Translucence

Chapter 2.

Chapter 2.

I stood outside the front of the school, leaning against the cold, metal railing of the staircase as I waited for my mom to pick me up. I had texted her before the end of last period (which, by the way was U.S Honors History 2) asking for a ride home instead since I wasn't too fond of the bus, even though I had only taken it once.

The light breeze that was expected since I had checked the weather earlier blew, making me wrap my arms around myself to keep warm. It wasn't cold outside, it was nice. I just happened to be used to more heat, and it wasn't as hot as I was previously experienced with. Arizona does that to some people.

I watched some of the students walk past me, making eye contact with one and easing the awkwardness by shooting a small smile at her as she did the same. I turned away carefully, not wanting to seem rude afterward and pulled out my phone from my sweater pocket. 2:34pm, the enhanced numbers read on my screen as I locked it again, gripping it tightly as I kept it out of my pocket in case my mom would call me.

I sighed to myself, no longer leaning against the railing but sitting down on the hard, cement steps. I felt like I've been standing for 3 hours but in reality, it was probably like 10 minutes, if even.

I pulled out my copy of Sign Language and started re-reading chapter 10, since we had to do a Socratic Seminar on the chapter tomorrow, and I wanted to be prepared. I heard a car pull up in front of me and without glancing up from my book, I stood up, assuming it was my mother since she was already 20 minutes late.

"I've been waiting for like 3 hours," I complained immediately, shoving my book in my bag when I heard the car door shut gently.

I looked up, brushing my hair out of my face and stopped advancing towards the car, now considering that it wasn't my mothers like I had presumed.

"Oh, sorry. I thou-, um, never mind." I rambled on to the boy Justin who I had met in Fancy English Class.

I had seen him around in the halls after, he threw a few smiles in my direction. He was also supposed to be in my Chemistry class periods six and seven, but he wasn't there when the teacher called his name, so presumingly, he skipped class.

He stood before me, leaning against his car as looked at me diligently.

"Need a ride?" He pushed himself softly off the car and walked over to sit next to me on the cement stairs, folding his hands together.

"No thanks," I tucked a loose strand of hair that was in front of my face behind my ear. "My mom is picking me up,"

"Fair enough," he nodded, pouting his lip slightly. "Make any new friends today?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "well, no. I've only spoken to you and your friend." I closed my book, tucking it back into my bag.

"Nathan," he corrected me, "yeah, true," he said, unclasping his hands and leaning forward, his elbows now resting on his knees, "you like reading, huh?" He gestured towards my bag that I had just put Sign Language in, flashing a small smirk at me.

I glanced at him, he had very attractive features. His hair messy but neat at the same time. His eyes a light hazel-brown, they seemed to gleam continuously. I looked away and down at my moccasins, nodding my head to answer his question.

He chuckled, looking ahead. I did the same, staring at the other kids who were walking home, some just standing around, probably waiting for their late rides as I was.

"You don't talk much Riley Santana," his eyes met mine again, and I looked away, "I mean your first impression was priceless. Very opinionated, or so I thought."