First Impressions

In her short 16 years of life, Nicki had never once encountered the desperately seeked teenage whirlwind romance. Never had those wild night outs with friends where it could easily end with a run in with the police. Never went to a crazy, loud, house party where everybody got blacked out drunk and would rave about for weeks on. It bothered Nicki that what movies and books and tv shows had painted as the normal teenage life, was just not true. Or maybe it was for some people. But not her. Its not like Nicki had no social life, she had plety of friends, did activites after school and got good grades. She wasn't "Popular" but she wasnt a "loser", another cliche moment. There wasn't one specific group of people who were perceived as having a higher social stature. That, she wasn't so let down about.

The real point of this was that Nicki's life had always been...normal. But she wanted more, she wanted that one special guy to look at her the way the handsome prince looks at the beautiful princess. Would she ever admit that to anybody thought? No. Nicki liked to keep her thoughts on fairytale lifestyles and dreams to herself. It wasn't like anything was going to change, so what would be the point of dreaming? The next morning she would get up, go to the same school, with the same people and go about her daily routine.
She opened her too-small-to-fit-anything-but-books locker, took out her history book for first period honors history and sighed. "New day, same old shit."

Nicki slammed her locker shut when her best friend Kat came running around the corner almost bumping into her.

"Oh my God you scared me!" Nicki said as she readjusted the bag on her shoulder. "Why are you running Kat?"

"New....students....hallway....now" Kat said, her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath.

"Kat....slooow dooown." Nicki grabbed her best friend pulling her upright. "try again."

"The new students just came in, they're walking down from the main office now."

Nicki rolled her eyes and began walking in the direction of her first class. "And? Why should i care?"

"Because Nicki! Theyre the first new kids we've had since like....fifth grade." Kat stressed, trying to get her friend more interested.

She did have a point, they lived in the typical small town in Meryfield, Connecticut, just outside Stamford. Nothing ever happened, people rarely came and went. Everybody knew everybody. The most exciting thing that had happened recently, was the construction of a new 'Estate' on the outskirts of town. People were very curious about the new property, why it was being built and for whom. It was a beautiful property, dark grey bricks made up the building, brass colored windows, hundres of flowers surrounding the outline, a long cobblestone driveway from the dark, metal gates to the front of the home wrapping around a lovely sculptured fountain in the middle. The place was deemed 'Newlyn Estate'. Even so, Nicki didn't dwell much on it She looked back at Kat, raising a brow. “Wait they? You mean there's more than one?”

“Three! Two guys and a girl. And one of them is so hot you just gotta come look.” Kat grabbed Nicki's hand and pulled her in the other direction. “Come on!”

“Kat! I'm gonna be late, whoever they are they can wait.”

“Trust me Nic, you'll want to hear about them.”

The two girls made their way to the main hallway of their school where it seemed like just about every student was standing, Nicki followed their gaze and she was met with a strong look. There were the three new students of Meryfield High. Almost instantly she felt intimidated. The girl had dark, chocolate like hair with piercing blue eyes, she looked like the type of girl who never had a bad hair day. The guy next to her seemed more welcoming. He had the same colored hair, same eyes the only difference was that he sported a sweet smile. Then there was the guy who caught her stare a few seconds ago. He was much taller, his caramel skin came to life against the white, opened collar shit he wore. His eyes pierced through the crowd, yet he didn't look too pleased to be here like his female companion. He looked quite annoyed having so many people stare at him. Nicki was now becoming very interested in knowing who these strangers were.

She tapped Kat on the arm, “So what do you know?” Kat had all the qualities of a great detective, she found out things nobody would even hear about till weeks later. She knew everything about everybody, yet she was still one of the nicest, and sweetest girls in the whole town. Mainly why Nicki and her became so close.

“Okay so the girl right there her name is Carly. She doesn't seem....so friendly. But who knows. The guy in the middle, that's her brother his name is Caleb. They're the Newlyn twins.”

“Wait, Newlyn? As in the estate?” Nicki asked, eyes widening.

“Yes! Their family is the one who built the property, when I tell you that they are loaded!” Kat said in a low voice, trying not to let random people hear their conversation. “Anyway, Caleb looks so sweet and have you seen his eyes?! Its about time we got some man candy in this school.” Nicki eyed her friend, she could tell Kat was infatuated with this guy. But she didn't think much of it. It always happened to Kat, she was a lover. She fell hard for guys who in the end would just end up breaking her heart.

“What about that last one?”

“Oh yeah, his name is Drake. That's about as much as I could find out about him. I do know that they all live together. But I don't know why. He's good looking....i guess. But nothing compared to Caleb.” Nicki fought the urge to roll her eyes, but Kat was wrong. Caleb couldn't measure up to Drake. He looked so confident, so dashing. Nicki caught herself almost about to lick her lips at the sight. She wondered how old he was, what kind of music he liked, was he a sporty guy? Although in the clothes he was wearing she couldn't imagine anybody tossing a football in it. His shirt alone looked like it cost more than her whole entire wardrobe.
She was brought back to reality by Kat pulling at her. “Let's go say hi!”

Nicki panicked and held her ground. “Are you kidding?! No. We don't even know them, what's it gonna look like when two random girls just jump out questioning them?”

“Like we're being friendly and welcoming?” Kat laughed at her less spontaneous friend. “Please Nicki! I really wanna talk to Caleb but I don't want to go by myself. Please, please, please?!” Kat cocked her head to the side, giving Nicki a sad look.

