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Julie's POV

Everything that had happened yesterday still baffled me. I couldn't get any sleep at all. Many thoughts, possibilities, and ideas rushed through my mind as I laid on my bed.

My mom wasn't helping at all, I didn't know why she saw it fit to leave me in the dark. I can't help but doubt everything I know and have. Am I her real daughter? Is she an ex-convict or something? And she left very early in the morning; I didn't get the chance to seek some sort of clearance.

I came out of the house, immediately the cool morning breeze hit me and blew the loose strands that fell from my ponytailed hair to my face. I tucked the loose strands behind my ear and turned around to lock the door.

I walked towards a familiar red convertible and a very beautiful looking Stella at the driver seat, who had a very wide toothy smile on and a maroon suede crop top that complemented her golden-brown skin.

Her caramel skin glowed from the reflection of early morning sunshine and her peach-pink lips parted to show her oyster-white teeth. Her midnight-black hair filled with errant curls flowed on her shoulders - few strands covering the brown orbs that watched my cautious movements towards her.

"Good morning, Julie," She beamed.

"Morning, Stella. Why do you look happier than usual?" I smiled, studying her as I got into the passenger seat.

"I'm just so happy to see my best friend," she said with her earlier expression still on.

I gave her a look that said 'Really'.

"Fine," she gave up, reclining her body on the driver seat.

"I'm happy cause I have a date tomorrow," she squealed, straightening her posture, almost jumping from her seat.

I joined in. As we were screaming, a man jogging past us, gave us a look that hinted we were crazy, but we ignored him and went on.

"With who?" I asked, wiggling my brows.

"His name is Diego, he's from Spain and he's an exchange student at West Brooklyn Community High school," she smiled giving me the details.

"A Spaniard," I gushed as I wiggled my brows once again.

She rolled her eyes at my comment and started the engine. We got to school about 20 minutes later.

Walking to the entrance of the school through the concrete pathway, I inspected the building.

Although school wasn't one of my favorite places in the world, I have to admit it was a beautiful and elegant place. The school had existed for the past 20 years, but the peach bricks shined like it was just put in. The elegance was completed by the cream painted arch, supported by the matching pillars placed down the center of the building that welcomed the student.

A crowd anchored on the left side of the school's building. Curiosity filled us both to the brim so much that we decided to see what was going on.

The crowd was formed around some dude, Kendal West; one of the most good looking guys in my school, he's the star quarterback of our school, Jennifer's boyfriend, and an overall nice guy.

From a distance, his smiling face could be seen addressing the crowd in front of him. His dirty blonde hair was perfectly still as the mild morning breeze blew across. The sun shone on his smooth tanned skin, highlighting his every perfection and flaw. His chiseled jaw and peach full lips moved from every word he said.

He was loved by everyone. He was literally awarded as the heartthrob of Brooklyn Academy High school in the 10th grade.

Unlike everyone else, I didn't like him. I never did, even when we were kinder-gardeners. The fact he had always been loved by everyone and was labeled perfect made him a no go area for me.

I may sound jealous and all, but it is what it is.

They had formed a circle around as he stood in the middle, giving them the details of his trip. He had just returned from a trip, he was invited by United State's most prestigious colleges for a sports scholarship after graduation.

He was still attending to the crowd when his awesome girlfriend pushed through the crowd and gave him a long sloppy kiss.

It was a scene to barf at, rubbing their so-called love in front of sad single people. For shame.

I spooled eyes from the scene and pulled Stella with me to the double-sided grey metallic doors.

The halls were filled with sparsely spread students at each corner and face of the red metallic inbuilt lockers.

I went to my locker and Stella had gone to her's, picked up my Geology textbook and notes, and headed to class, but not before waving Stella goodbye.

I sat on a seat by the wall in the middle row, sketching random things behind my note. Then yesterday's occurrence crashed my mind. I suddenly felt sick in my gut. I still have no idea what to think.

Was I reborn or am I revived?

I had a sick feeling about this.

