The Look Of Love

Chapter 2: Beginnings

It was the first Tuesday, of the new school year. Mary drove into school, as normal, and parked in her usual parking spot (in lot B). Lot B is about the farthest you could get from the building entrance. This is the lot where most of the Juniors parked.

Due to Mary's uncanny ability to rush out the door, at the last minute, couple with her humble nature lot B it is. She doesn't really want to park in her reserved spot (a prime location at the front of the school reserved  for the top 2 academic students in the Senior class). She finds it a bit too ostentatious and makes her seem "hoity-toity" (or just plain stuck up). Having been around people like that all of her life, it's just plain annoying. 

As Mary was getting out of her Jeep, her pleated skirt got caught in the door. Super! Just another thing to make her rush around today. Why is it so difficult for her to just have a normal first day of school? But no! Her blow-dryer had to flake out this morning, which caused her to borrow her sister's (and it doesn't have nearly the power she needs). Then she sneezed while putting on her eyeliner. It made a huge mess on her eye, which caused her to have to take it off and redo it. Not to mention the shirt she originally chose to wear somehow shrunk at the dry cleaners. Life is out to get her today. Freeing her skirt, and grabbing her big black leather tote, she started her powerwalk to the building. 

On the way calls of "Hi Mary", "Hi Mary" were heard. Basically everyone knows her and they enjoy talking with her too. According to "people", she is one of the friendliest girls at West Valley, despite being popular and brainy. 

While Mary was hustling, she noticed groups of students gathered all around: in the parking lots, in front of the school, at lockers. However she didn't spot her own friends until, "Hey Mary over here," shouted Ashley waving. Mary saw her friends by their favorite tree and waved back. She rushed forward bristling with excitement. Which is funny because she's seen them all summer long, but there's just something magical about the first day of school.

 "Oh Mary I love your pleated skirt! Coral is such a good color on you," Gemma told her. She loves her friend's style, knowing she's a fashionista like herself.

After a"Hi girls" and hugs all around, she turned to her sweet friend. "Thanks Gem. I like your outfit too." Mary admired Gemma's clothing taste. It's a little more bold than she would wear, sometimes. For example today Gemma wore splattered paint pants and chunky bangles. While she would absolutely wear the chunky bangles, the splattered paint pants are a huge question mark. But on her friend they look amazing, especially since they're SO "in" right now.

As the girls started chatting, they heard the not so subtle roar of engines pulling into the school. It could only mean one thing.

"The snakes..." said Gwen, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. "I wonder if they'll be worse since Ali broke up with Johnny." Everyone knows of their breakup. They also know how much of a hot-head King Cobra is. 

 Ash already knows the answer to that question. "I vote worse. You know Johnny is a total desperado. He'll probably be acting out, and lashing out, at everyone and everything in sight."

 "Yeah, steer clear of the Karate King," responded and unamused Mary. Personally she's never had any problems with the guy, but he intimidates her. Johnny can be a total jerk at times, as can Dutch. But Bobby, Jimmy, and Tommy were OK (as far as she could tell). 

With her pleasant and sweet voice, Lori added "Well one thing stands  true.... At least they're all handsome to look at." Murmurs of uh-huh filled the air.

Mary agreed with her friends murmurs. True. They're all popular pretty-boys, especially Bobby Brown. He's SO handsome. But no one will EVER know that. No, no, no. That's only for her to know.

 "Well guys, I need to start heading to my Honors Chem class since it's WAY over there," she said pointing to a building far off in the distance. After giving goodbye hugs to each girl,  they told her "see you at lunch." 

Mary started walking to her class smiling and waving at people she knew. Along the way, she began switching out her shoes. Every morning Mary drives with her flipflops on, then changes to heels once at school. She stopped and took her sandals out of her tote bag. Wouldn't you just know it? As she was putting the heeled sandals on, the wind started blowing. Superb! Just one more thing to add to her not so great morning.

It was quite a balancing act putting on heels and holding your skirt at the same time. All she think of is how stupid the wind is. And also how she hopes it doesn't blow her skirt up to show her unmentionables. That would be like Marilyn Monroe's most famous pose in her white dress. Except the difference is Marilyn wanted to show hers, Mary doesn't. Big huge no thank you.

Continuing her walk, she heard her name being called again. That's not unusual at all. However when she turned her body to see who it was the most peculiar thing happened. Bobby Brown, her secret crush, fell flat on his face. It wasn't a pretty fall either. It SO embarrassing, or at least she'd be embarrassed. Truly she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Yikes.