If I Fell

Enrollment

Mrs. Weber has been talking non-stop about some charity event she's been planning since I opened the car door. I made a legitimate effort to listen for the first five minutes but with so many unfamiliar names and past events mentioned, it was impossible to keep up. That and I was still revelling over her transformation from coffee guzzling zombie to seemingly-tanned and energetic socialite. She only took a breath once we pulled into the schools parking lot.

"Well here we are. Forks High School, home of the Spartans," she roused. The low brick buildings surrounding us looked like anything but that. There were about six in all,  spread about in no particular pattern. Sidewalks with overhead protection connected them, making me think of how weird it'll be to have to change buildings just to reach my next class.

"Do you want to come with me or stay in the car?"

I shrugged indifferently. It's a saturday so the parking lot is empty except for a few cars, all of which are parked near us. I consider just staying there and turning on the radio but after a vision of some teacher ambling by and knocking on the window to talk and find out why I'm sitting in the Webers car, I decide not to. The awkwardness of being a stranger in a small town is already trying to settle itself my consciousness and the only way to fight it off is to face the general population head on.

The September air begins to seep through its way through my jacket as soon as my foot touches the asphalt. Luckily we'd parked close to the Administration office, so the chill didn't have a chance to reach my bones.

A little bell connected to the top of the door rings when we push it open. The smell of warm paper settles on my senses and I sigh contentedly. Our entrance alerts an old lady sitting behind the front desk.

"Oh, hello Mrs.Weber! What brings you here today? I hope Angela is alright," she says, a genuinely worried look on her face.

"No, nothing like that. I came to register Mika here for school. Mika this is Ms.Taylor," she replied, smiling encouragingly at me. Or at least I think its meant to be encouraging. She looks kinda nervous.

"Oh this is our Mika! Come over here dear and let me take a look at you!"

Okay, nervous it is. I step up to the counter to offer her a handshake and she damn near pulls me across it to give me a hug.

"It's so great to finally meet you! I know the Webers have been waiting for you to get here but there are plenty of other people excited about your arrival," she raved in my ear.

"I see you're one of them," I wheezed. This old woman, like every other one I'd met, was no where near as fragile as she appeared. I tried not to openly wince when she tightened her grip. After a few more words of excitement she released me. It felt like I needed to realign my spine.

"But let's get down to business dears. Have you got the paperwork?" After the exchange of some documents Mrs.Weber walked over to a little seating area beside the door I hadn't noticed before. Figuring she might need some help filling them out, I sit down one chair over. It's a fight because of a particularly leafy ficus looming beside it. After finding a position where only a few branches would stab me, I closed my eyes and tried to relax. The room was silent except for the sounds of pens scratching over paper and wind blowing through a lazily rotating fan in the corner of the office.

This is usually about the time the nervousness of entering a new school would have hit me a few years ago. Worrying about making new friends, fitting in, keeping up with the curriculum. I could have saved myself a lot of stress if I knew what I know now back then. That I don't need to worry about anyone else, about whether or not people liked me or if I'm at the top of the standings. As long as I can be satisfied with myself at the end of the day then I'm fine.

The little bell rang again, and all three of our heads turned to the door. The newcomer gave a quick nod to Ms.Taylor but did not notice us. He walked up to the desk a pulled a stack of flyers out of his bag, then began arranging them on the crowded space. Huge Skullcandy headphones swallow his ears and his head bobs along to the melody blaring from them. For a second I think I must be mistaken but I listen harder and then fight back a smile. What does this kid know about Charles Mingus?

"Mika, would you mind giving this to Ms.Taylor so she can make copies?"

I grab the paper laden clipboard from her. The kid must have been really in the zone because when I stepped around him to give Ms.Taylor the clipboard, he dropped all the flyers in his hands.

"Crap, you scared me," he gasps while removing his headphones. I guess he wasn't expecting a stranger because he froze up as soon as we made eye contact. Jelly Roll played on, its jaunty melody providing an odd soundtrack for the myriad of expressions that crossed his face faster than was recognizable.

"Sorry, let me help you with tha-"

"No it's alright, I should have been paying more attention. You don't have to do that," he exclaimed. I rocked back on my heels and watched him try to move the mess away from me while not mixing the papers together

"Oh dear, don't worry about him. He's just a little shy around girls, aren't you Jason?" Ms. Taylor teased.

I've never seen a blush spread so quickly across someones face. Jason averted his brown eyes and muttered something about tactless old ladies before standing up and shoving the flyers back onto the counter.

"My hearing is a lot better than you young people like to think. Now why don't you introduce yourself to Ms. Mika?"

His lips twitched in a way that suggested a comeback but he just sighed and turned towards me.

"Um, sorry. I'm Jason Cardinal, nice to meet you," he said, half sticking out a hand as if he wasn't sure he should. I hadn't noticed before but the tips of his dark hair are dyed a faded green.

"Nice to meet you too," I said shaking it, "I'm Mika Clanton."

"All right, everything seems to be in order. You'll start Monday and I'm sure Jason will be delighted to act as your tour guide until you get settled in," Ms. Taylor said, causing hime to give her a sharp look.

"How sweet, thank you Jason, " Mrs. Weber replied, shifting her purse higher up on her arm. "And you too Ms. Taylor. I'll see you at Zumba class wednesday night?"

They exchange a few words before we start for the door. I say a polite goodbye to Jason and he blushes, replying with a jerky wave.

I open the door and walk straight into a stone wall. At least that's what this guy's chest feels like. I'm about to tell him off when I take a look at his face and the words come out like baby-speak.

Gold and red and white make up his face. Gold eyes, only a few shades deeper than his immaculately swept hair. Red lips and lightly flushed cheeks that only an airbrush should be able to perfect. Skin so paperwhite it can't be real.

Something feels wrong.