The Dragon I Met At High School

Chapter 2{First encounter}

It doesn't take that long to get to the high school. Maybe about a thirty minute walk but it's not dull in the mornings. I do have to wake up a little earlier but my routine is beautiful.

I turned the road to the cafe and happily slung the door open. "Morning everyone!" I yelled with a big smile on my face. Everyone behind the counter chuckled. "Good Morning Arreis." They called back.

I walked over and sat on a stool. A skinny young girl walked over and asked for my order. I thought before replying. "Hmmm. Surprise me." She looked determined to find the very best.

I looked over to the other chick. "She new?" She nodded. "Came in at night hours last night. We needed her... probably because you don't even want to help out here." She pouted angrily.

"Hey, no fair! I totally love you guys but you know it isn't up to me." I crossed my arms. "Well when can you?" She whined.

I turned to grab the stuff the newbie brought out. "Once I move out next year." She slouched and sat in a chair on their side of the counter. "That's way too long." The new girl just giggled at her then turned to look at me.

I got you a fresh, hot, buttered croissant, a blueberry muffin, some bacon and eggs, a slice of cherry pie and a fresh cup of coffee." I looked down and wondered how I was going to eat that much.

She started to blush. "I'm sorry if that was too much. I could cover it for you if you'd like."

I waved my hands at her. "Oh no no, it's fine. I'm just surprised that you got just what was on my mind. I really needed this to start such a beautiful day today." Her face turned a bright, blushing red as she ran to the next customer.

I scarfed it down. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Can I have two macadamia nut cookies to go please?" She nodded and put them in a pretty purple bag and tied a thin pink ribbon in a bow on the top. I grabbed the bag and paid for everything. "I have to hurry or I'll be late. Oh and I left a tip, Bye!" As soon as I finished my sentence, I was out the door and running as they all waved goodbye.

I ran as fast as I could until I reached the corner where the old homeless man sat everyday. I stopped to catch my breath then turned the corner. He looked up at me and smiled. "Hello Mr. Freed. Good morning to you." I held the bag behind my back. "Good morning to you too Arreis. It's good to see you as always. Whatcha got there?"

I smiled at him. "Pick a hand." I held both hands behind my back with the bag in my right. "Hmmmm left."

I switched the bag over to my left hand and pulled it out in front of me. "You guessed it. It's your favorite." He gasped. "Macadamia nut cookies!?" I nodded and gave him the pretty bag. He stood up and I hugged him. "I have to go now or I'll be late for school. I'll see you tomorrow morning sir." He waved as I ran down the street.

I finally arrived at the school with ten minutes to spare. I found my group of friends and we talked about how their lives have been going and what they plan for the weekend until the bell rang.

I walk in class with a big smile on my face. "Good morning Mrs. Irvil." I set the apple on her desk. "For you." She smiled. "Why thank you Arreis. Good morning to you too."

I walked back and sat in my seat near the back. "Okay class..." She went on with her lesson. I noticed a new kid at the very back in the other corner of the room. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Usually I pay attention to everything the teacher had to say but today, I just couldn't focus. I was looking around the room and felt very nervous and uncomfortable. I felt that someone was watching me.

Class was finally over and I didn't hear a single word the teacher had said the entire time. I walked down the hall and got some stuff out of my locker for next class. I saw the new kid at his locker three down from mine. He peeked out of the corner of his eye at me. I quickly shut my locker and walked away.

I was walking upstairs and looking for the new kid to be following me. It didn't look like he was but I was looking around and not where I was going...I tripped...

Everything fell from my hands and I was falling to my horrific, painful, embarrassing death. I was snatched from the air before I hit the step. I looked up to see the new kid with my stuff neatly in his other arm. He lifted me up so I could stand up right. "Be careful, you might trip." His voice was deep but gentle. He handed me my stuff. "Um... thank you for helping me." I said still shocked at what happened. He smiled and ran down the stairs.

Ok that was weird. I finished up the stairs, watching carefully at where I was going and walked in the next class. I sat in my seat in the very back corner.

I watched the teacher looking up and down from her paper to each student to take roll. Then she gave a confused look at the paper then looked around the room and stopped at someone and nodded and checked her paper. I sighed with hope that it wasn't the new kid.

I turned to where her gaze previously stopped and groaned. It was him. Second class with me in a row... Oh how lucky I must be. Wait how did he make it up here before me? I saw him walk downstairs and I would've seen him if he came in after me because I'm right by the door. Maybe it was because I was slow coming up because I didn't want to trip again. But still, he would've had to run to the other side of the school then up those stairs and back across the top floor to the school. There is no way. I didn't have time to worry about him. I had to try to focus. But I couldn't. The teacher went on with the lesson and I obviously didn't take any of it in.

"Sign language is a way that.... Arreis?" I don't understand why I feel this way. I looked out of the corner of my eye. He's staring at me! Is he the reason I can't focus? Does he... "Arreis!"

I shot my look to the teacher. "Yes?" She gave an unsure look. "Just pay attention please." I nodded. "Yes ma'am. I'm sorry."

She moved on to signing. I was into it at first but then I got that feeling again. It was making me feel a little sick. "Arreis. I wanna see you signing." I started signing with the class until I again got that feeling. The teacher saw that I wasn't participating again so she just sighed and continued with the lesson.

The bell rang after what seemed like forever. I was headed toward the door when the teacher called me back to her desk. "Arreis, is everything okay? You seemed distracted by something today." I waved it off. "I've just been feeling a little sick today. I'm sure it'll pass soon but I'm fine for the most part." She smiled sympathetically. "Well okay but if there is anything I can do to make you feel better, just let me know okay?" Sympathetic looks... I hate them so much, especially when pointed towards me.

I smiled and waved goodbye as I walked out the door. I sighed. "What's wrong with..." I bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry." He glared. "Watch where you're going, dick!" I smiled apologetically. He glared and I tried to get away and back down the stairs but was grabbed by the wrist. "H-hey!" I tried to yank back but felt a tug then he just let go. I heard a loud bang. I turned to see the new kid holding the jerk I just ran into pinned against the lockers.

My eyes widened. I ran to stop him but was grabbed by one of the other students. "What do you think you're doing!? Put me down right now!" Jerk boy looked horrified. The new guy looked at me. "Come here." I was released and I slowly made my way over to him. He looked back at his victim.

"Apologize." He demanded of the bully. The bully looked down at him. "Look, I don't know what I did man but I'm sorry. Please just put me down." He shook his head and pointed to me. "No... apologize to him."