The orange and exposed brick of saint Julie's was a stark reminder of prison. Eight hours before freedom and all the anxiety of being judged but in a way the navy uniforms took away some of the cruelty kids would use against one another. But there was another way for these private catholic kids to rip one another to absolute shreds. It's why the girls tried their best to hike up the kilts and to tie back the polo shirts to show off their waists. They wanted to be seen. We all did.
2007 was the year and mtv was still the best show on cable. Everyone was either listening to Taylor swift or pretending to hate the genre, a whole too cool for school vibe. Our main character Jelena was desperate to fit in but never got the chance the body positivity movement did not exist but Facebook,MySpace and Paris Hilton did and everyone loved 'The Simple Life' with her and Nicole. So Jelena watched and tried to get into the show but the idea of wealthy people making fools of themselves as they discovered how the other half lived was repulsive. Although watching them scoop poop was entertaining.
Jelena looked at the brick prison and since it was September all knots of a new combined school was exciting. Maybe she could make a friend preferably someone in her grade and not the grade below. Although there were kids from her elementary school since the two schools combined into one big school. Jelena hoped she wouldn't have the same classes but she knew that was naive. Walking in was a quick lesson in using one's diaphragm as the boys over used axe and old spice while the girls used up their Victoria secret body mists. So it smelled like musk and sugar with vanilla. It's headache inducing scents.
Making it through the double reinforced doors into the new smelling building with cold air wafting was peaceful. Class seven was where she needed to report to. To a teacher named Mr.Dipolito who was a bespectacled man with five o'clock shadow and a sweater vest khaki combo. The classic teacher look with brown shaggy hair. He wore penny loafers and had a leather suitcase with his double espresso coffee to get him through the national anthem and announcements. Jelena found her assigned seat and stood up for the national anthem with the class.
"Okay class welcome to the first day of grade seven we will have different teachers for different lessons in different classrooms to get you used to highschool as you have one year before you matriculate into our feeder school or schools."
As Mr.D set everything down he eyed the anxious preteens and reassured them it wouldn't be hard to keep up and asked for them to introduce themselves since this is a combined school. Finally it was Jelena's turn and she got up but looked at her hands then the chalk board. Why was this necessary. It was humiliating.
"Hi, my name is Jelena Miroslav but call me "Lena" and a subject I like is history."
She sat back down and felt relief when the boy to her assigned seat partners right sat up to introduce himself. He had spiky almond hair and hazel eyes with a slight tan and dimples as he smiled. Jelena couldn't take her eyes off him. Oh god he was so cute and his eyes were so beautiful. He was confident as he spoke.
"I'm Rider Strong and I like to skateboard."
Rider sat back down and smiled directly at Jelena and she turned to face the next person. She was terrified of anyone knowing she liked them because it never ended well for her. She was the pregnant girl when in reality she was a virgin but being fat automatically made you pregnant somehow. And the pig noises were getting old. But the anxiety only increases. But Jelena taught herself breathing exercises that were small but calmed down her nervous heart.
A boy with dark hair and brown eyes who sat behind Rider introduced himself. He wore a white polo and the navy pants with a silver chain around his neck and an ear piercing of a stud on the left ear. He had a great smile.
"I'm Desmond but call me Des and I love boarding but I also love playing the guitar mostly base and hanging with my buds."
A few people followed up introductions but clearly a friendship was made with Des and Rider. A lot of girls were already looking at them but again being thee attractive boys in class must make it easy.Everyone seemed to already have paired off and had their friend groups. Did everyone meet up over summer break or something. Jelena panicked internally thinking maybe they did and had a back to school party and that's why these clicks were already formed. Would she be sitting alone at lunch again. God she wished she could stay inside the classroom and draw during recess.
It was time for mandatory twenty questions where kids trade off and talk to everyone in class. They all had handouts so everyone could get to know one another. A few girls approached her table and Jelena smiled and tried to answer their questions as best she could.
Jelena asked them questions and everyone was supposed to talk to at least five different students. It was a class of twenty so the odds aren't bad. Nothing much happens the first day mostly because the teacher wasn't in the mood to teach. But he did make sure to tell them to bring in ten dollars tomorrow for their agenda orders. Also a list of school supplies they may need that they have or have not bought.
Once the lunch bell rang and everyone paired off in their groups. Jelena felt awkward so she turned to a boy who was working on his homework. He had full lips and almond eyes. A baby face and a serious look on his face.
"Um..can I join you?."
"Huh...oh uh sure..I'm Brandon Jackson."
"Lena. Nice to meet you."
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Just Enemies (Original Story)
General FictionHave you ever liked someone you felt was out of your league? Do you remember why you liked them? Was it just chemical? Was it beyond your control. In the game of love it's war and sometimes it's one sided but hopefully the lesson becomes more. Bu...
