"...Hartridge is the premier school for the formation of academically exemplary students..."
I mechanically recite our school's mantra, plastered with a feigned tone of enthusiasm.
At the end of recitation of the school slogan, everyone releases their sighs of relief and slumps in their chair.
Back in this rigid school after two months for the summer break.
"Good morning, class."
In walks our new chemistry teacher, in 3-inch-high fuchsia heels, a black pencil skirt, and a plain white polo. She had brunette hair, neatly arranged into a bun, and cherry lips. She looked like she was in her late 20's.
"My name is Miss Paige and I will be replacing Mr. Rodney as your chemistry teacher for this year." she announces, full of poise and grace.
The class grunts in unison, scrambling to get their notebooks and pens from the lockers outside the room.
Twenty minutes into the class, I start drifting off, the class melding into an indistinguishable blur of sounds. I start imagining a year from now, when I graduate from this horrid school. I fantasize about the freedom, no more reciting the school slogan every morning, no longer needing to eat the synthetic food they have in the cafeteria, no more---
"Uh, yes, you, in the gray jacket."
I slowly look down at my apparel.. Yup.. I'm wearing a white halter top... And a gray jacket.
I slowly stand up, dawning a smile of resignation. "Yes, Miss Paige?"
"We were just discussing the periodic table and its elements. Care to name the first five?" She raises her right eyebrow, aiming to intimidate me.
"Oh.. uhm.. hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium... And boron..?" I utter, filled with pride for having answered her question.
"Hmm.. Well, that's correct. What is your name?" She asks, placing a hand on her waist and furrowing her brow.
"My name is Candela." I say with a cautious smile.
"Well, Candela, I believe we'll be getting to know each other well this year." She says in a neutral tone, walking back to her desk. Her heels hitting the tiles with a loud, rhythmic cluck, cluck, cluck.
The bell rings, as if signaling a chaotic school year to come.
YOU ARE READING
Valence
RomanceCandela is a senior from Hartridge, eager to graduate and leave the school for good. Candela expects the year to be just like any other year, boring and insignificant. She couldn't be more wrong. In this novel, romance will unfold, exploring regret...
