Free A Four Letter Word by Michelle Lee

a welcomed sight.
    "Where's your locker?" I ask, grasping my things close to my chest. Even though Erica's found me, nervousness still courses through my veins.
    "The next hall over. You okay?" she questions, her left eyebrow cocked.
    "I'll be better once this day is over," I easily admit.
    Erica nods. "Well, I guess we should head to AP English. I'm so glad we have first and third period together."
    "Thank God for small favors, I wish we had all our classes together, including lunch." My voice is shaky, my nerves kicking into overdrive just thinking of being alone in my other classes and lunch.
    "Zoey, you'll be fine, trust me. You're not the new kid anymore. I'm sure you'll know somebody in your other classes and lunch, too." She nudges me with her shoulder trying to reassure me. I shrug, and the two of us make our way to our first class.
    We leave AP English, my brain swimming, thinking of all the amazing books we are going to read and all the work we will have to do. AP English is definitely going to be my favorite class this year.
    "So, I'll see you third period, Biology?" Erica asks, concern evident in her tone.
    Time to buck up, Zoey. You're a freakin' sophomore and no longer the new kid. Remember, this year is going to be different.
    " Zoey?"
    "Um, sorry. Yeah, Biology. I'll see you third period."
    "See ya." Erica turns and makes her way down the hall and out of sight.
    I grip my books tightly to my chest and make my way the opposite direction—time for Calculus. What fun.
    ****
    God, I freakin' hate math. Whoever decided teenagers needed three math credits in order to graduate needed to be shot. Calculus was going to be the death of me. I navigate my way through the crowded hall to Biology. I'm not too thrilled having to take it, either.
    Stupid Science requirement.
    The idea of cutting into dead animals is just repulsive; the whole idea of it makes me shudder. I enter the classroom and immediately spot Erica—she's waving her hands in the air like I wouldn't see her.
    "This is so great—we get to be lab partners." Excitement is in her voice as I take my seat next to her.
    "Yeah, great, but which one of us is going to cut into the baby pig?" I quirk an eyebrow at her.
    "Oh my God, Zoey, I didn't think about that. Um, shit, we'll figure something out." Her face pales slightly, and I'm sure mine mirrors hers.
    There is chit-chat all around us. People talking about what they did over the summer, what classes they have. My attention is suddenly drawn to the door, as if I had no choice but to look, and when I do, I see the most beautiful boy I have ever seen in my entire life. His looks rival that of any movie star. His hair is a mess on top of his head, it’s nearly jet black, with purplish highlights shining in the fluorescent lights; it slightly hangs in his eyes. It looks super soft and I just want to run my fingers through it to find out. His jeans hit low on his hips, and the gray t-shirt he's wearing hugs his torso, showing off his lean, muscular form. His eyes scan the room, and he nods to someone off to the right, making his way towards them. Never seeing me. My heart is racing.
    "Erica, who is that?" I nod to the beautiful boy as he makes his way to his seat.
    "Oh, that ? That's Evan 'the jerk' Harris." She doesn't hide the disdain in her voice.
    "The jerk?"
    "Well, that's what I've heard. I've never met him, but from what I've heard, he's a piece of work."
    Too bad.
    "What did you say?"
    Shit, I said that out loud.
    "Um, nothing." My eyes gaze on him a little longer, and then I turn my attention to our teacher entering the room.
    Our teacher, Mr. Williams, enters the class, and everyone settles down. "Okay, everyone up. I am going to assign your seats, and who you sit with will be your lab partner for the year."
    I cringe at his request. Erica gives me a look like "I don't believe this." We both grab our stuff and begrudgingly slide out of our seats. We make our way to stand with everyone else. My eyes drift