Vanilla Girl

B l a c k - C h e r r y

IT'S BEEN A WEEK since the hair incident and luckily nobody has brought it up again.

Well, nobody except Justin, of course.

One of his best and worst traits is his honesty. Really, his mouth has no filter. He is always blurting whatever is on his mind without thinking about the consequences.

I remember on freshman year I wore an olive-green hoodie to school. My grandma in England had sent it to me for my thirteenth birthday. The moment I cut the tape, opened the delivered box and saw green, I squeaked.

I loved it.

I spent all day admiring it every time I passed by a mirror, looking this way and that, trying different hairstyles to see wich one fit best. However, Jason was waiting at my locker when I showed up to school the following day. The first thing that came out of his mouth was: 'What the hell are you wearing Adie? You look like a Grinch.' Then, as if he hadn't just shattered my heart, a big smile spread across his face and he pulled me into a hug, 'Happy Birthday!'

Needless to say, I never wore that hoodie again. I think it might still be hidden at the back of the bottom shelf of my drawer.

And then he wonders why he's still single.

The boy has no mercy.

So, when I'd showed up to class last Thursday, and he'd leaned towards me in the middle of the lesson, I prepared myself for the next blow.

One breath in. One breath out.

His breath fanned across my face as he whispered in my ear: 'Glad to know you took up on my advice.' Then he glanced towards my hair and gave me a thumbs up before turning back to face the board.

Yep, that is Justin Earnest Cliffs. And earnest he is.

Lucky him, he's got brains. I always get good grades when we partner up in lab, if not, I would have switched seats a long time ago.

Looking up from the doodles on my notebook, I resist the urge to throw up at the sight of the innocent fetal pig lying on our table. Jason has been awfully quiet since Mr Branco placed it in front of our eyes. Our classmates, on the other hand, were all laughing and joking. Did nobody care about the poor animal here? I didn't want to dissect anything, even less a baby pig. It looks so innocent, so small and...and pink. Humans are horrible creatures. Why did I take AP biology remind me?

Oh, yes. Because I need a scholarship.

Riiiight.

I snap out of my depressed thoughts when I see my pencil roll over the desk and plumet to his ultimate death.

I sigh. Great.

I bend over in my seat to search for it and finally catch sight of it two rows ahead.

With a huff I make my way through the tables and snatch it off the floor, holding it up in the air and giving a smile to the few guys who gave me weird looks as I searched around their feet.

I arch my brow, See, I'm looking for my pencil. I'm not a weirdo.

"Ahh...Ms White," Mr Branco's voice makes my head swivel in his direction. "Would you go and ask Ms Holland for the cupboard key, please. I can't find mine anywhere."

I'm walking towards the front before he even finished speaking, glad to escape the pink specimen waiting on my table. It's lifeless body has already been engraved in my brain and it would surely be the source of nightmares for years to come.

"Sure Mr Branco." I reply in a rush, not even meditating the oddity of his request.

He rarely asks anything of me. That role belongs to Lynn Owens the straight-A student and class president. With her chestnut curls and blue eyes, it's not wonder everyone bows to her every word. Though that's not the only factor. The girl is as good as bread. Her kindness knows no limits and she's always offering a helping hand whenever is needed. Her voice is soft, but sure, and I believe she could make anyone agree with her opinion even if it was the most lunatic thing to ever be proposed.