The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 14 - School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell)

Marty walked through the doorway with his head down and eyes on the floor, his hands shoved in his pockets.  Jess watched him turn and walk towards the back of the room, willing him to look up and see her, but he didn't.  The dark haired girl caught her eye as he walked past, perhaps thinking Jess was looking at her, and gave her a small smile.  Jess smiled back and then faced forward, trying to decide what to do.  She had an overwhelming urge to turn around.  She wanted to see him, and she wanted him to see her, to know she was there.  She wondered if now that he was seated, he'd spotted her.

A man in a black suit walked in and peered around the room, giving stern looks at the students who were talking loudly until they quieted before sitting at the desk.  Then a crackling noise came from a round speaker set in the wall next to the clock and after some fumbling, Principal Petersen's voice began welcoming the students to another school year. 

While he read through a list of announcements about different sports and clubs, Jess turned her head as far as she could without moving her body, trying to find Marty, but she only saw other students who were all staring at her curiously.  Facing forward, she could feel her face flush.  

The secretary she'd seen in the office walked in the classroom and handed the teacher papers, saying, "New class lists, Mr. Miller."

"Oh?" he said, squinting back and forth between two sheets she'd handed him.

"We had a late enrollee."

"Oh, alright," he said, laying them on the desk.

When Principal Petersen finally finished, the teacher cleared his throat and everyone looked at him expectantly. 

"I'm Mr. Miller, your homeroom teacher," he said loudly.  "Some of you may also have me for social studies.  As I read your names, please answer."

Jess smiled as she realized that if Marty didn't know they were in the same homeroom yet, he would when her name was read.

"Sharon Allen."

"Here," said the dark haired girl sitting next to her.  Jess looked over and they smiled at each other.

"Robert Baker."

"Here," said a boy in the front row.

"Jessica – Blackwell?" Mr. Miller said hesitantly, looking up with surprise.  It had been quiet in the room already, but it suddenly seemed much quieter, as if everyone had stopped breathing.

"Here," Jess said, raising her hand slightly, and then let it drop as every single student except Janet turned to stare at her.  Even Sharon scrutinized her, looking confused, and Jess gave her a reassuring smile. 

"I wasn't aware there was more than one Blackwell attending this school," Mr. Miller said levelly, getting her attention.  "Are you related to Doug Blackwell?"

"Yes, sir.  He's my cousin," Jess replied, and there was a tightening in his expression.

"I see," he said quietly.  His eyes dropped down to the other class list lying on his desk before he focused on the one in his hand and Jess felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.  She now knew she was in his social studies class, and he wasn't happy about it. 

"Louise Brooks," he continued. 

Jess turned to Sharon, hoping to connect with someone sympathetic, but Sharon faced straight ahead with her mouth set in a firm line, refusing to look at her. 

"Martin Cappellini."

"Here." 

Jess's heart skipped a beat, hearing Marty's familiar voice behind her.  Martin Cappellini. He's Italian, she thought, and smiled to herself.  She'd never known that about him.  She repeated his name, rolling it over in her mind while the teacher read through the rest of the class list.  By time he'd said, "Janet White," Janet barely got out her 'here' before the bell rang.  Jess stood and turned to the back of the room, hoping to see Marty.