Roses

7

"Hello River." I say and force a smile.
"What's wrong?" He looks concerned. I don't know him well, so I don't know why.
"Ugh. Hard math." I laugh and he rolls his eyes.
"It's not that hard. It gets easier." He shrugs and the teacher begins talking.
"Hello everyone! Welcome to accelerated math. I'm Mrs. Parkins, and I'll be with you all this year!" She smiles. Mrs Parkins has long bright red hair in a side braid with a green blouse and black skirt.
"Hi Mrs Parkins. " Everyone says, surprisingly not groaning. She must be a good teacher.
"So for today we will go down the desk rows and introduce ourselves by saying your name, and if you have any siblings." She smiles and looks to a girl in the front row.
"Hi! I'm Winnie and I have an older sister named Olive."
"I'm Hale and I have two younger brothers, Freddie and Danny."
The list goes on and ok until it gets to me.
"Hey I'm Graylee and I have a younger sister named Kenna." I say, surprisingly louder than I anticipated. Mrs Parkins smiles at me and looks at River.
"Sup, I'm River and I have a younger sister named Paisley." River shrugs and blanks out like I have again.
---
The sound of the intercom instructing us to go to our next class, which for eleventh grade is Science. My schedule says classroom 5 so I hurry down to the other hall and into the big lab. I sit at a table, big enough for two people. Luckily, Ridley is in the same class as me now. I put my books in the top left corner as Ridley hurries into the room and plunks herself next to me putting her books in the top right corner.
"Hey Gray. " she smiles as the teacher clears her throat. I give Rids a small wave.
"Hello students! I'm Ms. Gemma. Welcome to science! Today we will be filling out: and decorating-" she looks at the kids in the front row as they roll their eyes"- informs about yourself. You may talk with your table parter if you'd like to." She walks around handing out papers to everybody. I take mine and grab my colored pens out of my bag.
What's your name
Graylee
Do you have any pets
Yes, a dog named Charlie
Any siblings
Yes, a younger sister named Kenna
Hobbies
Photography
Any friends here
Okay that is an interesting question..
Yes
How long have you been at Belmont
This is my first year
Did you go anywhere for summer
I moved here from America
Have you seen the whole school grounds
I think so
The questions stopped there. I drew a small picture next to each question for my 'decoration'.
"When you finish, come out it in this basket in the front." Ms. Gemma smiles and I, as long as about twelve other kids stand up and file in a line to turn in our papers. Once I turn it in I see Ridley in line, but I still go sit down at my table and wait until the bell rings.
---
When the bell finally rings we are released to our lockers. I hurry to mine and put my books away and head to the cafeteria for lunch. I get in line and take a hotdog, an apple, a few carrots, and a soda. I walk to the table and sit down, Ridley close behind and Max already there.
"Hey Max." I wave as I sit down two seats to the left of him. Ridley sits in between us.
"Hi Gray." I eat my hotdog and I'm starting my carrots as Liddy sits to the left of me I wave to Liddy and Cody as they sit down. I eat my carrots and take a juicy bite of my apple when Ash and River sit down. Ash grins at me and I eat my apple anyway, trying not to blush. Lucas sits down and starts to converse with Cody. I sip my soda and quickly finish my apple. I await the bell to ring to hope to get myself a time away from Ash.
I have a crush. What is happening.
My realization was concerning, but I'll deal with it. It will be fine.
---
The bell finally rings and I rush to my locker to get my books. I grab them and slam the door and run up the staircase to English, hoping Ash isn't in my class. I come sit in the back right corner near the door. The teacher begins to talk.
"Hello I'm Miss De Ann. Welcome to English!" She seems about 28. "I'm so glad to-" The door opens.
Please don't be Ash. Please don't be Ash.
"Sorry Ma'am. My locker got stuck." The manly voice of Ashten Oakley echoes in my mind.
"It's alright" she trails off.
"Ashten." He smiles at her, I don't have to look at his face to know.
"Ashten. Please sit down next to the nice lady by the door." She smiles at him. Ash slides in next to me.
"Hello, Gray." He grins at me while whispering.
"Hello, Ash." I mumble. I focus on the teacher who has us fill out a book survey.
I fill it out blankly and turn it in, silently begging the bell to ring.
---
After what feels like forever, the bell finally rings. I hop up and dart down the hall to the History hall. I run into classroom 4 and sit down at a table that holds four people. Ridley runs in and sits next to me. River comes in and sits across from Ridley. Then, of course, Ash comes and sits across from me.
"Hello students. I'm Mr. Tellon." The teacher drones and decides to spend the whole period telling us about his life. Ash occasionally winks at me at Ridley seems amused with River. I realize Ash is probably a nice guy, but I'm easily annoyed with the winks. I don't know if it's flirting or joking, but I'd prefer neither.