Locke (Rosewood High #0.5) - Tracy Lorraine Page 0,22

doing.”

Spinning on her heels, she takes off and I rush to catch up with her. “Cafeteria, library.” She points then looks down at her copy of my timetable. “Looks like your locker is down there.” She waves her hand down a hallway full of students who are all staring our way, before gesturing in the general direction of my different subjects.

“Okay, that should do it. Have a great day.” Her smile is faker than mine’s been all morning, which really is saying something. She goes to walk away, but at the last minute turns back to me. “Oh, I forgot. That over there.” I follow her finger as she points to a large group of people outside the open double doors sitting around a bunch of tables. “That’s my group. I should probably warn you now that you won’t fit in there.”

I hear her warning loud and clear, but it didn’t really need saying. I’ve no intention of befriending the cheerleaders, that kind of thing’s not really my scene. I’m much happier hiding behind my camera and slinking into the background.

Chelsea flounces off and I can’t help my eyes from following her out toward her group. I can see from here that it consists of her squad and the football team. I can also see the longing in other student’s eyes as they walk past them. They either want to be them or want to be part of their stupid little gang.

Jesus, this place is even more stereotypical than I was expecting.

Unfortunately, my first class of the day is in the direction Chelsea just went. I pull my bag up higher on my shoulder and hold the couple of books I have tighter to my chest as I walk out of the doors.

I’ve not taken two steps out of the building when my skin tingles with awareness. I tell myself to keep my head down. I’ve no interest in being their entertainment but my eyes defy me, and I find myself looking up as Chelsea points at me and laughs. I knew my sudden arrival in the town wasn’t a secret. My mum’s legacy is still strong, so when they heard the news, I’m sure it was hot gossip.

Heat spreads from my cheeks and down my neck. I go to look away when a pair of blue eyes catch my attention. While everyone else’s look intrigued, like they’ve got a new pet to play with, his are haunted and angry. Our stare holds, his eyes narrow as if he’s trying to warn me of something before he menacingly shakes his head.

Confused by his actions, I manage to rip my eyes from his and turn toward where I think I should be going.

I only manage three steps at the most before I crash into something—or somebody.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” a deep voice asks. When I look into the kind green eyes of the guy in front of me, I almost sigh with relief. I was starting to wonder if I’d find anyone who wasn’t just going to glare at me. I know I’m the new girl but shit. They must experience new kids on a weekly basis, I can’t be that unusual.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“You’re the new British girl. Emily, right?”

“It’s Amalie, and yeah... that’s me.”

“I’m so sorry about your parents. Mom said she was friends with yours.” Tears burn my eyes. Today is hard enough without the constant reminder of everything I’ve lost. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“It’s fine,” I lie.

“What’s your first class?”

Handing over my timetable, he quickly runs his eyes over it. “English lit, I’m heading that way. Can I walk you?”

“Yes.” His smile grows at my eagerness and for the first time today my returning one is almost sincere.

“I’m Shane, by the way.” I look over and smile at him, thankfully the hallway is too noisy for us to continue any kind of conversation.

He seems like a sweet guy but my head’s spinning and just the thought of trying to hold a serious conversation right now is exhausting.

Student’s stares follow my every move. My skin prickles as more and more notice me as I walk beside Shane. Some give me smiles but most just nod in my direction, pointing me out to their friends. Some are just downright rude and physically point at me like I’m some fucking zoo animal awoken from its slumber.

In reality, I’m just an eighteen-year-old girl who’s starting somewhere new, and desperate to blend into the crowd. I know that with who I am—or more who my parents were—that it’s not going to be all that easy, but I’d at least like a chance to try to be normal. Although I fear I might have lost that the day I lost my parents.

“This is you.” Shane’s voice breaks through my thoughts and when I drag my head up from avoiding everyone else around me, I see he’s holding the door open.

Thankfully the classroom’s only half full, but still, every single set of eyes turn to me.

Ignoring their attention, I keep my head down and find an empty desk toward the back of the room.

Once I’m settled, I risk looking up. My breath catches when I find Shane still standing in the doorway, forcing the students entering to squeeze past him. He nods his head. I know it’s his way of asking if I’m okay. Forcing a smile onto my lips, I nod in return and after a few seconds, he turns to leave.

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Also by Tracy Lorraine

Falling

Falling For Daniel

Never Forget

Never Forget Him

Never Forget Us

Everywhere & Nowhere

Rosewood High

Locke

Ruined

Ruined Plans

Ruined By Lies

Ruined Promises

Ruined: The Complete Series