isabel (h.s.)

1.

"I am Isabel. I don't have any hobbies, I'm new and I don't really want to keep talking." I muttered, my head down as I faced my new classmates.

The teacher didn't tell me what to do so I sat down, ignoring whistles and whispers. I could feel my face turning red and hot and I pressed a hand on my cheek to try and cool myself down.
"All say hello to Isabel," the teacher said, finally snapping out of her daydream. "I'm sure you would all have wanted the same."
Someone sniggered.
I can't blame them, I wouldn't have helped out any new kids in my position in my old school. Too cheesy, too much effort. There's always the hope that I'll be found incredibly attractive in this school and some popular boy would fall crazy in love with me and I'd get a whole set of super cool friends straight away, but high hopes, in my opinion, were just set ups for failure. I wasn't ready.

I sat with my head down for the rest of the lesson. I knew better than to put my hand up and answer, even though we'd covered this topic last year in English.
Romeo and Juliet.
They were watching the Leo DiCaprio version, which I detested. I mean, I'm a sucker for him as a person, but guns whilst they're talking Shakespearian? Really?

The teacher seemed to be watching me as I watched the film, chuckling at my every grimace and smiling back at me as the balcony scene caught me out. Of course, the swimming pool make out sesh and the body guard took away from the beauty of words being uttered but I still got a tear in my eye as the marriage was arranged. I found myself breathing the words with the news anchor as she quoted words the prince was meant to say,
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

The lights went up and a bell rang, and blinking rapidly to stop tears flowing free, I grabbed my bag and attempted to head to my next class. "Isabel," the teacher called out. "A word, please."

I wasn't worried. What could I have done wrong in the first hour of my new school? Exactly, nothing.
"Shakespeare fan?" She questioned.
I nodded.
"I'm running a residential to Stratford Upon Avon next month, I will reserve a place for you - if you want it of course. It might be a good way to make some friends?"
I looked at the ground sheepishly. But I nodded, I'd always wanted to go to Stratford when we lived more northern, now we're right outside of London I didn't think we'd get a chance. I looked back up at her and smiled, nodding my head and thanking her profusely.