Then the bell rang, which detached me from my track of thoughts, back to reality. Students rushed in to avoid getting to class before my teacher, Mr. Matthews, arrived. He had this rule that whoever came to class after him, even if it was just a minute difference, he'll give an hour detention. Talk about cruel.

Everyone was seated and waiting patiently on him. He walked in, looked at us, and gave an impressed look. Noticing the empty seat beside me, his face formed a frown which highlighted the wrinkles on his pale skin. I looked around the class and did a mental headcount. Everyone was complete, but why was there an extra seat?

"Who's not in class?" he said with frustration evident in his voice.

"Sorry I'm late sir," A masculine voice said from the door, his body stayed covered from the sight of the sitting students and me.

Mr. Matthews turned and the owner of the voice was revealed. It was the great Kendal West *note the sarcasm*.

When did he start taking geology?

"When did you start taking this class?" Mr. Matthews asked. His middle-aged face gave the impression that he questioned his motives as he adjusted his specs to the bridge of his nose.

"Right now," he said, walking to the empty seat beside me.

"Ok..." Mr. Matthews dawdled, "everyone, turn your textbooks to page 107."

The sound of pages flipping filled the whole room. It was weirdly calming and gave a studious feel.

"The topic is 'Layers of the atmosphere'," he informed, putting it in writing on the board.

"Sir," Kendal called out. Mr. Matthews slumped his shoulders-which made his curly bushy black hair bounce, turned, and motioned for him to go on with his nose scrunched up.

He really doesn't like kids.

"I don't have my textbook with me," Kendal stated as he widened his leg and put the right out of the confinement of the black metal of the table.

"Well, pair with someone," Mr. Matthews drawled with an obvious tone and turned back to the board.

Almost everyone was giving Kendal signs to come to join them, but he ignored them all and turned to me.

Why me?

"Can I pair with you?" He asked, giving me one of his charming smiles as his steel-blue eyes remained focused on me.

I scrunched up my nose with a toothy smile and mouthed "Whatever."

Taken aback by my hostile response, he frowned and pulled his chair to the boy at his other side. Thank God he took the hint.

The class was finally over and we were all heading to the hallway when Kendal stepped in front of me.

"It's Julie, right?" he smiled, trying to start a conversation.

I sighed.

"Yeah, Julie," I said flatly, sidestepped him, and left to my locker.

I know that was a bit rude, but I admitted I didn't like him and when I don't like people I don't try to hide it.

I had two classes left before lunch and luckily I had the last with Stella.

It was lunch, Stella and I took our sit on an empty table after buying our food and began eating immediately we were seated. We were talking about random things when Kendal passed our table advancing towards his girlfriend's, but not before flashing a smile towards my direction which showed his halo-white teeth.

Won't he give it a rest? One person has the effrontery to shun him and now he wants to win over the person too?

I was sure other people didn't like him too, but they were just afraid to show it because at Brooklyn Academy whoever does not worship the football team, is considered a social outcast and will be treated as one. Even the nerds can't be associated with the person, for the reason that, if anyone tries to associate with that person, he or she will become an outcast too.

I looked away and continued shoving my face. Stella's gaze stayed on me as I remained focused on my food.

"What?" I shrugged.

"The star quarterback of our school smiled at you and you just ignored him?" She asked in disbelief.

"But I told you I didn't like him," I stated, my voice blending in with the chatters of other students.

"Do you wanna be an outcast in our school? 'cause it seems like you do," she said.

"Look Stella, I don't care one bit. I just wanna graduate from High school, go off to college and become a successful journalist," I said honestly.

She sighed and looked at me.

"Please just try to be nice to him. I really don't want you to be isolated for the rest of the school year," she said with concern.

"Fine," I gave in. Then her shoulders relaxed, pleased with my response.

"So how did you and Diego meet?" I asked in an effort to change the topic.

"We met in Devociòn. I was working on a song for the talent show..." she said with a glint in her eyes.

"...when he came over to my table. I could've sworn he was Humberto, but with darker skin. He completely threw me off with a cheesy but sweet pick up line," she laughed.

