Hold On

Chapter Two

Class passes quickly and before I know it I’m sitting in my usual spot in the cafeteria waiting for Annabelle. I look down at my food and look up at everyone around me. I suddenly don’t feel hungry. I take small sips on a juice box and look around for Annabelle. I scan the area and find her sitting with the drama kids. She catches me staring at her and she excuses herself from the table and walks over to me.

She puts her books on the table and sits down across from me. “Sorry Rose, I was just rehearsing. You should totally come watch us sometime.” Annabelle says. “You know, get you out and meet new people.” She smiles.

I look up at her and roll my eyes. “Sure, I’d love to,” I say sarcastically.

“You know what Rose, you really need to give people a chance. Stop thinking you’re invisible. Get out and meet new people.” Annabelle snaps.

I nod. There is no use arguing, she is right.

I look around the cafeteria for people I could get to know. As I look around the area my eyes fall onto the new guy. He looks lonely sitting by himself. He looks down at his hands and looks at his phone every few seconds to keep himself occupied. He looks up in my direction and I quickly turn away. Annabelle looks at me strangely.

“I swear that new guy has been staring at you all lunch,” She says. I laugh awkwardly and look down at my hands. “What’s his name anyway?” I ask anxiously.

“One of the drama kids said his name is Harry,” She says.

I nod and look over at him again. Two of the popular girls in my grade are talking to him. He smiles and looks at the ground, avoiding making eye contact with the girls.

“He seems cute,” I say to Annabelle.

Annabelle shrugs. “He doesn’t seem like my type.”

I open my mouth to ask what exactly her type is but the sound of the bell cuts me off. Everyone slowly gets up and starts to walk out of the cafeteria. I pick up my backpack and swing it over my shoulder. I say goodbye to Annabelle and walk to history class.

I walk into History and sit down in my usual seat in the middle row. I pull my notebook out of my bag and click my pen ready to write. My history teacher, Mrs Coleman writes something on the board and swings around on her heel and smiles at the class.

“Good afternoon class, before we start the lesson I have the pleasure of presenting someone to you.” She smile extra brightly and I think the class is a little confused.

The new boy, Harry walks awkwardly to the door and Mrs Coleman gives Harry a warm smile. “I would like to introduce Harry to our class.” She says.

The new guy, Harry walks into the classroom and our eyes meet. We hold gazes for a second, Harry looks away and Mrs Coleman guides him to his seat which happens to be right in front of me. My heart starts to beat abnormally fast and I feel a little light-headed. Harry puts his bag down and sits down. He runs his fingers through his hair and opens his notebook. I can smell his cologne and it puts me in a dreamy mood.  Mrs Coleman starts to talk about Britain during the Middle Ages but my mind becomes cloudy and won’t let me concentrate. I keep staring at the back of Harry. He sits completely still, occasionally writing something down in his notebook. He runs his fingers through his thick curly hair almost every five seconds. I find him mesmerising and beautiful. The way he simply moves puts me in a trance. I sit there staring at the back of him for what seems like forever. I suddenly snap out my dreaming state and turn back to reality. Mrs Coleman is ordering the class into pairs for a project. I still haven’t been paired yet and it looks like Harry hasn’t either. Harry looks around for a partner and notices I don’t have one. My heart does a triple backflip. I start to feel sick. The world spins around me too quickly. Mrs Coleman walks over to me and asks me something. I don’t hear what she says but I nod anyways. I try to calm myself down and I take deep breaths. I look at my hands and realize they are shaking.