Inflorescent Adolescents

Chapter 2

As I leave class I look over at Miles, he's already picking up some girl. I feel more comfortable knowing I didn't completely ditch him for... I don't even know his name! "So what's your name?"

"Nicholas, and you fine lady with deep blue eyes?"

"Allison"

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," I am utterly stunned by this comment. My physical appearances are my attractive, let alone beautiful. "Cheesy much?" I reply with a blushing face, and he isn't thrown off by my sarcasm.

"Your insecurity is astonishing"

"You find insecurity astonishing?"

"Yours, yes, because you have no reason to be shameful," I think and process this statement.

"Why me?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Of all the actually hot girls in the school, why pick me, some lowly, average, freshman"

"Wow, you weren't kidding about being blunt, but to answer your question, your eyes drew me in, like a bug to bright light. I could see the complexity in them"

"Now you are truly something else. I mean talk about going above and beyond to get a girl! No guy actually thinks like that"

"Except me, Nicholas Grant James"

"You have three first names!"

"Ok that's it, I was trying to wait, but then you pointed that out. Wanna hang out after school?"

"Well... I suppose I could rearrange my packed schedule," I smirk at him and he grins. He gets his phone out and gives it to me.

"Put your number in and I'll text you the details." I gave him my number and headed into my 2nd period. I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face, proud of my accomplishment. First period of the first day of high school and I already have an extremely attractive dude's number.

••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

As soon as school ends I receive a text from Nicholas telling me to meet him at the front of the school. I quickly text my mom telling her I'm staying after for a club I want to join, knowing that will please her. I spot Nicholas leaning against one of the pillars. His confident stance makes me smile and his athletic build has my heart fluttering. Gosh what is happening??

"Hey, ready to see the spot?"

"I'm assuming this is a popular place."

"Extremely."

"Well sorry to tell you, but I've always been more hipster."

"Hipster is cool."

"Ah, the irony of the term emerges. Hipster is to go against the mainstream, yet now to be one is considered cool, therefore making hipster mainstream." He stares at me for awhile, a gaze that holds an emotion so tender, yet I can't seem to describe it.

"You are truly unique. I like that. Most girls see the latest trend and just hightail it to the mall. You think this stuff through, why?"

"I feel the need to explain why society is the way it is, why certain people and things are better then others. Hypocrisy is my favorite subject."

"And you are only 14?"

"I believe in age by experiences, not years."

"Well then, Allison, let's go experience another experience."

Nicholas showed me to a trail in the woods behind the school. We walked for a few minutes until we reached a clearing and a drop off. I could hear a creek running, and assumed that is what was at the bottom of the drop off. The urge to capture the Tumblr worthy scenery was strong, but I suppressed it.

"It's gorgeous," I breathe. My voice is soft, as if to preserve the peacefulness that inhabits the apparent paradise. The trees curve and form a canopy, more like a roof. Trickles of sun light break through the openings in the leaves, adding the final touch to the ambiance of this haven. The smell of summer is strong, but something sweeter dominates my nose. I turn to see Nicholas standing extremely close. I'm reminded of my still-existing innocence.

"Most kids just show up and smoke pot or whatever, but I use it as a stress reliever of sorts. Here, I'm isolated," his tone softens at the last comment. This place combined with his thoughts spur the want to write in my journal, but I sadly left it at home.

"Isolation isn't something people search for, they usually spend their life fighting it," I state, slightly confused.

"Well, I don't belong to 'they' or 'them'."

I digest his words, not fully understanding them, so I don't reply. I'm not used to people exposing their thoughts like this, especially to a stranger.

"We should head out, it is going to get crowded soon," he interrupts my thoughts.

"Claustrophobic?"

"No, I'd just rather listen to someone with intelligence in their blue eyes, Blue Eyes," he says playfully and adds a wink to the end. I giggle like a lovestruck schoolgirl. Did I just... giggle? I'm starting to sound like a character from my sappy teen fiction books. Cliche. Not liking where this is heading, I interrupt the comfortable silence that has formed. "My mom is actually on her way now to get me," I lie. His smile fades into a slight frown, but is quickly recovered. "I'll walk you to the front."

"Thanks." I try to smile but fail. He senses it, and the air is quickly filled with tension and awkwardness. Lord, I have had enough social interaction for a year. My mom pulls up after what feels like lightyears. I quickly nod goodbye to Nicholas and climb in to the Lexus crossover. My mom immediately raises her eyebrows expectantly at me.

"What?"

"Who was that boy?"

"A guy in my club, he introduced me to it."

"Which club?"

"Uhhh, Nature," I quickly think of something.

"Nature?" she repeats disbelievingly.

"Yeah, we, uh, talked about the beauty of the outdoors and how it can inspire us in different ways."

"Wow, seems pretty deep. Very fitting for you."

"Yepp," I sigh, growing tired of this interrogation.

"You know, I was hoping you'd be a little more, enthusiastic, about your first day."

"Mom, high school is prison, why would I be excited?"

"Oh Allison..."