The Awakening

Chapter 3

Kaydra was kind enough to walk me to my first hour, which was chemistry. I walk in behind a ginger after Kaydra left to go to her class. The five minute bell rings and the ginger in front of me sat down in the desk in the corner. He sees me then, a smile lights up his face. I smile in return. He waves me over to take the seat in front of him. I walk over and sit in the blue chair connected to the desk.

"You're new," he smirks. I turn in my seat to see his arm extended over his desk and now hanging over my knee.

"No, I'm Ruby," I joke.

He understands and laughs. "Nice. I'm Leo,"

I nod. A second passes before he says something so I start to turn and he grabs my shoulder. I duck away and turn around.

"I hear we're getting a class project and we gotta divide into groups of two...wanna be my partner?"

Flattered by his request, I agreed. I didn't even know if he'd actually contribute, but I guess he didn't know if I would or not either. He gets out his phone. "You have a phone?" I nod. "What's your number?" He types in my name and number, finishing with a smile. I feel my back pants pocket vibrate. He laughs as I pull out my phone with one new notification lighting up the front screen. I unlock it and see it's obviously from Leo.

"You look great today," The text said.

I add his number to my contacts list. I thanked him verbally and he said "Any time, hun." then the class started.

"Good morning, class" I turned in my seat and faced the teacher. He was wearing a blue sweater vest, which should belong on someone three sizes smaller than he. His hair was white, yet had a full head of hair. "Today we're starting a project-" a few people groan, "Now, now, this one will be fun... and you can pick your own partners"

He handed out the rubric out to the front row and they took one and passed it back. I gave Leo his, he yanked it out of my hand jokingly. I roll my eyes as I swallow my giggle.

In a nutshell, the project was makes the three states of water. We have to use creative ways to project the states, while being neat and simplistic. Leo nods at me, hinting that we can do this with no problem. I think I'm starting to develop a liking to Leo.

"The project's due in two weeks, we should get started on brainstorming for it." He tells me after class.

I join him standing, replying as we walk to the door. "Yeah... should I go over to your house after school? We just moved in and there are still boxes everywhere-"

He laughs, "You can just come over to my house."

"I'll text you after school so we can meet up somewhere." I exit the classroom, entering the crowded hall way.

"Sounds good,"

I tell him good bye and we go our separate ways. I head to the music hallway that Kaydra showed me this morning. After looking at the room numbers on a few doors I found the orchestra room. I open the door, cold air hitting me in the face. I instantly get goose bumps.

I see a girl in a navy blue jacket sitting where I imagine the second violins are seated. I start towards her, to ask if she knows where the teacher is, but he walks out of his office and into me. I stumble sideways a little and he grabs my arms and steadies me. I pull from his grip more violently then I intended. My face flushes.

"You must be Ruby," Mr. Fields says to me, ignoring my rudeness.

I nod, fidgeting with my dress's length.

He extends his arm to the first violin section, smiling warmly. "Find a seat; we don't have chairs for this concert. Go ahead and put your stuff down and come see me in my office." He smiles, then returns to his office, as if he was afraid of the room outside of it. I set my stuff down, noticing out of the corners of my eyes that the girl was looking at me. Other kids were walking in and noticing me too. I go to Mr. Fields office, sitting in the chair in front of his paper scattered topped desk. He had a few pieces of music.