The Beauty of Him

o n e

It's my junior year at Scarlettville High School and I have zero friends. I walk these halls and no one ever notices me. It doesn't bother me as much as it bothers my mom. She can't stand that I have no friends but the way I see it, I have more time to focus on school than parties.

I may sit in the back of the class every period but I have the highest GPA in my grade and I'm going to my dream college. I have no one to keep me here in this town. Sadly, I still have a year and half until I'm through with this school and heading to New York City.

◇◇◇

I took my seat in art class just as the tardy bell rang. Mr. Anderson went to the white board in the front of the classroom.

"Beauty is in all things. Of course, what one person finds beautiful another may find completely distasteful but everyone finds at least one thing beautiful. You will be writing an essay on something you find beautiful. Beauty can be found in all sorts of places. It can be found in art, trees, flowers, the wilderness, music, your home, cities, and even a person.  The essay will be at least two typed pages. The font is 12 point Times New Roman and you will write in the MLA format. It will also be graded by your English teachers for grammatical correctness. You may start today. Since it is the second semester, it will be due at the end of the semester and will count for your final exam grade. I don't want you to rush so it will be due the day before your test. I want everyone to think long and hard on this. Don't give me a half try. Do keep in mind this is your final exam grade.," he finished.
I heard people muttering and groaning about the length and how could they possibly write about this when they don't even like art. Soon I didn't even hear them as I got lost in my own world of writing.

The final bell of the day rang which dismissed us out of school. I packed up my things, carefully slipping my essay in my binder. I was headed to the door when Mr. Anderson called my name.

"Yes Mr. Anderson?"

"I have to say, I am so thankful for students like you who actually do their work and don't put it off until the last minute. But don't spend every waking moment of your high school years just doing work. Raegan, you need to go out and have some fun too."

"Thank you Mr. Anderson but if I had anyone to go out and 'have fun' with I would. Don't get me wrong I like it just being me but it can get lonely sometimes." I said putting emphasis on 'have fun.'

"I'm sorry to hear that but there's also fun things you can do on your own, too or make yourself vulnerable and try to make some friends. I only tell you this because you are my favorite student and I want the best for you. Well, I know you need to get out of here so go on and have some fun this weekend."

I laughed, "Okay. Bye Mr. Anderson."

I left the classroom and headed out to the parking lot. I got in my car and drove home. It wasn't a very long drive considering I only live about 10 minutes away. I live so close I could walk but it rained this morning so i drove instead.

I pulled into our driveway, parked my car, and ran into my house. I dropped my bag by the desk in my room. I grabbed my laptop and plopped down on my bed. I was scrolling through my Tumblr dash when my mom came into my room.

"Hi, honey. How was your day?" She asked.

"It was good. I made a 95 on my pre-cal test. Oh! And we get to write an essay in art about what where we find beauty. I've already started but it's not due until the end of the semester so we'll have awhile to work on it," I replied.

"That's great sweetie. Do you wanna maybe go out to a movie tonight? Do something fun?"

"Yeah sure. That's cool. What are we gonna watch?"

"You choose. I'll be waiting downstairs so whenever you are ready come. Get me. We'll go eat then head to the movies. Sound good?"

"Alright mommy I'll be down in a few." And yes I call my mother mommy. It's not childish I swear. She left my room as I looked up the movies playing at our local theater. The movies playing: Fantastic 4, Trainwreck, Paper Towns, The Gallows, and some other movies what didn't look like they were worth my time.

After I decided I went downstairs and met my mom. I sat down next to her on the couch in our family room.

"Did you decide what you'd like to eat and watch?"

"How about Panera Bread and Fantastic 4 because I love Miles Teller." She laughed and agreed.

◇◇◇

We were waiting in line to buy our tickets to the movie. It was literally taking forever. We finally got to the front of the line. I looked up to see the worker was a guy who was beyond gorgeous. His name tag read: Carson. He looked like he was over 6 feet. He had a messy but cute quiff and intriguing blue eyes. He had a lip ring on the left side of his bottom lip. I'd never really been into a guy before but him, he had me feeling all kinds if things I'd never felt before.

I was broke out of my trance when my mom nudged me with her elbow.

"I'm sorry what mom?" I said.

"The movie? What movie did you want to see again?"

I looked away from her and back at the guy, he was trying to hide the smirk that was plastered across his face. My face immediately went red.

"Oh. Uhh. Fantastic 4." I said.

"Okay. Two for Fantastic 4." My mom told him.

"Alright. That'll be $15.25. It's gonna be the the third one on your right." He told us.

We walked off but I looked back to see him one last time before getting our drinks. He gave me this grin that made my stomach flutter and my heart falter.