Dorian ignored the gazes of his classmates as he set foot on campus, a sucker tucked into his cheek and keeping his eyes forward. If he was honest with himself, he’d expected people to stare just for the simple fact that he was the new kid. He was tall, lean, and looked like he belonged in a romance manga as the bad boy love interest. At least that’s how his sister liked to describe his hair and demeanor. A lot of gel went into keeping the devil-may-care style in place, but he wasn’t too fussed if it didn’t look the same every day. Needless to say, he stood out like a sore thumb.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAB7J8Z6tK
Finding his locker, Dorian dropped some of his books off before heading into his first class. The rest of his classmates were already there, chatting away after a summer apart so he moved to the back towards an empty seat. He caught bits and pieces of the conversations but didn’t really pay too much attention. Some talked about what happened over the summer, others asking about how family and pets were doing, and quite a few of the girls were talking about the new guy who had just taken a seat next to the windows. It didn’t bother him that they were curious, even where that curiosity came from regarding some of the girls, but he wondered if they would change their tune if they knew he could hear them. It was only natural that they’d be curious about him and they couldn’t really say anything as they didn’t know who he was save for the fact they thought he was attractive. He’d never really quite understood what some girls saw in guys who looked like nothing but trouble, but he wasn’t one to judge.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcEye6UbB0
Everyone eventually found their way to their desks as the teacher, a relatively young man, walked in and made his way to the front desk. He went through roll call, each student responding but Dorian couldn’t help but noticed that he’d been skipped as he should’ve been early in the roster. However, before he could say anything about it, the teacher spoke up.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xzlzwak1F
“So,” he began, moving in front of his desk and sitting on the edge. “I recognize many of you and hopefully you recognize me. For those of you who aren’t familiar, I am Mr. Knezovich. Like I said, while I might have had all of you here before, I know most of you…all except for one completely new face….” He turned to look at Dorian, his classmates following his gaze as Dorian calmly returned the look. “Mr. Croxton…I’ve seen a lot of good from your file. Particularly that you are a holder of Sacred Heart Academy’s Academic Excellence program….” 443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6C4m0gcvv
“Yes, sir,” Dorian replied.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVoUZyU267
“Well done,” Mr. Knezovich praised. “I also believe that you fell into the ninety percent category?” Murmuring broke among his classmates, but Dorian didn’t really pay too much attention. He’d worked himself pretty hard to get that achievement. “That certainly takes a lot of effort and dedication, Mr. Croxton. Despite how the workload of the academy may be light, I expect that level of effort in my class.” Dorian nodded in understanding. “Good…I look forward to seeing what you can do.”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhg9faVCPt
He turned his attention back to the class as a whole, folding his arms across his chest. “Since many of you are returning students, I won’t bore you all with how things are going to be this semester as it’s in your student handbook and nothing has really changed. As has been the tradition since the academy’s founding, today is more of a day to get to know your professors. The real work starts tomorrow so this is a free period as every other period today will be.” Almost immediately, the class returned to how they were before he walked in, some students even going up to talk to him, but no one really came back to Dorian. He did notice, however, that one of the girls was looking back at him. Her shiny black hair was pulled back into a long ponytail that fell down her back, and her eyes were a startling shade of crystal blue.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEw53nT0vD
When she saw him looking at her, she wiggled her fingers which Dorian returned with a wave before turning to look out the window. He couldn’t help but look over at her again and notice that she was talking with a few of the other girls and two guys, but also occasionally looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Thoroughly confused, he kicked up his feet and leaned back in his chair. When the bell rang, he stood up and tossed his bag over his shoulder and made to leave but found the girl had sidled up beside him. 443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUEyrYja18
“So,” she began. “You’re Dorian….” It wasn’t a question, but more like a curious statement.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRRWWNyKMp
“Yep,” he answered, leaving the room and walking down the hall towards his next class. “Thought that might’ve been obvious….” An impressed sort of smile crossed her lips at his snarky comment. “Saw you being a little too interested in me…you gonna introduce yourself or are we not gonna talk about that?”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLGkG9nIEG
“Reina Celyn,” she offered. “My friends call me Clover….”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLzQAy3R9J
“Because of your last name, I take it?” he asked. “It’s…Welsh, yeah?”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwYPrDCT6u
“Well, well, well aren’t we the smart one,” she teased. “Nice to have proof there’s a brain behind that pretty face.” Now it was Dorian’s turn to give her a smile. Something told him he’d get along with Reina just fine. “Anyway, I was told to find you. I’m in charge of taking you around the campus for the tour. The teachers already know that you won’t be showing up for your morning classes today. We think it’s better to get this done and out of the way, so we can get it over with.”443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VUL0C7wkw
“Usually not a bad idea,” Dorian agreed. “Not like the first day is important around here, apparently….”
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