Solitude

1.

I stare into the mirror and analyze everything about my appearance. I make sure my makeup and outfit look just right before stepping out of my room to get my shoes from the front door. I slip on my shoes, tell my mother goodbye, and walk out to Adam's car. Adam is my boyfriend since eighth grade. Adam got his license during the summer while I was getting my permit. He offered to start picking me up for school before the year started. Adam greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and started on the way to school. When we got school, our friends immediately made their way to us. Every morning our friends rush over to Adam's car to chill with us fifteen minutes before school starts. Adam and I got out of his car and I made my way to the driver's side door where Adam put his arm around my shoulder as we conversated with our friends. 

"Are you coming to my party Friday?" Belize asked me. "I still have to check in with my mom, but possibly." I replied. Belize, being the girl she is, hurdles herself at me while whining, "Please Lee! I need my partner in crime with me at my party. Please please please!" "Okay!" I laughed. Belize then smiled and gave me an audible peck on the cheek. Belize and I have been best friends since we were in the third grade. I was the new girl and Belize was the first person to talk to me during lunch. She has always made sure that I always felt included and she always makes it known that she wants me with her at every social event known to man. "Am I invited?" Adam asked. "Hm, my best friend's boyfriend at my party, stealing her away every chance he gets?" Belize joked. Adam rolled his eyes as Belize laughed. "Of course you're invited, you dope! You are the life of the party! Just don't piss in my pool like you did at the last party you came to." Belize stated. "She got you with that one." Walker laughed. Adam blushed in embarrassment as our other friends laughed. "It's okay baby. You didn't mean to piss in the pool." I joked. "And you didn't mean to flash your bare ass to my 80 year old neighbor." Belize joked more. At this point, our friends are dying laughing. "I don't know what you're laughing about Brigette, didn't you puke inside of Keys' bong last time you drank?" Adam picked. "Hey! That was one time!" Brigette defended. "My bong still stinks." Keys stated.

The bell loudly rang announcing the time to start heading to class. I kissed Adam goodbye and headed to my English class. As I sat down I noticed my teacher talking to the principal and two other people I didn't recognize. One was an older woman with dark brown hair. She was a slimmer woman and looked to be in her late 30's. The other was a younger girl. She looked very similar to the other woman but with black dyed hair. As I observed the two, the younger one made eye contact with me. Her deep green eyes pierced through me as I felt a blush rush up to my face unexpectedly. I absolutely hate eye contact. I won't even make eye contact with Adam because the idea of direct eye contact makes me anxious. Moments later our teacher Ms. Owens spoke loudly, "Okay everyone! Our principal has just informed me that we have a new student with us today. Mr. Oakly?" "Goodmorning, fellow tigers! Today we have a new student joining our tiger family, everyone give a warm welcome to Anastasia Miller!" Principal Oakly announced.  Anastasia looked around the room and again made direct eye contact with me. I quickly looked elsewhere to avoid her piercing gaze. "Will she be joining us today?" Ms. Owens asked. "Not today, we are still introducing her to all of her classes. She will tomorrow!" Principal Oakly informed. After the quick introduction, they left the room and Ms. Owens began her lesson. 

"Today we are going to be starting a topic we will be visiting multiple times throughout this semester. And that topic is love. We will start off with the story of Hamlet. Can anyone tell me something about Hamlet?" Ms. Owens stated. I quickly rose my hand, having read the book over the summer. "Ellie?" Ms. Owens said. "Hamlet is a prince who just lost his father to what was assumed as a snake bite. The story follows Prince Hamlet, the people around him, and his mental state as the story goes on. The whole story revolves around grief and the abuse of power from his uncle, who became king after Hamlet's father." I stated. "Very good, but you forgot one small detail." She said as I looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Hamlet's grief stems from the love he had for his father. Our focus for this story isn't about just the grief he feels, but the love he has for his father and others around him. Grief stems from love we have for the things we have lost. Like when you lose a friend or family member. Therefore, your assignment for the next couple of weeks is an essay. As we read Hamlet and watch him go through the stages of grief, you will write about your own personal experience with grief and, more importantly, the love you had for that person or thing that you lost." Ms. Owens instructed as she handed out copies of the classic tale. "You were spot on with the rest, though." Ms. Owens whispered as she handed me a copy.