Blackbird

The Sky's the Limit

Forks, Washington

The last bell of the day rang and my heart began beating at lightening speed once the sound vibrated throughout my body. It felt like the school's bell increased in volume and became more deafening for the last ring of the day. It was as if it rang, 'It's time'.

Time to meet up with Nixon.

The class rushed out of the room like their lives depended on it. I would be among that crowd if it wasn't for my nerves getting the best of me. It felt like my whole body was frozen as I stared at my opened notebook on my desk.

"Jesse?"

Mrs. Willow's voice echoed in my ears. Jesse? Jesse? Jesse? I heard the rather obnoxious sound of Mrs. Willow's heels approach my desk.  She tapped her pencil on my notebook, clearing her throat.

"Hey, Jesse, I would be more than welcoming for you to stay but I don't think that would make me a very good teacher if I abandon my student here while I go home and actually have a life."

She chuckled. I snapped out of the daze I was in and looked up to greet my favorite Psychology teacher with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Mrs. W. I...I just kind of lost track of time."

I lied. I let that lie seethe through my teeth as if it was second nature. I hated lying, especially to my respected elders, but something about Nixon just made me feel like I was in the shadows. Like I had to keep my interactions with this boy a secret.

Mrs. Willow raised an eyebrow at me knowingly. She was the one teacher I absolutely adored. She was interesting, filled with enthusiasm about the subject she was teaching, and genuinely cared about her students. Especially me, since I've taken her class since freshman year. We've grown quite accustomed to each other, spilling our guts out when we needed to. This woman was like my own psychologist.

Therefore, she knew I was lying.

"Do I want to know why you were almost drooling in my class today?"

I looked up at her with embarrassed eyes. I was almost drooling?

"Not really,"

I shrugged. I wanted to tell her everything about Nixon, but it would sound extremely weird. How in the world could I explain the pictures of him popping up in my head or how he was weirdly interested by 'Welcome' signs that he just stared at them?

I'm pretty sure those pieces of information would have her calling the police within the second. And that's no bueno.

"Is it a boy?"

"Well, yes."

I shrugged again, as if it wasn't a big deal. Because, it wasn't. Nixon meant nothing to me.

I casually gathered my belongings and finally stood up, facing my smirking teacher.

Oh, no. Smirking.

Smirking equals Nixon.

And that's no bueno.

"It's not like that,"

I quickly added, hoping she wasn't getting the wrong idea, but she couldn't help keeping the smirk in tact. She turned around and walked to her desk, talking as she maneuvered.

"I need a name. Is he in any of my classes?"

I sure hoped not.

"Uh, I don't know, actually."

"You don't know his name or if he's in my classes?"

I closed my eyes for a moment at the vague answer I responded with. Man, what has this kid done to me? I've never been like this about a boy before, ever.