Chapter 10 Ivy
IVY
New school. New life. New me. Belgrave Academy doesn’t look appealing from where I’m sitting.
It took me forever to drag myself out of bed this morning.
Anthony’s rhythmic knocks were the only thing that forced me to start the day.
Him wishing me a good first day on my way out the door left me wondering for a brief second what my last first day of high school would’ve been like if Mom was still here.
The morning would’ve been so different. I’d be hours into my day already instead of just getting started and seen off by the butler to an unfamiliar school.
Even on the drive, I debated on steering somewhere, anywhere else.
But there was nowhere I wanted to go. So, here I am.
Sitting in the parking lot of one of the most prominent private schools in New Orleans.
The building looks exactly like I’d expect.
A brick fortress that looks both unassuming and uninviting.
Everyone is wearing either the same gray pleated skirt as me or gray slacks.
But the white button-down, navy-and-white striped tie, and a navy blazer to top it off are all the same.
Even the school crest featuring an owl embroidered with pearl-white stitching is on the left chest pocket of every blazer.
Aside from it being a hundred degrees and probably a hundred percent humidity outside, I welcome the uniform. It’s another way to blend in, to disappear into the group and get through the year.
Once mostly everyone is inside, I head to the entrance.
Stepping through the doorway, I scan down the corridor, unsure of which way to go, and discern I have no clue what my schedule is.
Anthony said all the information was sent to my email along with directions on how to log in to the student portal.
As I click on the link that brings up my schedule, I realize my mistake of not looking at it earlier because seventh period has Physical Education–Aquatics next to it.
There’s an announcement over the intercom to head to the gym for an assembly.
I go straight to the main office instead.
The sooner they can fix the schedule, the better.
As soon as I step inside the front office, a woman who doesn’t bother looking up from her computer screen tells me, “All students are required to attend the assembly. Go to the gymnasium.”
“I need a schedule change. I’ve completed the required physical education credits for graduation already.” Even if I hadn’t, I’d find another way to fulfil it.
“Yes. And I need a raise. But that’s not happening right now either. All schedule changes have to be requested online.” When I don’t move right away, she adds, “Go to the gymnasium and submit the request through the student portal.”
Great. Nothing is going to happen fast. As I head to the gym, I go through the online form and request a different elective. I should’ve done the registration myself, but when Anthony offered, and I didn’t feel like doing it, I’d thought it was win-win. Not feeling the same at the moment.
Swim wasn’t even an entire class at my old school. We practiced before or after school. I would’ve given anything to do laps instead of chemistry or algebra back then. Now, give me double the work in both instead.
Before I reach the assembly, I can hear it’s already started.
So, I step inside the doors and prop against the wall.
Once I submit the change request again just in case the first one didn’t go through, I listen as a lady gives what I’m guessing should be a motivational speech.
The second she instructs everyone to head to their class, I slip out the door and find my locker.
Before I reach it, I spot Zachary. It’s the first year we’re at the same school. He’s chatting with another student who looks just as excited as my brother to be here. And I’m grateful that he is.
“Good morning,” a deep voice sounds from behind me.
When I turn, I’m facing the last person I want to speak with. Psycho Neighbor is standing there with a smile, but at least he’s wearing clothes today.
His grin widens as he asks, “Are you lost?”
I almost ask if he has split personality disorder because this version is a stark contrast from the rough demeanor he’d presented during our last encounter.
“No, I’m not lost.” I pivot on my heel and keep heading to my locker.
The chump doesn’t get the hint and follows behind me. “So, just first-day jitters,” he chuckles.
“No. Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like away from me.”
With an air of confusion, he watches me as a girl walks up beside him, a bright smile on her face. “Micah, leave her alone.” She looks to me. “Just ignore him. I do. He’s annoying. I’m Brooke.”
“Ignoring? Is that what it’s called?” Micah teases her as I watch him. His entire body language is different. His face is less harsh and smug. Is this how he is when people are around? Maybe I got a private, hidden version of him … or he really is insane.
“Ivy.” I introduce myself to her, still not sure what to make of him.
“I know,” Brooke squeals and claps. Her chipper energy is way too much. “My mom told me that there was a cheer co-captain and state swim champ joining us. I’m so excited. Tryouts are over, but your record speaks for itself.”
So much for flying under the radar. “Your mom?”
“Principal Guidry.”
“Oh, okay.” My head is spinning as she talks about plans for getting me up to speed on the routines before the upcoming pep rally and football game. None of which I want anything to do with. “I’m not cheering this year.”
From her stunned expression, you’d think I just slapped her. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
“Yeah. So, leave my new friend alone, Brooke,” Micah instructs Brooke, and his playfulness throws me so much I just dumbly stare at him.
“Are you on something?” I ask, still inspecting him.
“Not yet,” he jokes.
“We’re not friends. Maybe you missed that during our last conversation.”
“Last conversation?” he appears baffled before his playful grin returns. “Ah. That explains a lot.”
“Care to fill me in?” Because I’m still confused as fuck.
Brooke glances between us until he mumbles, “Luca.” Then motions behind me. “Speak of the devil.”
When I look over my shoulder, I’m met with familiar harsh eyes locked with mine. And he’s walking in our direction. Once he’s next to Micah, I finally say what’s on my mind as I eye the evil of the duo. “Ugh, there’s two of you.”
“Bro, what did you do now?” Micah laughs. He’s absolutely the nice twin. But I’m not interested in being around either of them.
Luca remains in the stare down with me. “Nothing yet.”
He wins. Because I break away. “Well, as enlightening as this has been, I have to go.” Anywhere but here.
Because the one thing I realized is annoyance is the only thing I’ve felt other than numb.
And I don’t like that it’s from the moron next door and now my new classmate.
And there’s two of him. It’s unsettling even if one version is presenting himself as a good guy.
As I make my way down the corridor, Brooke falls in step beside me. “Just ignore Luca. He’s been extra moody lately. But I really want you on the squad. Just come to practice this afternoon and go from there.”
I will follow the first part of that and ignore Luca, but I still have no desire to join in on any extracurriculars. “I can’t.”
“Well, if you change your mind, we meet right after school.” Her excitement picks up a little as she asks, “What’s your first class?”
“Government.”
“Me too!”
She may be full of enthusiasm, but mine diminishes when we step into the classroom and a few seconds later Luca enters.
“Great,” I mumble as Brooke spots the source of my frustration.
“Yeah. The school is smaller than you’d think, so you’ll probably end up with him in a few of your periods.
But I’m surprised you can tell it’s him.
We’ve all been together since grade school and people still have trouble telling them apart.
I second-guess myself for a few seconds every time …
and I know one a little too personally.”
The comment rubs me the wrong way and I think it shows on my face as she holds a hand up. “Micah, not Luca. That one is all yours. Trust me.”
Yeah. No. “Trust me. I don’t want him.”
Brooke pauses for a second before she asks, “How do you even know Luca?”
“Unfortunately, he’s my neighbor.”
“Seriously?” She stares towards the front of the classroom. “That is unfortunate.”
Tell me about it. I only thought having him in my backyard was annoying. Now he’s even closer, lurking a few desks over. And every time I look his way, I’m met with the same steely expression. You’d think I was the one who invaded his space. But he has it ass backwards.