Chapter Three – The Locker Next Door
The sun beamed gently across Middleford High as students swarmed in, chattering, snapping selfies, and exchanging gists hotter than a group chat on fire.
But amid the chaos, Patel was walking like a brand-new man.
He had actually combed his hair for once. His shirt was tucked in (well, mostly), and his tie wasn't trying to strangle him like it usually did. For the first time since puberty hit him like a surprise math test, Patel didn't feel invisible.
He even sprayed a tiny bit of his dad's expensive cologne.
Okay, maybe too much, judging by how two students coughed as he passed.
Still, Patel didn't care.
Yeah, people teased him about "fainting like a helpless anime character" yesterday. Sure, some students had turned it into a GIF. And yes, someone put a "falling in love" filter on it and shared it on TikTok. But as long as Jenny didn't think he was a total embarrassment, it was all good.
He stopped at his locker and exhaled confidently. "Today," he whispered, "we win."
He started arranging his books like a soldier prepping for battle.
Meanwhile...
A sleek, shiny black car glided into the school parking lot, drawing stares like a celebrity red carpet entrance. The back door opened and out stepped Jenny radiant as ever, wearing a light blue dress that made her glow even more.
She turned and waved sweetly at the driver.
"Thank you, Uncle Ken! See you after school!"
The moment she stepped into the hallway, conversations paused.
"Damn... she looks like she walked out of a music video," a junior boy whispered, frozen with his juice box halfway to his mouth.
"She's literally glowing," another girl muttered. "I think I need sunglasses."
Jenny, ever the graceful queen, smiled and waved.
"Hey guys, good morning!"
"Morning Jenny!" a group of seniors echoed, hearts melting on the spot.
Some girls rolled their eyes and whispered, "Ugh, what's so special?"
"She's just acting nice so people like her," a jealous one scoffed.
But even as they whispered, Jenny greeted everyone with genuine warmth,whether it was the shy kid from Grade 9 or the strict janitor who hated noise.
That's when Trey noticed her.
Trey, Middleford's golden boy. Tall, fine, rich, and dangerously charming. He was leaning against a wall with his crew of elite seniors, casually talking about weekend plans and basketball tryouts when he froze mid-sentence.
"Bro, are you listening?" one of his friends asked.
Trey didn't respond. He was already walking toward Jenny.
"Yo, Jenny, right?" he said smoothly, blocking her path with a smirk that could melt ice. "I don't usually do this, but… I was thinking maybe we grab a bite after school? Nothing formal. Just you and me. Vibes."
Jenny smiled politely. "That's sweet,But I have somewhere to be after school. Sorry!"
And just like that, she walked past him.
Trey stood still.
"Wait…what?"
His boys stared at him like he'd just been slapped by a feather.
"No one says no to Trey," one of them muttered.
"She did," another said, stunned.
---
Back at the lockers, Patel was humming to himself and practicing how to casually lean without looking like a confused flamingo.
Suddenly, he caught a whiff of soft lavender.
He turned and almost dropped his books.
Jenny. Right beside him.
Turns out... her locker was next to his.
"Oh. Hi!" she said brightly, flashing him that killer smile.
"H-hi," Patel said, voice cracking slightly.
His brain short-circuited for a moment. Why didn't anyone prepare him for this plot twist?!
"I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking," he said quickly.
Jenny chuckled. "Oh, I didn't even ask yet!"
"Oh. Uh..well... now you don't have to," Patel smiled awkwardly.
She giggled. "I'm glad. I felt bad yesterday. I hope it wasn't my perfume that knocked you out."
"Nah, nah," Patel said. "I think it was just uh divine shock. You know, like when a mere mortal sees a goddess too suddenly."
Jenny laughed,a real, joyful laugh that made the hallway sound quieter.
"You're funny," she said.
Patel blinked. She thinks I'm funny. This is not a drill.
She turned the lock on her locker and opened it.
"I guess we're locker neighbors now. That's pretty cool, right?"
Patel nodded. "Yeah... we should probably get matching doorbells or something."
Another laugh. Patel internally high-fived himself.
Before he could ride the wave further, Mrs. Jane strolled by briskly.
"Jenny, please come with me to the vice principal's office. She needs you to sign some forms."
"Sure thing, ma'am!" Jenny said sweetly. Then she turned to Patel, waved, and added, "See you in class!"
Patel waved back, frozen like he just got blessed.
As soon as she left, he leaned against his locker and whispered to himself, "I. Am. In. Love."
But his moment didn't last.
Because Trey had been watching.
He approached with five of his boys. Trey looked smug but there was a tightness in his jaw.
"You got jokes, huh?" Trey said.
Patel straightened. "What?"
"I'm saying... a kid like you? Trying to charm a girl like her?" He snorted. "Bro. Go face your books."
One of Trey's friends laughed. "Yeah, maybe read up on how not to faint in front of girls."
Patel smirked. "At least I don't spell like expired mangoes"
"Ooooh," another of Trey's guys whispered. "Even I felt that."
Trey's eyes narrowed. "You think you're funny?"
"Apparently," Patel shrugged. "Jenny just said so."
WHAM!
A fist struck Patel's face. He staggered backward, slamming into his locker and sliding to the floor. The hallway gasped.
Trey towered over him. "That was a warning, nerd."
He turned and walked away with his friends.
As Patel tried to sit up, dazed, another familiar group strolled by.
Jason and his goons, laughing loud enough to be heard in the next hallway.
Brick had his wrist wrapped in a bandage.
"Well, well, well," Jason grinned. "Looks like someone forgot to bring his little bodyguard today."
"Where's Mira, Patel?" one of them mocked.
"Still breaking other people's wrist?" another added.
Brick just glared. "Watch your back, four-eyes."
They all burst into laughter and kept walking.
Patel sat up, eyes blurry, cheek swelling, and blood trickling from his lip. But strangely, he smiled a little.
Because even though everything hurt… he talked to Jenny today.
And she laughed.