Finding Me

chapter five

Throughout her first period, Sahara did not have one thought about Daniel because she was in one of her favourite classes, Kinesiology. Today, they were learning the function of the knee, and being the dedicating soccer player that she is; she felt it was highly important for her to absorb as much information on this topic that she could. After an hour and half went by, it was time to go to second period.

As Sahara shuffled through the hallway to her second period, she reviewed her French notes for a test she had in the afternoon, which was silly of her, considering the hallways are always crowded and you basically had to push through the wave of students if you wanted to reach your class on time. Just as she was about to turn the corner, she bumped into a tall figure.

"Urgh!" quaked Sahara, dropping her paper, as her footing became weak. She attempted to grab anything, to avoid from falling on her back. She felt an arm wrap around her waist and pulling her into the warmth of a body. She glimpsed up to see Daniel Rio, once again.

"Whoa! I'm starting to believe you're purposely bumping into me, just to feel me up," a sly grin tugs on his rosy mouth. He helped her pick up the rest of the paper, and handed them to her. "Maybe you should pay more attention to where you're going, like me."

Sahara felt frazzled, as she took the papers with shaky hands. She was surprised by his arm around her waist. She didn't expect them to hold such strength.

"Thank you," she whispered, her sweaty palms grasping tighter onto her papers.

His grin deepen. "No problem," he simply says, and begins to carry on.

Sahara felt like they left on a weird note, so she called out to him. "Um, Daniel?" He spun around in the crowd of moving students, curiosity etching his eyebrows

"I wasn't trying to gr-grope you," she sputtered.

He grins, his eyebrows raising. "You sure?" Sahara pursed her lips, nodding her head, too afraid her words may topple over each other.

He chuckles before continuing. "See you around Sahara," he smiles, raising a hand and continued to his second period class.

&&&&

As soon as Sahara got to her accounting class, she quickly sat in her seat, her mind flooding with what just had taken place in the hallways a minute ago.

All of class, she thought about him. She had a small crush on him back in grade ten when they had science together. But it was so small, and she did nothing to pursue him, so she was over it. She had to be over it, it wasn't like he would ever like a girl like her anyways.

They're kind of relationship weren't ever in books or movies, unless it involved slavery or infidelity. And that just didn't sit well with Sahara.

Sahara sighed, resting her head in her arms as her teacher switched the room lights' off.

"Why are boys so complicated?" she muttered. "Damn you teenage blues!"

"Hormones, huh?" A voice whispers. Sahara looked to her right, eyes wide open. She thought she was as quiet as can be. Lori Kelly, had a small smile on her face, as she looked up and down from the slides to her notebook, then she turned eyeing Sahara.

"Those fuckin' hormones, huh?"

Sahara swallowed hard, slowly nodding her head, unsure how to respond.

"Who's the bastard?" She turns her body towards Sahara resting, her head into her black polished hands.

"Umm... you, you don't know him," Sahara replied. She didn't want people thinking she had a crush on Daniel, when she wasn't even sure herself.

Lori held up her hands in defense. "Alright. None of my business, right," Lori said, turning back to her work.

Sahara mumbled a sorry, and then rested her head back onto the desk. She hoped she didn't come off as rude, but she just wasn't comfortable with discussing this topic with just anyone.

Her mind easily rested back to thoughts of Daniel. She went over why'd she found attractive in the first place, starting with his appearance.

He was tall for their age, just over average. Quite spindly, with just the amount of muscle. She usually found the athletic types more attractive. But Daniel made the lanky look work for him.

His fair skin tone allowed the small amount of freckles underneath his eyes to pop, giving an innocent yet mischievous look. His sloping nose lead to small, tender eyes towered by thick , dark brown eyebrows and short, wavy hair to match.

Sahara bit back a smile at the thought of his side smile he have her in the hallway. She couldn't forget how it made her chest feel heavy yet light at the same time.

The school bell rings frightening Sahara from her thoughts. She watched as her classmates began getting up from their seat, only to realize that she hasn't even taking notes all class.

"I'll photocopy them for you," Lori says, as if she read Sahara's worried expression.

Sahara smiled deeply. "Thank you so much Lori."

Lori smiled softly. "No problem. Later."

Sahara finished putting her binders into her backpack as her teacher began turning off the lights. She dashed out the door mumbling an apology to the teacher and headed for lunch.