"He was like-" she was saying before I cut her off, "Isn't he Spanish?"

"Yeah," she responded, even though I had interrupted her.

"But Humberto is Mexican," I corrected.

"Spanish, Mexican, what's the difference?" She brushed off my correction.

"As I was saying," she proceeded, "He was like 'Can I follow you home?' I almost slapped him 'cause of it. Like who the heck walks up to you and asks 'can I follow you home?' " She rambled.

"I was about to reply to him with 'do I look like a whore to you?' but then he said 'cause my mom always told me to follow my dream'. I really didn't know what to say... I just... blushed."

"Awww," I gushed, "That's so sweet."

"We exchanged numbers and we've been talking ever since. He finally asked me out yesterday," she smiled.

I was so happy to see her excited.

Wait a minute...

"You guys have been talking since and you are just telling me now?" I asked after realization.

"I didn't think it was that important," she defended.

"Oh really. Okay, when I have a date or... even when I'm getting married, I won't tell you," I overreacted.

"Why?" she squeaked.

"I don't think it's that important," I mimicked her.

"It's not even the same thing," she defended.

"I think it is," I stated.

"You are being so annoying about this," she complained.

"Am I? Am I really?" I squinted my eyes at her.

"Yeah," she grumbled.

"Well, I don't think so," I said giving her the stink eye and taking a bite from my burger.

"Fine, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It will not repeat itself in the future," She acquiesced in a bored tone.

Stella and I made a promise to each other, that whenever we did anything to offend each other, we will apologize for what we did and add 'It will not repeat itself in the future'. Clever right?

"Better," I said giving her a pleasing look.

Then we ate in comfortable silence. As I was about to take the final bite of my burger, a girl shouted, "Isn't she supposed to be dead?"

I whipped my head in direction of the scream and saw Jennifer holding her phone in amazement. Then I released a loud breath.

"Julie died years ago, right? Caitlin!" The voice rang in my head.

I lost all appetite. Everything wasn't settling well with me. I was just...

"Julie," Stella gently shook my arm.

"Yeah," I said after I had snapped back.

"What's wrong?" She solicited with worry pouring out of her words and showcasing itself in her eyes.

"It's just that..." I stopped mid-sentence. I couldn't tell her, It was going to get her worked up.

She squeezed my arm a little and gave a small smile.

"...that I am tired," I lied, mirroring her smile.

"You sure?" She doubted.

"Yeah, absolutely," I said as I widened my smile.

Lunch was over, Stella and I had to go our separate ways, but we met again for P.E.

We were dressed in our sport wears and doing some warm-ups, before we had to run five laps on the field. I wondered if my school was trying to kill us or something.

Five laps on that big field? I'm a goner.

We began jogging around the field, my hair moved from side to side, in each step and sweat increased simultaneously.

The football team was having a little practice before the game next week Saturday. I enjoyed watching them: throw balls, catch them, and tackle themselves until my eyes met with Kendal.

When he noticed I was looking at him, he flashed a smile with a wink.

As he did that, the girl behind me, bumped into me, which made me fall hard on the ground.

Oh crap.

Can you see why I don't like him?

As I was on the floor, some students murmured 'sorry' and continued their laps, leaving me on the hard, lined maroon track. Then I sighted Stella jogging over to me with worry in her eyes.

"Woods, to the bench!" My red-headed coach, Ms. Lily yelled from the sidelines. At least there was a silver lining--no more running.

I guess I can thank Kendal for that.

After Stella helped me get to my feet, I leaped over to the wooden bench and grabbed an ice pack for my knee, from the cooler at the side.

I was dabbing the ice pack on my bruises when someone came over.

"Your elbow is bleeding," the voice informed. I looked at my elbow and indeed there was blood.

"Thanks," I said looking up and seeing the boy who caused everything.

"What do you want, Kendal?" I sighed.

Not him again.

"To see if you're okay," he said sitting beside me.

"I'm fine," I stated, looking at my bleeding elbow and blowing on it.

