It's been a strange tradition within the Elite- amongst the girls- to go to the nearest Starbucks every Monday. It's something we all do without fail although I doubt I'll be able to when I begin my community work at the children's home. That is why we're all seated here, at our usual corner booth, drinks in hand and gossip spilling from our lips.

"What do you guys think the reason is for Rosewood not being at school?" Ashleigh asks and Courtney shrugs, seemingly careless although she's anything but.

"Who knows? That boy is always up to shit." Kelcy responds and I snort at that, remembering all of the times he's humiliated teachers to the point of quitting.

"Maybe he's, like, a secret boy band lover who writes fan fics or something." Megan adds although she still has red eyes from crying over her argument with Chris after lunch.

Courtney rolls her eyes. "Don't be stupid Megan."

Megan immediately stops talking and leans back in her chair while the rest of us continue chattering away with gossip. I add my knowledge now and then, laughing when they say something funny and listening into all the rumors they've come across. Most of them include the Rebels which we always find a way to figure out. After about an hour we decide to leave, going our separate ways in the parking lot.

"Up for a little bit of shopping at the mall?" Kelcy calls out to me before I reach my car. I purse my lips.

"I've got a lot of homework." I counter and she rolls her eyes before slipping a pair of tear-shaped sunglasses on.

"I'll meet you there then." She responds, ignoring my protests and climbing into her car. I roll my eyes but can't help the smile that worms its way onto my face as I slip into my car.

A good ten minutes later and we're both walking into the air conditioned building of the mall which is bustling with people from school. We make our way into one of the shops, looking at different clothing items. My eyes instantly stray to the more sporty clothing but then Kelcy shows me a dress and says, "This would look amazing on you, Soph! You have to get it!" She chucks the purple dress at me and I laugh, holding it over my arm so I can check it out.

I thumb the material of various items, picking up a few here and there when Kelcy calls out to me.

"What do you think is going to happen with Meg and Chris now?" She asks me, holding up an orange blazer and looking it over before placing it back on the shelf and finally looking at me. Kelcy is my best friend but if there is one thing about being an Elite it's that you watch what you say; if it offends  Courtney then you keep your mouth shut. That's why I opt with a simple: "I don't know, Kelc." instead. She chews on her cheek, picking up another shirt and tossing it in the basket she's holding.

"I feel like they should just be friends. They're always fighting anyway."

I nod in agreement. "I think so too. Megan expects too much." I chuckle and Kelcy does too.

"Don't say that around Courtney, Soph. That's her best friend you're talking about." She laughs but I sober up. She's looking out for me because I know Kelcy would never betray me, but it's difficult constantly keeping a filter up.

"Alright, I think this is it. You ready to pay?" She asks me, eyeing the pile of clothing I'm clutching. I nod and she gives me a smile as we make our way to the front counter.

****

When I wake up, a line of drool has dried on the side of my mouth and I wipe it away with groggy eyes. I pull my sheets off and climb out of bed, rubbing at my eyes in the process. I catch sight of my chemistry books on my desk and my nose crinkles in annoyance. I glare at the evil things.

After trying to get my chemistry homework done last night, I eventually gave up and went to bed.

Needless to say, I'm absolutely pathetic at chemistry.

I pad into my bathroom before doing all the necessities. After brushing my teeth and climbing into the shower, I dry myself off and pull on a Bahamian styled jumpsuit while leaving my hair in its natural wavy state. I slap on my usual makeup and pack my bag before heading downstairs. I sense the eerily silence and realize that my mom is already at work. My mom is the head lecturer of the department of Social Sciences at the University of Miami Lakes which means she has a very flexible structure. However, she does spend a lot of time at work. Sometimes it gets a bit lonely but I'm usually out anyway so it doesn't bother me.

She has her reasons to work. After all, I would also want to distract myself if I had a husband like my mom did.

After climbing in the car, belting out the words to one of the many CD's I have in my car, I pull up outside of Ridgevale High. I notice a bit of commotion in the parking lot and I climb out with a frown. Everyone is watching the event with curious glances and whispers. I spot Courtney and I walk towards her, people giving me space to walk. I can hear shouting and arguing but only once I'm in front of the crowd of people can I see what's going on.

In front of me is Chris and Megan arguing. Quite heatedly, might I add.

"You never ever put me first in this relationship!" Megan yells at him, her voice a higher pitch than usual. I can see the flowers that Chris obviously bought her in her hands.

"What do you want from me, Meg? Me to shine your shoes?" Chris responds exasperatedly. Megan scowls at him.

