𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐄 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚

──── chapter two; science class

𝐍𝐀𝐎𝐌𝐈 𝐒𝐀𝐓 in the back of her science class, near the window where she could get away with not paying to much attention to the lesson. she shifted in her seat, trying to make sure she didn't fall asleep because, mr hayes, her teacher love to call on people randomly. she looked out the window. her thoughts focusing on anything but the lesson. 

the sound of the classroom door opening broke omis focus, pulling her back to the classroom. she glanced over to the door and a kid stood there. walker scobell, the new boy. she heard all about him from her brother and boyfriend, who couldn't stop ranting over the fact that someone new would join them this season. apparently, he was from new york, he was so good he could get a scholarship, and "everyone" was talking about him. 

at first she hadn't thought much of it, she saw him walk in the gym with nathan this morning, but she didn't get time to look because she had to set an example for her team, they had to focus. 

but, as walker walked into the room, there was something about him that made the girl pause. he was tall, with messy. he was very tall, with messy blond hair that kind of fell over his eyes. his athletic build was evident even under the plain hoodie and jeans he wore. he looked very lost, glacing around the science classroom as if he didnt know where to sit. naomi noticed the way his hands fidgeted with his back. he was nervous, but it was a cute nervous. 

he met the teachers eyes, and the teacher gave a nod before pointed towards the empty desk right next to naomi. walker hesititated for a second, remembering the warning the girls brother had gave him earlier. but then he made his way over and slid right into the seat bedside her. 

she glanced at the front of the room so that she could avoid looking akward, trying not to notice how close the boy was to her. she focused on her notebook, pretending to scribble notes, even though she couldn't remember a word mr. hayes had just said. 

walker shifted to sit in the seat beside her, clearly trying to clear his nervousness. she could feel him taking in the room, feeling just as out of place as she knew he must have. the nerves in the air around him were strong. 

"hey," he said quietly, with a smile, breaking the silence. his voice was warm but still had a trace of uncertainty in it.

"hey," naomi replied, not looking up immediately. she wasn't sure why he was talking to her, but it seemed easier to just acknowledge him than ignore him. she finally glanced at him, giving him a brief smile before returning her gaze to her notes. "you're walker, right?

"yeah," he said, his voice lighter now that the initial awkwardness had passed. 

she nodded, making a mental note of it. "nice. how are you liking it so far?" she asked, then immediately realized how cliché that sounded.

walker gave a short laugh. "It's been... interesting." he paused for a moment before adding, "a lot different from new york."

"yeah," naomi agreed. "i bet. ive been here most of my life, so I'm used to it. but, ridgewood's kind of... a lot to take in at first."

he gave her a slight grin, the kind of smile that made his eyes light up, and couldn't help but notice how it softened his features, how it made him look less nervous and more approachable. "i bet," he said, his voice still light but with a hint of curiosity. "im just trying to figure it all out. the school, the people... everything's so different here."

"yeaa, i wanted to apologize for not speaking to you earlier, my brother is just so aggravating, and my girls needed to practice. its alot, anyways. im sorry."

"no you're fine, its ok." the boy smiled at her.

she gave him a small, half-smile, trying not to overthink the situation. it was weird, something about the way he seemed so out of place, like he was trying to find his rhythm in the new school, made her feel... a little more sympathetic. she hated being new, too. she remembered what it felt like when she was the freshman who didn't know anyone.

the class continued, but naomi couldn't help but notice walker still glancing around every now and then, looking like he was absorbing everything. it wasn't long before she noticed he kept glancing at her. she felt his eyes on her, and for a second, she was tempted to look back. but she didn't. she kept her gaze focused on the front of the room, on the lesson she was pretending to follow.

but there was something... magnetic about him. it wasn't just the way he looked—though, yeah, he was handsome. it was something in the way he carried himself. he didn't look like he was trying to impress anyone, but she could tell that he was more than just a new kid trying to fit in. there was a quiet confidence about him that wasn't loud or arrogant. it was the kind of confidence that made people want to know more. 

"do you like football?" he asked suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts.

noami blinked, surprised. "uh, yeah," she said. "i mean, i'm not like obsessed with it or anything. but im pretty familiar with it. my brother's on the team."

walker laughed, "oh right, i forgot."

noami nodded, then returned her focus to the lesson, but her mind kept drifting back to the conversation. as the bell rang, signaling the end of class, noami stood up, gathering her things. walker stood up beside her, moving a little too fast and bumping into her chair. he quickly apologized, looking embarrassed.

"its fine, its fine." she said, smiling at the boy, "just be careful next time."

he smiled at her. "ill try."

she nodded, not sure what else to say, and began to walk toward the door.

"hey, noami," walker called out before she could leave.

she turned to look at him, eyebrows raised. "yeah?"

"i... uh, I appreciate you talking to me today. it's been... kind of overwhelming, honestly."

she wasn't sure why, but something about his honesty made her feel just a little bit softer toward him. "no problem," she said, giving him a smile. "it's only the first day. you'll get the hang of it."

"thanks," walker said, and she could see the relief in his eyes. "i think i will."

𝐋𝐀'𝐍𝐈𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 ─── ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

let me cook, it takes time to set the storylineee

with love, @love4niyy