Rosenberg High was incredibly large, not as large as my previous school but large, nonetheless. Its facilities looked newer, and although I didn’t appreciate the slight cream and blue combination, it seemed to fit perfectly well around the halls.

“Good Morning, how may I help you, Matthew, and the lovely lady you have clenched beside you?”

I smiled at the lady at the counter, ignoring her slight emphasis on the word clenched. She seemed nice enough with a navy blue suit on.

Her gracefully graying hair rolled up in a bun, and those twinkling eyes assured a good sense of humor. A badge rested upon her breast: Marilyn Jeffery.

“Good morning, I’m Theia. I’m new here,” I mumbled sweetly, not at all trying to move out of Matthew's grip even though Marilyn kept on glancing at it and smiling to herself.

“Oh, yes, dear! Here is your schedule, your locker number, and pin.

Also, we were informed by your previous Principal that you were one of the top students and an avid reader. Hence, here is a library pass to make you feel more at home.

It will enable you to use and issue out just about any of the library books available even the reference if you need it, that is, and you will have your own little space.”

Shocked for a minute, I quickly regained myself and beamed as I took the papers and card from her. “Thank you, ma’am. It means a lot! Have a nice day.”

Still beaming that Mrs. Ambrosia had actually made a note of calling my current school and helping me get a library all-access pass, I had only just turned to leave when Marilyn called out, “I’m glad you’ve finally found a girl, Matthew. She seems like a keeper! Just keep her glued to you like you are doing right now and everything will be fine.”

Matthew stilled. I stilled. Marilyn let out a slow giggle.

I turned towards Matt, who now looked like he would rather have the floor open up and swallow him alive. It made me giggle.

“Thanks, Mrs. J,” he murmured before pulling me behind him as he quickly fled the area.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Let’s find my locker” I let out in huffs, still trying to catch my breath as I was being rushed out of the reception area.

“We have Math now,” Matthew declared as he scanned through my schedule while I, on the other hand, stood in front of my locker, placing all my books, pens, pencils, tapes, paint brushes, and paint into it.Once done, I picked out the books and things I would need for math and closed the locker shut.

“Well, let’s go then” I declared, hooking my arm with Matt's.

The occasional jealous glares I had thought to be receiving only for Alex actually were being handed my way for Matthew too.

Apparently, his cute geek-slash-angry young man look appealed to the ladies at Rosenberg High. I could see why though. He was actually very handsome.

As we walked into class, the loud and obnoxious whispers floating

around the classroom instantly came to a halt. I made a quick scan through the crowd.

Smiling girls, check…

Oblivious boys, check…

Glaring girls, check…

Oblivious boys, check…

A slightly alarmed Blond sitting beside another blonde-haired girl, check.

Ignoring my urge to land a swift slap on Blond’s face for even attempting to cheat on his girlfriend, I made my way to the only vacant desk in front of him and as gracefully as I could, placed my butt on the seat.

I knew it wasn’t worth it. Good-looking guys were hardly ever faithful, and I was never one to end up in those types of dramas. As long as I didn’t let myself get into such a situation again, I would be fine by ignoring Blond.

Matthew, however, grinned a little at the number of glaring boys and made his way over to the seat beside mine before plopping down on it.

“H-Hey, Matthew! Is she the new girl?” A new voice spoke up from behind me, and I turned around to glance at a timid girl sitting just behind Blonde’s girlfriend, Diandra.

The girl smiled at me shyly and her lips crinkled slightly as she did.

She looked about my height, which wasn’t much, only 5’3”, her soft red hair glowed slightly as she tilted her head nervously.

I smiled back, and waved in greeting, not missing the eye roll Diandra sent my way as she pulled onto Blond’s arm more. Blond, however, looked at me as if apologizing for his act but I shrugged it off without handing him a reaction to work with.

Serves him good. That attempted cheat!

“I’m Theia Anderson. It’s nice to meet you.”

“H-hi, I’m Marley! Theia as in goddess of light, right?”

I giggled but nodded. I had also wondered why my mother and father had decided to name me Theia since it was a Greek name, and we

were anything but Greek. The curiosity led me to do a bit of research as any twelve-year-old might do once a sudden topic of interest sparked, and it was

then that I found the meaning of my name. Later learning about how Dad’s fascination with Greek mythology during the days of Mom’s pregnancy had gotten the best of him, and well, that was that. I was thus named Theia.

“Yeah, that,” I giggled, still nodding to a now giggling Marley. I had a feeling we were going to be great friends!

“Good Morning, class, how are you all this fine Monday morning?”

A voice boomed, and I turned towards the whiteboard to see a quite handsome man, wearing glasses, standing in front and smiling at us students with a strange sarcastic humor.

His eyes did a small sweep around the room until they landed on mine.

I barely held off my head as a sign of approval flashed in his eyes and he smiled rather nicely at me.

“If my sources are correct, we have a new student here, Theia Anderson. I’m Mr. Phelps. Could you please stand up and tell us a little about yourself?”

My eyes widened, and I turned to look at Matthew frantically. The last thing I needed right now was to make a complete fool out of myself. It wasn’t hard to see that I had trouble speaking in front of large crowds without mucking up.

When Matt refused to offer me anything except a sad smile that barely yelled out an “I’m sorry,” I slowly got up and instantly felt my feet give way. This was bad.

Breathe, Thi! Breathe! Imagine them wearing coconut shells and leaves and doing the hula!

“Hi, my name is Theia Anderson, and I have just recently moved here with my family from Los Angeles, California. And er… that’s all?”

Phew, that was good!

Mr. Phelps nodded approvingly, and I gladly slumped back into my seat. Avoiding the glares from every girl, Marley excluded.

“Well, Miss Anderson, I hope you enjoy studying here at Rosenberg High. Now, class, let’s start with AP Calculus.”

“Bring it on, baby! This is a piece of candy,” Matthew whispered as he held his pen with much more vigor.

So I was right! He is a nerd! Thank you, God, I have found my people!

“Let’s do this!” I whispered back and passed a grin towards Matt.

Maybe, this new school wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.