Never let me go

Chapter 3

As I walk into the narrow classroom, surrounded by red brick walls, all of my classmates have already chosen their seats on the wooden chairs. As usual, they are laughing and talking about the most unnecessary things ever, like what Madison is going to wear on the party on Friday, how far Jared kicked the ball yesterday during his practice, or how sad Alice feels about her dad leaving her mom. Maybe I can feel a bit sorry for Alice, but she did call be close-minded last year during our debate about the French Revolution in history class, so I guess I take my small pity back. I walk to my unspoken designated seat in the back of the class, and as I take of my jacket to hang it around my chair, Mr Johnson appears through the door and walks to his desk which instantly makes the classroom quiet. 

- Hello everyone and welcome back! I hope you had a good orientation day yesterday and that you had the time to catch up with your friends about what you did during the summer. 

Oh man, the amount of prejudice this guy has is actually insane.  

- I did not except you all to have already opened your books and read the first chapters, but I did hope that at least one of you found at least something interesting on the first few pages. Does anyone want to start and share their ideas? 

Mr Johnson looks around the room with his palms facing upward, looking somewhat disappointed that no one speaks up, but also eager to pick a random kid and make them talk, like most teachers do. My trick in this case, is to avoid eye contact to the greatest extent possible, while instead looking at my book and seeming focused on the front page. Though this strategy usually works well, no matter the circumstances, Mr Johnson calls my name and asks me to present which book I chose yesterday. 

- So, Alex, would you like to share your first impressions?

I shrug my shoulders and look up to him, meeting his gaze. His eyes are intensely looking into mine, greedy for an answer to his question. 

- I uh, I begin with a raspy voice. Damn it, not the greatest beginning Alex, come on you do know how to talk don't you?

- Go on, don't be shy Alex, Mr Johnson sends me a helpful and innocent glare. The other students have started to whisper. Dear lord, why can't I talk? My heart is pounding so fast I actually believe it will jump out of my chest and hit poor Mr Johnson right in his forehead. There is a long silence, and right as I open my mouth, the door flies open.  I let out a huge breath and look across the room toward the door. 

- I am so sorry for being late again, Mr Johnson was it? The girl shoots a glare at our teacher who instantly stands up and starts walking towards her with his hands out. 

- No it's okay, no worries! Everybody this is your new classmate, and I really hope that you will all try your best to make her feel as welcome as possible. He put his hand on her shoulder as a friendly gesture, but the new girl instantly jumps to the right, with what looks like a reflex. Mr Johnson looks somewhat confused, but ignores it and brings her to his desk to give her the materials for this semester. She looks a bit sad, but I can't really put a finger on it. I feel like I have seen her before, her sadness sparks something in my stomach that I briefly recognize from somewhere, but I don't know where. As my classmates goes back to discussing their dramatic sorrows and victories of their young lives, I follow the new girl with my gaze. Even though she seems a bit sad, her stance is very strong, reminding me of my mom. My brain suddenly flicks and I realize that this must be Aisha Green, the new name I found in our classmate list. 

After Mr Johnson hands her the course material and let her take the last book from the shelf for our assignment, he points in my direction, which instantly makes me flinch as she looks my way and notices that I had been watching them the whole time. I start looking at my savior, J.D Salingers front page in this case, and hope that I did not seem weird for watching them. Maybe she didn't even notice? 

- Hey, what's your name?

I look up from my desk and notice that she's standing right beside me, starring at my eyes. 

- Uh, I'm Alex, I let out. 

- Well hi Alex, my name's Aisha, and I was hoping that you could scoot back a little bit so that I can sit here. She changes her gaze to the desk right in front of me, which seem to be at a very close distance from me, making it impossible for her to fit. 

- Yeah sure, I hold on to my desk and hop back, in which she instantly smiles and goes to sit infront of me. 

- Okay class, I have just finished writing in Ms. Aisha as our new student, so let's go back to what we were talking about. I believe you were just about to share you ideas Alex. 

Damn it, that little bastard did not forget. Aisha turns around and looks at me, waiting for me to answer Mr Johnson. 

- I chose to read The catcher in the rye by J.D Salinger, I say while looking at Aisha. 

- Fantastic choice of book, Alex! Now, what were your first impressions? Mr Johnson excitedly says. 

- Well, uh, I've only read the first few pages and I guess they were alright. 

- Would you care to elaborate? 

- Uh, as far as I read, the book was kind of written like a monologue, which was a bit weird I guess. 

- Ah yes, that was a good observation Alex! In your case, the monologue will continue for the rest of the book, so I guess you'll slowly get used to it as you read it! Okay, what about you Madison, did you find anything interesting in your book?

As Mr Johnson continues to question my classmates, I notice how Aisha is still turned around, watching me with a deep glare. 

- Do you need anything? I ask. Maybe that was a bit rude, but it's weird that she's still looking at me, I mean, did I say anything wrong?

- No, not at all, she says while slowly changing her positioning and looking at the board. 

Okay that was odd, maybe she stuck with her gaze, that happens sometimes, right?