(Clock Ringing)
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Iris's POV
"Ugh, so noisy!" I groaned, slapping the snooze button. My eyes struggled to focus on the time: 8:10 AM. "Oh crap, I'm late for school!"
I practically rolled out of bed and promptly tripped over the stupid blanket I always forget to pick up. "Ow! Seriously?" I yelled, "Mom, why didn't you wake me?"
"I tried, sweetie!" Mom's voice floated up the stairs. "You mumbled something about 'five more minutes' and passed back out."
"Ugh, I'm gonna be so late!" I scrambled for my uniform, pulling it on in a tangled mess.
I charged down the stairs and almost missed the last step. "Mom, I'm running late! Gotta go!"
"At least grab something to eat!"
I snatched a piece of toast off the plate on the counter and said, "This'll have to do!" I slid my feet into my sneakers and left the laces untied.
"Okay, have a good day!" Mom called as I wrestled with the doorknob.
"Yeah, yeah, bye!" I slammed the door a little too hard in my hurry.
(At School)
I'm Out of breath, I finally made it to school. "Made it!"
Of course, that's when I realized everyone was staring. "What? What are you looking at?" I muttered, rolling my eyes. Seriously, people needed to mind their own business. The halls were practically deserted. "Okay, gotta find room 401."
Lost in my own internal panic, I plowed straight into someone. "Oof! Oh, sorry!" I mumbled, rubbing my forehead. When I looked up, I froze. Whoa.
The girl stared back, her expression unreadable.
Okay, rude. But also kinda intimidating. I swallowed hard. Focus, Iris. You're late. Ask for directions. "Um, excuse me? Do you know where room 401 is?"
She leaned in close, like way too close. I could feel her breath on my face.
I recoiled instinctively. Okay, personal space! What was she doing?
Then she straightened up, a smirk playing on her lips. "We're in the same class. I'm Ruii. And you are?"
"Oh! Uh, I'm Iris." My brain felt like it was short-circuiting.
Ruii's eyes stuck on me, and an odd shiver managed to crawl down my back. "Nice. Come on, slowpoke, we're gonna be late."
Okay, she's beautiful, but something about her is seriously unnerving. Get a grip, Iris! She's just being nice. "Wait up!" I called, hurrying to catch up. "Seriously, how far is this class?"
"Almost there."
"Oh."
Ruii shoved open the classroom door, and the noise inside died instantly.
I heard a few gasps and whispers.
"That's Ruii!"
"Oh man, it's her!"
I frowned. "What's going on?" I looked at Ruii in puzzlement.
Ruii did not look the least bit surprised. She merely smiled, took my hand, and pulled me toward the back of the room. "Come on, let's find a seat."
"Uh, okay." I followed her, feeling totally out of my depth.
What's all the drama for? Is she some sort of celebrity? Or is she just really, really scary? But she's also really, really pretty.
"Hmm? What is it?" Ruii asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Uh, nothing!" I stammered, looking away. My cheeks felt hot.
Ruii's smile softened. "You're kinda cute, you know that?"
"You're way prettier," I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Ruii blinked, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before she looked away.
Crap, did I say something wrong?
Unbeknownst to iris she just started what she could say was a nightmare