"I'm asking you to answer my texts and calls!" She quips. Murmurs are head throughout the crowd and I internally roll my eyes. Megan is a total drama queen which is one of the many reasons why I don't talk to her that much.

Chris pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Logan and Courtney watch from the sidelines, obviously waiting to see what happens. Courtney enjoys this attention because eyes still somehow drift to her.

"I'm a human being! I make mistakes, okay?" Chris exclaims and Megan nods, her eyes becoming increasingly glossy.

"Well I made a mistake too." She says, shoving the flowers into his chest, hard, before turning around and walking away from Chris. She pushes through the crowd, Courtney following after her as they walk into the school building. Chris meets my gaze and I give him a sympathetic smile.

"Shows over, now beat it." Logan calls out, stepping into the limelight. Everyone hesitates to move before he raises an eyebrow. "Are you all deaf or something?" He sneers and everyone slowly scatters. I walk up to Chris and put a hand on his shoulders.

"Are you okay?" I ask and he nods.

"Actually, I'm relieved she dumped me." He chuckles and I chuckle lightly too.

"She didn't dump you. She just gave you back the flowers."

He gives me an incredulous look. "I'm pretty sure it's over."

"C'mon. Class is about to start." Ashleigh tells us before we begin the walk to class. Meanwhile, I don't understand why Megan and Chris dated in the first place. It was clear there were no sparks. I shake my thoughts off since Chris doesn't look too bothered.

I think we both know they're better off as just friends.

****

I close my locker door shut with an eye roll.

"Seriously though Sophie. Why Philanthropy?" Megan asks incredulously.

Why is it that they can't understand I want to help people instead of getting so undeniably rich?

"Because, Megan. That's just what I want to do." I say with finality. Megan is about to say something again before Courtney cuts her off.

"Whatever," she waves her hand dismissively. "Just make sure that whatever... this thing is you're doing doesn't stop you from coming to Tyler's party."

I restrain myself from rolling my eyes again. "It won't." I inform her confidently. Courtney's red lips stretch into a satisfied smile.

"Perfect." She responds. "See you later!" She then chirps, turning around and walking down the hallway while Megan trails after her. I sigh as I watch them, checking my time and heading to my car. I type the address of the children's home into my GPS before getting there in record time. It's in a quiet suburban area that's extremely green and well kept. The parking lot is not too big, a few cars currently parked in it and the building itself being a light peachy colour. Above the front door is a sign saying:

Sunny Smiles even on rainy days.

I smile at the cheesy yet cute line, checking to see if I look okay in the mirror and then climbing out of the car. I lock it, walking to the white doors and pushing it open. A room with yellow walls, pictures drawn by the children hung up on it, a reception desk in the center with a pot plant beside it and a few neatly arranged couches just short of the passage, greets me.

A girl with dark hair and black rimmed glasses looks up from her computer to give me a friendly smile. I return the gesture, fidgeting with my hands as I rest them on the desk.

"Hello, welcome to Sunny Smiles. How may I help you?" She says warmly.

"I have a meeting with Lucy." I state and she nods before typing something into her computer. She squints at the computer before leaning back and looking up at me.

"Sophie Cooper?" She asks me and I nod curtly. She grins before picking up a telephone besides her and calling who I presume is Lucy. Once she puts the phone down, she gives me an encouraging smile. "She'll be right out, you can just take a seat." She informs me and I do as she says, taking a seat at one of the couches.

A whole two minutes later, yes, I counted, an orange haired lady stalks into the room. The minute she sees me, her eyes light up and I rush to my feet.

"Hello Sophie. It's lovely to meet you." She shakes my hand and I offer a polite smile.

"Likewise," I respond.

"Come, let me explain everything to you." Lucy instructs me. "You've at least met Kathy here." She gestures to the sweet but shy receptionist.

"Let me show you the rest of our humble home." She says as we walk down the passage. "Tell me, why is it that you wanted to come here again?"

"I want to go into philanthropy but I need enough credits from community work in order to qualify." I say and she nods.

"What do you plan on studying in order to get into philanthropy?"

"Linguistics." I say and Lucy smiles.

"Good choice."

She opens up a door to a small classroom, toys and tables in certain corners while a mat is placed in front of a TV mounted on the wall.

"This is the one to two year olds room but you'll be working with the three to four year olds. Your working hours will be from 3:00 to 5:30 from Monday to Friday." She says, trying to gauge my reaction. I nod.

"That's perfectly fine." I say and she smiles.

"Regarding what you'll be doing, you'll be supervising the children. I do ask of you to let them draw and colour on a daily basis as it's a skill many seem lack but other than that, the choice of their activity is up to you. However, TV is not permitted daily. No more than twice a week."

