love song ౨ৎ

2 - space girl

the bell's resounding chime reverberates through the air, a liberation proclamation.

"you're free to go."

the room stirs with movement, shuffling papers and scraping chairs. a sea of unfamiliar faces, but my gaze finds its anchor in him. Ronan. what on earth am I to do with this frenzy of anticipation coursing through my veins?

he's arranging his notebooks. pale skin having a spotlight of it's own. strong arms, a vintage watch. everything about him provokes me in some strange way. i've never felt like this before. much less because of a teacher who's probably old enough to be my dad.

"don't worry, not every class is as boring as Mr. Boyle's." Lacie's laughter punctuates her assurance. i suppose my apprehension was glaring.

"the next period is PE," she tells me. "i'll be your guide to the locker rooms."

"thanks!" my gratitude is sincere.

i give a final glance in his direction before leaving the classroom, falling into step with Lacie when some girl launches herself onto her like a missile.

"where do you think you're going?!"

"i'm showing Jennifer the locker rooms."

i offer a "hello."

"well, wait up for me!"

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Lacie and Amira's friendship traces back to 6th grade. "we're the same person with different hair", Amira tells me. i laugh. she's effortlessly funny. i can't help but notice how she looks like a 90's model, straight out of a Vogue magazine. an elegant frame, high cheekbones, emerald eyes, beguiling lips, and a cascade of luscious hair. but it isn't mere surface glamour, her beauty radiates from within. as wells as Lacie's. her smile makes me smile.

as we're strolling down the hallways, i let out an exclamation, a bit louder than intended, receiving a hush from Lacie. Amira gives me a knowing smile and proceeds to tell me the truth behind their conflicts with Kimberly.

"no way!" i interject, and Lacie shushes me again, holding back her laughter. "it's why we've distanced ourselves from her." she explains.

"have you heard?" Amira leans in, a conspiratorial grin forming, "Jacob cheated on her with some 8th grader. in a public pool toilet."

Lacie and i, simultaneously, make a disgusted face.

"well... karma's a bitch." i remark.

"how do you know that?" Lacie inquires Amira, confused.

"Samantha." Amira reveals

"oh Jennifer, you're gonna love Sam–"

Lacie gets interrupted by Amira's warning

"she's a bitch. so don't get on her bad side if you don't want your life ruined."

"thanks for the heads up!"

"By the way, where are you from? I've noticed your accent but i'm not good at guessing." Lacie confesses as we're entering the locker rooms.

i chuckle softly "my mom's Portuguese and French, my dad's Brazilian and i've lived almost everywhere."

"that's really cool" Amira says.

"but you'll stay here?" Lacie asks.

"for now" i conclude with an awkwardly self-conscious smile.

a contemplative pause ensues, the atmosphere settling on my last 2 words. suddenly, they pull me into a hug.

i feel a symphony of belonging, and I reciprocate the gesture, my face beaming.

after changing into our PE uniforms, Lacie and Amira effortlessly get themselves into conversations with other girls from our class. i, on the other hand, lean against the wall, with a smile lingering on my lips. a girl with doe-like black eyes and freckles stands out. her greeting pierces through the quiet, and curiosity dances in her gaze as she asks about my name.

"i adore your space buns! could you do my hair like that?"

"of course! sit down."

"yay!"

as my fingers twist, crafting the hairdo, more girls gravitate towards me, enticed by the prospect of their own celestial crowns.

"so... you're a hairstylist now?" Lacie jokes, the corner of her mouth curling in playful amusement.

"i guess i am" i respond with an ironic smile.

after a lively class that unveils my classmates' soccer prowess, another girl enters the scene, her blue eyes casting a spell.

"hey, Samantha" oh.

the three of us chat for a while, lightly panting and drinking from our water bottles.

"do you practice any sports, Jennifer?" Samantha asks.

"not currently. i used to play soccer as a kid though."

"i figured. you're not bad, our school's female soccer team could use players like you."

"really? i'll think about it then" i declare, excited.

"let me know"

the passage of three more periods becomes a trial by hunger, and as the day's final bell rings, i say bye to Lacie, Amira, and some other classmates before going home.

it was a good day.