Cooler Than Me

Ash

Music filled the small room as I lost myself in the notes. It wasn't anything sensible, just notes mixed to sound good. I didn't even know what notes I was playing on the guitar I inherited from Uncle Dale.

With a final strum, I stood and placed the instrument in it's sticker plastered case. I clipped it shut and swing it onto my back with my backpack.

Stepping out of the practice room, I started towards the stairs. Upon my ascent I heard a ferocious tapping. I couldn't pinpoint the sound until it was replaced with a horrible crashing sound accompanied by the fluttering of papers and skittering of pencils on linoleum.

Skipping stairs, I saw a girl sprawled across the floor with her bag, a broken pencil box and a copious amount of paper. I slid a hand through my hair and crouched to start picking up the papers closest to me. "You alright?" I inquired, not bothering to look at her. I knew I had her in a class but her name escapes me.

"Yeah, I should've known better." She sighs and starts dragging papers closer to her. "I shouldn't run in heels."

I hummed a response and handed her the stack of papers I had before standing. She had scooped the pencils into her box and was trying to stand while picking up her backpack with her arms full of papers and the pencil box.

I grabbed the backpack strap from her. "Where's your next class?"

"You don't have to!" She rushed to say. "I can manage, you are probably busy. Don't trouble yourself. I can-"

"Where is your next class?"

She looked me over carefully. Probably questioning the guitar case, worrying over my appearance, or scrambling for an excuse to refuse my help. "Room 107."

"Great," I said making my way through the locker bank to the correct hallway.

"Wait up!" She followed, the clicking of her heels seeming loud in comparison to my sneakers.

I knocked on the door and the teacher inside waved us in. "Ah, Hailey, glad you made it alright. I see you got Ash to help you. I was worried the papers would be too much for you."

Hailey. That's her name. I knew I knew it. She was puttering for an answer. "Well, um, you see, I was in a rush and-"

"It wasn't any trouble ma'am." I interrupted. "I was on my way to 106 for a study hall anyway."

"Alrighty," Miss Nelson smiled. "You can put the papers down over there. Hailey, I'm so happy to have you as a TA. I hope you'll consider it next year as well."

Hailey's face scrunched into an awkward smile or maybe a grimace. "Of course."

I set her bag down by the door and walked out of the classroom. She was pretty cute.

~|||~

Not what I normally write but I need to let out a dream.