Where My Heart Is

Chapter 2

After my chemistry class, I headed down the hall to calculus. I didn't like math, but I also didn't hate it. I was just really good at it. I was one class above most other students in my grade in math, so I was in calculus with seniors mostly. I shuffled in and found a seat close to the front where I could learn better. Before the bell rang and class started, I looked around to see who was in my class. I recognized a few, but for the most part, I didn't know very many people from the grade above me.

I lived in a small town. And although I someday dreamed to move to the big city and become a writer, it wasn't likely. No one moved here, and no one moved out. They married highschool classmates and raised their families here. The same cycle continued. For this reason, I had been to school with these kids for all of my life. That just shows about how much I came out of my shell to get to know people - I didn't.

As I scanned unfamiliar faces, I saw him. Luke was his name? He was sitting in the very back on the total opposite side of where I was sitting. He was scribbling something in a notebook. His tongue peeked out of the corner of his mouth as he wrote. Before I knew it, I was thinking how cute he was. I heard my heart pounding in my chest. I looked away before I could be caught staring. This would be a long year of calculus if I continued to feel this way.

My teacher walked in to begin class. My thoughts took over my mind like hijackers, and I couldn't pay attention to the class rules and expectations. Enough of this nonsense, Emma, I thought to myself. You don't have time for a boy on your mind. Although it was a struggle, I pushed Luke out of my mind and tried to focus on the teacher....

******

Katie met me at our usual lunch spot. We sat behind the cafeteria underneath a tree. I pulled out my veggies while she chomped on her sandwich.

"So," she said after a big gulp, "how is your first day so far?"

"Just lovely," I replied with a hint of sarcasm, hoping she wouldn't pry. She knew me too well. She continued to look at me, waiting for me to explain. I sighed. "It's going alright I think."

"You think?"

"I haven't been myself. I can't think straight."

"Why not? Are you sick?"

"No, I met somebody. A boy."

Katie's eyes filled with delight. She instantly sat up straighter. "A boy?!" She squealed.

"Yes, a boy. I've obviously seen him around, I just don't really know him. I can't pinpoint who he is."

"Point him out to me. I'll tell ya," she said before taking another bite of her sandwich. She was right. She could easily tell me. Luckily, Katie seemed to know just about everyone. She was social and wasn't shy like I was.

"I will the next time I see him."

"Well," she nudged me with her elbow. "Tell me the story!"

I told her the story of how we clumsily ran into each other, and I continued to tell her about our introduction. Then, I finished of how I saw him in calculus and couldn't stop thinking about him.