Pretty-UglyGal

8. The Encounter

I had just come out of second period. The hallways were packed with identical looking students. All sporting brand name t-shirts much like me.

I tried to pass the throng of teens who thought that it was so utterly important to reach the cafeteria first.

My shoes scuffed against the blue floor tiles as I routinely walked (more like shoved) my way to my locker.

Finally I came to my locker 221. My locker let out a screech as I heaved open the dented metal door and binders scattered onto the floor. As I picked up the fallen contents of my locker I found a note.

One of the notes I had began to receive daily. I nicknamed them "SOS" sticky notes. They said things like, "I can't bear to color one more Geo map". Or, " Rescue me from the monotony of blonde-haired lululemon entrusting Barbies!". Or my personal favorite, "Oh sweet heroine, my Lady, wisk me away from these retched halls of impending doom".

They were all written in slanted cursive. As if every word was meant to be in italics. To be emphasized.

The ink used was royal blue. Slightly splotchy as if the written with a feather pen.

I had been receiving these notes for 2 weeks straight. At first I found them humerous but, after being unable to find the culprit it made me anxious. My "friends" assured me it wasn't their doing, and they weren't into pranks, I doubted they were this clever.

I wondered who was responsible. Why were they doing it? And what did they want?

I felt like someone was watching me. Was someone playing a joke on me? Because it wasn't funny.

Finally I decided I would watch. My mother dropped me off to school in the morning so I arrived at 8:00 am. I liked to drop off my books to my classrooms early so I could walk laps in the hallways with my friends as long as possible without being late to class. I didn't return to my locker again until after second period before lunch. This meant whoever sent the "SOS" notes came to my locker before the end of second period.

I came after first period, no luck. I even came out a couple times during the middle of the periods to check with no success, well until yesterday.

This time I wasn't lying when I said I needed to use the washroom. I actually did. I wasn't ditching the lesson to see if I could spot the note messenger.

As I rounded the hallway corner I spotted someone at my locker. I couldn't tell whether it was guy or girl because they were wearing baggy pants and a baseball cap.

All I knew is that I was done being messed with.

I practically sprinted down the deserted hallway. They must have heard my footsteps because they turned and winked before walking around the corner at the end of the hall.

She winked.

Tamara winked.

I caught up up to her and pinned her against a locker, "What do you want? If you find this harassment funny it won't be after I report you to the student office!" I huffed.

-Tamara-
I could feel the cold rusty metal cutting into my skin. "I..." Sputtered, completely off guard, "want a friend."

She loosened her grip "Well why me?... I mean... Why did you send those notes?..And why didn't you just ask?" She half-yelled.

" You didn't seem like the rest of them. You weren't boring... And I thought you'd understand it was bloody joke and find it funny. I guess I was wrong." I said ashamed.

Then she let go of me and I felt her fingers reach mine. They were soft and warm and tender. I could feel them firmly grip my own as she shook them, " Yes. We can."

"What?"

"Be friends, you invalid crumpet."

"Wow. Your really great at this friendship thing already."

"Now, I really need to go back to class."

"Yeah" I said slightly disappointed to leave, "me too"

Unexpectedly she opened her locker in a single motion. She picked up one of the sticky notes I had sent her, ripped it and then scribbled something.

"Here" she said handing me the scrap.

(Call me Sam: 1-426-957-3833)

-Sam-

"Samantha could you explain to me why it took you 15 minutes to go to the washroom?" Mr. Evans questioned.

I now realized I had forgotten to go pee. But, it was worth it.

"I..Uhhmm... Had a female emergency." I lied. Mr. Evans practically blanched.

For the rest of the class I sat pondering the mystery that was Tamara and I.

I don't know how or why I wrote my number on the paper. In that moment I was spontaneous and care free. Writing that number down felt so natural. So effortless. Almost relieving.

I had felt a spark, a connection. Like if I didn't befriend this girl I would always regret it. I needed to know the truth about her and I needed to know the truth about me.

I needed to know who Tamara saw in me.