I woke up early Monday morning. About 20 minutes before my alarm clock was set. I had a dream that scared me like there was no tomorrow. I found this guy, I don’t even remember his name, but he was perfect, and I did the one thing that scared me the most. Fell in love.
I know that sounds dumb but in the past I’ve been hurt. It’s taking awhile to build my life back up romantically.
Anyway, I had an extra 20 minutes to get ready this morning so I utilized the time doing my make-up and straightening my hair. I’ll admit it, I looked a little cuter than my normal jeans and a band-tee apparel that I usually wore to school.
It was a little cooler than usual while waiting for the bus and I had forgotten my sweatshirt. You’d think I’d know better, living in Ohio my whole life.
I climbed up the stairs to the bus with my arms crossed, throwing me off balance and I tripped over the top step. That’s embarrassing… I kept my cool and flatly looked for anyone who'd noticed. I was clear of embarrassment so I acted like nothing had happened and continued to the back of the bus, where my normal seat is. To my surprise there was someone in my seat! It was clear he was new because no one took my seat. No one.
I looked around for a friend to sit by...avoiding the new kid. He was cute enough but it’d be awkward sitting by him. The only other open seat was smelly Sally and suddenly, I didn’t blame the newb for taking my seat.
“Hey, can I sit here?” I said, a little embarrassed.
“Of course,” He said politely. His smile made me blush. He was really cute and I was glad I took the extra time on my looks this morning.
“I’m Tori,” I said, making small talk avoiding the awkwardness and conceal my rose-tinted cheeks. “Are you new?”
“Yeah, I am. I used to be homeschool.” He said, “I’m Caleb.”
“Oh," I giggled, "welcome to Starmont High. What grade are you in?” I silently prayed he was a junior like me. There weren’t any cute guys in my class and he seemed like a keeper.
“I’m a Junior.” He answered flatly. My heart skipped a beat. I was so excited I had to fix my top just so I didn’t blush again.
“Sweet me too! Maybe I could show you around...if you’d like? Are you just starting public school or did you just move here, too?” Why did I ask that. Interrogating the guy isn’t going to help me in any way!
“Both, haha. My dad got a new job and my mom started working so we cant be home schooled anymore,” Caleb looked like he was happy to answer questions so I went on.
“We?” I looked around to see any other unfamiliar faces.
“Yeah, my twin brother, Nathan.” He pointed to the front of the bus to a guy sitting with a little girl. I didn’t even notice the foreign faces because I was too flustered from my embarrassing fall. “And my little brother and sister Hollie and Joel.”
“Oh, cute haha.” I mentally facepalmed myself for acting so ditsy.
The bus slowed in front of the school so we stood up and I let him in front of me. The dumb bus driver hit the breaks too hard and made us fall down. Caleb dropped his bag and a few books fell out. I crouched down and began gathering his books. I noticed one that said “My Songs”.
“You write songs?” I guess it was obvious. Who would have a notebook labeled “My Songs” and not write songs in it?
Caleb’s face got a little red, that was cute, and he answered, “Yeah...kinda.”
(Caleb’s POV)
Oh my gosh. Why’d that specific notebook fall out?! I don’t want everyone to think I’m some singing freak. I guess I cant hide it for long...but really? The first day? Great, I’m just asking for name calling.
“Oh that's cool. Do you, like, sing them, too?” Tori’s eyes are so blue I could swim in them. Times like these, I wish I was Nathan. He’s good at this kind of thing. Handling awkward situations. I just couldn’t do it. Oh well, gotta tell her the truth I guess.
“Umm yeah, Nathan and I have a little band thing.” Band thing? That was cool…not.
“Really?! That’s so cool!”
We walked off the bus and I was glad that conversation was over. We parted and I walked to the main office to get my schedule and directions to my first class.
Oh great, my worst subject was my first class. Advanced Algebra. Maybe Tori would be in it so I knew someone. That would be wonderful. There was still half an hour before class started but I didn’t know what to do. How do people pass time in public school? Normally I'd still be asleep...
I looked at my schedule again, searching for my locker number. Number 223. Where the heck is that? Walking down the hall I saw 500’s, 400’s, and 300’s but no 200’s. I looked like such a newb.
I got an over powering and disgusting wiff of Axe body spray as I entered the next hall over. Yeah that was definitely the middle school entry. My locker wouldn’t be down there. So I turned around and tried the other way. I saw single digits, double digits, 100’s, and finally 200’s. My combination was printed at the top of my schedule. 39, 14, 21. Easy enough. It took me 2 tries to open but I got it. It smelled like mold and sweat. Who ever owned this locker before me was probably involved in a sport…or just needed to shower more. Yuck.
I organized my books, binders, folders, and other pointless stuff that I never had use for when my classes were completely online. It looked fine but by the end of the week, it would be a pile at the bottom of my locker anyway.
I scoped out my first class so I knew I wouldn’t be late and then found a spot to sit. Once I was settled I looked up and all eyes were on me. Had these people not seen a new kid before? Nathan walked up with his new mob of friends and introduced me. Tori wasn’t one of them but I knew I’d see her later.
The bell rang and we all scrambled to our classes. Nathan and I compared our schedules and though all the classes were the same, the order couldn’t be more different. Our only classes together were study hall 6th hour, Band 3rd hour, and Chorus 8th hour.
“See yeah in band, bro!” Nathan said as he hurried off.
“Bye!” I walked into math with a group. Everyone knew where to sit and what to do and I just stood by the door waiting for directions, not bothering to analyze my classmates.
The teacher walked in and she pointed to an open seat. I looked at the neighboring seat’s occupants and there she was.
“Well, hey Caleb!” said Tori.
