Unfamiliar Faces

Unfamiliar Faces

A novel

By Noell Mosco

Copyright 2014 Noell Mosco

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1

-Beth-

I stared at all the unfamiliar faces staring back at my unfamiliar face. It was an odd feeling knowing that every person I passed was looking at me. It was a feeling I’ve experienced a lot throughout my life being a ballet dancer, but this was different. This particular type of odd is something I’ve never experienced before – the first day at a new school. God, I hated moving, especially since my very first move occurred during my senior year of high school in the middle of the first semester.

I started to feel self-conscious but I didn’t know why. I was at a private school. All of the students wore uniforms, the same exact thing. It was a sea of navy blue and khaki. It wasn’t my clothes I felt awkward about, and I couldn’t place my finger on it, either. I did take notice that most of the other girls added accessories to the uniform or altered the length of their solid navy skirt to make them more youthful.

I looked at the lockers that lined the hallway. My locker had to be around here somewhere. I looked down at the printed schedule that the lady in the office gave me when I signed in for the day. When I returned my gaze to the lockers, I finally spotted it – locker number 437 in all its glory. I turned the dial of the combination lock that was built-in to the metal locker door and it popped right open. I was grateful I didn’t have one of those pain-in-the-butt lockers that required a special handle-jiggle or door-pound for it to open.

I hung my coat and scarf in my locker and I looked around again. The hallway was full of students, rushing here and there. A pretty blonde girl walked past me. It almost appeared as though it was slow motion and the other students made way for her. She was with two other girls that didn’t attract nearly as much attention as she did. She didn’t smile at me, but she gave me a glance as if she was already forming a first impression of the new girl. I pulled my locker sized magnetic mirror from my backpack and hung it up. My reflection stared back at me – finally, a familiar face.

The bell rang and I looked at my schedule. I supposed it was time to find homeroom. I was slightly disappointed that Nathan didn’t find me. Oh, Nathan, my one and only hope to surviving this new school.

Nathan’s parents and my parents were friends. Our dads were co-workers. We grew up together closely in Kalamazoo, Michigan, almost like family. I’m an only child and Nathan has a younger brother, by exactly ten months, Taylor. The summer between freshman and sophomore year, Taylor and I started dating. It was serious, too serious for 15 years old, but we didn’t care. Then, their dad got a job transfer to the Memphis, Tennessee office and they moved. Fast forward to now – Nathan’s dad was promoted and was told to assemble a new team to work under him and he immediately requested my dad. My parents purposely looked for a house near Nathan’s family and enrolled me in the same school.

I remained close with Nathan after the move. He’d always been my best friend, especially after Taylor and I broke up. He didn’t tell me too much about Taylor and I appreciated that because of our past. Ugly. Touchy.

Email worked wonders for our friendship. He was the only guy I knew that didn’t have a cell phone so we’d arranged to meet outside the office in the morning, but I waited as long as I could and he never showed up. I already knew he and I wouldn’t have any classes together because he’s basically a genius and in all of the AP and advanced classes. My parents and I had only moved the day before and literally had no time get together with Nathan or his family before my first day of school.

I found my homeroom seconds before the bell rang. I stood awkwardly at the doorway. Again, lots of people were staring at me. I looked quickly and nervously around the room and finally walked over to the desk. I gave a paper to the teacher. He was a handsome man, with dark skin that looked like silk. His caramel eyes were warm and sincere. Mr. Waters read the name plate on his desk.

Everyone, settle down, he spoke. The chatter subsided and all eyes turned to us, if they weren’t already there. I noticed the blonde girl from earlier eyeing me again, judging me, and then she whispered something to her friends. They giggled. We have a new student joining us today. This is Beth Guinness. Then he added quietly to me, There’s a free seat next to Alicia.

