Try Hard | L.H.

1. New School

*Elle POV*

Another day of new school. I walked awkwardly behind Mr. Clark, the principal, a man in his late forthy with slim figure but bloated tummy, really thick black hair that looks like been brushed 50 times at least today and really thick black mustache that also looks like have been brushed couple times. He finally stopped at the second room at our left side on the west wing of the school. He knocked the door twice and open the door, he walked inside and invite me to go inside as well. My first class today is English, which is alright, I hope it was math but we can’t always get what we want. “World is not a wish granting factory” John Green wrote, and he’s absolutely right.

I walked inside looking at my English teacher, who is a young woman, maybe in her late twenty. Long red hair, big blue eyes, she’s pretty tall maybe almost 6 foot. She’s really pretty.

“Marielle, this is miss Frederick, your English teacher” Mr. Clark said. I nodded giving her a slight smile. I don’t like getting called Marielle, make me sounds so old. She give me a big smile that show me her shining white teeth.

Mr. Clark whispers something to her ear, she nodded in understanding. He pulled back his head, she smiled at him and I can see a slight change in his face, he cleared his throat then look down. Damn, he’s blushing. Although who can blame him, she’s hot. He excuse himself then get out of the room.

“Shh guys, we got new friends. Now shut up and listen,” miss Frederick said to the students. Right students, I forgot there’s other people here. “Well, Marielle do you mind telling us something about yourself? We were talking about public speaking, so please give us a good example of introducing yourself,” she said still smiling that one million dollars of her. Fucking crap, I’ve done this like hundred times before but it’s still nerve racking. You got this, you do this and you’ll be fine for the year. Slowly, I turn my body to face the other students. They all look pretty much the same than other people I’ve met. There’s no point of remembering their face either.

“Hmm... My name is Marielle. Hmm... but you can call me Elle,” I said looking at them. They look like they don’t care. Why the fuck I’m even doing this if they don’t give a crap. I don’t know what else to say, so I look at miss Frederich who’s staring at me. “Hmm... what else do I need to explain?” I asked.

Miss Frederick just open her mouth about to say something, a guy said, “just tell us your bra size.” Everyone in the room laugh. I rolled my eyes, there’s always a guy who think they’re funny when they’re not.

“Michael, ditention 30 minutes after school,” miss Frederick said. I look to this guy Michael, who has a purple and black hair, thick red lips, really pale skin, big green eyes, he’s so pretty as a guy. He doesn’t look sorry at all he’s still looking amused.

“Tell us what you like dear, like hobby and stuff,” miss Frederick said.

“Hmm... I don’t know. I like to read and listen to music,” I said. I really just want to sit down.

“What kind of music?” this time Michael is the one who asked me.

I squint my eyes then answered, “Indie, rock, pop.”

“Really??! I love that kind of music as well, but much to punk rock. Have you heard any punk rock song?” he said looking so excited with his eyes widen and beaming.

“Hmm... I don’t know. Maybe,” I said looking pretty shocked about his change of behavior.

“Oh, man you should hear it, I mean it’s si—“ he said passionately, he looks like a salesman who’s trying to sell you a set of pan.

“Okay Michael, calm down. You’re more excited than honey boo-boo when she looks at a pile of cupcakes,” mocked miss Frederick. Everyone start to make the pfft sound, some even laugh. I don’t find it funny. “You can sit down now, Elle. Take the sit next to Calum,” she said while pointed her chin to this Asian guy. I thought she’s gonna torture me for another hour, my knees are going weak. I walk to my seat next to this Calum guy, in front of him is Michael. I finally sit down and I can see from the corner of my eyes that Calum looking at me. I pretend I didn’t know and look at miss Frederick.