Chapter Text
The clicking of the principal’s computer keys echoes through the otherwise silent room.
Connie looks around, wondering when the man sitting across from her would finally pay attention to her.
After several seconds—perhaps minutes, the girl thinks—the principal looks up from his laptop screen, then he exhales sharply through his nose; Connie can see his nostrils flare as he does so.
“Miss Moreau”, the man—who is getting on in years—addresses her.
Connie can’t help but notice the sparse hair on his head.
Receiving no response, the principal clears his throat, drawing the student’s attention.
“Yes”, Connie says—an almost inaudible sound. “It’s me, sorry.”
The man nods in response, then he hands her a crumpled sheet of paper.
“It’s your timetable. I suggest you learn it well”, the principal says in a neutral tone, taking care to offer some advice.
Connie grabs it, without paying attention to the man’s words.
“Thank you. Goodbye.” She says then, focusing on the piece of paper in her hands.
The principal dismisses her, with a slight nod of the head.
As she leaves the small room, Connie—lost in her thoughts—notices another student walking by.
She turns slightly, watching him take a seat on the creaky chair she had just gotten up from.
“My name’s Guy.”
Connie stares at the boy standing in front of her, then she shakes his hand without hesitation.
“I’m Connie.” She says.
He nods in response, flashing a smile.
“I’ve been assigned to show you around the school.” Guy explains.
Connie studies him for a moment: blond hair parted down the middle, light-colored eyes, and average height.
What catches Connie’s attention the most, however, is his outfit. Guy is wearing a green pair of cargo pants—quite worn out at the knees—and a simple white t-shirt, the piece who stands out the most is the wool cardigan that falls perfectly from his shoulders.
“I’ll follow you”, Connie finally replies.
Guy smiles, and together they make their way through the hallways of Eden Hall High School.
After receiving a list of all the school’s cliques—from the most popular ones to those to watch out for—Connie’s attention is caught by someone.
“Who is that?” She is stunned, her mouth slightly open, as her gaze follows a female figure passing relatively close by.
“Julie Gaffney.” Guy gives Connie a curt answer. “And she falls into the ‘out of your league’ category.” The girl shoots him an offended look.
Julie Gaffney is probably the most beautiful girl Connie has ever laid eyes on. Her wavy, blonde hair falls loosely down her back, revealing glimpses of her shoulders. She is wearing a yellow dress that almost reaches her knees, and she clutches her schoolbooks tightly in her hands.
“Earth to Connie?” Guy tries to get her attention.
“I think I just fell in love.” She admits.
After hearing her words, the boy sighs—as if he already knew that was going to happen.
“Don’t even think about it.” He warns her.
“Why? I’m beautiful, she’s not out of my league.” Connie’s tone gets defensive after hearing Guy’s comment.
“That’s not the problem”, says the boy, turning his attention to her, “Julie and her sibling can’t date.”
Connie, still busy looking at the blonde girl, snaps back to reality instantly. “What? Why?”
Guy shrugs. “It was their weird dad who decided it.” He explains. “He’s afraid his precious little kids might do something they’d regret later.”
Connie immediately understands what he means.
“Lookin’ good ladies.” Says a voice, but she doesn’t recognise it.
When Connie turns around, she notices a guy flashing a white toothed smile at the blonde and her friend. Julie giggles, embarrassed.
Connie feels like throwing up.
“That’s Scooter Holland.” Guys says—he seems to read Connie’s mind.
She frowns in disgust.
“You’d better forget about Julie Gaffney,” Guy suggests—his tone is sincere, as if he’s worried for Connie, “especially if Scott Holland has set his sights on her.”
Connie doesn’t say anything.
Guy looks at her closely, but her expression doesn’t reveal any emotion. “You know: I’ve heard Julie Gaffney needs a French tutor.” He says.
Connie’s face lights up at the boy’s words.
“That’s perfect! I can help her with that!” She exclaims.
Guy raises both eyebrows. “You speak French?”
“No.” Connie’s replies briefly. “But I can learn it.”
The boy sighs, but he doesn’t say anything.
At the end of the school day, Connie realizes she has been thinking about Julie Gaffney more than she would have liked.
That girl has gotten into her head, and she has no intention of leaving.
“Hey.” Guy waves at Connie. “How did your first day go?”
She hesitates a moment before answering.
“It was alright.” She then admits, receiving a nod from her new friend in response.
The abrupt sound of a car horn makes them jump.
“Move!” An unfamiliar voice says from behind them.
Connie doesn’t even have the time to realize what’s happening before Guy yanks her out of the way. Then he offers an apologetic wave to the driver of said car. The two stand there awkwardly, watching as a red vehicle pulls out of the school parking lot.
“Adam Banks,” Guy says, “Julie Gaffney’s brother.”
Connie is visibly confused. Did he say brother?
“She uses her mother’s last name, he uses his father’s.” The boy explains, trying to clear up her confusion. “I don’t know why.”
Guy gets no response from Connie, whose attention is now on Scooter Holland’s car—or rather, on the girl now settling into the passenger seat: Julie Gaffney.
When the front door slams shut, Adam Banks rolls his eyes.
“Hi, dad!” His sister’s high pitched voice reveals that she’s home.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Their dad smiles at her.
Adam snorts.
“Dad, why don’t you ask Julie who brought her home today?” He suggests, receiving an annoyed look from his sister.
“What is he talking about?” Mr. Banks already has his guard up.
“It was just a nice guy—very sweet—who offered to drive me home!” Julie tries to explain.
Their father shakes his head, disappointed. “That’s exactly how it goes. It starts with a ride home and it ends with having to raise a child before you even graduate!”
Adam can barely hold back his laughter at his father’s words.
“It’s not fair!” Julie complains. “I’m almost seventeen, I should be free to experience the typical teenage life! And that includes going out with a cute boy.”
Her dad shakes his head, again.
“I’m only doing this to protect you. At your age, you’re too young to make wise decisions.” The man says.
Adam rolls his eyes, his father notices.
“Alright. I’m willing to trust you.” Mr. Banks declares in a serious tone.
“You can go out,” he says, pointing a finger at Julie, “only if he goes out.” And he directs his index finger towards Adam.
Then he smiles proudly.
Julie’s jaw drops in shock. “But he never goes out!” She whines.
“Exactly.” Their dad crosses his arms over his chest.
Julie grunts in annoyance. Then she disappears, stomping up the stairs; and Adam is convinced he heard her mutter nasty insults at him.