Unlike her name, Serenity Felix was anything but peaceful. She had an aura about her, one that radiated danger. With her thin frame and soft voice, one would think Serenity was just what she seemed, serene. But her eyes, a beautiful swirl of brown and green, were what set her apart. There was anger in them, a warning to everyone hair around her. She was always on alert, as if searching for her next victim.
She loved to pick fights, with anyone she could, and she was good at it too. She had a reputation: don't talk to her unless you wanted to fight.
But she had a secret, in the form of a girl named Willow Ibarra.
Unlike Serenity, Willow Ibarra was level headed, calm, and friendly. She befriended anyone, from the cheerleaders, to the nerds, to the jocks, to the goths. She was captain of the volleyball team and head of the newspaper staff. She was well on her way to becoming valedictorian and then to Yale. She was a high school poster child.
"Hey, wait up!" A voice called behind Serenity. She looked back, it was Willow. Looking around herself, she saw there was nobody near her. She slowed her brisk pace and straighten her back. As Willow approached, Serenity felt the butterflies in her stomach quicken. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and told herself it was the only sign of nervousness she would let show.
"Hi Serenity, how are you?" Willow walked beside her now. Serenity looked at the goddess beside her. With her long brown hair, a petite frame, and stunning green eyes, Willow was a work of art. She had countless guys asking her out on dates, and even a few girls, but she always turned them down. She was too busy, she would say. Serenity wished she had the courage to ask her out. Maybe she would be the one Willow said yes to. Oh come on, Willow and you? There is no way she likes you. Little Miss Perfect crushing over the local fighter girl? That's fairy tale stuff. Get over yourself. She pulled herself from her thoughts, remembering who had spoken to her and what she asked.
"Uh, hi Willow. I'm fine. Can I help you with anything?" Serenity said formally, gripping her books tighter subconsciously. Mentally, she hit herself, "Can I help you with anything?" Really? Way to sound like a secretary. Nice job loser, there's no way she won't be drooling over that.
Willow adjusted the bag on her shoulder. "Um, yeah, I was wondering if you are able to tutor me? I've heard you're pretty great in math and I'm not doing too hot. Would you mind?" She laughed nervously and halted in her steps. Serenity stopped and turned to look at her. You want me to help you? Little Miss Perfect needs my help? Why me? Out of everyone else?
"Yeah, no problem."
"Thanks! Would tomorrow at six work? It would be earlier, but I get out of volleyball practice at 5:30."
Serenity nodded calmly, hiding her elation professionally.
"Okay, here's my number and my address," Willow wrote her information on a piece of paper she fished out of her bag and handed it to her.
"Cool, I'll see you then," Serenity said nonchalantly, resisting the urge to clutch the paper to her chest and squeal. Instead, she opted for placing it on top of her books, and with a final nod, she walked away.
Okay, so it's not like I'm going over to the hottest and sweetest girl in school's house tomorrow.
The next day, Serenity was brimming with anticipation. To mask it, she lived up to everyone's standards of her. She snapped at the teacher for calling on her unexpectedly -which resulted in a detention-, cursed a boy who looked at her chest too long, and threatened to fight another boy who catcalled her. Throughout the day, her eyes were cold as steel, the one warning enough for most to steer clear of her. She kept herself angry, it was better to look angry and be left alone than it was to look happy and be questioned, she reasoned.
