distance isn't always a number

chapter four: school

It took me ten minutes to get ready for school and another five to get to school.

I slammed my car door shut not caring if I broke it by the loud sound it made. With my bag strapped on and books in my hands, I power walked to the front doors. My ponytail swishing side to side with every step.

I'm late! I'm late! I am soo late!

Is all I could think of as I walk to the front entrance. Coming up behind me I heard wheels rolling on pavement. It's sound coming closer and closer.

I stop walking and turn my head only to find a boy on a skateboard zoom by me. Before turning my head I had managed to open the door and so basically I opened it for him. I stood there dumbfounded as to what just happened.

"THANKS!" Was slowly registering in my mind as I walked inside.

A few seconds later I hear vice principal yelling.

"Hey get off that thing right now boy! You are breaking school violations with this thing. Put it away and use your two working legs to get to class, or it's detention for you."

I walk towards the yelling, not because I wanted in on the drama. But because my first period was in the same direction.
Five feet away and I could see vice principal Harrold already starting his five-hour sermon about how rules were made to be followed and what not. I totally agree with him but when he says it just sounds so boring and lame.

Vice principal Harry is a forty-eight-year-old man. Almost completely bald, short, wears big old glasses and is a little on the chubby side. The good thing is that's he's already married with kids cause if he was single that would only make him look more pitiful.

I slowly walk closer to them staying close to the wall. Hoping I might blend in with it. It's worked quite a few times but I guess this is not one of those times. As vice principal Harry and I lock eyes.

"Hold it girly. I can see you. Either you're skipping class or your late. Come here and fall in line next to this boy."

I bow my head in defeat and make my way next to this boy. From the moment I saw him I noticed he looked young. Maybe a second year?  I didn't get a good look at his face, though. But now with him beside me, I've never met this kid before. He's probably new. first day and he are already late, not good.

I look at vice principal Harry and he blinks rapidly. A bit dumbfounded.

"Jasmine?"

"I overslept it won't happen again, sir," I say with tears brimming my eyes. I've never felt so embarrassed.

''okay, you can go."

I nod and start to walk away. The pressure beating on my chest shrinking with every step till I hear his voice. I stop dead in my tracks. His voice sent shivers up and down my arms and a new pain claimed my chest. I look back at the boy standing six feet tall. Shaggy red hair, tall lean muscled build. Wearing a black tee shirt with a gray sweater over it and blue denim jeans.

" can I leave to? Why can she and not me?" The boy says.

" because she is a good student and you boy..." vice principal Harry got cut off.

"My name is Tucker not boy." He said to vice principal harry. He said it in a way that made you want to give him respect.

" Now listen here, boy...Tucker. you do not order me around. I am the teacher and you are the student do you understand?

But Tucker didn't respond. And for reasons beyond me I spoke.

"Vice principal,  Tucker, I think he's a new student. I think it's best if I show him where his classes are so he doesn't get lost. Just this time let him off with a warning. It is his first day and all." I say finishing off with a shy good student smile. Vice principal looks at me then at Tucker and sighs.

" Okay fine. But only because it's you who asked Jasmine. Don't be late tomorrow." And with that vice principal, Harry opens his office door and steps inside.

I walk over to Tucker and loop my arm in his and pull him with me. "This way," I tell him.