In the Beginning

Chapter 2

When the seventh period bell rang, Addie rose from her seat quickly, gathering her books and trying to get past the rush of frantic students. It didn't work, and two guys knocked her to the ground of the hallway as they ran past, calling to their friends about a party this weekend. She swore under her breath, attempting to gather her scattered folders as people trampled on them.

Someone in combat boots stooped down to help. Addie looked up in surprise. It was the tall girl from this morning, who Hazel had bumped into. Her hair was the color of rust, parted deeply and flowing down her back. She reminded Addie of a fox, with her heart-shaped face and large brown eyes.

"Hi,' said the girl with an unsure grin. "I'm Ro. The kids at this school are kind of dicks about bumping into people, aren't they?"

Addie laughed. It startled her, the laughing - she couldn't remember the last time she laughed with a person. "Yeah, I guess they are."

Ro handed her dirty folders over. "And you are...?"

"Addie," she said, after a moments hesitation. "I - um - I have to go, meet up with a teacher." She hugged her folders to her chest, before dashing off. Stealing a glance behind her, she saw Ro standing alone, looking disappointed at Addie's sudden departure.

Addie slowed down as she rounded the corner, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. That had been really awful, the way she had...run off like that. Addie cursed herself silently.

And you wonder why you don't have friends.

The door to Mr. Irvin's office was open a crack, pale wood with a brassy doorknob. Addie peeked in the empty classroom, and her eyes widened at the scene before her. She never, ever would have expected this of him. But maybe it wasn't him who initiated it.

Mr. Irvin was pressed up against his desk by a girl, seeming stunned. It was a cheerleader, Addie was sure of that. He gently tried to push her away, but she wouldn't have it. The girl fisted a hand in his shirt and tugged him closer, before forcefully kissing him on the lips.

A strong current of air blew past Addie, ruffling her hair. The door slammed wide open, as papers flew wildly around the room, and the lights flickered on and off. Mr. Irvin struggled to push the cheerleader away again, and most likely would have succeeded, if a strong gust of wind didn't tug her back first. The girl's light brown hair swirled around her face as she was knocked flat to the floor, gazing up at her teacher with frightened eyes. Mr. Irvin looked at a loss for words, staring at her in horror.

"You shouldn't have - I didn't - "

"Stay away from me," she spat, voice trembling. "I take it back, I don't want a better grade anymore."

Mr. Irvin looked furious. "I wasn't going to give it to you anyways. That was wrong of you Allie, you're my student, you shouldn't - "

"Kiss teachers for an A?" Allie glared at him. "I've done a lot more for a letter grade less."

Addie ducked behind the door as the cheerleader stormed out of the classroom, stuffing papers in her slouchy purse. Addie waited until she was out of sight, and then a couple minutes more while Mr. Irvin straightened up the classroom and flicked the lights back on. Finally, she braced herself, walking in.

Mr. Irvin looked apprehensive at first. His expression faded to relief as he realized it was Addie. "Oh, that's right. I told you to come in today, didn't I?"

"Yes," said Addie, clutching at her folders like they were a security blanket. "Um - something about the report on A Brave New World?"

"Right, yeah," Mr. Irvin said, seeming flustered. He went over to his desk and searched through the pile of disorganized papers. Addie watched him with clear hazel eyes, watched the way his navy tie hung loosely off his chest, his hair messy, lips pink and kiss swollen. He looked so young, almost as young as a kid from her grade. Cold sunshine fell in through the windows, illuminating him like a beacon. Damn. She could understand why that Allie girl would want to...