Meeting the new kid. Who: Alanna and Lucas What: First Meeting When: Monday, Evening Where: Branksome Hall Warnings: None
Lucas wasn’t happy about having to go to the stupid open house, but at least he didn’t have to wear his uniform today. His mother had taken the night off of work and he’d had to suck up his annoyance and disdain for the school and go with her to meet his teachers. She was currently chatting up his math teacher so he decided to escape into the hall for some peace. Leaning against the wall outside the class, he sank to the floor in a sitting position and let out a little sigh. Today sucked. If it was any indication of what was going to happen, he didn’t want to think about Tuesday’s first day of school.
Alanna sighed as she sneaked away from the auditorium. She had been coming to Branksome Hall since she was in kindergarten and didn’t see the need for her and her parents to go to the open house every year. She knew it was one of the few times she spent with them, but really they spent it shmoozing with all the other parents, talking about country clubs and campaign donations. She was ignored, as usual. Alanna wanted away from it all but the best she could manage was the hall way.
She wandered down the familiar halls, not really paying attention to the world around her. When she came to the same hall Lucas was sitting in, she took no notice, merely stopping across the hall across from him, her back to him as she looked out the window.
She might not have took notice of him, but Lucas certainly noticed her. As soon as she turned the corner into the hall he was in, he watched her, eyes honed in those pretty blue eyes of hers. She was the most gorgeous thing he’d ever seen and it took all he had inside of him to keep from saying as much. When she stopped across the hall from him, he watched her for a moment, trying to decide if he should get up from where he sat and speak to her. She was one of those rich kids, he was sure, but she seemed different.
After deliberating for a few more minutes, he got up from the floor and walked across the hall to where she was looking out the window. “Not into listening to your parents talk to your teachers?” he asked her.
Alanna was very different than the girls she went to school with. Money did not make someone any one way and Alanna was proof of that. While her clothing was perfect and expensive, none of it mattered to her. She turned, blinking for a moment as if he had just appeared. She had been so wrapped up in her own mind, he was suddenly there. While her lips smiled softly, her eyes held something deeper. Pain.
“It’s the same conversations since I was 5.” she said in her soft voice, taking in this boy curiously. She had never seen him before and the community at her school was rather small. He looked to be the same age as she, so he must be new. Immediately words came to her mind about him as her eyes took him in. Alanna would be writing about the boy that looked out of place in the rich halls.
“Since you were five?” he said, brows going up. He was obviously surprised that someone could go to the same school since they were five. She definitely had money if she was paying for that sort of school cost. “Wow.” That was really the only word that described the thoughts going through his mind. “Guess you’re pretty well aware that I’m new then, huh?” he asked her, offering out a hand. “Lucas.” he told her. “Lucas Hunter.”
Yes, Alanna’s family had money. Anyone who went to this school did, save for the few scholarship students, but they were considered separate from the community of Branksome, much like Alanna. She turned to face him better and took his hand, her own soft and delicate. “Alanna Kingsly.” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She so rarely talked there were times raising her voice would physically hurt.
Her name even sounded rich. One of those names that parents picked out and copyrighted months before their children were born. “Pretty.” he said, meaning both her name and her face. “Guess we’re going to be classmates. What grade are you in?” he questioned.
There was a look of surprise on her face as he said the word pretty, as if she had never been complimented before. While she had, she had never sensed any kind on sincerity to them so it was new to her. “I’m to be a senior.” she replied and it occurred to her this was the longest conversation she had had in quite some time.
“Me too.” he said with a smile, glad that at least someone pretty would be sitting near him in class at some point. She seemed nice thus far and hadn’t run away just yet so that was a good sign as far as the boy was concerned. “Maybe we’ll have some classes together.” he murmured hopefully. “Say, do you guys have a school paper?” he questioned.
“It’s a small class so we’ll have just about every period together.” she informed him and wondered why she looked forward to that. Maybe because he was the only person her own age to talk to her kindly in years. “Yes, the Branksome Gazette. I’m on it.” She had been part of the paper since her freshman year. She had been up for Editor, but turned it down, not liking being the center of attention.
“Really?” he said, grinning broadly. “You guys wouldn’t happen to need a photographer, would you?” he questioned. He figured they wouldn’t, but it certainly didn’t hurt to ask. He had an eye for a good picture and he would love to put his talent to some good use. Besides, being on the school paper would look good on his college transcripts.
