The Normals

Frankenstein

The final bell had just rung, signaling that the day was officially over. I mentally praised the heavens for that.

However, Al the asshole caught up to me before I exited the room. "Hey," He alerted my attention, his shaggy brown hair falling into his face. "I have been trying to catch up with you all day." He said, referring to all the times I had successfully avoided him throughout the day.

"I know." I mumbled, slinging my violet colored bag over my shoulder.

Al ignored my comment and continued to chat. "So next week is out first football game. I want you to come. It will be fun." Al said as if I didn't have a choice. "Also, my parents are going to be out of town, and I'm kinda having a little get together. If you want to stop by and grace everyone with your presence, that would be awesome."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, but I'll pass." I grumbled.

Al appeared as if he were about to object. His mouth became agape when my name was called from behind him. "Vera, can I talk with you?"

We both turned around to find our English teacher, Mr. Johanson, looking towards us. His hands were behind his back as he patiently waited for us to finish our conversation.

"See you tomorrow, Al." I muttered, shoving past him to Mr. Johanson's front desk.

"Vera," Mr. Johanson said with a slightly scolding tone. "I'm afraid that I didn't catch you in class yesterday." My English teacher's eyes held an unrecognizable emotion.

I shrugged. "I had somewhere I needed to be."

He gave me a doubtful look, but moved on. "You had an excused absence. I understand." He muttered, turning away from me to dig for something in his desk. "But that's not why I called you up here."

I bit at my bottom lip, thinking he would bring up what I had wrote on the first day of school. Instead, he pulled out a worn out copy of a novel I recognized all to well. "Since you missed class yesterday, you also missed the assignment. The class is reading, well at least they are supposed to be reading, Marry Shelly's Frankenstein." Handing me the copy, he smiled softly. "There is going to be a quiz over the first ten chapters next Friday."

I couldn't help but smile whilst holding the book. "Isn't Frankenstein a little different? I mean normally, we read a novel with a moral lesson of some sort. Trust me I'm not complaining, it's just a little unorthodox." I glanced up at my English teacher.

He chuckled, leaning onto his desk. "I would like to think that I am a little unorthodox."

I nodded, stuffing the book into my bag. "Alright. Well um, have a good day Mr. Johanson." I awkwardly begun to walk off to the classroom's exit.

"And one more thing, Vera."

I turned to face him, thinking I forgot something.

"I don't think you are a bitch." Mr Johanson said, a smug smile on his handsome face. The comment left me shocked when I realized what he was referring to.

My one word description.

I couldn't help but laugh under my breath. "That's because you don't know me." I said, exiting the room to head for the Junior's parking lot.

My Volkswagen was one of the only cars in the parking lot, so I had no issues finding it.

"There you are." A fairly high-pitched voice caught my attention. "I've been waiting for you." Mia came I to my view, hoping towards me excitedly. "Great, now I sound like a total stalker." She grumbled go herself.

I smiled softly. "Hey, how's it going?" I asked, patting myself on the back for being so casual.

"Good, just hanging around. Where have you been? I was trying to find you after the final bell." She asked, pushing her thick rimmed glasses up on her nose.

"Got caught up." While walking to my car, I answered easily.

"So, you heading to your therapy session now? Right?" She asked, toying with a loose sting on her messenger bag.

I nodded, trying to kill that topic. "Do you have a car or, do you need a ride?"

Her hazel eyes widened. "My house isn't far from here. I normally walk." Her face was slightly flushed. "My mom doesn't really believe in auto transportation either. She feels walking is the best and easiest way to prevent obesity."

I gave her an odd look. "Let me give you a ride home."

"No, I couldn't be a bother. Besides, you have a session you can't be late for."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure my therapist will somehow make an exception." I arrived at my Volkswagen, opening the squeaky door and shoving my bag into he backseat. "Here give me your bag and hop into the passenger seat." I commanded as Mia gave me a slightly frightened look.

"I'm not going to kill you. Jesus, I'm not that terrible of a driver."

"It's not that." She sighed. "It's just-" She scratched at her left arm nervously. "My brother and I were in a car accident a few months ago. I haven't been in a car since."

I pulsed, pondering on my next few words. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry, Mia."

"It's alright. I'm just not ready to get in a car yet. So, I think I'll walk." She readjusted the bag's step on her shoulder, waving goodbye to me as she walked off.

I sighed, mentally scolding myself.

Way to go, Vera. You make a friend and you scare her off on the same day. Nice going.

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A/N: Finally, we have another chapter! 

And yes, this is more of a filler chapter, but it will help the story progress. :)

- S