CH 2

“Gia.” She heard her name being called. Gia turned around, straining to see who was calling her through the mass of people crowding around her to get in. “Zander.” She breathed as her eyes landed on him. He ran up to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he walked. “Are you OK?” He asked. “I don’t know if I can do this.” Gia said, a sudden panicky tone in her voice. “Hey you’re going to be fine. I came early and I already picked up your class schedule and I know where your first class is. It’s not with me but I’ll show you where it is.” Zander said. Gia nodded head. “OK thanks.” She said. Zander pulled her off to the side and Gia hugged him. “It’s going to be OK Gia, you’ll see. I didn’t tell Nikolas a thing so he’ll be surprised to see you.” Zander said. “Nikolas.” Gia smiled as she thought of him. “Yeah, now come on, you don’t want to be late on your first day.” Zander said. Gia nodded her head and let Zander guide her to her class. “OK here, after English you have Math, here’s your schedule. We do have Biology together after lunch so we can meet at lunch and then I can walk you to class.” Zander said. Gia smiled. “OK.” She said. “You’ll be OK Gia, I love you.” Zander kissed her cheek. “Thanks Zander I love you too.” Gia said as she watched him walk away. She took a deep breath and walked up to the door.

Gia stepped in and spotted the teacher and smiled at her, ignoring the rest of the class, she couldn’t believe how nervous she was. “Hi are you Gia?” the teacher asked. “Yes.” Gia said softly. “Have a seat.” She pointed to a desk and Gia nodded before going to it. She sat down without looked at anyone. “Gia?” she heard someone say quietly next to her. She looked over and grinned as her eyes landed on Brandon Cassadine. “What are you doing here?” Brandon said softly. “I transferred. Don’t tell Nik though OK?” Gia whispered. Brandon made a cross over his heart and Gia grinned at him. The teacher began to talk so she turned around.

Nikolas was finding it difficult to focus on his class for some reason. Although he was never the greatest at math, he was usually able to focus on it enough to get by. But today he was just off. He felt nervous for some reason. The last couple of weeks had gone well. He was able to readjust to the way his life used to be rather quickly. He was spending time with his friends again, focusing on his studies, and performing well on the soccer field. All in all he was doing great, but for some reason today was different. He looked out the window and his mind began to drift. It seemed like it had been forever since he had seen Gia, yet when he thought about it, it had only been a week since the day she surprised him outside of his school. He missed her so much. He thought that maybe he would call her today after school, deciding that that would make him feel better. His teacher spoke a little louder in an obvious attempt to get his attention and Nikolas quickly turned to face him.

Gia was doing a good job at becoming invisible, or at least she had it in her head that no one noticed her. She had no idea why she was struggling with this so much. At first she felt like she was walking around naked, like the whole world was watching her, so she moved with her eyes focused on what was in front of her. That courage that she started her day out with seemed to have vanished and now all she wanted to do was hide. She approached the lunchroom and looked around. She looked for someone she knew, anyone, but she had no luck. So she went and got herself some food and looked around again. She smiled as she finally spotted Zander sitting down at a table waving at her. She walked over to him and plopped herself down across from him. “How has your day been?” he asked. Gia sighed. “I want to go home.” She said softly. She ate her food quietly, and when she happened to glance up at Zander, she saw that he was grinning at her. “What?” She asked. “Look who just walked in.” he thrust his head over her shoulder. Gia turned around and gasped slightly, her heart began to pound as she watched Nikolas walk in. He was talking to a group of people and didn’t notice her. Gia quickly turned around, breathing heavily. “What’s wrong?” Zander asked. “I don’t know. I don’t want him to see me.” Gia said. Zander looked at her closely. “Why not? Gia he’s your boyfriend, I think he would want to talk to you.” He said. Gia’s chin began to tremble. “I don’t know if he would be embarrassed or something.” Gia said, glancing again to see that he was still busy. Zander looked angry. “Why would you think that? Why are you being so insecure?” He asked. Gia whipped her head around. “I’m not insecure.” She said defensively. “Then go see him.” Zander said. Gia turned around and looked at him as he smiled with his friends, he looked so sexy when he was happy. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was happy because he didn’t have to worry about her anymore, and if seeing her again would take that smile away. But her eyes were drawn to him; she couldn’t stop staring at him, like she was seeing him in a whole new light. Maybe Zander was right; maybe she was being insecure and just needed to face her fears. Gia took a deep breath and Zander watched her as she stood up and started to walk towards Nikolas.

“So are you going to go out with us tonight?” Lucky asked. Nikolas looked at him as he considered the question. “Yeah maybe.” He nodded his head. “Hey.” Gia said casually as she walked up to him.  Nikolas looked up and jumped back slightly. “Gia.” He said softly. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Gia smiled at his reaction, he was completely shocked, and he didn’t look embarrassed, he just looked completely stunned to see her there. “What are you doing here?” Nik breathed, as he looked her up and down, he thought she looked so beautiful. “I started today, I wanted it to be a surprise.” Gia smiled at him. “It was.” Nik grinned shyly. Gia glanced around at his friends. “Hi I’m David, this is Mark, over there is Chris, and that’s Lucky.” A rather cute guy with blond hair and blue eyes said. “Nice to meet all of you, I know Lucky.” Gia looked at him. “How are you Gia?” Lucky asked. “I’m good, thanks.” Gia answered. Nikolas just stood there still stunned, staring at her like they were the only two souls in the world. “Hey can we talk for a minute?” Nik asked in a hopeful tone. “Yes.” Gia nodded her head softly and held her hand out to him. Nikolas let out a quick breath before grabbing it and guiding her out of the cafeteria. “Well that was weird.” Dave said. Everyone who was standing there nodded in agreement.