Lessons Learned

Lesson #1

Lucky me, my teacher let me off with a warning (as if I was going to heed it), and told me to sit down. Making my way to the back, I knocked over another girls bag before taking my seat, surrounding myself with more of 'my type'. Chatting with the boy beside me for a moment, I flicked a strand of my blonde hair behind an ear, turning to pay attention to my teacher.

Mrs. Reynolds stood up front, her graying hair pulled into the tight bun it'd spent the last twenty years in, oddly enough, she wasn't saying anything. It seemed as if she was waiting for something or someone. Well, it didn't matter to me. I returned to my conversation, blowing off the fact that I hadn't actually heard a word the poor boy was saying.

It was about five minutes later that I heard the classroom door open, and Mrs.Reynolds clear her throat,

"Class, I'd like to introduce my replacement."

A murmur broke out at the sudden news. Not one of us knew Mrs.Reynolds was leaving, maybe we had finally driven her to an early retirement? My focus was drawn to the young man beside her, he couldn't have been more than twenty-five. Fluffy black hair that reached down to his jaw was complimented by his all-too shiny glasses obscuring his eyes. I remember he wore a pair of plain black slacks that day paired with a white dress shirt, almost as if he was trying his hardest to look professional. The most distinct feature I recall would be the black choker and red tie he wore around his neck. Why both? It was one or the other, never both. Such a faux pas. If he really was trying hard he'd never have done something so silly.

"This is your new homeroom teacher Mr.River. He has kindly agreed to take the last-minute position as I have decided to retire a bit early." Stated Mrs.Reynolds, clasping her hands in front of her black dress. She motioned to him, as if pushing him forward.

"Please help me do the best I can as a new teacher." He said, bowing. How formal, at least he was trying. Last year my History teacher left due to surgery and his replacement just told us to read pages blah through bluh every day.

As it was, Homeroom was almost over, and Mr.River had proved himself somewhat competent at his new job. Mrs.Reynolds wound up pointing out small mistakes and teaching him more than she taught us anything.

Three classes later, Lunch began, and I returned to my 'clique'. Together, we took up almost three tables all pushed together to form one giant exclusive club. We could feel the eyes of others on us as we ate and we basked in the feeling. We were, in our own right, celebrities at our school.

"Does anyone have the new guy?" asked Amber, (Or was her name Ashley? It's not like she's important anyway) poking at her salad.

"I do!" I replied, giggling with the others. Maria grasped my arm and looked up at me,

"Isn't he hot or what!?" she asked, spewing more giggles. I nodded along with her, letting out an agreement.

It was at this moment that Miranda, a particularly over-weight and geeky girl walked by us. I remember Derek calling her a freak, and throwing a piece of his sandwich at her, her walk turning into a brisk run. I felt bad, really I did, but I laughed along anyway. Miranda didn't deserve that, nobody did, not from us. They weren't the bottom, we were. That was one of my most important lessons.

We squawked and squealed for the remainder of the period, nothing of any sort of importance leaving our mouths. It wasn't until the second bell rang that we finally left the confines of the cafeteria for the outdoor soccer field content to watch the daily intramural game.

If I had been more aware, more observant. I would have seen Mr.River sitting a table or so behind us.