Sweetest Whatever

Chapter 23: The Seatmate

Chapter 23: The Seatmate

Megan Dalton

                “Asher!” Well, it’s my first day of school here in California and I don’t know anybody—except for Marie. So yes, everybody looked at us weirdly. A Filipina new student and a New Yorker new student—friends?

                “Marie. Hey!” I greet her, hiding my phone in my pocket and removing my earpods. She is in my Humanities class and she looks stunning in her black floral midrib and black skater skirt. I, however, wore a pair of acid-washed jeans, black converse and a white statement shirt which says “Too Sassy For You.” My hair was in a ponytail and hers was just down flowing.

                “So we only have humanities together? Or we’ll have PE together too?” I shrugged. “Well, I have PE after this so we’ll be having two classes together.” And that’s when our teacher came in. He explains that we have new students in which means that it’s us.

                “Can we please summon these two transferees?” Marie and I stood up and went to the front. She went first.

                “Hello.  My name’s Aquena Marie Espino. You can call me Aki or Marie. I’m eighteen and I’m from the Philippines.” She says shyly. She’s very latina to me. Marie looks at me and so does our teacher, Mr. Pritchard.

                “Uhmm, I’m Megan Asher Dalton although I’d appreciate it if you’d call me Asher. I’m 18 and I transferred from New York.” Like a boss, Megan.

                “Thank you, ladies. Now take your seats. Asher, please sit beside Val over there and Aki, sit beside Daniel please.” I strode to the seat he assigned me to and sat beside a guy with jet-black hair and a majestic grin. He looks cute.

                “Hey.” He greets. “I’m Tristan Val Conner. Call me Val for short.” He smiled at me. Shit, he’s hot alright. Wait, calm your hormones, Meg. Whatever you’re doing, stop it.

                The class went smoothly and before we know it, Humanities was finished. I raced to Aki (I’m going to get used on calling her that.) and the two of us proceeded to the gym and changed our clothes.

                Our gym teacher—Ms. Halls—made us run 50 meters. Great, it’s just the first day and I’m running. Great, good for my heart.

                “Newcomer, Dalton, faster!” She shouts at me then blows her whistles. So I go faster and faster even though my heart can’t take it anymore. Pretty soon, I’m lying in the floor, unconscious.

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                I wake up to the sound of two persons talking.

                “She’s had cardiomyopathy, based on her medical records in New York. Any strenuous work for her is not really that appropriate for her.” That was a woman who spoke. Probably the resident doctor in wherever I am.

                “Jesus, why didn’t I know this?” And that voice—unmistakeably dad’s. I try and sit up straight when I see a guy over the corner reading a book which happens to be my copy of The Selection. Wait a minute—it’s Conner. Val Conner. He’s in my Humanities and PE Class.

                I sit up and propelled myself to stand up. The guy—Val—who was so engrossed in reading the book noticed me and came to my aid.