Nicki rolled her eyes and gave in. She told herself she was jut doing this for her friend, but deep down she knew she wanted to meet the new students just as bad. Especially on in particular. “Fine, but THEN we go to class I'm not getting detention because of you!”

Kat squealed and pulled Nicki over to the trio who now had stopped at a locker, presumably Caleb's since he was fidgeting with the lock. As they neared closer, Drake caught them walking in his direction and stared right at Nicki. His stare was so strong, she forced herself to look down, knowing Kat would start the conversation.

By now Caleb and Carly took notice of their presence. “Hi!” Kat stated, much more excited than she needed to be.

“Hi there.” Caleb said with a smile and tone that matched Kat's perfectly.

Nicki saw Kat blush and thought, “Here we go again”

“I'm Kat and this is Nicki. We just wanted to say hi and welcome you to Meryfield.”

“Well I'm Caleb. It's nice to meet you Kat and Nicki.” Caleb did seem genuinely nice so Nicki gave him a smile. Not that he probably cared, since all he could do was stare at Kat.

A soft, yet firm cough was heard behind Caleb which pulled him from the trance. “Oh, this is my sister Carly.”

Carly stepped forward looking both girls up and down, with a thin smile on her face. Right off the bat, Nicki wasn't too fond of her. Her dark hair was pulled up in a sleek ponytail at the crown of her head, she wore bright red lipstick and beautiful diamond earrings. The girl looked like she was attending a fashion show rather than school.

“Hi, Kat is it? Don't you just have the most beautiful golden hair?” Carly smiled at Kat, loosely twirling a piece of Kat's long hair. “And Nicki right? It is so nice of you two to welcome us. I hope we're going to be good friends.”

Nicki wanted to scoff at the girl before her who was obviously trying too hard. It almost made her forget about Drake standing to the side looking at her. Almost.

“And you are?” Nicki dropped her heavy backpack and turned to fully face Drake, with her sweet smile on display making her dimples show.

“Drake.” He responded. Quick and simple introduction, making an impression on her no less.

“He's a bit shy. Don't mind him, he gets kinda grumpy in the mornings don't you Aubrey?” Carly wrapped her arm around Drake's subtly. But Drake pulled back and gave her a look, which Nicki took notice of.

“Who's Aubrey?” Kat asked.

“Oh that's Drake's real name but nobody calls him that.” Caleb said.

“And i'd like to keep it that way.” Drake gave an annoyed look at Carly.

“So ladies, I hope you two wouldn't mind showing us the ropes of this school?” There is was again, that bright smile Caleb gave Kat. It was as if nobody else was around. “I hope we haven't missed much.”

“No, well the school year really just started about a month ago. You can still sign up for clubs or sports or whatever you want to do. And the homecoming dance is in two weeks. Thats always the best!” Kat took on her role as the unofficial welcoming committee. She really was perfect for the job, knowing everything that went on in the school.

“Kat would you mind showing me to my first class? It says here first period honors history.” Carly said as she handed her schedule to Kat.

“Great I get to see her bright and early everyday.” Nicki thought to herself. It would be such a joy.

“Sure! Me and Nicki are actually heading there right now we'll take you. Right Nic?” Kat didnt seem to notice Carly's underlying attitude but that was just her. She found good in everybody.

“Sure.”

Caleb gathered his belonging and shut the locker. “I'll see you guys later then”

Nicki gave him a smile and Kat nodded as the three girls headed to their class. Nicki tuned out the conversation the other two were having, mainly because she didn't really care but also because she couldn't stop thinking about Drake. Sure he had barely said a word to her and he seemed a little standoffish but she couldn't truly blame him. It was a new school, new environment, new people....it would intimidate anybody. When they were about to enter the classroom, Nicki noticed she didn't have her backpack and turned around sighing. She was definitely going to be late for class. She was speed walking through the crowd to make it back to Caleb's locker, about to turn the corner when she abruptly stopped upon hearing her name. She peered her head to find Caleb and Drake still standing there talking.

“They seemed really nice right?” Caleb said.

“Yeah I guess so.”

“Kat is so pretty, she mentioned something about the homecoming dance. I think I want to ask her to go with me. You think she'll say yes?”

Drake rolled his eyes, “You just met this girl.”

“So? She's sweet. And so beautiful. And Nicki is too.” Nicki smiled to herself, Caleb really was a good guy. “Hey maybe you can ask Nicki and we can go as like a double date or something.

Nicki's heart rate sped up at the thought. Would Drake really ask her? Would she say yes?

Drake let out a snort “I don't think so.”

“Why? Don't you think she's pretty?”

“5 minutes we're in this school and that Kat is the only good looking girl here. Nicki's alright I guess but nothing special. Why waste my time.”

Nicki felt her stomach drop and anger rise in her. Who the hell did he think he was talking about her like that?! Nothing special? The NERVE. She contemplated storming up to him and giving Drake a piece of her mind. But she didn't want to cause a scene. Much less have him see the pain his words inflicted upon her. The bell rang and Nicki knew she had to get to class. She collected herself and walked up to the boys who once seeing her realized she had probably heard everything. It took all her will for Nicki not to look Drake in the eyes or curse at him. She bumped him aside, retrieving the pink backpack behind his feet. She quickly stood up and turned back quickly walking towards her class. Trying to push all thoughts about Drake out of her mind.