"I can clearly see that," he said grabbing my arm and dabbing on my elbow with his handkerchief.

I jerked my arm away, "What are you doing?"

"Helping you," he stated, taking my arm back. I stayed still and let him do it, silence filling the both of us.

Why is he doing all these things? And Why now?

For years he never even bother to look my way, and now, suddenly he can't leave me alone.

"Why now?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" he asked, cleaning the blood. His concentration didn't refrain from my arm as he rubbed the material against the scratch.

"Why did you notice me, all of a sudden?"

He looked at me and sighed, stopping what he was doing, dropping the material, slightly covered in blood between us.

"You know that's not true," he breathed, fidgeting with his fingers, "you never gave me a chance to know you."

"Whenever I tried to talk to you, you leave before I even get the chance to say a word to you. Then I just..." he breathed, "...gave up."

I didn't know what to say. I felt the urge to apologize but I stopped myself.

'What's the use?' My subconscious voiced.

"Don't apologize. I understand," he rested his arms on his knees, looking forward.

"It's just a typical stereotype thing." He breathed, "I know some people are like that but it's not fair to those that aren't."

Yes I felt like a terrible person, in my defense, Jennifer matched the description perfectly and the stereotyping didn't start with me; people, books, and even movies prove the stereotype.

But that didn't make me feel any less shallow minded.

"I don't know why people like me. I'm just... me."

He was right. It wasn't his fault that everyone liked him. He was a good person, so of course, he'll be loved.

I was just jealous.

Although I didn't want to admit it, I was jealous. The fact he got to be himself and still be popular made me feel...

"Why did you still want to talk to me? Especially after how I treated you." I understood that I was mean to him but why did he want to be friends with me? There was nothing I could offer him.

"I dunno, you seemed cool and you were not afraid to be yourself. Even if it meant being a social outcast," he teased.

That can't be all.

I mean, he endured all the rude remarks and bad talking, just because he thought I was cool?

"And that tradition is really dumb," I smiled.

"Right?" he grinned, "I really don't know who came up with it."

"Maybe our fore father's," I said without thinking.

As I realized my dumb statement, I mentally face palmed myself.

Then he gave a hearty chuckle before nodding his head. We remained silent before he went on.

"Most of my friends are hung up on sex, drugs, and parties. I want a friend I can just you know, chill with," he said, looking at me, "so I thought, why not try again?"

"I understand all that. But why me? Out of over a thousand students in our school."

He shrugged in response.

"Wow..." I trailed.

He looked away and gave a soft chuckle.

"What about Jennifer?" I asked, "why go through all those things when you have a girlfriend you love."

But I hate.

"I love spending time with her," he said fidgeting with his fingers, "but it's really not what it used to be. We once used to hang out at my place, watch movies, go to fairs and stuff, but now all she wants to do is party," he paused, "and parties aren't really my thing."

"One thing we have in common," I smiled.

"Good," he mirrored my expression.

"You know what, you're alright, West."

"Thanks. So friends now?" he asked with a wide grin, stretching forth his hand.

"Friends," I said, taking his hand, mirroring his smile.

"But I've still got my eyes on you," I joked.

"I'm not complaining," he chuckled.

"West, get over here!" the football coach, Mr. Brown yelled.

"Yes coach!" he yelled back, standing up from the bench.

"See you soon." he nodded and jogged back to the field.

Suddenly I felt someone's gaze on me. I turned to the steel fence that surrounded the field and saw a man staring at me, but then he turned around quickly and left. Out of anxiety, I stood up, leaping to the girls' locker room to take a shower, but I couldn't get that man out of my mind.

Who could he be?

What does he want from me?

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Guys...
It's Chapter 3, at least the new chapter 3.
How was it? I hope You like it.
Who do you think that man was?
I wanna know your thoughts, so please comment. If you spotted any mistakes when you were reading, please comment on it and I'll correct it immediately.
Love you guys. You all have been the best fam🤗🤗.

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Preshivipes out (drops the Mic dramatically, and walks out).