She Walks the Halls

In Which They Meet

Adley stared at the clock for what seemed like hours, yet it was only around five minutes. This class dragged on for a forever that was multiplied by infinity. The teacher droned on and on and on. All Adley wanted to do was go home. She wanted to be alone.

The universe answered her silent prayer as the bell rang. Students raced out the class, trampling Adley in the process. She fell with a smack as her knees were crushed against the floor, books spilling across the hall. Adley blew a piece of hair out of her eyes for it to only flutter back down as she picked up her books. As she reached for her book she got from her grandma, a hand reached out and picked it up.

Adley looked up to see a girl with dark, curly hair that poofed out in all directions. Her face was clear and her eyes golden brown. Her smile looked like she was mid-laugh, baring her white teeth. Then there was her ski slope nose. She had a perfect little sapphire septum piercing to finish up her beautiful face. Her features were sharp and skin smooth, but the dimples were her most perfect imperfections.

"Hello? Dude, do you want your book or not?" Her voice was sweet like honey and milk. The sound of it made her forget that she just stared at this kind girl.

Adley quickly snapped out of it and blushed. She took the book and tried to walk away without embarrassing herself again. She hugged her things tightly to her chest and avoided eye contact.

"Hey! Come back!" she called.

Adley's eyes widened as she realized that goddess was talking to her. She turned slowly to face her.

"I asked you if you were okay?"

Adley nodded.

"Oh, okay. I'm new here, what your name?"

"Oh, um, I'm-uh... M-my name's Adley," she stammered.

"Adley. Cute name. I'm Simone. Hey, aren't you in my math class?"

"Maybe."

"Well, I'll see you around."

Adley nodded and pivoted one hundred eighty degrees and marched away. If her whole body hadn't gone numb after seeing her, she'd noticed that her face was burning red.

Perhaps this year wouldn't be so bad.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My first day at the new school was a cakewalk. It wasn't for everyone, though. Walking out of my class, I saw a girl get pushed and drop all her things. I was right there so I got down to hand her her last book.

"Hey, are you okay?" I kneeled down.

No answer. She stared at me for a second, which gave me good look at her deep, green eyes.

"Yo! Emily Dickinson, huh?" I picked up the book, eyeing the cover. She kept staring. I returned the favor. I eyed the curve of her upper lip, the way the same strand of hair fell in her face no matter what, the sad droop of her bright eyes while she was lost in thought.

"Hello?" She snapped out of it, "Dude, do you want your book or not?" she blinked hard and reached for her book. Her fingers briefly brushed mine as the book was released from my hand. She tried to get away a fast as possible. She left so quickly, I never caught her name.

"Hey! Come back!" She stopped dead in her tracks. She turned to face me. I made my way up to her and I got just close enough to look her in the eyes. God, I can't forget her eyes.

"I asked you if you were okay?" she wore a permanent timid look on her face as she nodded.

"Oh, okay. I'm new here, what your name?"

She stuttered through her name. Adley. A name to match her looks. It was honestly adorable as she struggled to get out her name, but once she did, I was completely entranced by her voice.

I introduced myself. Trying to break the tension, I asked is she was in any classes or whatever. She still spoke in one word answers and avoided my eyes. I gave up, hoping I'd see her again around school. She said goodbye (well, nodded though I asked no question) and turned on her heels. She kept walking quickly, evading students through the halls, to get to her locker. I hated seeing her going. I'd never tell her this, but I loved watching her leave.

Perhaps this year wouldn't be so bad.