I turned to see my lean figure in the mirror, my long black hair up in a ponytail just the same as almost everyday. I walked closer and noticed the light bags that had formed under my hazel eyes. I wasn’t too surprised since I wasn’t able to get any sleep last night, all I could think about was the poem I had due in English today. Not only that is was due but that I had to get up and read it in front of the class. I love to write but to get up and read what I wrote felt the same as standing naked in front of everyone. I brushed the feeling off and continued my routine of getting ready which really didn’t take too long considering I really never worried with make up.
It was a cold October morning in Shallotte, North Carolina. I looked outside to see last nights frost covering the windshield of my 94’ red Dodge Neon. I decided to go out early in hopes that the little heat I do have might begin to melt it away. It took a couple of tries but I finally got the piece of junk running. After a minute or two I backed down the driveway and looked up to see my make-shift apartment above the detached garage of my foster parents home. Although it was run down it still had its perks, like having my own bathroom and kitchen. My foster parents have a nice house, but all the rooms were full, and they didn’t feel like relocating their office to make room for me in the house. So they put me up there. That had been two years ago. I should probably be over it by now, but it still makes me mad every now and then.
On my way to school I stopped by my work to get breakfast and my schedule. Miss. B’s Café was considered a hangout for the local kids. I walked through the doors and was greeted with the aroma of bacon and eggs in the air. I ordered my favorite, a sausage biscuit. This place had the best breakfast in town. I have been working here for the past year and a half now. My pay is decent as long as I get good hours and tips. I glanced at my schedule and realized that I had to work everyday this week. That means I just might have the money to fix the heating problem in my car.
I drove into the school parking lot early, as usual, and pulled into my normal parking spot all the way towards the back. I’m not sure why but that’s where I always felt comfortable. I turned the car off and took a second to myself, which turned out to be a horrible idea because my mind went right to my poem I had to read. I hurried and grabbed my books out of the passenger seat and started my walk to the main building. A few cars where starting to pull up as I reached the large front doors of Fear high school. There are probably close to 800 students in the high school itself and about 250 in my graduating class.
First period, Mr. Mansfield’s English class. I walked in the front entrance of the class room. And while walking past the dry erase board I saw in big red letters POEMS DUE TODAY and I was hoping he would forget. I was the first one in the class room and I walked to my normal seat on the far left side by the windows, out of six rows of seats I sit in the fifth. As stupid as it sounds I don’t want to be all the way in the back because it is so much of a stereotype “the bad kid”. I pulled my poem out from one of my note books and began reading over it for the millionth time. I can’t believe I am about to read this out loud.
I was so focused on my paper that I didn’t notice how full the room was.
“Alright good morning class, I hope all of you have your poems.” Mr. Mansfield said as he sat his things on his desk. He took a sip of his coffee and scanned the room for his first victim.
“Ahh Mr. Thomas why don’t you come on up here and start us off this morning.” He said taking a seat behind his desk. Of course he would pick Thomas I thought to myself, honestly I’m surprised he is even here and getting up with a piece of paper in his hand at that. The tall, skinny boy made his way to the front of the class room.
“Alright class now pay attention to your fellow students, go ahead Thomas.”
Thomas started to read from his page but I just caught myself looking right back down at mine. I began to read it again this time grabbing my pen and marking out a word to replace it with another. I was almost to the end when I was interrupted, “Well Miss. Michaels,” my head flew up. “Since you are too busy fixing your own poem and not paying attention to your fellow classmate’s why don’t you go ahead next so you won’t have that temptation again.”
Embarrassed I sat my pen down and stood up to make my way to the front. I could hear some of the class start to giggle. A little childish for seniors I thought to myself, but it only made me more nervous, and I could feel myself starting to shake. I found the spot where the tall, skinny boy had just been standing and turned to face the class. And that’s when I saw the most handsome face. In that instant I locked eyes with a guy in the sixth row by the windows. How did I not notice him, I mean he is obviously new to this school, scratch that…this town wasn’t big enough not to have ever seen those bright green eyes before. I quickly decided that he must have come in through the back entrance of the classroom, because there is no way I would have missed those dark jeans and leather jacket walk past me.
“Whenever you’re ready Sara.”
I broke eye contact and began reading my poem to the class, not looking his way the whole time. I was so nervous I was shaking and sweating, or at least I felt like I was. After what felt like eternity I finished reading, sat my paper on Mr. Mansfield’s desk, and headed back to my seat. I could feel the mystery guy’s eyes on me as I sat down and I knew my cheeks had to be turning an ungodly shade of red. As I sat there face forward I couldn’t help but think how ridiculous I must have looked and sounded. Another girl had just started reading her poem when I heard a voice from behind me say, “Good job, Shaky.” His tone was sarcastic and he seemed to almost end it in a laugh. He must have leaned up pretty far because I was sure I felt the feeling of warm breath on my neck. Instantly I got goose bumps.
I sat straight up in my chair I couldn’t believe it. First that he even said anything to me and second what a jerk. I was in shock, I couldn’t say anything back, I didn’t know what to say. The next thing I knew I caught myself thinking about my hair, I hoped it looked ok in the back. I stopped myself, the guy was just rude to you Sara why are you even thinking about that he obviously doesn’t think you are attractive, he just made fun of you. I honestly didn’t know what to think so I just sat there saying nothing back and hating every minute of it.
I tried my hardest to listen to everyone else’s poems but I could not concentrate. Then finally cutting a girl named Amy off the bell rang for second period. Nervous, I got up telling myself not to turn around, not to make eye contact with this boy who sent shivers up my spine. But after I was standing I just couldn’t help it I had to see this guy again. I slightly turned my body to the left and lifted my head to find an empty seat and him nowhere in sight.