Alanna couldn’t help her eyes lighting up. The Gazette’s main photographer had graduated last year and those on the newspaper had been worried they wouldn’t be able to find someone as good to replace her. “Yes, actually we do.” she said and the corners of her mouth tugged in a little smile. “We’re meeting on Tuesday after school if you want to maybe bring a portfolio?”
“I could totally do that.” he said, that grin staying put on his face. He couldn’t believe his luck and he figured it had to be a sign that maybe this school wouldn’t be so bad after all. “I actually have a portfolio all put together so that’s unbelievably awesome. I need something to occupy my time that doesn’t have to do with studying.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded, her eyes drifting a bit to the floor as her shyness kicked in. “I’m sure the editor will be thrilled.” she murmured softly. With his looks, Alanna suspected even if Lucas wasn’t rich, which by his clothing she guessed he wasn’t, he could become popular. While part of her was screaming inside to reach out to this boy to stave some of her loneliness, Alanna didn’t wish to cripple him socially by becoming friends with him.
“Awesome.” he smiled. He hoped that would mean that they’d get to work together a lot, but he didn’t dare say that aloud, not about to jinx it. “So what do you do on the paper?” he questioned, leaning against the ledge just below the window sill. Luke wasn’t worried about any one elses opinion of the girl or about any popularity he might have. He liked Alanna this far and was looking forward to getting to know her.
“Oh, um I help with the layout, I write...I’m responsible for the arts section...” The Branksome Gazette came out with a small weekly edition, a larger monthly edition, and a huge semester edition every year. They met pretty much every day after school as those on the paper were serious about their work. It was a lot, but Alanna loved the paper. She was left mostly alone and she never failed to produce amazing work.
“Nice.” he smiled. “Can’t say I’m very good at art aside from photography, but It’d be nice to have something to occupy my time. It’s better than sitting at home every evening I’m not working.” he admitted. “What days do you guys meet and how long are the meetings? I work at a restaurant, but it’s mostly evening shifts. Part time til I’m eighteen.”
Alanna found his working a bit fascinating. Her parents had no plan for her to ever work. She was supposed to marry rich and be a trophy wife to one of the Toronto elite. She had absolutely no desire to do so, so she worked hard at school, intending on shunning her wealthy family and striking out on her own. “Pretty much every day after school. We all come and go as needed.” There was no set newspaper hours, everyone knew what they had to do and did it.
“Cool.” At least that meant he might still be able to work on the newspaper and keep his job. Every little bit of cash flow helped in his house and though his mother told him that she didn’t think he should be working when he could be studying, it wasn’t like the money couldn’t be put with hers and used for rent or groceries. He refused to let his mother do it all on her own when he was more than capable of working.
There were many times Alanna wished she was just a regular kid with an after school job and parents who were home for dinner, maybe a few siblings. But that wasn’t her life. She envied him for the freedom he likely had. “I’ll email the editor tonight.” she said and smiled again, just a little, this time her pearly white teeth peeking through her lips.
“Thanks.” he told the girl. “For that and for being so nice to the new kid.” he smiled. “I appreciate it. I was honestly a little worried about starting school here. I figured that everyone would look at me like I was that poor kid who didn’t belong.” he muttered. “Course I’m sure I’ll still get that but it’s nice to have at least one person be friendly to me.”
Alanna blushed a bit and looked down at her feet. “I’m not exactly part of the popular crowd so associating with me really won’t help your social standing...” There, she told him, Now he could walk away and not end up on the fringes like her. As lonely as she was, Alanna would never wish her position at school on anyone.
“Well last I checked I’m not really part of the popular crowd either so maybe you’re a better option for me to be associating with.” he said, giving her a little smile. “I’m not really looking for a super high social standing, just so you know.“
She tilted her head a bit, eyeing him as if she was trying to figure it out. It appeared she liked what she saw in him because she smiled. “I think you might just do ok here.” she said, her blue eyes dancing with amusement. It had been a long time since Alanna had felt genuinely happy, even for a second, but talking with Lucas was something she found she was enjoying.
“I tend to figure out a way to do okay wherever I am. It can’t be any worse than public school.” he shrugged. “In my opinion, assholes are everywhere, some just end up having more money in their pockets. I’ll just have to deal with feeling out of place, but if I’m being completely honest, I always feel a little out of place.” He supposed that might have to do with his were-genes, but he didn’t say that just yet. The last thing he wanted was for the girl to think he was insane. Course, she might be something supernatural herself. He opened his mouth to ask her, but closed it again and shook his head, deciding it best to keep his mouth shut.
