Time Bomb - M.C

Chp. 1

A new start, that's all I need. This is going to be a way to really get away from my past and start fresh - a new beginning. No more parties or troubling ways - no more getting into fights with my parents for the ridiculous decisions I have made. This will be me; I'll be myself. 

My pencil is clenched firmly in my hand; providing a distraction from the new faces filing into the small college room. This unusual feeling of nervousness has settled itself in the bottom of my stomach; struggling to hide itself. I haven't felt this nervous since the time I almost got arrested for smoking pot with my friends in the middle of a park - what a ridiculous idea that was. I remember almost throwing up from the idea of my parents finding out what I had been doing instead of the studying I had promised to accomplish. 

"Peyton" A whisper pulled my eyes away from the golden wood of my pencil to the only familiar face in the room. My room mate wore a smile of excitement; clearly over joyed with the idea of this being our first day of actual classes. I however am not so well kept this morning. For some reason the idea of starting college has gotten me flustered - I just really want a cigarette. 

"I need to smoke" I say in a distressed tone; dropping my pencil on my desk and clutching my seat to keep myself in place. Why is it so hot in here?

"There's still time; go have one" Anna shoos me with unknowing eyes. 

"I can't" I seeth. "I quite when I moved here" I explain before dropping my head onto my desk. The fluttering animals in my stomach seemed to settle slightly with the less chaotic view of my eyelids. I just need to breathe and get through this first day. I promised my parents I would get better and I promised myself too. 

If I was back in New York I would have bolted out of this room with my junkies. Basically that's what me and my friends were called - the junkies. And although the name sounds ugly and quite offensive it really wasn't because everyone wanted to join us. We were known for partying and getting into trouble - a real bunch of roudy kids ready to break the law. It didn't help that my parents basically harvested a weed farm in our garage and they still expected me to stay clean.

I missed my friends right now; with them I always felt in power - like I could walk through walls if I really wanted to. This move to Australia has broken my barrier of comfort; like I've forgotten how to live normally. I suppose that's a reason I moved though - I needed an escape from the life I was leading back in New York. I was "ruining my road to success" according to my parents. So I've spent the last few months getting clean and mentally preparing myself to not be in the lead any more. And now here I am sinking in my seat waiting for this anxiously nerve racking day to end. 

"Welcome class" I didn't lift my head until all noise in the room silenced and I felt more comfortable sitting like everyone else. I picked my pencil back up and began to tap it against my thigh - a nervous habit I had that seemed to help my nerves. The idea of being so on edge was so stupid to me right now. After I joined the junkies I basically stopped worrying about everything but I've suddenly turned into my grade nine virgin self - the goody two shoes waiting like a petty student wanting to please everyone. 

"Here in english this year we will be focusing on our writing skills - including the factors of journalism and fiction. Two key concepts I believe every one of you should be familiar with. We will also be studying old style writing and how the english language has progressed throughout the years" A short man stood on a podium in front of everyone; his skinny shape looking awkward with his booming voice. He stood as if one leg was longer than the other and his eyes were like a dragons - deep and fierce. 

 "I'm Mr. Mooney and seeing as age is starting to affect me do not expect me to remember everyone of your names on the first day" He sent a dense smile out into the crowd as a few people chuckled to themselves. Before Mr. Mooney could continue any further with whatever he was going to say a loud bang erupted amungst the class when the door to the room swung open and hit the wall. I flinched at the sound and more than ever I felt like a little kid. Loud sounds used to be my fuel back home - now I flinch whenever one happens? 

All eyes turned to the tall boy stood in the door way. With a quick observation of him I could tell he was someone I did not need to get mixed up with mainly because he looked like he would fit perfectly with the Junkies - a title I'm trying to forget about. The leather jacket hung over him was removed revealing some heavy metal band shirt I pretended not to care about - to be honest I knew exactly who the band was but I didn't want to show interest. His jeans looked tighter than mine and the black and red mixture of hair he had sort of turned me on...

Before I got too creepy and stared for too long I turned back to the teacher who was glaring down evily at the late student. It was as if steam was bursting from his ears and his face was about to burst because the look in his eyes told me he was about to explode. 

I heard a whispered "fuck" from Anna before she too averted her eyes from the stranger. I looked to her; wide eyes and a consentrated train of thought decorated her facial features. 

"What" I mouthed to her. Mr. Mooney walked slowly but forcefully towards the new student who continued to stand in the door way; a bored expression on his face. Anna used the distraction to maneuver herself closer to me. 

"I know him" She whispered before shaking her head. "Well not personally but I've heard of him" Her eyes remained wide like she couldn't believe this guy was in our class right now. Was he really that bad? 

"And?" I stare at her - the situation sort of intruiging me. I used to get into a lot of trouble by making my way into people's conversations and listening to things I wasn't supposed to hear; so now it just reflected as a habit - I'm only curious.

"He scares me. Apparently he got transferred here because he was so bad at his old school. I mean look at him; he's got that whole ruggid "I can kick your ass" sort of look." I wanted to laugh at her mainly for her prudliness. I mean he looks exactly like what me and my friends would call to our circle to hang out with. It was true - he was sort of scary now that I haven't been with the Junkies for a few months but I'm sure that was all an act; I mean mine was. 

"Excuse me!" Mr. Mooney's loud voice echoed throughout the quiet classroom. My eyes traveled back to this new guy, still waiting in the doorway. 

"How dare you interupt us so morbidly - I'm pretty sure you've damaged the wall" The teacher continues to stomp to the doorway, his breathing ragged. He was over reacting extremely.

"Get a new wall" The stranger shrugs before pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket and patting himself to find a lighter. 

"I'm just gunna run for a quick one; I'll be back" He smiled deadly into the teachers face; removing a smoke from the pack and placing it in his mouth before our teacher could even react. I could tell Mr. Mooney had no idea what to do. I'm asuming he played Mr. tough teacher and every student quivered from his tone - this kid was different. His eyes traveled the vast classroom and before he left his right eye dropped in a wink sent in my direction which puzzled me.

"Did you see that!" Anna nearly yodelled once the student wandered off probably to find a place to light his smoke. I have to admit - I'm sort of envious of him.

"What?" I turn to her; distracted by the scene just made. 

"He winked at you! Why would he wink at you? Do you know him?" She continues to bombard me with questions but my mind is too distracted by the actions just played out. That made me miss my Junkie friends more than anything and I know that in order to keep my act together I have to keep as far a distance from him as possible.