Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

Holding On

January 16th, 2016

The winter air is crisp and calm today, not like the usual that sent shivers on your back but the kind that made the sunlight shine on a dewy glass window that looked like little crystals glittering beautifully. Even the ride to my school was serene and peaceful, with the cool air brushing across my face. And yet, I'm still geared up like I'm on a journey to Antarctica.

With one of my gloved hands holding on to the strap of my bag and the other stuffed into my pocket, I make my way towards my classroom, my new classroom, that is now seventh grade classroom. I'm not surprised to see the class is already packed with students as I make my way in, searching for my seat while some of the girls greet me with a hi. I may be the first comer during summer, but somehow, I'm always late during winter days. I don't know why, perhaps it's the shift in time.

"Hey Ari!" Mal greets, a newcomer from last year that I had failed to introduce before. She had come from Wales; hence her accent is too thick for others to understand, save for me as I smile at her with a wave before hunting for a seat, but it seems like Mal isn't done as she comes to stand beside me.

"We have a new student."

My ears perk up at her words, making me stop whatever I'm doing to look at her as she nudges her chin towards a certain direction, making me look that way as well. "Her name's Mary. Isn't she just so pretty?"

Sure enough, Mary is indeed pretty. With pale white skin and rosy cheeks and soft auburn hairs that cascade down her shoulders. She looks like she might as well have jumped out of a 1800's novel as the main protagonist. She's beautiful.

And it seems I may have stared for far too long, cause now Mary is staring back at me, a tight-lipped smile on her face as if she's waiting for me to introduce myself given, we aren't really that far apart. Yes, I must introduce myself. It's what I always do when there's a newcomer. I make them feel welcomed like I did for Mal, something no one did for me courtesy to Rea.

With my bag still slung over my shoulder, I start walking towards Mary with a smile, pulling my gloves off to offer her a handshake but alas, leave it to my best friend to embarrass me so.

"Ariana? Ariana what are you doing?" Claire is suddenly in front of me, giving me the friends greeting hug before pushing me backwards, as if taking me back to my seat. Averting my eyes from the new girl, I turn to my crazy friend. "We have a new student, Claire."

"Yes, I know, I have eyes."

"Well? I must introduce myself! I-"

"You do know you don't have to be the one to introduce them all the time, right?" Claire asks with a raised eyebrow, as I stand there with my bag still slung over my shoulder although I have reached the spot Claire saved me beside her. I can't help but roll my eyes. "Does it hurt to do so? No. So, I can-"

"No need. Laila's already taken care of it."

"Wh-what?"

Sure enough, there is someone already sitting beside Mary, and that person being none other than Laila herself. She smiles and giggles about something she said, while all Mary does is smile in return, listening to her intently.