Friction

Your head is spinning as you sit up and peer out into a seemingly vast darkness. Groggily you manage to stumble to your feet despite your limited vision. Confused and disoriented, you look around and discover a faint source of light in the distance and begin making your way towards it. The light grows brighter with each step until you’re **** to shield yourself from its blaze. Groaning, your eyes tentatively blink open a few moments later to reveal a familiar sight. You’re in the back garden of the Zodiak House but can’t remember how or when you arrived. Everything is still hazy and though your mind is clouded you’re still cognizant enough to be aware you must be dreaming.

“Miss Ford…” A slightly familiar voice seems to cut through the haze, sounding as though it’s coming from above or all around.

“Miss Ford” The voice seems to be growing louder and more irate.

Blinking, you sit up suddenly and look around in surprised confusion. You’re definitely awake now and not anywhere near the now slightly dreaded house. Blushing, you look around the classroom helplessly as you hear a group of girls giggling and whispering behind manicured hands.

“…same clothes as the other day…” You think you hear one of them say as you try to focus on the professor clearing his throat impatiently.

“Miss Ford we’re waiting…”

“I-“ You feel dizzy again and the whispers and snickers continue.

“…don’t know what anyone sees in her…”

“…homely…”

“…poor…”

“Well that’s our time for today.” The professor interjects in an exasperated tone before dismissing the class. The laughter and words continue ringing in your ears as you clumsily pack up your bag and head for the nearest exit. To your dismay you see the same gaggle of girls hovering around the hallway giggling even more furiously.

“Excuse me…” You mumble sheepishly as you try to squeeze by the group who cast an annoyed look your way and barely move aside.

“Hey, Ford!" You stop short at the sound of your name being called over the small crowd.

"Ash?"

The lanky man straightens up from where he's been leaning casually against a stairwell railing. His already messy hair has somehow grown even more unruly in the short time since you've last seen him. The group of women all immediately turn to follow his line of gaze and regard you with a new air of curious hostility.

"You know that girl?" A tall, lithe blonde in the middle inquires haughtily as her thick lashed gaze narrows on you.

"{First-name}, where you heading?" Ash ignores the question and the girl as he pushes past his increasingly annoyed admirers.

"Oh, I have History next." You mumble absentmindedly, nervous to be in the man's domineering presence so unexpectedly.

"Ditch it." He smirks playfully, his eyes shifting back to the crowd behind him momentarily before lowering his voice. "I'm in Social Studies with blondie over there and I'd rather not suffocate in a cloud of her perfume for the next two hours."

"Umm..." Your brow knits together as you're met with the man's best impression of puppy dog eyes. "I..."