Story of a Teenage Nothing

Vogue

I woke up less than chipper Monday morning. Watching TV 'till three in the morning will do that to you. I hoped that may be not sleeping would make Monday come slower. So, on barely three hours of sleep, I woke up at six fifteen this morning. I still barely made it to school on time. During all the time I spent watching "Dexter", apparently I couldn't find one moment to do my French homework. -_- 

My morning was spent eating an omelet while writing down a paragraph about what I felt about cloning. Ugh. I threw on some sweats, a Beatles shirt and my converses-nothing special. Then I rushed all zippedy-do-dah like to school. The weather was surprisingly breezy for late fall. The sun was shining, and the sky was blue, though nothing could alleviate my mood-not even if the clouds were made from cotton, and trees were marshmallows.

Mr. Carmen's class passed uneventfully. I managed to fly under his radar. Though his droning voice did make my eyelids droop more than once. That only increased my fatigue. Math with Mellie was a relief. Mel always makes me peppy. The class that day was pretty hysterical too. A bird had flown through a window and caused quite a commotion. Imagine seeing a six feet four inch man scream and run around and fail his arms. I learned today that ornithophobia is the fear of birds. Who knew?

When me and Mel parted, my grump factor returned to normal. Luckily it wasn't my gym day (Thank God for small miracles). I wasn't ready to see Steven. I was either going to strangle him or burst into tears. Being down in the dumps, I wasn't my normal jovial self. Danielle and others, aware of the mood, steered clear, and decided to leave me alone mostly. School passed rather duly, until I was called to guidance. When I got there my (incompetent) guidance counselor, Mr. Maddix, told me that he finally switched my classes around. I had put in my form for a class change in September, and it was almost November! Telling me that I could start the class immediately, I uttered a mock thanks.

Earlier, I decided that I wanted to take photography instead of multimedia design. I have a camera and I like pictures, but I know that clicking a button doesn't make you a photographer. Wanting to get more knowledge on the history of film, I was gonna give it a go. The photography class was in the basement of the school. Knowing that kids were going to gawk at "the new kids" (sorta like what I did to Steven >_< ), I wanted to be already in my seat instead of awkwardly entering a full class. I made it just as the bell rung for fifth period. 

The teacher, whose name I couldn't remember, looked at me expectantly. I shoved Mr. Maddix's note at him, and after a quick glance up, directed me to take a seat in the back. The table was large enough for two, and I plopped down in one of the seats. Soon kids began to trail in. I sat there unnoticed but a couple of peeps raised an eyebrow at my presence. I rolled my eyes. The class finally filled and the teacher, stared at us over his spectacles.

"Well class, Kim Barrett is going to be joining us." he said gesturing over to me.

On cue, twenty heads turned to face me, lids blinking up and down. I wanted to bury my head in my arms, but I stood stone faced. Clearing his throat, Mr. "Guy" got the class' attention and began a lesson. He was saying something about manipulating your lenses when someone bursts into the class. A slim boy dashed through door. Whoever he was, the boy stopped in front Mr. Guy's desk huffing and puffing. I cracked a grin. I was looking at myself through other's eyes. 

"Mr. Carter." Mr. Guy said, his mouth in a grim line.

"S-sorry. I was just finishing my model of the archaeopteryx. Do you know that this creature is the link between birds and reptiles? Science has unveiled-"

"Mr. Carter, please just take a seat. This is a photography class-not a science laboratory."

The pale boy's cheeks obviously flushed but he nodded and scurried to the back of the classroom. His name finally came to me. Logan Carter! Logan had always been in my grade but I didn't pay him much mind. Logan was always that kid-creating huge posters for presentations, and raving about robotics. Logan was weird and geeky, but he is definitely not the lanky, knobby-kneed boy I remember. Though still slim, there was obviously some muscle definition, and Logan had definitely cleaned himself up. Those muddy brown locks were combed and he was obviously over the overalls obsession that gripped him in eighth grade. As he came nearer, he lifted his head and seeing me, his eyes grew. Then Logan' eyebrows furrowed in confusion. The only seat left was next to me, and when Logan came to that realization, his cheeks reddened. I'm soo glad my skin's dark.  Logan nosily sat down, but I ignored him. I wasn't in the mood for friend making. Mr. Guy started up again.

"We will begin working with the camera's today. Everyone will get one. Start simple. I want you all to shoot still life, but make it as captivating as possible.You must have three pictures each, and they're due Wednesday. Miss Barrett, since you missed some instruction, Logan will fill you in on how to use these instruments."

My gosh! Why did teachers feel the need to pair me up with the opposite sex!?

I slouched further in my seat as everyone got up to get the cameras. 

"I'll get yours for you Kim." Logan said springing out of his seat. Before I could tell him not to, he was off. "What an odd kid..." I wondered. Logan returned holding out the apparatus. "Thanks....soo like what do I do? I just switched into this class, and I'm only accustomed to using a digital." 

"Well this one here is a Nikon brand D5000 with 12.3 mega pixels with 18-55mm lens. It's also a digital, but it's a different type knows as a DSLR. The one you're probably used to using is known as "point and shoot" for less professional picture takers. I mean I not saying you're not, um well, sophisticated or anything but, um..."

"It's alright. I get it. Aren't these pretty expensive?" I said holding the heavy object in my hands, and checking out all its pretty parts. 

"Very! Thankfully, the school had these donated by an art foundation. These usually range between six hundred dollars and beyond!"

"Whew...so how do you like work it?" 

I swear I saw a gleam in his eye. For twenty minutes, I was taught everything I'd missed out on for a month. There was buttons upon buttons, tons of different settings and various lens types. With these in combination's I could bring things in and out of focus, make different effects like fisheye, or bokeh. I sat there gobsmacked. It was all very interesting and all, but it sorta went in one ear, and out the other.

"Got all that?" Logan said grinning ear to ear, obviously pleased with himself.

"It's quite a bit to take in..." I said shrugging.

"Yes, well perhaps I went a tad too quickly." he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "We'll just go with it for now, kay?"

"Sure." 

"Well, looks like we won't have much time today. The periods almost over. Wanna meet up after school? If you're free...?" 

"Umm well, why not? Meet me at my locker. It's the-"

"I know where your locker is!" Logan replied quickly.

"...Okay...I find that kinda disturbing." I said chuckling. I swear he became a tomato then.

"No, no, no! I'm not a stalker or anything, but it's just that the lockers are in alphabetical order and I-"

"Logan! Chill! It's cool. I was only kidding!" I said smiling. For some reason, I couldn't stay in my sour mood around him. Logan was bumbling, and awkward. I found it sorta...cute. For a second he just looked at me, but then just grinned wildly. Logan had dimples...he's one hell of a geek. 

"Alrighty! Great! I look forward to it! Maybe we could even grab a bite to eat?"

"Ummm...we'll see. It's possible."

The bell rung and everyone started piling out. We grabbed our bags and walked out together. Logan kept turning around and grinning at me. That irked me. What the hell did he need to be so cheery for? I attempted a frown but my muscles did not obey me and I found myself grinning instead. 

Boy oh boy.