One Thousand Words

Chapter Two- Screwing James Lowell

Chapter Two

 

“Mrs. Augustine, it’s seven in the morning,” I groan. “Why did I have to come here so early?” I complain, rubbing my eyes as everything becomes blurry because of the change in light saturation when I walk into my English room.

 

“I doubt you had anything better to do,” she sighs.

 

“But I did. I usually watch spongebob with my brother in the morning,” I say.

 

“Younger brother?”

 

“No, he’s twenty two. He’s going into medical school,” I tell her.

 

“Sure he is,” she nods and smiles, but something tells me she doesn’t believe a word I’m telling her. “You’re awfully unpleasant to be around this morning,” she comments. “Did you have some bad milk?” One thing I’ve noticed about Mrs. Augustine is that she’s brutally honest. Also that her hair kind of reminds me of curly fries dipped in ketchup because the top half is red but the roots are coming back out blond.

 

“Not necessarily bad milk, but something did leave a rather sour taste in my mouth,” I grumble, more to myself than to her. I fumble with my thumbs and look around the room suspiciously, wondering if maybe she’s plotting an all out ambush. I know there are cameras placed around the school but there’s no way she could have seen my chance encounter with James.

 

Not looking too convinced, Mrs. Augustine pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose and forces on a seemingly fake smile. “Anyway, I thought today would be a good day to introduce you formally to James,” she announces, and as soon as she says his name, my smile fades and I suddenly have the impulse to jump out of the window. “What’s wrong?” She notices my expression.

 

“Nothing,” I lie, shaking my head. “It’s just that the milk was really bad.”

 

“Okay,” she prolongs the ending of the word and looks over my shoulder at the door. I follow her gaze and as I do, I see a familiar blond walk through the doors, his expression surprisingly friendly as he smiles at our english teacher. I watch him with suspicion as he and Mrs. Augustine shake hands and exchange a curt little greeting.

 

“James, I want you to meet Ava. She’s our best journalist and I’ve assigned her to write your report,” Mrs Augustine explains.

 

For a second, I’m flattered by Mrs. Augustine’s kind words but then I see his expression , the welcoming smile faltering yet still a big contrast from the scowl and grumpiness from yesterday. Perhaps he was just in a really bad mood yesterday and that’s why he acted out so coldly. Either way, something isn’t right here.

 

He turns to me and smiles but something in his eyes scream deathly murder as he narrows them into me. “Nice to see you again, pervert,” he greets and my jaw nearly drops. Pervert? Did he seriously just call me that in front of her of all people.

 

“Wait, you guys have met?” Mrs. Augustine seems confused.