R&J Club

Chapter 2

Jackson

I looked around the room and spotted an empty seat next to a girl. It looks like the only one left open and thankfully a row back but closer to the other wall which means I have to walk right in front of the teacher. He's clearly not very happy.

Through a tight smile he says, "Nice of you to join us mister Ledger" I grimace slightly in shame and walk to my seat. The girl beside me gives me a comforting smile and a salute like a solider as a greeting. I'm grateful she seems nice so I throw a small smile of my own and a head nod back.

Okay deep breaths, I got lost and I'm a little late. It's not that big of a deal I'll be okay. Flipping through to the second page of my notebook I give myself a paper cut, just my luck. I suck in a breath with a frown, the girl notices and reaches over to her backpack. It's a pretty cute one, it's black but has key rings around the top handle with what looks friendship bracelets hanging off of them. I like how it has that as a personal touch. She pulls out a bandage and slides it to me discreetly. Gosh this girl seems sweet, I take her offering gratefully and put it on my finger.

On the top edge of my notebook I write thanks and slide it closer to her.

She smiles and writes back no problem I always keep a few for my clumsy friends.

Hey I'm not clumsy.

Says the guy that just lost to a piece of paper. :)

"Aurora, Jackson are either of you paying attention." Barked the teacher. I noticed him holding a Romeo and Juliet book in his hands.

Aurora responded first, "Yes of course Mr. Johnston."

"Alright Aurora what is Juliet's last name?"

"Capulet."

"Jackson what is Romeo's?"

"Montague."

"Fine I'll let you go this time."

I took a breath out man this has not been my day. Then I noticed the girl, Aurora as I just learned, writing again.

You so weren't paying attention.

Well neither were you.

All first days are the same and I've read Romeo and Juliet plenty before.

Really? Same.

She stopped for a second and smiled, glad to meet you Jackson then put her pencil down and looked up to pay attention. Sweet and smart enough to enjoy Shakespeare as a pass time instead of a school assignment. Looking at our secret conversation her handwriting is cursive and way prettier than mine. Says the guy who just lost to a piece of paper. She thinks she's funny. I guess she is because I wish she'd keep talking to me. I lean over to write in her notebook when I notice the intricate design of flowers in the margin. There's daisies, roses, sunflowers, tulips, but mostly daisies. There's something written within the petals but I can't make them out they're so tiny.

Her arm got in my line of sight as she wrote in my notebook, you like them?

They're beautiful.

Thanks I did it during attendance... that you missed.

I'm new I got lost.

I could tell.

Could tell I was new or lost.

New. I thought you were trying to seem cool by pulling a stunt on the first day.

What like the fire alarm?

Lol yeah just not as extreme.

Hmm, so Aurora I don't have any friends yet. You want to be my friend?

Sure give me your phone number. I smiled and took her wrist and wrote my number in ink so she couldn't lose it. She looked surprised I was writing it on her skin but she didn't pull away instead she took my pen and put a smiling face on my wrist. It looked different on the two of us, her skin was pale a stark contrast to the ink but my skin is tanned so it didn't stand out as much. It's making me curious what her ethnicity is, I'm Hispanic but it was also just summer. I won't be as pale as her but I'll be a few shades lighter in a few months, but I doubt she can get any littler.

The bell rang over head, Aurora picked up her stuff and went over to the girl beside her. They were kind of whispering and Aurora showed her my number. I wonder how many girls' conversations I've been the center of without knowing. I've been told I could be a ladies man if I wanted and I have been flirted with on several occasions. I've been too busy taking care of everyone else to ever consider that, and even if I wasn't busy I don't know if I would want to be a ladies man. Love is special I think I'll be more of a Romeo, hopelessly devoted, not a player. I always imagined myself to be one of picking flowers out of a garden for every date, slow dancing in the kitchen, and kissing in the rain. Not that I would tell just anyone about all that, I may look tough but I'm quite the sensitive fellow.

Aurora waved me goodbye and I smiled following suit out the door. She went down the opposite hall so her bus must be on the other side of the building. I'm not surprised seeing as I didn't see her earlier today but I am inwardly disappointed. Making friends is harder than it sounds especially in a small town so once you get one you tend to stick to their hip. Maybe we'll have the same lunch period, I'll text her toni- oh, I gave her my number not the other way around. She may not even text me at all, maybe she doesn't want to, maybe she really doesn't want to be friends she was just being nice. Don't be ridiculous she asked for it, if she didn't want it she wouldn't have asked. If she didn't want to be your friend then you can't force her anyway. I should have had her text me in there to make sure it was the right number. I should have just put it in her phone, but I guess not with the teacher right there. Why is this bothering me so much, why is making friends so freaking difficult? I guess now I have to endure the torture that is waiting.