Pencils

Chapter One

My eyes were glued to the clock as I shifted in my uncomfortable plastic chair, it slowly ticked and eachtick seemed more painful than the last as if the world knew I wanted out of my boring science class. Tick, tick, tick. Each individual one drove me insane, I began to tap my foot and nibble on my bottom lip. The trance I was in was broken by some guy behind me tapping my shoulder, I turned and glared at him.

"Can I borrow a pencil or something, mine broke." He quietly said.

Why did he need a pencil when we literally had five minutes of class left especially we didn't even have to take notes today? "No get your own." I sharply replied turning away but not before I saw a trace of hurt pass over his face and through his grey eyes. I twisted the ring on my middle finger, I felt a little bad maybe I shouldn't have been such an ass, he was just asking for something to write with. Mentally shaking my head I pushed those feelings away I couldn't let my gaurd down not again, the moment I did people would attack me and stomp all over me more than usual. I'd rather be strong and cold than weak and nice. I barely heard the bell ring, slowly I put my things away as everyone rushed and scrambled like ants to get to the next class, by the time I was fully packed the room was empty and it was only me. Well me and the pen guy who was talking to the teacher. I pulled my bag over my shoulder and proceeded to walk out into the madness also known as the hallway my teacher stopped me.

"Taryn, come here please." He said pleasantly waving me over as if I were an old friend.

I groaned but dragged myself over. "Yes Mr.Simmons?" Although he was the only teacher I got along with I wanted to leave.

"This." He gestured to the black haired boy. "Is Callum, he's new and needs to be shown around. I already checked and your last three classes lined up wih his." He handed me a hall pass.

I glared at the floor but managed a quiet "That's great." And anything else would've gotten me detention for sure. "Come on we gotta go." I turned on my heels and walked out annoyed with the whole damn world I was hoping that if I walked fast enough I could lose him in the maze. Unfortunately he caught up with me and we walked through the deserted hallways and out to the portables where of course it started to pour rain. I really started to begin to hate life a little more.

"Oh. Its raining." Callum said almost sounding mystified.

What the hell? He is acting as if he's never seen water fall from the sky. "Yeah, welcome to Seattle Washington where it rains all year." We walked into the spacious classroom and it grew quiet I hung my head down, my fiery red hair was soaked from the heavy rainfall and I could already hear the cruel snickers from some girls. Gripping the limp soggy pass in my hand I handed it to Ms.Rowl who didn't even look up at me let alone acknowledge my prescence. I turned but before I walked away I pushed Callum towards her as if he were a sacrifice mumbling I told her "This is the new kid." I shuffled to my seat and noticed the seat to my left was empty today I sighed I wish Hailey were here today.

"Well class this is Callum, he is from Arizona which is a really big change! It must be so different." Ms.Rowl smiled cheerfully.

"Uh yeah." He smiled slightly and flattened his hair. "The rain and the people were a bit unexpected." His eyes met mine briefly before looking away.

The teacher clapped her hands and started to speak in this fake voice she uses often. "Well go ahead and sit in any open seat, today we are only sketching whatever comes to mind to excercise your imagination."

I glanced up to see a few girls eargly smile and ogle at him in hopes he would sit next to them, probably so they can sink their thirsty claws into him. Rolling my eyes at their desperation I returned to drawing, each line connected to another until it formed a wilting rose, much like how I feel. A chair scraped against the floor accross from me, no I know for a fact he didn't just sit at my table. Please please please I silently begged not him. Slowly I lifted my eyes from my sketchbook and there he was, sitting in front of me pulling out his own art supplies. I could feel the death glares from most girls in the room I didn't dare to turn around and look because I didn't want to see the hate.
Callum was drawing his hand danced gracefully across the paper, his tan features morphed into a concentrated look as he stuck his tongue between his teeth and scrunched up his dark eyebrows. He caught me staring, I'm ninety percent sure about that, even as I quickly pretended to be working. Damn. Annoyed with myself I abruptly stood and walked to the bathroom maybe some time alone would help. The bathroom was empty as usual nobody came to the "scary" dingy bathroom except for me, I stared at my reflection in the murky mirror and realized I looked like crap almost as if I had been aged by ten years. I dabbed my neck with a cold damp paper towel. Ignore Callum, ignore him give it a few days and he'll be hanging out with his own crowd. Once I felt a wave of serenity wash over me I went back to class walking at a snails pace. Upon reaching the door way I saw Lydia, the school whore or most popular girl, leaning over my table full breast flashing Callum. I tried to backpeddle out of there but he saw me and shot me a pleading look.