One in a Million

Schedule

I walked to the wall that had our names posted to meet up with the teachers that had our schedules. I had a hard time getting through the pile of bodies but managed to push past them. I looked and looked but did not find my name. In a little caption I read: 

If you can not find your name for some reason or have any questions please go to the counselor's office. Thank you and have a wonderful first day back to school!   

All this walking was a pain in the ass...or should I say a pain in all of my body. The school was enormous even the seniors periodically got lost.  Every year back there was something new added and this was my third. I guess that the school board can always do something new when they had tons of money. Making my way to the counselor's office I thought I saw the guy that saved my life but realized it wasn't him when he talked. His voice was squeaky and raspy sort of like a rat that smokes day and night. It was nothing like his soothing sweet voice. 

When I got there I knocked on the door. "Mrs.Walk?" I asked clearing my throat. I tried to sound confident but failed.

"Yes, that's me, sweetie! What can I help you with?" she said all perky

"I couldn't find my name posted. I was hoping that you can help me figure that out." I said

"Oh, of course, I can and will!" she spun her chair to face her computer. "What's your name darling?" she asked pursing her lips. All of the nicknames she was calling me were starting to get on my nerve. If she was going to refer to me to something other than my name she can at least stick to one. I thought 

"Adeline Johnson," I said flatly. She typed in my name and a moment later said, "Alrighty here we go...you're a junior right?" she asked me

I was about to reply when I was interrupted by a knock at the door. I didn't bother to look at who it was, but when Mrs. Walk's face light up I knew it was someone important. I couldn't resist the temptation so I turned around and regretted it and  I quickly turned back around. I could feel myself turning red. I hoped that he didn't recognize who I was.

"Hey Mo-- Mrs.Walk. I need help finding room 362. I can't believe there hasn't been a single student who hasn't been able to find their way out." he said

"Hi, Aidan. If you haven't noticed by now I'm in the middle of helping Ms.Johnson." she gives me an I-know-that-he-knows-you're-in-here-and-I'm-sorry kind of look. She prints out my schedule and hands it to me. I hesitated and grabbed it. I quietly thanked her and tried to run out the room, but was stopped by Mrs.Walk. 

"Excuse me, Adeline, I couldn't but help notice that you have some classes with my son. Maybe if you would be so nice as into helping him find them. You know since you have been attending this school for three years now and since he is a new student. I would so much appreciate your help. It will be one less thing I will have to do." she tells me. Since, since, since. I don't know maybe I won't since I don't feel like it. 

"....um me?" I asked looking back at her

"You know I can find someone else outside if it's too much trouble," Aidan interjected

"No! I will do it Mrs.Walk." I quickly said not wanting to hurt her feelings

"Splendid!" she chirped

"Thanks once again Mrs.Walk...Aidan." I said as I finally walk out the door with Aidan behind me. My heart pounded and I knew that it was about time until he started to talk again. It's not like I minded it I was actually looking forward to it. Afraid of seeing right through me I avoided making eye contact with him. 

"Sooo, you're Adeline right?" he asked at an attempt of breaking the silence

"Yeah, that's me. Sooo, you're Aidan right?" I asked in return 

"Yeah, that's me."

"Cool."   

"Yeah."

"Totally."

"Yup."

"Uhm."

"Okay seriously?!" He asked and broke out into a laugh. Hearing him laugh took me by surprise I didn't know how to respond, but I started to laugh as well. It was really lame and embarrassing. "Okay how about actually talking to each other. Let's start with saying a little something about ourselves. Okay?"

"Okay, I guess. I'm Adeline Johnson. I'm a female and currently a junior."

"Oh. I know that already...I meant more about yourself as in the things that you like. I'll go. I'm Aiden Walk, I like to play sports and I'm afraid of roller coasters." When he finished talking I took a good look at him. Him playing sports was obvious. He was like a washboard!

"That's nice," I remarked hating myself even more

"Adeline?" Aiden asked moments later coming to a halt

"Yeah?" I stop as well and totally forgot about me not wanting him to look at my face. I can tell that something took him by surprise because he just looked at me blankly.

I cleared my throat and he snapped out of it. "You called me." I reminded him

"Oh sorry I just was taken by surprise that's all." He was still trying to recover. His soft brown eyes were still looking at something so I tried to follow them. I turned around but there was no one, no living thing that could've made him look at them this way, no one but me in front of him. I tried not to make anything of it. It was just my sixteen-year-old teenage brain playing tricks on me.

"Those are some nice lockers. Aren't they?" I joked

"No...I mean yeah they are pretty shiny, but no that's not it," he replied looking as if he was contemplating something.

"Oh okay then...well, if you don't have anything to say then we can start walking. The classroom is just upstairs." I quickly added

"Adeline..I'm sorry," he said in a low voice. I was wrong and a fool for thinking that he didn't recognize me. My heart started to race again and my words were starting to disappear.

"What for?" I asked playing dumb hoping he would drop it

"Please, Adeline don't play dumb with me." I was caught red handed. "You know what I'm talking about...you know about earlier this morning, it was you and I know it was." He talked to me as if we knew each other and had been friends.

"Me? What? When?" I choked out

He huffed and said,"I'm sorry if I upset you earlier. If I brought up bad memories I'm sorry." The words triggered the situation with my father. My knees felt weak and I felt as if I was going to faint.

"Oh my god! I'm sorry if I did it again. I shouldn't have brought it up." he said and took a step towards me. It almost seemed as if he knew that I was going to fall because he stuck out his hands a little but then pulled them back to his sides as I turned around and started walking.

"Don't worry 'bout it,"I said in a dark cold voice. I knew from that moment that we couldn't be friends even if there was the slightest chance. We couldn't because he would be yet another person I would have to lie to. I couldn't even if I wanted to and I did. Now I know why it is that I have no one to call a friend, but my sweet Lolly waiting for me at the place everyone should call home. I walked him to the classroom and told him I'll see him around. I avoided making any contact with him as much as possible, but he was persistent in getting me to open up. I had first period, second period and sixth period with him. My life got ten times harder. 

End of fourth period-

I walked out of the science lab and headed to the cafeteria. Once I got my food, which a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, I headed down to the field. I liked it because there was barely anyone around and I didn't have to worry about my manners. I was walking at a fast pace when I turned the corner and collided into someone. I screeched in pain when the hot soup spilled all over me. I could feel it burning my skin through my thin sweater.

"OHHH MYYY GODDD!!! I am so so so sorry!" I heard someone apologize like a madman. I heard Aiden. Even though I didn't see the person that did it right away I knew it was him. His voice was like no other.