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Being the new kid in a school where everyone already knows each other isn't easy. Everyone knows this already.
Making friends almost has to be a multiple step plan. Especially if you're the Electors son. It's better to befriend people one the same status level as you, not even taking dating into consideration. Of course, Anden's always wanted a partner, but it's been too risky.
The only person Anden even slightly known was June Iparis. They'd met at a Republic-thrown party once, but never talked after that. Knowing his luck, she probably didn't even remember him.
However, there she was. Alone, silently studying in a rather busy library. Everyone had someone to talk to besides them two. It was a perfect opportunity. He couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he shouldn't talk to her, though. He figured it would be better now than later. He couldn't be alone in this school forever.
Slowly, he approached her table, as if he was approaching a wild animal. He stood behind one of the four chairs, the one on her right. June looked up, taking a break from writing.
"Hey," She sounded confused, but not rude. He was a bit relieved by this. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Hey, wait, you're the electors son! Anden, yeah? We talked about a year ago at that Republic party, remember?"
Anden nodded, now at ease. "Yeah, I do remember. I dared you to eat so much caviar that you almost threw up. Can I sit?" He asked. June nodded.
"Yeah, I haven't eaten caviar since," She laughed. Anden couldn't help but notice how pretty her smile was. He glanced at her notebook, his eyes scanning through her notes. She was writing about something to do with the Civil War, presumably for her history class. June's focus, however, was somewhere ahead. Anden picked his head up and followed her gaze to a boy with blonde hair talking to a big group of people. His blonde hair was tied back into a ponytail, and he wore the basic third-year uniform for Drake students.
Anden looked back at June, who was still looking at the blonde boy. "Doesn't he look like he'd be good at running? Track, I mean. Like the sport. I have this theory that he could win the 100-meter if he tried."
Anden furrowed how brows. "What? The blonde boy? I don't know, I've never really thought of someone like that when I look at them," Anden chuckled. He almost wanted to keep talking about the blonde boy, just to learn more about him. At the same time, he didn't want to talk about the boy anymore. Was this who June liked? Of course he was.
June shrugged. "Well, it's sort of just something I thought about while looking at him one time. Is that weird?" She narrowed her eyes, her brows furrowing.
"A little bit," Anden smiled, nodding slowly. She definitely liked him. The boy and Anden weren't alike at all. Anden had brown hair, the boy had blonde. The boy was probably an athlete, as well. His lean, muscular physique was practically visible through his uniform. Anden wondered what he really looked like under the uniform. Better than Anden? Probably. He deicided to push further. "Who even is that guy?"
June's head shot up, and excitement shone in her eyes. "Daniel Wing. He's in my grade, but he's the same age as me. He's an athlete, but none of the coaches can get him to join their team. It's weird. He's super social and has a lot of friends, but no one really knows much about him, you know? He's super smart, and him and I are constantly battling for first in class rank."
Anden couldn't help but be impressed. Daniel Wing? Athlete? Genius? This guy had it all. He could tell why June liked him. "You seem to know a lot about this guy. Are you two friends?"
"Not . . . really. We talk a little bit, but not like that. I don't think he likes me. Like at all," June speculated. Anden raised an eyebrow.
"So, you're obsessed with this guy, but you barely know him?"
She shrugged. "Well- there was this one time. We used to be in the same calculus class. We talked a lot, and he told me he was going to a party. He asked me if I wanted to go, and I said sure. It wasn't really my scene, a lot of drinking, smoking, all that. I didn't know many people, either, so I stuck with him the whole time. Then we both got a little too drunk and he kissed me. I think I've liked him ever since, but I never really talked to him after that class ended. It sucks, but I just can't stop thinking about him. It sounds weird and stalker-ish."
Daniel took the hair tie out of his hair, and it spilled out onto his shoulders. Anden watched as he tied it back up, this time into a bun, and continued his conversation with his friends. He wondered what talking to him would be like. He remembered June and her story. "That . . . sucks. Why don't you two talk anymore?"
"I'm not sure. I think he likes this girl in his history class. She's pretty, she plays soccer, and her parents are both senators. It's so annoying." She taps her pen on the table, her eyes locked on Daniel.
Anden finally looked back at June, finally examining her. She really was pretty. Her lips complimented her skin, and her hair complimented it all. She had slim, but strong shoulders, probably from working out, and she had pretty hands. Her cheekbones were sharp, and her ponytail only emphasized that. "I don't know why," Anden questions. "You're pretty, too. You have a lot to offer. You're smart, nice, fun to talk to."
She blinked harshly, confused, but still smiling. "You really think so?"
He nodded, adjusting the cuffs on his uniform. "I do. And Daniel's stupid for not thinking the same."
June smiled, and closed her notebook. "You're right. Maybe I should forget about him. It's not like he'll ever feel the same, anyway. You're smart, Anden." They both stood up, and June was almost a head shorter than him. She smiled up at him, grabbing her stuff.
Anden felt himself get nervous at her compliment. Despite this, he tried to smile and play it off. "Thanks. I could say the same about you," He admitted. He watched her put all her stuff in her schoolbag. "Hey, do you want to go get something to eat? I'll pay. We can go to the nicest restaurant in Los Angeles, if you want."
She slung her bag over her shoulder, ready to leave. "I'd be stupid to say no to that," She laughed.
Phase one of his plan was finished. Now, phase two: talk to Daniel Wing.