I scrolled through my phone while crossing my legs. The list of good books to read just went on and on.

But most of them seemed really boring. It was really hard to find stuff that would actually interest me.

I sighed. This website wasn't helping so I decided to consult YouTube instead. Maybe the books the YouTubers recommended would actually be interesting.

A YouTube channel popped up as soon as I typed the keywords, Good books to read.

I clicked her video with the same title as what I searched. It apparently takes forever to say a simple list of good books to read.

Not wanting to waste time, I paused the video before it started and clicked the description. As I hoped, the list of good books was there.

I scrolled down and picked out the ones that sounded interesting.

"Wait. Hasn't this been made into a movie or something?" I murmured to myself.

Sure enough, the book Harry Potter has really been made into a movie.

Well, now I know what to buy first. If this book was worthy enough to be filmed in cinemas then it must be good.

I was getting hungry so I got up from my seat and looked up from my phone.

I mentally facepalmed so hard. I was actually in the middle of class and I just suddenly stood up.

"Ms. Gordan! Why are you standing up in the middle of my discussion?" My professor in Science faced me with uncontrollable anger, "Oh, and what is this? Have you been using this all this time?"

He came closer to me and held the top of my phone which I didn't notice I was still holding in front of my face.

I visibly gulped, "Maybe..."

"You know what this means, right?" He says threatingly, making my hairs stand up

"DETENTION FOR YOU! MEET ME HERE IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU ARE RELEASED FROM YOUR LAST CLASS," Professor Dilsbury screamed in his raspy, hoarse voice.

Well, I definitely deserve that. Oh well, time to text my mom that I'll come home late.

As I was opening my lock screen, Professor Dilsbury grabbed my phone and shook his head, "Oh no no, Ms. Gordon. You are not getting this until after detention!"

I groaned, "But professor, I need to tell my mom I'll come home late or else she'll kill me!"

The old man walked back to the front while he replied, "I do not care. You should have known the consequences of texting in class. Now, sit down! You are making a scene!"

"But I wasn't text-" He gave me a pointed look that cut me off.

I looked around and saw that I indeed was making a big scene. My beloved classmates stared at me as if had gone crazier (I was already crazy).
I calmly sat down on my seat and opened my notebook to 'take notes'. To be honest, I was just going to doodle.

Taking down notes is boring.

As the professor continued to drone on and on about something like the hydrologic cycle and stuff, I thought of what happened earlier.

Was I embarrassed? No. Was I angry? No. Was I confused? YES!

I swear, I really thought that I was in my room. That reminds me. How did I get wifi to open up the internet?

Oh wait... I must've used my data. Man, my mom really is gonna kill me now.

It's just the start of the month and I've already used up most of my data.

The bell rang. Our professor stopped talking. The students stood up and piled out.

Class time was over. I didn't learn anything. Oh well... At least I already knew the hydrologic cycle from elementary.

My old school was pretty advanced.

"Hey... Do you know where the cafeteria is?" A boy approached me.

He had striking emerald-green eyes and straight brown hair that swayed to the side. He was very tall as well, towering over most of the students.

I raised my eyebrow and said, "Two months have passed since day one. Don't tell me you are a new student because I am too but I frickin' know where the dang cafeteria is. Are you sure you really don't know where it is?"

The good-looking boy (Don't look at me like that) averted his gaze to the floor, "Uhhh... I guess I forgot."

I rolled my eyes but led him to it anyway. We opened the doors and entered chaos.

Students were running everywhere. There were clique battles at the side between the nerds and the emos. A lot of PDA also happened which disgusted me.

The fancy spoiled rich brats were at their table yapping about the latest fashion and what not. They were crowding around a magazine that someone apparently brought.

I could practically hear them debating about which clothes to buy and which are totally last year.

My clothes were from three years ago.

The once clean walls were covered in dirt and splatter. No doubt they smelled like rotten eggs that was enclosed in our smelly old attic.

