Anyone But Me : The Beginning

Chapter one ..It All started in English..

I didn't know what I had done to deserve this cruel finger from fate. I was good kid I thought to myself. Not a drinker , never touched drugs, plus I was a straight A student. However being the latter of those detailed personality traits. Was more than likely the reasoning for my being transfered from regular English one 'o' one to advanced classes.

I had of course kept my opinion of where I should be to myself as usual. I was the good little girl I had been all of my life. Stood in the back of the line, not bothering to fight with people for my convictions.

I staggered dejectedly toward my new English class. As if I needed a bigger reason to be called nerd. I already wore glasses and had long stringy black hair. My awkwardly gangly teenage girl body just hung there. Most of the time I maintained the posture of a man standing above all of my female peers. Or atleast the ones who didn't bother to wear heels.

I pushed open the wooden door with the small bullet proof glass window. Marked room one 'o' two Advanced English. Handing my transfer sheet to my new teacher. She was young and kind of pretty even though she looked as though she would pop is she stood too close to a stove top. She was pregnant I realised, I only hoped it wasn't another one of those student teacher love children. That seemed to be so popular these days.

She check marked and signed where the signature was required. Then handed me my paper back and directed me to the only seat available in the eight desk classroom. It was small because Queens wasn't exactly known for it's advanced vocabulary. It was more known for it's stellar and shining crime rates and gang terf wars. However New York was my home and I loved it all though some of the gang activity was disturbing. I guess my mind was just trained to accept that's how it always was.

I sat down absent mindedly in my orange plastic chair setting my back pack down next to me. I searched for my english book. Then I realised I didn't go to the book supply to get a new one for the changed class.

" Don't have a book ?" A soft voice whispered to me.

" No, I uh..didn't change them before coming here. " I replied.

" It's cool because you can say we met by my coming to you in you time of need, I'm Aster. " The girl introduced herself.

" My hero it's nice to meet you, I'm Vivian. " I extended my hand to her.

She shook it once. Her hand were warm and soft that was nothing of course compared to her eyes. They looked like two great big green emeralds. Her face looked like a copy of a young hot Angelina Jolie. I realised I was staring when the teacher asked me if Aster had a printed copy of the reading material embedded on her face.

I blushed and returned to facing in her direction. The entire class laughed. Odd thing was I didn't care I was glad I did it. Could I..could I be getting a girl crush ? I so very seldom had crushes on anyone male or female. My dad said I was a late bloomer and he'd also added he was glad of that. Then he didn't have to keep his shotgun loaded in case he found me and someone else in a compromising position. My dad was as quick whitted as me which made up for my lack of a mother figure. My mom abandoned us when I was five and dad raised me by himself since then.

We were studying about early fifteenth century poetry, specifically works by lesser known artists. I shook my head as the teacher was giving out orders for us to research and each find our favorite fifteenth century poem. To make it more interesting she'd made us put our names in a jar. Whichever name she drew out the next draw would be the research partner. For it was not simple enough to assign this topic but there had to be more insult added to injury. By making sure there were two people picking the same poem we had to agree upon the topic it adressed and of course the flow of the words. Also we had to describe in detail how it affected us personally either by experiance or feeling.

This could get interesting. There are not two people in the world with the exact same feelings. Let alone two teenagers. I rolled my eyes again. Teacher called out my name, then she called out Aster's. What the f..now I am in trouble. The cute girl I've know for all of thirty minutes and already have a crush on. Is now my partner in the class assignment.

Aster's P.O.V.

I was setting at my desk, minding my own business reading the Advocate. When in walked the new transfer the normal class. She was beautiful, I prayed to God, Allah, Budhha and the fates. Whoever was listening in the void of space we have yet enough funding or intelligence to find. That she would be seated next to me. Instead of being made to get another chair for the old desk at the back. I was granted my request and thanked the afformentioned dieties. She sat down next to me not really paying any attention to me. Oh, great I thought to myself she was one of those high and mighty know it all types. That didn't associate with commoners. Okay, Aster you gotta make this girl like you, be smooth I told myself.

I introduced myself with a joke, it's my defense mechanism for most situations that are uncomfortable. Like saying hi to a pretty girl, who prob- Wait a minute did she just giggle a little at my stupid joke. Yes I'm in. I let her share my book however it wasn't my book she was looking at. It was me or atleast that's what the teacher called her on. Making the whole class laugh at her. I wanted to stand up right then in the middle of Misses Hawkin's class and punch all of those jerks in the eye. They shouldn't be laughing at her I thought.

I was too dumbfounded that she was staring at me. To even attempt my plan which I would fail at anyway. This was New York half the people here had taisers and pepper spray hidden on their person somewhere that metal detectors couldn't see.

I was nervous as hell when the teacher assigned Vivian and I as partners for the poetry report. Vivian what a pretty name, like someone from an old movie. She even looked like her name classical features. Long, straight hair, porcelain skin, narrow brown eyes with long lashes.

When the bell rang the silence broke out into white noise as all the classes let out for the day. I grabbed my shoulder bag shoving my book into it. " If you want we could use my house for the research. My parents aren't usually dragging themselves in until midnight so it's quiet, o-or we could use your house whatever is easier for you. " Damn I was caught on my words I hated when that would happen.

