Ocean Eyes . Jonathan Brandis

Seven

After we follow where everyone was going, we find the gymnasium. It wasn't too packed, just with sophomores; we knew or have seen most of them. "A through L is over there. I guess I'll see you two later. Hopefully we'll have classes together," I tell them as I pointed to a table where there was a good amount of people lined up.

They give me a sympathetic smile before we parted. I get in line behind a girl I didn't know. She looked as if she were from the neighboring junior high.

She turns her head to me noticing someone had gotten in line behind her.

"Hi," she smiles to me, with hope of making a new friend. "Hi," I reply in politeness but also confusion.

"Lisa Hankins, I'm from Morris Junior High," she introduces herself and holds her hand out. I didn't want to be rude, especially since she seemed nice.

"Grace, Oak Grove," I say simply not wanting to engage in conversation. My enthusiasm really said it all and how I ignored the handshake.

Her smile faded as she realized I wasn't looking for a new friend. It was her turn now.

I honestly felt bad for being so unfriendly. She looked over her schedule as the person took my name.

She was just about to leave before I decided to re-acknowledge her. "Lisa! Wait up," I said grabbing my schedule and catching up to her. She notices me and smiles.

"Sorry. It's just the first day back and I'm really upset that summer is over," I make an excuse for my unpleasant behavior.

"Oh I understand. I was just hoping to make a new friend, I haven't seen that many people I know. Most of the students here are from Oak Grove, as you are," she says as we walked down the not so chaotic hallway.

"Well, you now have one more friend," I smile.

"Thank God, I thought I was gonna be the weird loner kid," she says overjoyed.

"You're gonna make more friends, I know it," I laugh at her.

"Who do you have for your first period?" She asks me.

"Mr. Moreau," I say studying my schedule.

"Me too!" She says with excitement. This girl had a lot of energy for it being 8:30 on a Monday morning.

We find our class and take seats beside each other. We watch as others occasionally walk in and do the same.

I was turned around in my seat talking to Lisa, when someone says my name. I turn and see Jonathan. I was more shocked than I should've been.

"Hey," he forces a smile. "Jonathan," was all I could manage to say.

"Looks like we're in the same class," he says sitting down.

"Looks that way," I manage to get out.

Before the awkward silence could begin, Lisa speaks up. "Uh Grace? Aren't you gonna introduce me to, Jonathan was it?" She gives me a look.

"Oh, sure. Jonathan, this is Lisa," I rush not really caring.

"Hi," she smiles to him. He glances at her and gives her a polite smile before looking back at me, almost apologetically. I look down, not wanting to look into his eyes, because if did, I'd probably lose any sanity that still remained in this moment. He still had that effect on me, I don't understand why, but he did.

"So I expect you two know each other from junior high?" Lisa asks aloud.

"Yea," Jonathan says after I don't answer.