11/10

Chapter Two

This time last year Fern remembered he was beyond stressed. He had just taken midterms, followed by PSAT's. He wasn't doing well in any of his classes, and he had no positive outlet for all of his stress. A year later he still had all the same problems, almost nothing had changed. If anything his grades had gotten worse. But there was a difference, one week of helping out in drama club every afternoon proved that.

He walked with a bounce in his step, a smile on his face, and better posture. He had a crick in his neck from constantly looking on either side of the halls hoping to catch Ani turning the bend of any corner. For most of his school years, he understood that there were different standards for social interactions with people. There were acquaintances; they tended to keep interaction to a minimum of quick hi's or hey's in the hallways; friends, friends took the effort to high five each other in the hallways; and his personal favorite, relationship type interactions. The ones that stopped in the hall and shared a kiss in between classes, occasionally leading to other things (but Fern's mind tended to wander). Fern was almost certain that he was at worst acquaintances with Ani. And at best they were already dating and Fern was given kissing rights upon seeing each her, occasionally leading to much more frivolous behavior (if his recent dreams held any truth). The only obstacle that stood in the way of his hellos, high-fives, and or kisses was that he never actually saw Ani outside of Drama club.

Fern turned his head behind him making sure that there weren't any supermodelesque figures trailing behind him. The halls were thinning out already, but Fern's pace never quickened he remained at a relaxed walk to another boring class.

"Come on Ani this would be a really great time for you to pop up." He said out loud. He felt like one smile from the girl could carry him through his next period. It was tedious knowing that he'd had at least three more periods and a lunch period to get through before he could see her. He turned the last corner, he could see his history classroom at the end of the hall. The heavy tan door was still stuck open by a slanted piece of wood sticking out of the bottom.

"Maybe I'll actually m--" The loud clanging of the final bell rang out, telling the student body to get inside a room or get hunted down by a wandering teacher. A loud groan escaped him as he sped up his pace. As he got closer a familiar form stepped out of the classroom holding the doorknob and kicking the door stop out from underneath it.

Fern was already looking her over noticing the subtle changes in her appearance today. She was wearing a fitted blue pencil skirt that matched her light blue blouse. She had light blonde hair pulled up into a bun like it always was with another blue ribbon tying it together. One quick glance at her shoes confirmed the color of them as well. Even Fern understood that wearing all of the same colors was tacky, but her small frame and often innocent look made it seem almost endearing in a cute way. He'd rate her a ten out of ten on his attraction scale if  he was to decide. Miss. Clarkson, his history teacher a woman too beautiful to be teaching about such a boring topic (but he would say that about a majority of his teachers).

Miss. Clarkson looked up at Fern just as he approached the door. She let out a long drawn out sigh adjusting her blouse.

"You've decided to make time in your busy schedule to join us for class Fern?" She asked crossing her arms like most people did when they were trying to seem bigger and more important than they actually were. Fern responded with a small shrug, deciding that a none answer was the best answer. After a moment Miss. Clarkson rolled her eyes and just gestured into her classroom. "Just find your seat you're just in time for a Pop Quiz!" She said loudly enough for the rest of the class to hear. There was immediately a loud collective groan from the students of the class. Fern didn't bother expressing his misery audibly, he was positive anyone could tell just by looking at him.