Hey Everyone! This is my first writeup, so do tell me in the comments how it goes. I really hope to enjoy my journey with you guys. Fair warning: My chapters will be uploaded a little erratically, but they'll be long and enjoyable. For all the singles out there, you rock! Just like Astoria....So here we go! 

Astoria

I got up groggily as my alarm began to ring. I shut it off and roll back into my covers. 2 minutes later, I realize I must get up, otherwise I'll be late to school. I'm never late to school. Ever. Call, it punctuality, but I don't like being late. I get up and wince as the bright morning light enters my room, a thousand shards of light piercing through the curtains. Beautiful.

Once I'm done brushing and bathing, I start the eternal girls' struggle in high school - finding something to wear. But when i'm in situations, I message Callie, my best friend in the whole wide world.

Me: Morning. What do i wear?

Callie: Good Morning. You still have that pink off - shoulder top you wore to Leo's last year, right? Wear that.

Me: K, Thx. You still remember that?

Callie: Oh sure. Wanna pick up?

Me: I'm good. See you at school.

Callie: SYS Sis

Sorted. I look for the top and iron it, pairing it with my jeans and my black pumps. I do my brown and caramel-streaked hair up in a high pony, apply my strawberry scent and stuffing my books in my bag, head downstairs, to see my sister Adrianne, eating cereal on the table. I take my bag and sling it on my chair, go to my mum and help her set the table up. I sit down, pour myself a cup of orange juice and eat my toast. Meanwhile, I see my dad come down, ready for work, holding his bag in one hand and Adrianne's ironed uniform in the other. 

"Adri, sweetheart, get dressed. We gotta leave in a bit." He says.

"Yeah, daddy, i'm coming" She replies.

"Hey dad." I say, striding up to him.

"Morning kiddo. Looking good. Have you eaten?"

"Yeah. You want some jam on that?" I ask.

"Nah. Good old butter for me." He smiles, as I hand him the butter and the knife.

I check the time on my watch and gasp.

"Shit, guys. I gotta leave...see you soon" I say, heading out the door, grabbing my car keys on the way out. I hear my mum scream behind me - "Honey, what did i say about swearing?" I yell a quick "Sorry!" and pull out of the driveway. Are all mums like that? Who knows.

Humming, I park my car with the rest of the cars, and join the hubbub proceeding to school. I spot May and make my way to her.

"Hey May. Where's Leo?"

"He said he'll be late today"

"Kay, then. See ya"

"Hmm"

I run to Callie and start walking with her to the school building.

"Hey. Any latest gossip?" Callie always knows the latest gossip. Always. She screws her face in mock-concentration and says-

"I dunno. How about Audrey and Fred had a fight in the parking lot becoz Kim came and told Audrey that Fred cheated on her and she went wild and flung her bag at him he ducked but her bottle hit him on the eye and they possibly broke up?" She says in  one breath.

"Woah. So they broke up?"

"Possibly" 

"You see Call, that's why i'm single and i want to stay like that. All this talk about true love and shit like that(no offence, people who love, this is just Astoria) never works out, for anyone. It really makes me sick, 'cause this is how most relationships are. The girl and the guy say they love each other, they kiss, make out once in  a while, then everything gets cold, and they break up, the girl says he used her, the guy says she cheated. The end. Break up" I flail my hands to show her what i mean.

"Talking about you being single, I hear Nick West is the talk of the town."

"Gah. Nick's just one of those guys labelled 'hot' by the girls who are not me. Trust me, he wants them all over him and that's how its gonna go on"

"I dunno. Could be. Also the contrary"

"Yeah, yeah. Now how 'bout we get to class?" We make our way to our first class, Geography. Mr. Quentin handed out map copies and we spent the class working on that. Classes went on until lunch. As soon as the lunch bell rang, the familiar scraping of chairs and a rush to get outside began. Reaching our table, I spotted Leo.

"Hi Leo. You were coming late"

"Yeah. My little bro got lost in the park. Search. He was found."

"God. Kids these days.."

