[Nicole's POV]
I turned on my phone to check the time:
8:14. The first bell had already rung.
"Perfect," I muttered under my breath as I drove into the school parking lot. Every space was taken, of course so I slid into one of the far-of corners, killed the engine, and again grabbed my bag in a hurry. My stomach tightened as that same feeling of lateness aroused. I slammed the door shut, ready to sprint.
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a serious student, I've come to school late many times before but every single time I always get this feeling of dread that some thing bad is going to happen so I try to avoid coming late to school, most of the times but I guess today isn't one of those times.
Sprinting, I noticed him and recognised that he was new- Micheal, his name I heard from the murmurs last week Friday.
Micheal wasn't the kind of guy you'd miss, even if he tried to blend into the crowd. His hair was dark, a little messy- as if he'd run his hand through it a dozen times this morning.
He wasn't dressed to impress: a plain white t-shirt and jeans that looked comfortably worn. But it was the way he carried himself as if oozing confidence but not in the cocky way that caught my interest.
*Hah* For a moment I thought it was funny two latecomers alone in the lot while the rest of the world (school) was already inside. He caught my eye and for a split second the corner of his mouth lifted up like he almost wanted to laugh at our shared misfortune.
I looked away first noticing I've been staring, my cheeks warming, I moved faster to the entrance, but I could hear his footsteps falling in rhythm behind him.
Somehow, being late didn't seem so bad.
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By the time I slid into my seat for 2nd period, my body no longer felt it was heating up, I relaxed visibly, because I was so tense but I made it- barely.
Laura plopped down in the desk beside mine with her usual energy. "You're late", she whispered curiosity laced in her tone.
I groaned "I know, dont remind me."
She tilted her head, eyes urging me to ay why I was late but I just shrugged "Mum kept me up late".
She understood immediately without the extra detail.
Laura's been in my life for as long as I can remember; she was with me in the early years my dad passed, when my mum had shifts I stayed in her house, it basically became my second home especially with her parents treating me like their daughter plus Laura being the only child just like me, we grew up like sisters which I wouldn't say is wrong. She's like a sister to me and I love her.
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The bell rang sharp and echoing through the classroom signifying second class had ended, I packed my notebook into my backpack, Laura already waiting for me.
"So..." she dragged out the word, her voice sing-songy. "Are you going to tell me about the new guy or am my gonna have to drag it out of you."
My stomach did a little flip
"What new guy" I asked trying to be casual but the heat rushing to my cheeks betrayed me instantly.
Laura arched and eyebrow, amused. "Don't play dumb, Nic. Micheal; tall, dark hair, kind of quiet, actually looks like he belongs in a novel. I saw you staring at him this morning."
I froze, hugging my backpack, was I really staring, he just happened to be in my line of sight whenever my eyes wandered to his exact position.
"I wasn't staring. Just noticed him that's all"
Laura smirked, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Noticed huh, sure, we'll stick with that, but just so you know, you were blushing the wholetime you 'noticed' him".
I ducked my head wishing to disappear but sadly I wasn't an anime character living in a fantasy world. "Laura..."I muttered but there was no hiding the smile tugging at my lips and the blush creeping up my cheeks- I swear If I blush again, I might actually turn pink with the number of times I've blushed today.
She didn't say a word but loop her arm through mine as we headed through the door. "Don't worry your secrets safe with me...for now".