Teeth

one

"Hey, Lacey." I sigh as the hyperactive teen bounces up to me and starts babbling something about uni. I stand quietly and pretend to listen for a few minutes before the bell sounds, signaling the start of tutor.

"Saved by the bell." I mutter, just like every morning.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Lacey is my best friend, mainly because she's the only one willing to be. Before Sixth Form, I was teased mercilessly because of my little- girlish figure and cropped black hair. Every day I put up with Lacey for a few hours before we head off to seperate lessons for the afternoon.

Every day. Same old, same old.

Until today.

I wander into tutor and automatically stroll to the back row, where nobody sits. I park my bag and sit down, running a hand through my dry hair. I've dyed it so many times, that's what happens.

I get out a book (Room by Emma Donoghue, in case you were wondering) by the teacher's commands, and open it. I try to get lost in the pages, but my mind wanders to last night's dream.

I was running through a forest, the Red Forest, I think, which is the forest next to my house, and the one my younger sisters play in. There was a wolf behind me, yet it wasn't clear if I was running from it or with it. I wasn't human. That was obvious.

My thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice in my ear. "Good book, that. I read it in.... Year 10, I think. Amazing. Nice choice." I turned around to see a boy with a mischievous grin on his face and a million colours in his eyes.

"Yeah, its pretty good. Not my favourite, but still good." I reply half-heartedly, not wanting a response.

"So, you like to read?" The boy persists. I ignore him. "I'm Jack, but you can call me Teeth." That caught my attention.

"Teeth? Why Teeth?" I ask. Jack, or Teeth, chuckled.

"Because of this." He stretched his lips into a dazzling grin, revealing bright white teeth that looked a little over the average size.

"Wow. Um, they're very... Clean?" I mumble, causing Jack- I refuse to call him that ridiculous nickname- to laugh again. "Oh! I'm Raven, by the way." I add.

As if on cue, the bell goes, and Jack walks out, still laughing, leaving me confused and slightly happy.

"See you at lunch, Raven!"