling to myself in my head.

Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I thought, as I glared at my test now. Why the hell didn’t I know it before?

I glanced down again at myself, and at my stomach. I wasn’t the most glamorous girl in the world for cripes sake.

After all, who the hell dated fat women these days?

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“ How was the bio test?” a mousy voice squeaked behind me. It was Gina Sanders, the perfectionist and A-list student of senior class. “ Hard?”

“ Gina, why would it matter to you, knowing you ace every test known to man anyway?” I answered her bitterly, not in the mood to deal with her. That stare was really getting to me. Tiny things like that shouldn’t faze me, everyone stares at everyone; why was his so different?

“ Just asking,” she defended, clutching her textbook closer to her.

“ Well there’s your answer,” I gave her a Ms. Kilmin smile. “ Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to eat lunch now,”

Her wide blue eyes stared at me in annoyance, but I was too bothered to care for her. Never did like her anyway, not many people did.

I trudged down the hall, shoving past the crowd down to the cafeteria. I walked in, scanning for my friends, and spotted them instantly, in a corner table. Except, today it seemed a little different.

He was there.

I took a deep breath, and slowly made my way towards the table. Jordan was to blame for this; damn him and his friendliness.

“ Hey, Zoey, what’s up?” Jordan smiled, putting a hand through his dark curly hair. “ Have you met Jake yet?”

I pretended to give him the once over, as if the look he gave me in biology never occurred.

“ No,” I lied. Well, it wasn’t much of a lie, since we hadn’t been technically introduced.

“ Jake, this is Zoey, Zoey, Jake,” Jordan introduced us.

I put my best fake grin on and said, “ Nice to meet you, Jake,”

“ Nice to meet you,” I said in a hurry and plopped a seat next to Nell.

“ Likewise,” he nodded, his eyes like ice.

Throughout lunch, the conversation amongst the lunch table was a blur. Everyone wanted facts about Jake; like what school he came from, why, where, how. He had this awkward charm to him that seemed to lure everyone into his quiet, but deep voice. Later on, they discusses his schedule, and low and behold, he had biology with me.

Nell tucked her fiery red hair behind her ears, and stared at Jake with interest. She turned her head to me and mouthed with her heart shaped lips, ‘HOT.’ I couldn’t help but agree… Jake was rather handsome… in this almost vampire sort of way. His pale skin, his voice, and those piercing green eyes of his were enough to make a couple of girls notice.

During the chatter, I glanced up at him once in a while and found him staring at me once again. What was this guy’s problem?

To my relief, the bell rang and I quickly jumped up from the table and made the excuse I had a geography quiz I had to cram for. Rushing out of the cafeteria, a deep exhale escaped my lips.

The lock on my locker was always stubborn, taking five attempts for my combination to actually work. After a minute of opening my locker, I stuck my head inside for a couple of moments, catching my breath. What was Jake doing to me? He definitely rattled my nerves, and was clearly disgusted by my physique.

I shook it off, and then reached into my backpack for my uneaten salad. My hand fumbled around for the container, only to find the front compartment empty. Oh, no—

“ I believe you forgot this,” a voice mumbled from behind.

Crowds of students mysteriously eager to get to their next class filled the halls with noise, but the voice was loud and clear. Turning around, I came face to face with none other than Jake. Except, this time his gaze fell upon my locker door.

“ Thanks,” I replied coldly, trying to match the frigidity of his eyes. I grabbed my lunch from his grasp.

“ Great band,” he nodded towards my All-American Rejects photo, plastered in the centre of my door, amidst the photos of friends and family.

“ Yeah,” I agreed in a much more quiet voice.

Then he walked off, with no warning, no goodbye, and left me more confused than ever.