He pointed to a desk near the back of the room, beside a girl who was listening to an mp3 player. She didn’t look interested in anyone in the classroom. As I walked to the desk, whispers followed me. I wanted to scream! A group of boys near the door caught my attention because I swear I heard one of them say Taylor.

When I sat down, the girl looked at me. Hi, I said, timidly.

Hey, I’m Alicia, she said and smiled. A smile, finally!

I’m Beth, I said. What are you listening to?

Fingers of Fish*. I love them. I’d totally have Lucas Kingston’s babies, Alicia said. I laughed. I kind of liked Fingers of Fish, too. Maybe we’d be friends. What’s your schedule like?

I looked at the paper in my hand. Um, let’s see. I’ve got math first period, then history second period, and English third period… I trailed off as the door opened. My smile disappeared as I saw who walked through the door. Taylor.

My face felt hot and I immediately looked back at my schedule. God, please, I hope he doesn’t see me, I thought. Alicia followed my gaze.

Hey, Mills, you’re late, again, Mr. Waters scolded Taylor.

Yeah. Taylor didn’t seem to care. He took a seat with the group of boys near the door. He slapped a few of their hands in greeting.

Douchebag, Alicia mumbled under her breath. My head turned sharply in her direction.

What? I asked.

That kid, she tilted her pencil in Taylor’s direction, is a douchebag.

My curiosity got the best of me and I couldn’t help myself and asked, Why? What’s his problem?

Well, ever since he moved here a couple of years ago, all the girls swoon for him and let’s just say that he’s got quite the reputation, Alicia offered small details.

Really… was all I could say in response.

Wait a minute, Alicia looked as if a light bulb suddenly turned on inside her head. Beth… Taylor… wait a second – are you Taylor’s Beth? she whispered.

What?! My mind was blown. Taylor’s Beth? What did that even mean?

This school loves to gossip and let’s just say that my mp3 player isn’t always playing music, and I like to eavesdrop, she smiled slyly. She leaned close to the edge of her desk and I leaned close to the edge of mine so I could hear all of her whispers.

Taylor’s got a twin brother, Nathan, but they must be paternal twins because they look nothing alike, but anyway, some of the girls were talking and they heard Nathan tell someone that an old friend was moving here and she and Taylor used to date like 100 years ago. I don’t really know anything else because the rumor is probably fifth-hand or something, she spoke quickly. So, is it true?

First of all, they’re not twins; they’re brothers born ten months apart so that’s how they’re in the same grade. Second, I don’t know if I should be confirming or denying anything to the gossip queen! I joked. Alicia’s eyes sparkled. I liked her.

I need details! she whispered in a shriek and it attracted the attention of the pretty blonde girl, who looked disgusted.

What’s her problem? She’s been looking at me like I’m a disease all morning.

That’s just Keely. She’s The Bitch of the school and is currently talking to Taylor, Alicia updated me.

Talking? What’s that mean in Memphis? I asked and wondered if it meant the same as it did in Kalamazoo.

Basically, friends with benefits, with the potential for it to turn into something more.

Ah, thought so. Great. The bell rang and Alicia ripped the schedule out of my hands.

Follow me. We have math together. She led the way.

* * * * *

By lunch, I felt like I’d been friends with Alicia my entire life. We ate together in a booth in the cafeteria, which she said she usually had to herself. I liked her so I had to wonder: where were her other friends?

She pulled a brown paper bag out of her backpack and then I understood. No one in high school wanted to be caught dead with the girl who brown-bags her lunch. So cruel. I pulled a brown paper bag from my backpack, too. She smiled.

My mom makes a mean turkey club, I returned her smile.

The food here is horrible and unhealthy, she confirmed my other suspicious for her packed lunch. I watch everyone eat all of the processed junk they serve here and it almost sickens me. My parents are vegetarians but I’ve been thinking about going vegan. Alicia was very cool and definitely seemed interesting. I was glad Mr. Waters made me sit next to her.