I walked calmy through the storm to a table. I chose the one in the near middle. I'd say it was the eye of the storm.

I sat and a boy sat across from me. Oh yeah, him. I forgot he was still following me.

"Are you gonna sit here?" I asked him.

"Yeah. Why? Do you have any other friends?" He asked me back nervously.

"Err......... No," I replied, quite embarrassed. I felt blood rush to my cheeks.

My brow eyes darted around the cafeteria. It was getting awkward.

The boy suddenly stood up and looked back at me, "Aren't you going to get your food?"

I muttered, "Oh yeah," and followed him.

The rest of the school had already queued up and so the line was really long.

We stood there for ages while moving closer to the front a bit from time to time.

I finally decided to make this less awkward and have small talk, "Hey. I never got to know your name."

"Yeah, it's because I never mentioned it," He replied oh so casually.

I rolled my eyes, "Of course. But aren't you gonna say it? I promise, it won't kill you."

I wanted his name. Calling him 'the boy' was getting quite repetitive.

He laughed and said, "Je m'appelle Gabriel."

My eyes widened as I accused him, "YOU'RE A FRENCH WANNABE!"

The boy, Gabriel, gasped and tried to defend himself, "NO, I'M NOT!"

I continued laughing and teased him, "Yes, you are!"

"KIDS YOU ARE HOLDING UP THE LINE! SHUT UP AND GET YOUR FOOD!" A loud voice bellowed from the sweet old lunch lady.

Our conversation was cut short. I flinched and apologized quietly as did Gabriel. I quickly looked back at the line and saw more students behind us shouting in anger.

How did I not notice that? Their screams were louder than King Kong's!

I snatched my tray of food and tried to disappear as I made my way to our table. Geez, teenagers are so temperamental.

Gabriel sat across me in our table for two, "Interesting..."

"Pretty much. Hey! Since I don't have any friends and you don't have any friends, let's be friends!" I offered with an excited smile.

Being straightforward is the way to go!

I held out my hand to Gabriel. He looked up in the sky and held his chin in mock thought. He looked so funny that I laughed out loud.

He finally finished 'thinking' and shook my hand, "Deal."

My smile grew wider as he smiled back.

He had a wonderful smile.

-

"Wait up uhh... What's your name?" Gabriel ran to me as I exited the classroom.

I heard his voice and I turned around to face him. I stopped for him to catch up.

He finally did and I introduced myself, "I'm Venus."

"Ooh! Like the goddess?"

I softly laughed, "I expected you to say 'like the planet?' which is what everyone says but yeah. You're right. Like the goddess..."

We walked together outside school. Gabriel coughed and asked, "Where are you going?"

"To the bookstore!" Wait, I think I have detention. "Oh no. Actually, I just remembered I have detention with the old man!"

"Professor Dilsbury?" I nod and he continued, "Oh okay. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye!" I screamed as I reached in for a bear hug. He smelled really good.

He seemed surprised by this but hugged me back anyway.
I danced my way to the room. There were no students left in the hallways so I easily arrived on time.

"HI SIR!" I greeted him as I entered the room.

Professor Dilsbury kept his lips sealed and just nodded in greeting. Disappointed he didn't return the hi, I pouted and sat on the nearest chair in front of him.

"So how's life? Have you gotten a new wife? Ooh! That rhymed!" I giggled.

My plan was to annoy Professor Dilsbury until he wants me to get out.

I know. I'm pretty smart and that plan is pretty great.

I felt myself glow brighter as I saw the rage in his eyes after realizing I accused him of cheating, "MS. DAVIDS I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER WIFE. I NEVER EVEN HAD ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

"So are you pretty lonely sometimes, sir? I mean, you're gonna die alone!" I was concerned with Professor Dilsbury.

It's really sad to see old people be alone. Who would help them walk? Who would guide them? Who would make their soul happier once more?

Professor Dilsbury looked down with a grave face, "Yeah, I guess I am."

