From the Beginning Again

The Really Real Beginning

"'The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.' - Ralph Waldo Emerson" These words were written with other seemingly inspirational quotes on the wall of the front office.

I call bullshit. Sure this is a pretty quote and all, but it's honestly shit. The world is not all gates or oppurtunities, if it is then somebody better hand me the damn key because all the gates are locked and guarded by a troll that looked suspiciously like my mom. Please, I do not have the time to go on an epic journey to find said key and then solve meaningless riddles said by the troll only to figure out that the "oppurtunity" I was fighting for was just the ability to eat tacos for dinner. Don't get me wrong, I love tacos, but I can have tacos whenever.

Anyways, back to the plot. Here I was. Sitting in the front office of the school, icing my head and wishing for death, but not really. If I said something like that then I would be put on a stricter suicide watch than I already was, and I was not prepared for that. I was also waiting for my mom to come pick me up. I know it was only Monday and my first day back, but everyone was in unanimous agreement that I should go home. Crutches are a bitch anyway. I leaned back, closed my eyes and listened to the convesations around me.

There was an angry woman's voice, yelling at one of the secrataries. "Now I don't care what your computer says, I was told her transfer papers would be here today and she would be able to start school today. At the beginning of the day. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!" I honestly felt bad for the poor secratary. She did not get paid enough to deal with that, if fact no one did.Thankfully, before I lost it and went to give her a piece of my mind, a smaller voice interjected.

"No really, it's fine. Who wants to start school on a Monday anways? It really is fine, Mom. Okay?" she spoke so sweetly and tenderly to her mother, who honestly seemed like the rudest person in the world. She made me sick. Again thankfully, the secretary interupted before I could open my eyes and see just who would be the cause of my throw up.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. It seems as though I have you transfer papers but they were just misplaced. Elaina Thompson, welcome to Belleville High School. Now, you can go wait in there while we finish up some paperwork, and then you'll be on your way." the secratary spoke and then I heard footsteps puttering in my direction. You've got to be fucking kidding me...

"Hi! I'm Elaina." the small voice spoke from right in front of me.

"I know. You're new here. I'd reccomend leaving while you have the chance." I didn't even open my eyes while addressing her. "In fact, I'd reccomend leaving me alone until you have a chance for others to tell you to do the same."

"Why should I leave you alone?" I heard her take a seat right beside me, but I still didn't open my eyes.

"First of all, because I want you to. Second of all, it will drastically improve your wellbeing at this school if you do. So leave me alone." maybe my words were a bit harsh, but it actually would be better if she chose to leave me alone - for both of us.

"Ok, Mr. Rude-o Pants, I go out of my way to try and be nice to you, because you honestly look like you've been through some tough shit and I was just trying to be nice. I don't understand what's going on with you or why you're acting like an ass, but I don't need it, okay? Hell, I don't even know your name and you haven't even bothered to look at me, so please give me something other than your cryptic and depressing narative, because I don't need it." with that, she huffed and stood and walked away.

"Wait!" I called out, opening my eyes in the process.

Pause.

Yes, this is the Elaina. And yes, I was a total ass to her. And yes, we're at the part where I see her for the first time. I'm going to do my best to explain what went through my mind, but I can't guarentee it's going to be good. At all.

Continue.

Holy. Shitface. I was not expecting that. In my mind I had pictured someone dainty, small, very much like a porcelain doll. But boy, was I wrong. Her head whipped around, and she looked at me with eyes that were on fire, and I could tell I was about to get burned. The thing is, I wanted to get burned. She was taller than I expected, but still shorter than me. My jaw dropped open and I heard the ice pack I was holding to my head hit the floor. She was something else, alright. I probably stared into her eyes for a solid minute, but she stared back, nothing breaking the line that connected her soul to mine.

Finally, I broke the silence. "I'm Jackson." After I spoke it looked as though she fell out of a daze. She shook her head and gave a slight smile.

"Jackson. I like it." then she walked away. That day I learned something.

Your name always sounds better when it comes from the mouth of someone like that. Damn, my name had never sounded better.