Vivian smiled shyly at me and ducked her head down. " You're house is f-fine. "

Yes she stuttered too, I'm saved, I don't look like a neolithic baffoon. " So..you wanna go now ?"

" Yeah, just let me call my dad and let him know I won't be home 'til later. " Vivian answered taking out her flip phone and dialing. After she got the all clear from her dad to go with the complete stranger to her house in uptown Manhattan.

End P.O.V.

BOTH P.O.V.'s

Aster pulled her brown leather jacket on over her red plaid shirt. Wrapping a scarf around her neck she smiled at Vivian. " So was it cool with him or is he one of those parents that totally flips out on you when you go somewhere new. And asks like twelve million questions. "

Vivian had to laugh. " No, not at all. My dad is pretty calm about alot of things new people and places are one of them. "

" Actually I think that's two. " Aster replied intelligently.

" You're right. Anyway he doesn't have that overreacting gene most dad's do. " Vivian finished as shrugged on her parka.

" So, what about your mom is she cool like your dad or.."

Vivian's face fell for a moment. " Hey I'm sorry if I asked a bad question. You don't have to answer. " Aster comforted placing a hand on her new friends shoulder.

" No it's not a bad question , just..a hard one. My mom left when I was five so I don't really remember much about her or what she was like. " The taller girl shrugged. " While we're on the subject though what about your parents, What are they like ?"

" Wow, and you thought my question hard. Well my dad is a CEO for some big pharmaceutical company, and my mom is an attorney at some high powered lawfirm. They give me a large allowance and everything I could ever want. But they're never there like I don't know real parents should be. It's like I live alone in a giant place at fifteen. It's crazy that I even still try for their focus when it's so obviously unfocused. " Aster explained as the two girls entered the subway station.

" That sucks I'm..sorry, if it makes you feel better I'd be more than happy to share my dad with you. " The darkest haired girl gleamed.

Aster smiled back. " Ya' know that could be a great idea for a business rent-a-dad. "

Vivian chuckled. " I didn't say I'd rent him out, but maybe a short term lease or time share perhaps. "

After changing trains twice they arrived at Asters place it was this really expensive looking apartment building. It even had a valet and a door greeter. Vivian was impressed that this girl she was getting to know could come from all of this. And still be just as down to earth and normal as the rest of the world. The girls boarded the elevator and Aster pushed the button for the top floor.

Vivian noticed but didn't say anything. The girls had managed small talk without her having a stroke at all the things and privileges Aster had.

" Well here we are, home sweet pent house. "

" You live in a pent house. " Vivian had to have one flip out moment this might as well be it. Aster swiped her entry card and they entered the living space. " This is huge, I can't believe you don't have like, I don't know massive cool people parties or something here. "

" Well, I would but theres the clean up and the fact I don't have but five or six friends. Only one best friend he's fun. He kinda reminds me of male version of myself only wiser. " Aster shook her head.

Then the hard part came the research. Aster brought her apple laptop and the two girls started trying to figure out what poems were best. Then they made like a top ten list of the ones they really liked. After all that eye strain the girls sat back on the large white couch.

" Okay I think it's safe to say that is enough homework for awhile. " Vivian stated closing her eyes and rubbing them.

" I agree completely, do you wanna go home now or are you hungry as I am ?" Aster enquired for some reason she didn't want this girl to leave so soon.

" You know actually I am kind of hungry, what did you have in mind ?"

" Pizza. " Aster said in a sensual tone with a large grin.

" Lead the way master. " Vivian responded returning the shorter girls grin.

" It's like the best pizza place ever and it's only a block away, we can walk there. " Aster explained where they were going.

An hour later it was dark, the new friends were walking out of Joe's pizza place. Laughing hysterically. When they reached the corner to cross the street Aster noticed a car coming before she could think about it. She reached out a grabbed Vivian's hand to stop her. The touch was electric it shot strait to her lower stomach. Vivian must've felt something too because she let out an "Oh !" In a satisfied kind of way not a oh, dear god why is this girl touching me.

As quickly as the touch had began Aster slowly pulled her hand away.

" Wait, you don't I mean we can hold hands if you want ?" Vivian couldn't believe what she was saying. Sure she'd had crushed on girls Sophie the girl she'd spent summers with in Westchester. But she thought that was just a phase all kids have those don't they ? She wasn't sure anymore but she was sure she wanted to hold Aster's hand again. It was so soft and warm and perfect.

" Okay. " Aster replied. Slowly, tentitively she extended her arm out to the taller girl. It was received happily when long thin fingers wrapped around hers. It was the most amazing feeling.

Vivian wanted Aster to hold her hand all the time. She felt safer somehow knowing there was another person there with her. Holding part of her in their hands. she felt complete unlike the time that Danny Froth had held her hand to her house from school.

When it was time for Vivian to go Aster walked her to the subway and the girls parted ways. Promising to meet tomorrw at the New York Public Library after school.

Neither girl could keep the grin off her face the whole time they were apart. This was the beginning of something. Problem was Vivian wasn't sure what ?