"Completely understandable." I add. Kids spend way too much time watching TV nowadays anyway.

"You'll have a partner, currently it's a young girl named Sarah, who will help you look after them. Your bathroom is down the passage to the right and all sliding doors lead to the yard. Are you okay with all of that?" She asks me and I nod.

"One hundred." I smile.

"Alright, let me show you your classroom then. We're just currently fixing it up here and there so I wanted you to see this room first." She says as we leave the room. We're about to open the door to the next classroom when Kathy calls her.

"It's one of the investors on the line!" Kathy yells and Lucy sighs, sending me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry but this is important. I'll be right back but you can head into the classroom yourself."

Lucy scurries off and takes the phone from Kathy, pressing it to her ear. I do as she says and open the door to the classroom I'll be working in, only I wish I hadn't because my boots are suddenly no longer black but rather purple. I let out a loud shriek as the bucket of paint hits the floor and covers my feet. I hear movement and look up to see a guy clad in a simple white shirt and dark wash jeans, climbing down a ladder.

"Shit. I'm so sor-" he is slowly cut off when we meet face to face. My mouth twists into a frown as I look at the boy in front of me.

And that boy is none other than Alex Rosewood; Rebel and player extraordinaire.

Courtney and Logan hate all of the Rebels but they definitely despise Alex more than the others. Now unlike us where we have an actual leader per se- which is Courtney and Logan- the Rebels don't. However, you always have that one person who takes that place unknowingly anyway. Alex is that person. He's the renown player of Ridgevale High, going through girls like underpants and never wanting more than that one thing. With devilishly handsome features that send any girl to the floor with weak knees, he gets whatever he wants. With brown hair that is always styled messily, hazel eyes that are always shining mischievously and a sharp jawline that you could probably cut a watermelon with, you could say that he's carved from the Greek Gods themselves. Excluding that and the fact that he has the body too- tall, muscular and toned- his father owns the biggest hotel franchise at present. He's the whole package basically.

Although I can't vouch for his personality. I don't know him. I just have an idea of him.

"Sophie Cooper?" He asks before he bursts out laughing. I cross my arms over my chest while I look at him in annoyance.

"Are you done? Because if you haven't noticed, you've ruined my boots." I complain and he looks at me in amusement, his eyes dancing with humour.

"What are you doing here?" He asks me, ignoring what I've said. I roll my eyes.

"Having an interview."

His mouth falls agape and he scratches his chin. "Let me get this straight, the Sophie Cooper cares about other people and not just herself?" Alex asks rhetorically and I scowl at him.

"What are you doing here?" I counter and he shrugs, moving the ladder so he can take it down. I try not to watch his arms flex or admire how attractive he is and continue waiting for an answer. He picks up the ladder, bucket of paint and paintbrush before turning back to me.

"Working." Is all he responds.

"Wait," I say, holding a hand up. "You, Alex Rosewood, work at a charity center?" I ask incredulously in the same way as he did and he gives me a sarcastic smile.

"Are you slow or something Princess? I just said I'm working." He responds patronizingly. I glare at him and his lips quirk into a smile. "Let's hope we don't see each other around too much, Cooper." He says, walking into the doorway just as Lucy comes in.

"Oh! Alex," she says before she sees the paint on the floor.

"Sorry about that Lucy. I'll clean up it up in a moment." Alex says politely and Lucy chuckles, moving out of the way so that Alex can get through. Once he's out the room, she turns to me, her eyes widening when she sees my boots covered in paint.

"Oh my! Your boots." She says and I wave it off with a light laugh.

"Don't worry about it." I answer truthfully. Sure, I'm a little annoyed my boots are ruined but I can get another pair. "What were you saying?" I ask and she continues.

"This will be your classroom that you and Sarah will be working in. After your shift is over, you'll switch over with two other girls."

"Okay." I nod, trying to remember everything.

"Oh and that young man you just met? Alex?" Lucy points to outside. "Will be working in here for the next few months since there's quite a bit that needs to be fixed up."

My heart drops at that but I still push a smile onto my face.

I have to work with Alex? I can't even imagine how this is going to turn out.

I look around the classroom and notice that there is, indeed, some things that need to be changed and fixed. This room is exactly like the previous classroom, just a little bigger with walls that are blue and a mat that is navy resting on the ground.

"So," Lucy turns to me with a bright smile, "when can you start?"

So you guys finally got to meet Alex Rosewood... what do you think of him?
Are you enjoying the story so far? Please let me!

Thank you for all your support! :)

Vote♡Comment♡Share