My day was pretty uneventful, aside from the whole new-girl thing. Taylor had succeeded in ignoring me totally, if he even noticed I was in school. Any time he was close, I ducked my head and walked quickly. I passed him and Keely once in the hallway, just about to kiss. I didn’t know how I’d handle it, so I closed my eyes and hightailed it.

The end of the day finally came and the last bell rang. I promised Alicia she could come to my house and help me unpack, only after she begged. I didn’t quite grasp her excitement about wanting to help me unpack but I didn’t question it because it was something I dreaded. I walked to my locker to get my books and coat.

Nathan leaned against it. I almost did a double take. He was a lot taller than the last time I saw him. His shoulders had broadened and he looked well defined under his t-shirt. His dark hair was styled and it looked neatly messy. I smiled, walked faster and dropped my backpack to the floor so he could scoop me up into a huge hug.

Nathan! I said happily. His arms easily lifted my toes from the ground. It was a fantastic feeling. It had been so long since I had seen Nathan and I forgot how good he made me feel.

Sorry about this morning – I had a tutoring session that I forgot about, he explained and released me from his arms.

Such is the life of a genius! I teased him. You know, if you had a cell phone, you could’ve sent me a text to tell me.

Eh, details, he shrugged his shoulders. He looked me up and down and was obviously checking me out but I didn’t care because he wasn’t doing it to be creepy. I picked up my backpack from the floor and spun the combination to my lock and got it wrong. I cursed and spun it again and it finally opened. I glanced at my watch – I didn’t want to miss the bus.

Don’t worry about the bus, I’ll give you a ride home, he offered, as if he read my mind. I seemed hesitant because Alicia was going to ride home with me. I actually caught her out of the corner of my eye from farther down the hallway. She slowly approached.

Do you know Alicia? I asked Nathan.

No, I don’t think we have any classes together, he said, but nice to meet you.

Yeah, you too, she waved in his direction and seemed suddenly shy.

There’s room, she can ride, too. Besides, Taylor is probably riding home with Keely, he offered the information gingerly. I winced because I got a mental image of Taylor being with Keely. Sorry.

I’m such a baby. I hate him so it shouldn’t bother me so much, but it does… I turned my head away so that no one could see the small amount of tears that welled in my eyes.

Alicia looked lost, but I’d probably fill her in about it sooner or later.

The car ride was nice. It was great to be with Nathan. He was such a great friend. I was glad that he and I were able to stay friends after everything that happened between his brother and me.

So, what kind of genius classes are you taking? I asked as we cruised through town.

Ha ha, you really shouldn’t make it sound like a bad thing. I’m actually going to get college credit from chemistry, humanities, and advanced calculus, so I’ll be the one laughing next year when I don’t have to take them at college, he seemed miffed.

Relax. I’m not making fun of you-

I know. Sometimes I get mad because I’m not in the normal classes. Then I could’ve been with you during your first day at school, but instead I’m stuck with all the nerds, he joked.

"You are a nerd!" I joked back, smacking his shoulder, as we pulled into my driveway. It felt weird to see the new house and to think it was my house now.

Maybe I’ll call you later, he offered but we both knew it was a lie because he was not a phone person.

Thanks for the ride. I kissed his cheek and got out of the car. See you tomorrow.

I showed Alicia my house, which was a total mess to say the least. Boxes were stacked everywhere and some were partially unpacked. Mom didn’t start work until the next week so that she could try to get the house in order, but it was going to be a family affair to get the entire house straightened out.

I introduced Alicia to Mom. I thought for sure she would’ve been upset that I brought someone over since the house was still a huge mess, but she seemed cool about it. She was probably happy that I was able to make a new friend on the first day of school. After getting a couple cans of Sprite from the fridge, we made our way to my room, where the only thing unpacked was my bed and a few articles of clothing. My room looked like the rest of the house - a disaster.

Oh girl, we’ve got work to do! she laughed at all of the boxes. She was so natural and fun. She