Someone just tapped my shoulder and I turn around. ''Hey, ginger,'' says a blonde boy, who looks about the age of 17. ''Don't call me that. I'm Rose, like the flower,'' I say nervously. ''Are you a Freshman?'' I turn back around. ''Yes, I just moved here..." I hope he just stops talking to me. He answers, ''My name is Taylor, and your hair is very nice.'' I think twice about this kid. Maybe he is nice. Maybe he called me a ginger because it was his way to capture my attention. ''Thank you.''
The school is huge. The kids are huge. The classrooms are huge. The only person I know is Taylor so far, but he's not a Freshman. I manage my way through the busy halls to find my locker. I find it. Locker 1736. I put my things away and take my schedule and binders out of my bag and place it in my locker. Shoot. Lunch. I didn't pack my lunch because I was too caught up with reading my mother's note and getting ready. I wish I had brought money. Lunch isn't free. I will ask the lunch lady if I can pay her back tomorrow. I wonder if the food is good.
My first period is Science. The room was conveniently across from my locker. I walk into the room, unsure of where to sit. I am the last to class and everyone was looking at me. Mrs. McGrath didn't look too happy. She has short blonde hair and she's up there in her years. She said she'd take it easy on me the first day for tardiness. She had everyone sit in the back of the room to put us in an alphabetical order arrangement. ''Behind Rose Salvatore is Kylie Stevens.'' Some girls were giving me dirty looks. Kylie is a part of their clique. I'm in an Honors Biology class. Most girls on the first day try to find cute boys in their classes, but I'm just lucky enough to arrive to class on time. I have no time for immature guys.
''Hello everyone and welcome to your first year of high school. My name is Mr. Fallon and I will be your 9th grade World History teacher.'' This is second period. This man seems very nice already. He places me all the way toward the back of the room because of my last name. I haven't made any friends yet. It's only second period. Calm down, Rose. The teacher has beautiful brown, almond eyes. I'd say he's in his early 30's. ''Remember to bring back your History binders tomorrow,'' he says to the class. A girl to the left of me loudly shouts, ''Why do you keep staring at the teacher? You know, he's a teacher.'' Mr. Fallon looked up from his desk and at the class. The entire class is laughing. She looks stuck up and snobby. She's wearing a mini skirt and a crop top with Converse sneakers. Long blonde hair. I didn't even say anything. I just looked down, feeling ashamed. Mr. Fallon looked like he didn't know if it was a joke or a rude remark. I'm too shy to come back with something clever. Mr. Fallon didn't say anything, he looked confused and stressed. He witnessed the class get a kick out of her comment and then proceeded to do what he was doing before. The bell rang and the girl shoved me on the way out. I noticed this girl was also the girl who sits behind me in Science, Kylie. Part of the clique.
It's now lunchtime and I have no clue where to sit. I haven't made any friends here because everyone already knows each other from middle school, being native to this area. There's no way I'm introducing myself to a group of girls. Or boys. ''Move it. You can't just stand in the middle of the line and not move forward.'' I turn around and I see it's Kylie's group. There's 6 of them. I only know Kylie. I roll my eyes and walk forward. ''Pizza please,'' I say ''And water.'' ''Would that be it?'' ''That's all,'' I respond. ''$2.00 please.'' Great. The clique is here to hear me ask if I can bring in my money tomorrow. ''Would it be okay if I brought in the money tomorrow? I forgot my money. First day of school, new city. I'm sorry.'' The lunch lady looks okay with it. ''Sounds okay honey, just make sure you don't forget.'' I hear the girls making comments, I just walk away and sit at an empty table.
I nibble on my pizza and sip my water, which is a struggle to swallow because I'm so nervous and I hate being here. The clique is on the other side of the cafeteria. I hear footsteps approaching and try not to look out of the corner of my eye to see who it is. ''Rose, why are you sitting all alone?'' It's Mr. Fallon. ''Uh, Mr. Fallon, I-I don't really know anyone here... I just moved here from New Hampshire and I am shy.'' I wonder how he already remembers my name. Probably my hair. He sits down beside me. ''Is it okay if I sit with you? I wouldn't want you to sit all by yourself.'' I'm in disbelief. ''That's fine with me, Mr. Fallon.'' He smiles sweetly at me. ''I heard what one of the girls said today in my class second period. That wasn't very nice.'' I look down. ''Yeah, I just looked at you and she expanded it into something more,'' I say shyly. ''That's okay, Rose. I will see you tomorrow, and if you ever need anything, help or just someone to talk to, let me know. I'm here.'' This feeling of connection and hope and positivity runs through me. ''Okay.''
The day is finally over. I go to my locker and get all my things and head for the bus. I see Taylor. I try not to make it obvious I want to sit near him. ''Hi Rose. Did you get lost?'' I feel lost. ''Kinda.''
I come home and place my bag on the couch, beside my father who is looking at naked women in a magazine accompanied by a beer on a coaster beside him. ''How was school?'' I roll my eyes. ''It was fine.'' He laughs. ''Your mother's home, so go bother her if you want dinner," my father says, as he begins to light up a cigarette. I held my tongue. He wants no part of me. I go upstairs and find my mother in her room, reading a book. She looks up from her book. ''Rose, how was your first day?'' I sit down beside her. ''It was fine.'' ''That's good. Got nice teachers? Friends?'' I look at her, ''I like Mr. Fallon and Ms. Harrison. Mr. Fallon's History and Ms. Harrison's English. I have not made friends, Mom, it's only my first day.'' Then I remember. Taylor. ''But I met this kid on the bus named Taylor. He seems pretty chill.''
I fall asleep to the thought of Mr. Fallon. He is sort of cute even though he's older. I find him attractive all around. Then I think of my father. I compare the two and actually discover I tend to like my own teacher that I just met on the first day of school better than my father who I've known my whole life. But who can blame me?
YOU ARE READING
Temporary
RomanceRose moves to a new area and doesn't know anyone. She's shy and isn't good at making friends. She feels her father causes her to feel so depressed and lonely. She doesn't like the fact people come and go in life, and there's nothing you can do to st...
