My hands fiddled with the end of my skirt, the soft chiffon ruffles comforting against my finger tips. The echoing of the clock in the office didn't help the fear and nausea I felt rising in my stomach and the dead silence in the room wasn't much of an aid either.
My mother sat next to me, arms crossed, eyes scanning the principals office, a clear look of judgment on her face. It was an expression she wore too frequently. She scoffed as she looked at the time on her wristwatch.
"These people don't understand time is essential to me," she muttered.
I didn't respond verbally, I barely nodded. I learned that retorting would get me into more trouble and agreeing would make her scold me about how I do not truly understand her and how hard her life is. Trust me, I of all people would understand. I know my life isn't the worst it could be and for that I am grateful. However, there is much improvement that could be made.
The door to the office opened and in walked a middle aged woman, hair high in a bun that sat on top of her head. She had a kind smile and she seemed like she would be nice but I knew not to trust anyone because of their appearance. I forced myself to smile back, pushing my thoughts away. My mother appeared to be a kind woman but behind closed doors I wondered if she should've pursued acting as a career because she seemed to be so good at it. It was normal for me to be faced with a borderline bipolar mother- one second she was all smiles and kind words and the next she was yelling, hitting, and punishing me.
"Jade Zhao, it's so nice to meet you," The lady said, extending her hand. I shook it, avoiding eye contact. Focus Jade.
"You too," I said quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"And you must be her mother Emily. Lovely to meet you."
"You too," Mom smiled, but I knew it was all an act. Any form of compassion or kindness from my Mother was either forced or fake. It was something I had learned at a young age when I fell at the playground. I remember my chubby little cheeks were coated in tears and my mother carried me to the car, talking with the other parents about how she always took care of me.
The minute she put me in my car seat she was yelling at me for being a clumsy embarrassment and her anger furthered when she saw my bloody knees had stained the car seat. That night she didn't give me dinner and didn't let me sleep with my night light on. She took away all my stuffed animals, leaving me alone and afraid in the dark.
I was 4. 12 years later and nothing had changed.
"I'm Mrs. Linberg, welcome to Southfield High," The lady said with a smile.
I listened half heartedly as she handed me my schedule, informing me how welcoming her school was. I'll really trust her word on it... I thought sarcastically.
"Okay any questions?"
I shook my head and Mom got up, walking out of the room.
I took a deep breath, fighting back the tears that threatened to surface any second. She never even waved goodbye.
Mrs. Linberg looked confused but continued to discuss the layout of the school and how my school day would look like.
I knew that I shouldn't get so upset over my mother and what she did because it was nothing new. She would leave without saying goodbye until the day she died and I needed to grasp the concept.
Too lost in my own thoughts, I hadn't realized the door had been banged open and only after it hit the wall with a loud clang did I jump in my seat and turn to look who it was.
My breath hitched in my throat as I saw him. He was tall, his body adorned in a black shirt and matching black baggy jeans. He wore silver rings on his fingers, his dark hair a curly perfect mess. His nose had a bump in it and looked crooked almost like it had been broken several times. His tan skin was perfectly clear, despite a scar that ran from the side of his cheek down to below his ear. His lip looked like it had gotten split, a purpleish bruise tainted his jaw.
To sum it up, he was the definition of both damaged yet intriguing.
That bruise doesn't look too good. I hope he's okay...
"Mr. Hassen," Mrs. Linberg scolded.
He didn't say anything, rather plopped down on the chair next to me. My cheeks flared into a red hue, my eyes darting back and forth between the man and Mrs. Linberg. He looked way too old to be in high school.
"Andre, sweetheart, you need to schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor with your parents if you want to be put back into your classes."
"I need to graduate this year," he rasped out, his voice deep. I felt myself relax, his voice weirdly comforting .
"Andre, we can discuss this later. Right now, I have a new student to talk too."
"So you don't want little miss new girl to hear about your favorite student?" He said sarcastically glaring across the desk.
"Andre, out. I will talk to you when I am done with Miss. Zhao," she sighed.
He got up, looking directly at me before walking out of the door. I let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry about Andre, he's a good kid really. He's just having a tough ummm... time. Anyway, here is a map of the school, if you still need any help finding any classes just ask a teacher or another student," she said, handing over a pamphlet. I nodded in response, staring at my chipped lavender nails.
"Okay well, if you have no questions, you are free to go. Have a great senior year!!" (A/N: In America our school system is 9th grade freshmen, 10th grade sophomores, 11th grade juniors, and 12th grade seniors. However the terms freshmen, sophomores, junior, and senior can be applied to years of college/university as well.)
"Thank you," I forced another smile, getting up and slinging my backpack over my shoulder before going to walk out the door to the office.
Andre was leaning against the wall and even though I kept my eyes glued to the floor, I could feel his gaze on me as I walked out into the bustling halls of my new high school.
Hey Y'all!! I know like this is really unexpected but I really wanted to write something like this. Y'all have probably seen Savior my other book. If you want to go check it out if you haven't feel free too!!
Make sure to add "A Touch Of Heaven" to your library or follow me so you will be notified when I update :)
