Overpowered

Chapter Two: First Day Rush-Crash

 I have been in pain before more than once in my life actually, way too many times to count. Hell, I've even broken bones, so you would think that I would be familiar with the burning sensation I was feeling right at this moment.

Running to get to my English class and being knocked to the ground by a large tall wall is not something I anticipated this morning, nope not one bit. I also didn't expect the brown liquid that is now dying my purple shirt or even burning my chest. Honestly, this is not what I thought my morning would be. I just wanted a normal day of school and then to crawl into a hole and sleep.

I lie here on the school hallway floor with my eyes closed, the hot liquid burning, for a few seconds longer than I should have before I open my eyes and see the reason why I'm in this situation in the first place. A man, that's why. A man who looks to be in his mid to early twenties and is holding a now empty mug. A man who seems to be talking to me, asking me something. Has this ringing always been a thing? Holy mother of hell is this liquid hot. It takes me a second to get myself together before I sit up.

" Um, miss are you okay? Do you need to go to the nurse? Look I am so sorry about the coffee but I am currently late to my first class of the day and I didn't see you there?" This wall of a man spoke for the first time or maybe I just now hear him. Should I answer? He looks upset.

" Okay, I think I broke you, look I am going to find someone for help and get you to the nurse alright?" He says.

Oh no, not the nurse. Say something.

Finally, I open my mouth and say, " No, no, don't get the nurse, I am oaky just a little out of place. Did you say coffee?"

He gives me his hand to help me stand and I accept it with a nervous shake before I take two steps back. "It was fresh coffee, are you alright? Are you sure you don't need to go to the nurse?" He asks. His voice is raspy like if he is getting over a cold but somehow smooth and soft, it's masculine and deep but not James Earl Jones deep. Huh.

Honestly, the burn hurts but I know that it will heal I just have to keep it clean and make sure nothing touches it for a bit. I'll inspect it when I have a chance to go to the girls' room.

"Look I am okay and no I don't need to go to the nurse's office. I am so sorry I didn't see you coming, you kind of ambushed me. You really should see where you are going." I tell him with a bit of sarcasm to mask the anxiety I feel. It's not a good idea to have such an attitude, nothing good ever happens when I have one but I don't want him or anyone to think I'm any different than them.

My hands start to shake waiting for his response, wondering if he'll lash out and blame me or if he will just keep walking. He takes his time answering but as he is opening his mouth he starts to look at me, from head to toe and back up only stopping at my coffee-stained burning chest. He starts to pull out some clothing from the bag hanging on his shoulder that I never noticed before. It's a sweater, a zip-up and he offers it to me.

" I know that, I promise to be more careful. Your shirt is unwearable now so here take my sweater to cover up. It's not much but consider it my apology."

I stare at the sweater in his outstretched, wondering if I should take it or walk around in a coffee-stained shirt. I'd have to look for him later to return the shirt and I have yet to even get his name. After some thought, I finally take the shirt from his hand mumbling thanks.

" You know you don't have to give me your clothes but thanks I do appreciate not walking around with a big ugly brown stain," I tell him.

" It's no problem, look I am running late so... I'm sorry and I hope you are okay bye." He says before he passes me and continues on his way.

I stand there a few seconds longer than I should have before rushing to the girls' bathroom to press a cool wet paper towel to my chest and switch from my long sleeve to the zip-up. With my shirt in my bag and after making sure that I am properly covered and presentable, or as much as I can be, I leave the girls' room and make my way to English.

Of course, by the time I get there class has been going on for about twenty minutes and everyone looks towards me at the sound of the door. The teacher no doubt heard me but decided to continue his lecture. Doing a quick skim I realize that all the good seats are taken and make my way to a desk by the back window. Looking toward the front of the class the teacher has his back to us rambling about expectations.

"...of course, I am available by email if you need any help with the course work. Another expectation of mine is that you come on time to this class unless you have a pass." He says with his back still to the class only turning at the last syllable.

Once he is fully facing the class I recognize the teacher as the man from the hall, his eyes roaming around to the student faces, recognition fills his eyes when he notices me. "however it is the first day and even I was late, so for today and tomorrow whoever is late will have a free pass but only for today and tomorrow."

After that late pass announcement, he continues on with the class outline and what English 12 will focus on. Most of the class groans when he mentions Shakespeare, especially Romeo and Juliet, although he promises that it won't be as bad as we think. He seems to be new to the school and also fairly young, which explains why he was late earlier, he lacks experience. He is tall and well built for a male, I'd guess six feet tall based on our confrontation earlier and he seems to have some arm muscle. The girls in class are drooling over him.

Soon enough it is time for lunch and the bell rings as a dismissal but of course the teacher, Mr.Adamos tells us that he prefers he let us go. I grab my notebook and bag ready to make a run to see the few friends I've neglected for most of the day.

"Miss, can you please stay behind for a moment?" I hear the teacher ask. Not me, right?

"Miss in the blue zip-up?" I turn around and point to myself.

" Yeah, you." He says.

I take a small breath before I walk toward him and build enough courage to speak. " yes, do you need something or do you want your sweater back?" I respond, once again with more attitude than I'm taught is okay.

He smiles and shoves his hand in his pockets, " No, you can keep the sweater. I just wanted to apologize for earlier and I wanted to know if your chest is okay after the hot coffee."

I take a moment to get a good clear look at this man who seems to be nice, I don't get if it's guilt or if he is just normally a nice person. He is actually really tall so maybe six feet is too short for him, maybe six-five? He has short dark brown hair that curls in the ends and bright brown eyes with gold flecks, framed by thick bushy well-shaped brows and long thick lashes. He has a strong nose that would have been perfect if it weren't for the little break toward the end, where it points a little left (it's not really noticeable) and full thick lips, the lower one sticks out a bit more. All features fitting well with each other and complementing his olive skin tone.

"I'm okay, I promise no need to apologize. It doesn't even hurt. I will give you the sweater back soon I promise, but thank you for offering it. Is that all can I go?" I respond to his question. I honestly don't know why I am in such a rush, it's not like I will be meeting up with anyone, I'm just going to hang in the library until lunch is over.

" Yes, you can go and if your chest hurts at all please let me know so that I can get you medical attention." He responds before leading me to the classroom door.

I give him a small simile and walk out for lunch.