As she listened to him speak, Alanna wondered if perhaps she had found a kindred spirit. She herself didn’t feel like she quite fit anywhere. She was human, but her own kind didn’t accept her. She knew no supernaturals either, well, as far as she knew. Of course, she wouldn’t think he was insane if he told her. Everyone in the world knew about the supernatural.
She raised her eyebrows when he went to speak then smiled. “Since we’re being completely honest, I don’t really fit in either.” she said by way of encouragement.
“Why’s that?” he questioned. “I mean... you don’t look so different from everyone else. Pretty girl, obviously you come from a good family... why wouldn’t you fit in?” he asked her. “Are you... different different?” he questioned. “Like... okay, I’m just going to ask. Are you like a supernatural sort of different?” he asked.
Her cheeks went bright red when her called her pretty and she ducked her head. “Um well...no, but sometimes I wish I was...It’d explain why I’m not like the others....But nothing special about me, no.” she responded. “Just boring old Alanna.”
He hadn’t meant to make her blush, but he had to admit to himself that the color looked good against her pale cheeks. “I’m sure there’s plenty special about you, Alanna. And you’re not boring, for the record.” he smiled. “You’ve kept my interest, but you’re probably the prettiest thing I’ve seen in my life so I guess there’s no reason you shouldn’t keep my interest.” he told her.
Alanna certainly wasn’t used to compliments and a nervous giggle escaped her lips. “T-t-thank you.” she stammered out, biting her lower lip and scuffing her shoe a bit on the floor. “You’re interesting too...different than everyone else...I like that.” she said shyly, looking up at him through her long lashes.
“You’re welcome.” he told her, though he couldn’t help but be a little confused at how surprised she seemed to be by the compliment. How she didn’t get compliments every day, multiple times a day was beyond him, but she didn’t seem used to them. “I’m definitely different than everyone else.” he said with a little nod. “Maybe you and I should change places... being supernatural isn’t all it’s cut out to be.” Hopefully that wouldn’t freak her out, but he might as well get it all out in the open.
Her head snapped up when he admitted to being a supernatural, her eyes wide, but not with fear or loathing. She looked excited and curious. “Really?” she breathed and moved a bit closer to him. “What kind are you?” she asked then blushed again. “Oh, that’s probably a rude question...I’ve never met anyone supernatural before...”
He shook his head a little and chuckled. “It’s not rude.” he told her. “I’m a were.” he explained. “A barn-owl. Not as cool as a wolf or something like that, but I guess there are worse things to be.” he shrugged. “You’ve really never met anyone supernatural before?”
“A barn owl?” She looked at him and it seemed to fit him. He had a look of freedom about him only an animal that could take to the skies would have. “It’s cool, trust me. And not that I know of. Here, being different isn’t something people flaunt.”
“A barn owl.” he said with a nod. “I’ll have to shift sometime and show you because saying it and actually showing you what it all means is totally different. If you’d want to see I mean. Not like I know you that well or anything. Don’t want to weird out the only person that’ll probably talk to me here.” he smiled.
Her eyes lit up and she smiled quite brightly for the first time. “Totally wouldn’t weird me out.” she said, sounding really excited, even if her voice was still soft. “It’s...amazing I’m sure. I would love to see it.”
Lucas smiled at her and nodded a little. “Awesome.” he murmured. “Anytime, just name the place.” Already this school seemed a lot less of a pain in the ass than he thought it would have been.
Alanna opened her mouth before her name rang through the hall sharply. She turned to look behind her, her mother standing at the end of the hall with a harsh look on her face. The woman was obsessed with appearances and even for a mild school function was dressed in a skirt suit, her hair and make up done perfectly. Immediately Alanna knew her mother had spied her talking to someone not of their caliber. Fantastic.
Instead of responding to her obviously annoyed mother, she turned back to Lucas. “I have to go...” Quickly, with a pen, she took his hand and jotted her cell phone number onto it. “Alanna!” came the annoyed voice of her mother once more. “Um, call me?” She had never given her number to a boy before, but the thought of leaving without a way for them to have some kind of contact before school started bothered her in a way she didn’t understand.
He didn’t get a chance to respond to her before she had to rush off to her mother. Looking down at his hand, he couldn’t help but smile at the number scrawled across his skin. He’d call, oh yes, definitely he’d call. Now... should he wait the three days that most chicks wanted guys to wait or would he look too eager if he called later that evening? Damn those decisions.