Sweet Lover | z.m. + n.k

001

Summer school had not been my plan, I was planning on going off to New York for the summer with my friends Dinah Jane and Ally. We were going to check out broadway and see The Lion King on stage for the first time.

But two weeks before the end of school I was told I would either have to test out and get a cerdit for history that I missed or when we got back to school for our senior year, which would mean extra classes I didn't want to take.

So I told my friends to go without me and and as soon as I tested out of history I would be up there with them. Disapointment hit me like a rock. I had no idea missing a cerdit from year 9 would affect me going into my final year.

But I sighed and decided to suck it up because I could either sulk about my situation or I could get it done (hopefully) scar free.

So when the first day rolled around, I woke myself up at seven in the morning to get ready for summer school, dressing nicely in a black skirt and a white crop top with a pair of red sneakers to match my red lip gloss then had a decent breakfast then headed out.

I walked to school since I lived less than a mile away. Even this early in the morning the sun was hot and burning my back, but I ignored it and stuck my headphones in my ears, letting John Legend take over my senses.

Once I got to school it was like a normal day, only hotter. The AC wasn't on and I could see other students fanning themselves with there hands and papers.

Should I have brought papers? Or a notebook to take notes in? Everyone else had backpacks and and folders. Suddenly I felt out of place and my skin began to prickle and goose bumps rubbed on my exposed skin. I looked around the history room, watching everyone as the sat around. Fanning themselves or pulling out notebooks and pencils. I shuffled to the back of the room touching and playing with my nails once I sat down so I didn't look completely clueless.

I didn't even bother taking out my headphones I let the music play seeing I didn't have anyone to talk too in here. My two closest friends were off having adventures in a different state while I stayed here in Georgia to clean up and mess from grade 9.

In the end curiosity got the best of me and began looking around the classroom for familiar faces, I found none though and was about to look down at my nails again when a boy walked into the room.

Even in the summer heat the boy wore a leather jacket. From the side I could see his strong jawline and high cheekbones and stubble rolling across his face. He had dark, dark brown hair that was styled up in a swift swirl.

He had plump candy pink lips turned down in a slight scowl which caused shivers to fall from the top of my head to my toes.

This boy also had a backpack on and I watched take a seat in the middle of the classroom in front of me by a few rows but I was lucky enough to still see his profile.

Once he sat down he put his backpack down and opened it up going through it and pulling out what looked like a sketchpad. But he turned back to the front opening up the book and bending over it and I watched as his pencil ran over the page.

From the moment the boy walked into the classroom he held my attention and I didn't dare look away from him. He captived me like a dream and it was as if I looked away and he would disappear forever.

I don't know how long this lasted for but it all came to an end when a teacher walked into the room. Demanding attention with his booming voice.

"Hello everyone, my name is Mr. Grayson," he says standing in front of his desk making eye contact with every child in the room, including me. His grey blue eyes were fierce and bright. "I am here to teach you history that you missed when you were actually supposed to learn it."

I rose an eyebrow. I couldn't tell if this man was being rude or just blunt.

"But I actually want to get to know you guys. So what you will be doing today is naming yourselves and telling me why you're here. We'll start in the front." He turns and looks to the left of the classroom and points to a kid. "You, start us off. Who are you and why are you here?"

-

"My name is Zayn, and I'm here because I want to graduate early."

Zayn, his name is Zayn.

His voice was soft and quite but the texture was rich and warm like velvet. In a way it didn't match his demeanor but also matched it perfectly. It was dark, rich, deep, and Mysterious. I wanted to know more about him and why I hadn't ever seen him before.

"So if you get these cerdits now you won't be back for next year?" Mr. Grayson asked and Zayn nods "Good for you champ." And with that the conversation with Zayn ended and he moved on to the next person.

I sighed I didn't want conversation about Zayn and his plans to stop. He chose to give up his summer and spend it getting his last cerdits and get out of high school, I admired him for his dedication.

"So you," Mr. Grayson says standing directly in front of me. My eyes widen and I turn away from him looking around trying to make sure he wasn't talking to me. "I mean you sweetie," he says, tone light but his eyes are hard and I have to look away.

"I'm Normani... I'm here to fix passed mistakes." My voice is small, I can feel it but I barely hear my own voice. I want to cringe at my own weakness.

"A little louder this time, child." He says

I close my eyes and take a deep breath before starting again, all eyes were on me and it scared me. This was not my element.

I pictured myself on stage in a pretty dress, hair done up and a crown on my head. Mr. Grayson is my interviewer and this is only a pageant, pageants are easy. I've been doing them for my whole life.

"My name is Normani," I say, my voice is louder stronger and I turn and look at anyone who is looking at me, flashing a quick smile. "And I'm here to fix my past mistakes."

Mr. Grayson nods "Very nice," he says before going on to the last student. Some of the kids were still looking at me but i ignored them, because the one person I wouldn't have minded staring at me was the only one who didn't.