The plan needs to be halted for now.

I reached in and gave him a hug. He surprisingly hugged back.

I pulled back and said with a smile, "It's going to be alright, sir! If you are lonely, you know who to call!"

The old man looked at me in confusion and replied, "911? I heard from the radio that they help you with all your problems."

I facepalmed, "Not like that, sir!"

"Then who do I call?" He asked more annoyed this time. He just doesn't get it.

"ME! Duhhhh," I pointed at myself.

"Oh. I'll be sure to not do that. You give weird hugs."

I gasped, "You're so mean! That's why you are alone."

Professor looked at me through the eyes and screamed, "SHUT UP, MS. DAVIDS OR ELSE..."

"Or else what?"

"DON'T QUESTION MY WORDS!"

I rolled my eyes. This guy, I swear. He'd be the death of me.

On second thought, it's probably going to be my mom. I bet she's plotting my death already.

I inwardly sighed. High School was already so stressful and I'm just a sophomore!

I could feel my eyebags protruding from under my eyes as I stared off to nowhere.

At least I have my thoughts to keep me sane. Reality overwhelms me too much.

I stared at the plain white ceiling which reminded me of our kitchen's floor.

Kitchen has food.

I remember that one time we went to this diner. They had food but that's not all. They had amazing food!

I can feel the sauce of the ribs I ate that night in my mouth. I can smell it.

The spoon once again came up to my lips. I was going in for another taste. I remember my mouth opening wide for it to come. The st--

"Ms. Davids. Uh, Ms. Davids." The voice of Professor Dilsbury snaps me out of my trance.

"What do you want?" I groaned, "Why did you have to interrupt me?"

"Ms. Davids, you are dismissed at once. Your mother is, ah, outside with quite the look," Professor glances at the small window on our door.

Indeed, my mother was there. Her face was stern and her arms were crossed. She was tapping her foot impatiently.

I thanked my professor before I left. I prepared myself for the blast of my mother's words.

I slowly placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it. I pulled the door open and I lifted my head to face my mom.

Here it comes!

Three.

Two.

One.

"VENUS ANGEL DAVIDS! CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY YOU AREN'T AT HOME YET? YOU MADE ME THINK YOU WERE DEAD!" My mom screamed my ears off.

I rolled my eye. "Sorry, mom. I had detention and Professor Dilsbury over here," I looked at him, "confiscated my phone. Then again, mom. You overreact too much."

My mom nodded and let off her stern look, "Fair enough. Let's go."

I let out a breath of relief. We were back to normal.

But first I ran back to Professor Dilsbury who was waving my phone in the air.

I ran back to her while storing my phone in my bag.

"So what's new today, kiddo?" She asked me. I thought about it and something clicked into my head.

"Mom! I have a friend now. His name is Gabriel."

She smiled at me, "I'm glad you overcame your social anxieties and finally approached a person."

I walked out of the school with my mom as we had this conversation.

I corrected her, "Actually, it was him who approached me. He claimed to not know where the cafeteria was which is quite unbelievable if you ask me. It's already two months in and he still hasn't known?"

"Do you want my thoughts on this?" My mom asked me.

I nodded excitedly. I'm still curious about my new-found friend.

"Well, I think he wanted to talk to you."

"Of course he wanted to talk to me! He needed to know where the cafeteria is!" I was getting more confused than ever.

By the time we reached our car, I was exhausted. I just wanted to sleep but I still need to figure Gabriel out.

Our conversation continued and my mom spoke first, "No. That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Uh... How do I explain this?" My mom paused for a minute in thought, "He said that he didn't know where the cafeteria was as an excuse to talk to you. Does that make sense now?"

Hmm... Yeah it actually did. I nodded in agreement. My mom's a genius! I could never live up to her.

Throughout the car ride, I kept silent to gather my thoughts.

So I finally understood Gabriel but there's this one thing that bugs me though.

Why did he want to talk to me?