Just Bad Luck

Chapter 1: Mr. Annoying Chuck

After wiping my face, I stare at my reflection. I look like one of the undead - might as well audition for The Walking Dead. I fix my hair in a messy braid and decided to go back to the classroom.

I walk slowly down the hallway, towards the classroom. I remembered the book I borrowed yesterday. I’ve got to borrow a better book later, this one is such a cliff hanger. Today's not even the due date yet, but I just finished it a while ago and I wasn't satisfied with how it ended. I mentally note myself to swoop by the library.

When I open the door, everyone stares at me, and back to the front. I look at what they’re looking at and got to stare at deep brown eyes. We stare at each other for so long, I break the eye contact and walk back to my seat, looking at the floor. Who was that?

“Okay, class. Let me introduce you your new classmate, Chuck.” Ms. Jones said. That boy, Chuck, smiled confidently at all of us. “Mr. Carvis, please introduce yourself. Hobbies, Birthday. . . Anything you want to share.” And smiled that gentle smile I like about Ms. Jones.

“Hey, guys. I’m Chuck Carvis, I just turned seventeen last July 28. I like Photography, Video Games and Travelling.”

It was obvious he was a good-looking guy. All the girls in the class start whispering to each other like 'Oh my gosh, he’s hot.' 'I wonder if he’s single. . .' I roll my eyes, ignore them and stare out the window and think of what book to buy next or what's cooking for dinner.

Then I heard my surname, “You can occupy that seat behind Ms. Follard.” He walks towards me and I pretend to be busy, then he flops down his seat behind me. I move my seat forward.

Before the bell rings, he excuses himself to the bathroom leaving his area messy. I felt relieved when he left. At last, I can listen to the teacher clearly, twenty minutes before lunch. He kept on tapping his pen on the window and murmuring how bored he was. I once gave him a glare, hoping that it would warn him to keep quiet. But he still continued on what annoying things he was doing.

When Geography class was finished and it’s time for lunch, I rush out the door but Ms. Jones calls my attention.

"Umm, Ms. Follard?" She says and I  look at her questioningly and she motions for me to come over.

"What is it, Ma'am?" I ask kindly.

"Could you help Mr. Carvis around the school? He's just transferred today so I'm assigning him to you. Since, I have observed that you were the only one who did not seem to have an interest in him, hm?" She looks at me her black orbs we call eyes stare into me like she wanted my soul. Whether I like it or not, I need to follow orders because I do not want the teachers to see me as a bad student. Call me a teacher's pet, but I just want to keep my reputation up.

"Uh, sure, Ms. Jones." I said slowly.

"Good," She claps her hands. "I've already made his schedule the same as yours for the rest of the day so you could assist him easily, hm?" She explains and I nod. She dismisses me and I head out of the door.

Walking swiftly, I almost bumped into Mr. Annoying Chuck who was just getting back from his bathroom break. “Hey, hey, hey.” He said when we couldn’t pass by each other because he copies my steps. And I finally got my way out and I ran my way to the library.

When I stepped into the Library, I felt like I dropped heaps of baggage from my back.

“Good Afternoon, Ms. Darcy (Our Librarian) I would like to return this book.” I smiled.

“As always, Grace, you read so fast. Here’s your library card.” She hands me my library card and I start searching for what book to borrow.

I ended up borrowing Green Heart, by Alice Hoffman. I give my Library card back to Ms. Darcy and said goodbye. I went to my usual place, that not-so-dark corner beside the library where I spent the rest of my years here in Newford High. I ate my lunch there and started reading Green Heart. I instantly felt at peace when I started to read. And when I read, I feel like I’m inside and part of the story. So I end up, crying, laughing, smiling with the characters.

After lunch, I go to the classroom for English class. Mr. Annoying Chuck isn’t anywhere to be found. Yes. I sit down, feeling so relaxed that he isn’t here. Ten minutes has passed and Chuck is still not back, I began to feel a bit anxious about that. No, no. I shouldn’t feel worried, who is he anyway? I focused myself back to listening to class. Verbs. Nouns. Data. It feels like nothing just goes in my mind. It all just goes back to him. What is wrong with my brain? I know I'm assigned to tour and assist him today but I have other things to do. But, I also couldn't leave him and take the blame.

Just as English class is about to end, Chuck has returned. His hair was messy like someone just decided to run their hands through his hair because it was fun. I saw a stain of something pinkish on his collar. Could that be lipstick? I shudder at the thought of him and a wandering girl sucking each other's faces as if their life depended on it.

He enters the room without greeting the teacher and just goes straight to his seat. Such bad manners! I begin to feel angry with him, I feel stupid about worrying about him. When he sits down, he whispers.

“English’s still going, wrong timing.” Then he sighs loudly.

When our English teacher left, I turn to him and say,

“Why did you failingly almost skip English class?” He looks at me and I see those deep brown eyes covered by the lens of his glasses again.

“Why do you care?” He smirks. I tilt my head to let him know I’m waiting for his answer. He continues to smirk, My, his smirking face is so cute - I want to rip the skin out his face and feed it to the tigers at Mr. Todds house.

“It’s because I hate English. About books or whatevs. I don’t like reading, it bores me.” I am so mad at what he just said I look at him in disgust. He hates books! Books are beautiful and they are not boring - even though it's a free country and everyone has their own opinions, it was unacceptable for me to hear that phrase. I faced the board and ignored him the whole day. When it was time to go home, Chuck was crowded with girls.

I headed home and went straight to the kitchen and rummaged the fridge. Lucky me! There was ice cream. I took a whole bowl of it and went to my room.

“You’re not eating dinner?” Mom said. I shook my head.

“I just want dessert.” I smile. She smiles back.

“Okay, I’ll just leave some for you if you ever change your mind.” I run to my room and jump on bed.

 I power up my laptop and open my facebook.

One Friend Request. . .

And it’s from someone I don't know. I don't even know how they know my name and add me. A few minutes later in front of the screen, I was on Chuck Carvis's profile.

(Edited: 04/01/15)