Another Serving of Attitude, Anyone?

My Prince of Camelot

Young people overflowed the hallways as the bell rang, signifying the first 20 minute break. As I followed Alicia out of the study hall and into the jam-packed hallway, I bumped into something, or rather someone.

And as I looked up to meet my suitor, I was met once again by the cynic blue eyes of one Bradley James. He did a double take and when he saw it was me, quickly straightened himself up. I knew better than to say anything so I just walked away and when I was just a foot away, I repeat; a FOOT away, I’m sure I heard someone mutter a soft ‘klutz’.

Now, I’m absolutely surely positive he’s a ‘big fat jerk’. Alicia, who was there to witness everything, was more than slightly amused. She was shaking with enthusiasm and curiosity. Doesn’t she know curiosity killed the cat? “Oh my gosh! How cool, your first bump with a cute guy. I can already see the love blossoming,” her voice let out just an inch of mockery and she laughed.

“Well, too bad you don’t like him. I wouldn’t have minded taking your place,” she sounded more serious this time. “Urrgh, whatever,” I said, quickly wanting to change the subject.

We dropped our books in our lockers and then had a what Alicia called ‘quickie lunch’ at the café. “Hey, nice bag!” Someone called out from the far end of the lunch line. That’s when I saw him pointing at my bag and I couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment.

“Ignore him, John loves picking on the newbies. He always does,” Alicia tried making me feel better. But I was set, as soon as I swallowed my sandwich, I was going to stuff this bag down my locker like it was an infectious disease and use my slingy instead. We sat at a quaint little white bench and ate quietly.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Arthur Don, the cute guy from chemistry; buying a snack and heading towards us, or actually towards whoever was at the back of us. I was instantly disappointed at the thought of his girlfriend waiting seductively for him to bring her a snack and him feeding her scoops of chocolate pudding.

But much to my delight, he just joined his other jock friends at a table and threw some nachos at their face. One thing was for certain though, after he had passed me, and I turned around to see where he was headed, he looked back to, and his gaze met mine for just a mere second or two. From that time onwards, my heart tingled at the mention of his name and the nerves in my body were in overdrive. After some healthy appetizers, I grabbed my sling bag, stuffed the girly bag down the locker and bucked up for maths.

I totally paid attention during Maths with Ms. Haley; which was weird since I never do that, especially when it has anything to do with the words algae and bra. She had a sort of different approach on my most hated subject and I almost understood it for the first time. I guess private schools have better teachers too, maybe it’s because they pay them more.

Alicia was pulling at the sleeve of my new blue and crisp blazer; that students were made compulsory to wear during cold weather. “Come on. I’ve got to show you to your Lit class. I won’t be there and I don’t want you ending up in the boys’ loo,” she gave me a sly grin as she held up her pinky.

 She led the way, carefully not forgetting to tell me the history of every inch of the school as we passed. It was quite a long way to my class with Mr. White and I was glad that Alicia was here to keep me company. I hadn’t made any friends so I really wasn’t fitting in.

“So, good luck. Mr. White isn’t here yet, so go on. Have fun!” She sounded happy enough and when I turned around to ask her if I needed an extra log book, she was already turning round the corner. I grabbed a seat at the last row of desks, right at the back of the class and waited. For something; anything to happen.

 In all my free time, I observed that there weren’t many desks, just around 20. A girl came in and sat next to me. “Hey,” I said in effort to make a new acquaintance. “Hi,” she mumbled very unfriendly. “Um, so did you have Mr. White as your teacher last year too?” I asked, hoping to get her to talk.