The next class Patti had was English, and so did Emily. As they walked into the classroom, it was impossible not to notice Ethan and the SH4, sitting at the back, surrounded by a crowd of drooling admirers. Ethan looked up, and their eyes collided briefly before Patti quickly averted her gaze, focusing on finding a seat.
There were two seats available, but Emily had already taken one next to a boy with curly red hair and huge lenses. The only empty seat left was next to Ethan Lee. Patti didn't want to sit next to Ethan but had no choice.
"I see we have a new student," the English teacher announced as she strolled into the room, smiling softly at Patti, who was still trying to find a solution to her seat problem. "Please introduce yourself."
Everyone had settled into their seats now, and all eyes were on Patti. She had never liked being the center of attention, but there was nothing she could do.
"Hi," she started in a shaky voice. "My... my name is Patr... Patricia Lockwood."
"Patricia Lockwood?" the teacher repeated, astonished at how the girl kept her eyes glued to her sneakers, sporting a "please let the ground open up and swallow me" expression. "Okay, Patti, you can go have your seat," the teacher said, relieving her of her distress.
Patti walked across the class, oblivious to the numerous gazes that followed her as she took the seat next to Ethan.
Ethan kept glaring coldly at her, his piercing blue eyes making Patti uncomfortable. She tried to focus on the lesson, but she could feel his intense stare boring into her. The awkwardness grew between them when the teacher asked Patti to share a textbook with Ethan, since she didn't have her own yet, with every passing minute, her mind racing with thoughts of why he was acting so hostile. Watching her like a predator watched it pray before devouring it.
When the class finally came to an end, Patti felt a wave of relief wash through her.English had always been her favorite subject, but today she couldn't enjoy it because of Ethan's unsettling presence.
Next was the lunch period. Emily led the way to the cafeteria and introduced her to a few other friends. Among them was Sam, the curly red-haired guy from English class, and a girl named Jenna, who looked like she'd rather be in a club than in school and was the head of the school publishing team. Jenna was the kind of girl every mother warned their daughter against, she wore clothes that showed off way too much. And had piercing all over her face, a joker tattoo covered her left arm. But she was nice.
"Have you decided which after-school club you want to join?" Sam asked, pushing up his glasses. He seemed shy and when he spoke he kept his eyes down.
"I have a few options, but I'm still unsure of which to go for," Patti replied.
"Well, sweetie, take your time,"Emily said reassuringly.
Patti was about to say something else but was distracted by the cry of a girl and the sound of a falling tray. Turning, she saw Brittany Berg, the girl from the SH4, bullying another girl, who was on her knees and sobbing bitterly.
Patti found it strange that no one was saying anything, and some even found it amusing and were laughing.
"That's what you get for going against the SH4, a lifetime of torment," Emily said, turning her attention back to her burger,
"Why isn't anyone doing anything?" Patti asked, shocked.
"Oh sweetheart, you don't want to get on the SH4's bad side, believe me," Jenna replied.
Patti glanced over to where the rest of the SH4 were sitting, and her eyes collided with Ethan's again. This time he looked away, his face an expression of irritation. Patti was slightly furious at his rudeness, but she turned away.
*Patti, you are not some savior. Just mind your fucking business if you want to last,* she told herself, stuffing her mouth with the fruit salad her mom had packed for her that morning.
---
"I'm home," Patti announced as she walked into the small sitting room, taking off her jacket and leaving it on the hook behind the door.
"Look who's here, the first Black student of Willow High," Lisa Kleypas, Patti's childhood friend and now her brother's girlfriend, said. They were both cuddled together watching "Clueless."
Patti had seen the movie twice.
"How was it?" Jack asked, raising his head above the wicker headboard to glare at his sister.
"Not bad," Patti mumbled before strolling into the kitchen.
"Hi, Mom," Patti greeted as she walked to the fridge and helped herself to a bottle of water.
The kitchen table had become Mrs. Lockwood's favorite place to work, and right now, the table that should have been occupied by dishes and cutleries, was decorated with files, a cup of half drank coffee, candy wrappers and a laptop.
"Did you have fun?" Mrs. Lockwood asked.
"I made friends."
"Hmm, good."
Patti smiled and stumbled out of the kitchen to her room. As she strolled in, her pet Chihuahua dog, Pinky, bounced on her, almost sending her flying back out of the room.
"Hey, Pinky," Patti said, wrapping her arms around the dog and giving it warm kisses. Patti had always wanted a dog since she was six, but she only got Pinky two years back. She had found Pinky on the street on a Christmas night, wounded and without an owner. Pinky was a Christmas gift she cherished. Gently putting Pinky back down on the floor, she began undressing.
"When are you going to finally tell me how your day went?" Lisa appeared at the doorway, startling Patti.
"You could at least let me shower."
"Don't blame me, I can't help it. I want to know how it feels to be in a school full of white kids."
" You sound racist " Patti teased and Lisa laughed.
Lisa rolled her eyes" I'm just saying, it must be a whole new different world "
Patti laughed, slipping into the bathroom but leaving the door open so Lisa could hear her when she spoke. Patti hadn't entirely been happy when she found out Lisa and Jack were dating. Honestly, she thought Lisa deserved better than her annoying brother.
Patti told Lisa all about her day, including the SH4.
"Girl, I don't know, but their name alone sounds like trouble," Lisa said, a hint of concern in her voice.
"They are trouble," Patti replied, a quick reflection of Ethan filling her mind. "How could anyone's eyes be so blue?" she muttered louder than she intended.
"Whose eyes?" Lisa asked, curious.
"No one," Patti quickly shook off the thought, trying to focus on the task at hand.
Patti finished her shower and wrapped herself in a towel, stepping out of the bathroom. Lisa was still there, sitting crossed leg on the bed, pinky at her feet.
"So, you made friends?" Lisa prompted, raising an eyebrow jealously.
"Yeah, I met this girl named Emily. She's really nice and helped me a lot today," Patti said, smiling at the memory of her new friend.
"Good, you need friends there. Especially with those SH4 guys around," Lisa replied, giving Patti a reassuring smile. " But don't get too attached, you know how jealous I can be"
Patti laughed again.
" Don't worry, you know no one can dare take your place"
" Period" Lisa said with a snap of her fingers and they laughed more
YOU ARE READING
Colide
Teen Fiction--- **Colide** by Sally Abraham Patti Lockwood never expected her life to turn upside down when she transferred to Willow High. As a determined young Black woman, she's no stranger to challenges, but nothing could prepare her for the collision cours...
