You Live And Learn

08 | days and dreams

The morning was off to an interesting start. Those two will be a great couple, but I don't know why they had to remind me of my own singleness. Maybe I and Camille will date. Yeah, like that's ever going to happen. Camille have way better options than me, that's for sure. To this day, I can not fathom why she went out with me. Probably out of pity. That's my best guess. As I continue to self-deprecate in my head, I eventually make my way to school. I'm just now remembering that in fact, I have homework to do. My pace quicken as I try to make it to homeroom. Whilst on my way there, someone touches me on my shoulder. A little bit agitated, I turn around expecting it to be Taylor. When I did not see eyes at head level, I lower my gaze. Behold, Camille in all of her glory. She gives me her signature smile and to my surprise, hugs me. It takes all of my senses to hug her back. I can literally smell what shampoo she used for her hair. It smells like, peaches.

"Good morning Lonzo," Camille greets as she hugs me.

"Morning, Camille," I reply. My self-awareness senses are tingling, and I realize that some people are looking at us. I pull back, and I can see that somewhat upset her. "You needed something?" I ask her because this isn't something she does out of the blue. Camille furrows her brow and gave me a weird look.

"No, I just wanted to talk to you? Why do you think that I need something?" From her tone, I can sense that some women's logic about to come into play. As much as I would like to indulge in that game, I still have a paper to write. Well, if only you did it when you're supposed to, you wouldn't be in this mess. I hate when my subconscious talks because it is usually right. Out of nowhere, her facial features changes and she's back to her playful self. "I'm just messing with you Lo, I just felt like talking to you right now."

Once again, I felt all of that in my clavicle.

"Camille, honestly I would love to talk, but I have a paper to write and it's due at first period," I explain myself. Once again she goes from smiling to anger in a split second, just like Sarah did.

"Alonzo, don't tell me you didn't do your homework?" Her infamous condescending tone comes to life.

"No ma'am, I didn't."

"Well, then," she starts. I brace myself for what's to come. Unexpectedly, she spins me around and pats me on my back. "I'll scold you later, come find me after school. Go do your work, bye." With that, she leaves me utterly confused but happy at the same time. According to her orders, I find my way to my homeroom.

The entire interaction replayed in my head numerous times. I can't help the grin I'm walking around with. My crush really hugged me out of nowhere. I take it that she's learning from Randy Orton now too. The smile she gave me afterward was breathtaking also. Looking back at it, some guys were staring at us. I am not really fond of being stared at, childhood bullying can attest to that. Anyway, I need to get this essay done. The moment my finger gripped that pen, I forget about everything. The only thing that I am focusing on right now is this work, nothing else even matters.

Somehow, I finished the essay a minute before the bell rings. Is it my best work? No, not at all. Is it completed though? Yes, and that's all that truly matters. I'm sure I'll be able to pass the essay and I'm content with that. When the bell rings, I put my work in my bag and head out the door feeling somewhat accomplished. Walking the halls, I noticed the new couple on the block going to class. Sarah is clinging to Jeff's arm like a mosquito to rich, savory blood. They both got this goofy look on their face, looking just like the Disney character. The only thing left for them to do is say his signature chuckle and they will transform into him fully. Once again, I'm spotted by those two. Jeff gives me a smirk, while Sarah took a different approach. She gave me the evil eye then smiled. I don't know what I did to deserve that, but okay, I guess. Jeff taps his arms and hugs her goodbye. Sarah isn't in our class, and she looked so sad when he was leaving. Watching this interaction firsthand puts soap operas to shame. Sarah is being overdramatic in all honesty. She's going to see him in 50 minutes, it is not that deep. The way she was looking you would think Jeff was going on a wild adventure to find his "honor".

Literature is a snore-fest. One of the 'cool' guys, Malcolm, takes his traditional seat at the back of the class. He sits slightly to right behind a big guy, so it's hard for the teacher to see him usually. Malcolm's typical routine is as follow: go to his sear, text whatever random girl he's dealing with that day, eat a snack of some sort (usually a sandwich or bag of chips), take out his notebook, and proceeds to take the best nap of his high school career. I swear sometimes, the man would drool in his sleep.

At the beginning of the semester, our teacher Mr. Raldo tried to wake him up so he can pay attention. Now at this point, Raldo doesn't care anymore. He probably does not make enough to care that much. He simply ignores Malcolm and anyone else's who wants to sleep. All the man cares about if you do his work on time. At least, Malcolm put his paper on the desk before he went night-night first thing in the morning. He probably was up late last night with some random girl. Prior to him starting the lesson, Teach collects the homework. When he passes by my desk and takes my paper, he glances at it quickly. Then, he looks me right in my eye, blesses me with a disapproving look, shakes his head then walk away. Why is everyone giving me dirty looks today? Everyone woke up and chose hurting Alonzo's self-esteem. I choose to ignore it and go to sleep like Malcolm. He has the right idea. Besides, I'm exhausted from being up late playing video games and maybe texting Camille. Okay, the latter part of that statement is definitely a lie. It was only playing video games.

It felt like everything went by in a blur. The moment my head made contact with that desk, it was "GG no Re". The next thing I know, Jeff is waking me up, saying class is over. I can't even remember my dream, that's how I know that nap was quick and immaculate. I gather up my things and prepare to leave.

"Wait a second, Alonzo," Mr. Raldo says, stopping me right before I left the room.

"Yes sir?" I respond, looking him in the eye.

"I know that you're rushing work Lonzo, I am an English teacher I can tell." Literally, every English teacher says that line at least once in their lifestyle. I cannot deny the fact that he is telling the truth, though. I simply blink twice. He continues, "This is your last year Lonzo, do something worthwhile. You might just regret it in the future."

"You're right sir, I'll try to do better,' I dismiss myself and walk out of class. Yeah, sorry to disappoint Raldo, but I don't think I will be doing that anytime soon. I just don't feel like it.

After a very eventful morning, the day passes by in a blur. I'm about to stumble out of school when I remember Camille's words.

"I'll scold you later, come find me after school." That was her words. Where would she be though? Today is Monday, so either she's at volleyball practice or the library. I go with my intuition and head towards the gymnasium. My senses were correct as I spot her a mile away. Somehow, she knew I was there when I arrived and immediately stop what she was doing. She walks towards me with the biggest grin on her face. I can't help but smile back.

"You're late," she says when she entered my proximity. As she said that though, she seemed pretty happy.

"My bad, I just had some things to do," I lied right there on the spot.

"Mhm, okay sure. Wait here when I go get changed, all right?" She bops me on my name and winks. That alone made my heart do a 720.

"Yes ma'am, I'll be sitting here," I sit down as I said the sentence.

"Good," and she walks away like a GTA character (if you know, then you know). This girl knows exactly what she's doing, especially in those tights. I must say though, it is definitely working.

A/N: And Camille comes back into the picture. What did you think about the chapter? If you don't mind, leave a comment and vote please. I'll see you in the next one.

~Antor