I brought my tray and sat down between May and Callie. Adam, Callie's boyfriend came up and sat down too. Luke, Leo's older brother, joined us as well. We had a hearty time chatting and eating our food. As we were leaving, Hannah came up to me and said-

"Um, Astoria, Nick wants your help" She said with a look of disgust, pointing at where he was. I followed her direction and right there, leaning on the wall, in front of the water filter, Nick was standing, picking his nails, looking lost. Reallyyyy...obnoxious little jerk. He doesn't want help, he just wants to hook up...idiot! 

I smirk. "Thanks Hannah." Se doesn't look too happy. Of course, because i'm - 'stealing her guy' now all the girls will be jealous. I seriously can't handle their drama, so i tell her - "Listen, I've no interest in Nick, and i'm just gonna refuse to whatever he wants, ok?" She stops looking at me like i've murdered her cat and instead sighs in relief. Good Lord.

I stride towards Nick, stopping metres away from where he's standing. He seems to be in cloud-cuckoo land so I say - 

"Nick West."

He looks up, flashing a smile. "Astoria something"

"Smith" R U serious right now?

"Astoria Smith" He says, breathing out the 'th'.

"What do you want?" I look at him defiantly.

"Woah, hey, hey. I just need some help" He holds up is hands.

"And can't any of your girlfriends help you?" I say.

"Um, girlfriends? I have no girlfriends." Classic trick. I bet he just made out with a girl behind the bleachers.

"Sure you don't" I smirk. Sarcasm intended, Nick.

"So, will you help me?"

"In what?"

"I need some help in my math work"

"I thought you were perfect at everything?"

"Um? No?"

"Whatever"

"So will you help me?"

"Why me?"

"Because you're smart?"

I roll my eyes. Yeah right. Cause i'm smart.

"Sorry, really busy schedule, ask Luke, he's good at math and he's a guy. Good luck" I wave and make my way to me class. May whispers to me as i'm writing my essay - 

"So? Wat did Nick want?" She flutters her eyelids.

Not again. " Help with math. I refused. Hannah's elated. The end."

She looked at me with an expression of bewilderment. "You refused?"

"Yeah. I can handle him" She folds her hands in prayer and sighs - "Almighty, give her some brains and tell her that refusing hot boys will make her lonely. Tell her she'll live to be alone in her house, no husband, no kids.....Knock some sense into her, lord. Amen"

"Really, May. I'm fine the way i am"

As the final bell rings, I take up my stuff and go to my car. And I cannot believe my eyes. I stomp over.

"What do you think you're doing here?" I yell at Nick.

"Woah, Astoria, Calm down. I wanted to give you a lift."

"And can't you see the car you are leaning on is mine?"

"I can, but i wanted to drive you home"

"And what if i said no?"

"You would'nt"

"Yes, I would. Who's gonna stop me?"

He grins. "Me?"

"Nick, you dumbass, can you get off my car so I can drive home?"

"Say please"

"Not gonna happen"

"Then I won't move"

"You're such a douchebag, Nick. But I know what to do." I got into the car, turned the ignition on, and reversed.

"Hey! No fair." He says.

"If you don't want me driving over this insane body of yours, then shove it outta my way"

"Sooner or later, Astoria. You'll want me. Sooner, or later"

"In you're dreams numbskull, In your dreams" I smile out of contempt.

He moves his hand and i drive off. Seriously, can these boys stop at nothing? 

Entering my house, I change into some comfortable clothes, have dinner and go to me room. I check my messages. I see an unknown number message - 

Unknown: Heyyyyy (extra large smiley emoji)

Me: Who?

Unknown: You can call me West. Nick West. I almost threw my phone out of the window in my frustration.

Me: Where'd you get my number?

Unknown: Class group. Duh.

Me: Ugh. I save the number as 'Nick The Numbskull' and smile to myself.

Nick The Numbskull: Goodnight...

Me: Whatevz. I lay the phone down and brush my teeth, curling up into my cozy bed. Ah, the satisfaction of having a good day, excluding the Nick part. I drift off to sleep.

And....Chapter 1 completed. Next chapter will come up soon. Please share your views in the comments. Don't forget to click the shiny star!! Lots of love XXX

Serendipity