Chapter ten: Andrew

She's such a drama queen, she hasn't changed. Her eyes straight on the windshield and arms crossed tight from my side view. Her face screwed in a frown expression.

"You need to relearn a sense of humor," I stated, turning a corner.

"You're so immature," Rachel spouted, shaking her head.

I sputtered out laughing, continuing to drive on the road. "Sassy."

"Oh Lord," she moaned.

"All right, let's get breakfast." I didn't have time to eat, well mom didn't cook because she left early with Lyds.

"No, thank you, I had mine."

"Then you won't mind if I get something?"

"Your car, I don't care," she shrugged, turning to the door window.

"Is there anything close by?" I asked in a sickly, sweet tone. She looked at me with a scowl, I grinned, batting my eyelashes.

She sighed out, rolling her eyes and she spoke with clenched teeth, "there's a Dunkin Donuts two minutes away."

"Aww thank you, Ray Ray."

"Ugh, please, stop." She turned away again to the window.

***

Fifteen minutes of arguing on the road after I had breakfast, we arrived at the school building. I read the sign before entering the parking lot in bold letters:

**Welcome to the new year!**

I found a parking spot close to the entrance, pulled in immediately and shifting the gear into P. I removed my seatbelt, grabbing my backpack from the backseat. Hearing the passenger door open, she exited my car, slamming it behind her. "Hostile!" I yelled out, getting out of my side, locking it with the alarm.

"You're lucky it wasn't your face," she replied in a singing voice adjusting her shoulder strap.

"Is this any way to treat your neighbor and old friend?" I faked gasping, placing a palm to my chest.

"If they weren't a complete jackass." She walked off, I followed behind. Placing my arm around her shoulder, she removed it quickly, grabbing the doorknob to open it. I saw a colorful banner above that said Reading is universal. The school was comprehensive enough. It seemed cool. Rachel strides fast. She was already at the entrance. I met her speed as she opened the door, almost slamming it behind her.

"You can at least be my nice tour guide." I spun her to face me. She blinked once, tilting her head to the side. Both of us stood in the spacious hallway, staring at each other.

Our attention turned to a group of girls gawking at us, well at me. They waved in my direction and I nodded and grinned. "Oh my God, he's so cute!" They squealed before running off.

Rachel scoffed, "unbelievable."

"Don't be jealous," I said in a teasing tone. More girls came my way to say hi, I waved back.

"I think you can find any of these girls to help you." Rachel stepped backwards out of the way for someone that walked through the middle space. It seemed like everyone was going in the same direction.

"Attention new and returning students. The junior and senior class please report to the gymnasium for further instructions! Freshman and sophomore report to the cafeteria. Thank you." A woman announced through the microphone. The intercom made an annoying feedback before shutting off.

"Who was that?" I questioned.

"Our principal. We have a welcoming assembly every year. Protocol, instructions and rules for the students. Then they distribute our schedules and lockers," she answered, nodding. I saw her eyes sparkle and lips upturned, looking around the hallway.

"You're excited? For school?" I realized grinning, once a teacher's pet, always a teacher's pet.

"And is that an issue? I like school," she retorted.

"I know. I remember, you used to smell the notebooks and loose-leaf paper. It's cute!" I pinched her cheeks. In the first grade, she would sit in the front of the class, paying attention to each lesson. In art class, she had red paint on her fingers perfecting her picture.

"Shut up." She slapped my hand away, hiding her blush.

"You must be new," a chipper voice spoke beside me, turning over to the petite cute brunette as she smiled at me.

"I am," I said with a grin.

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Kim. Student aide." She pulled out her arm for a handshake.

"Andrew." I met her soft hands, bringing it to my mouth and kissed the back of it. She smelled of peaches, sweet.

"Ooh. Gentleman!" She giggled, her cheeks becoming pink from blushing. "Are you a Junior or senior?"

"Junior."

"Me too!" Her brown eyes widened as she gasped. "I guess we're going to the gymnasium."

"Guess so."

"Do you need someone to give you the grand tour?" She questioned twirling her strand with her index finger.

I heard Rachel huff, her steps clomping away. I watched her walk off from my side to the same direction as everyone else. I chuckled, shaking my head, looking up to Kim she was waiting for my answer.

"Lead the way, madam," I gestured for her to walk in front of me. She giggled again, linking my arm with hers.