Spade

Homeroom

"Melissa Brown."

A quick nudge to my arm brought my attention back to the teacher.

"Melissa Brown?"

"Here," I called, shaking my head trying to concentrate better. I must've dozed off.

I looked gratefully at Liz, who had saved me from further embarrassment. The class erupted into chuckles as I realized attendance had already been taken. My face flushed red as I looked over to where Mrs. Pinesmith was. Luckily she was paying more attention to the person beside her than she was to me.

A boy wearing khaki shorts and a red polo shirt stood next to her looking as out of place as one could be. He stood, staring at me, a strange expression on his face.

"Yes?" I asked, sitting up straighter.

"It seems our new student knows you."

The classroom erupted with quiet chatter at this comment. I was probably the last person anyone would know. And besides that fact? I had never seen this boy before in my life.

"Why don't you sit down, I see there is an empty seat right next to your friend," Mrs. Pinesmith said, returning to her desk.

The boy shuffled his feet and then slowly made his way towards me.

"Oh! I forgot to ask you. What's your name?" Mrs. Pinesmith asked.

"Jason," the boy said, locking eyes with me as he sat down.

"Jason McCollins."

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Jason was so confused. As soon as he walked in the door, he knew who she was. But what stunned him was how she looked so real.

Now, sitting beside her, he was certain his boss had been wrong. There was no way this girl could have been one of them.

Dang it, he thought to himself. The girl had caught him staring again. Instead of panicking, he quickly flashed her a charming smile that usually made girls swoon.

She frowned and looked away.

Well then. This is not going to be easy as he thought.

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Finally, the bell signaling the end of homeroom sounded.

Thank goodness, I thought. I cannot stand this boy staring at me any longer. For the whole rest of homeroom, I had quietly talked to Liz. Every so often I would look over and there he was, staring. And now that it was time for my next class, I wouldn't have Liz to talk to.

A nervous sweat broke out over my body.

"So," Jason said, standing up and gathering his books. "Where to next?"

I kept as straight of a face as I could muster.

"Math," There. That wasn't so hard.

"Perfect. We can walk together then," Jason said, flashing me another smile.

I sucked in a breath and walked out the door. He quickly caught up to me and followed me down the hallway. I had noticed as we left the classroom that people had been watching. Now, I felt as if the whole school was whispering as we passed by. My face flushed.

When I reached my locker, I exchanged my books as quick as I could and turned to Jason. He stood still and watched me silently.

"Well?" I asked him.