Teenage Dirtbag

Ch. 14

            When I woke up the next morning for school I was more excited than I had been to get there in a long time. For the first time since Marcel and I had started dating, I was going to get to hold his hand whenever I felt like it, kiss him in front of other people. He was letting his hair go free for the first time in who knows how long at school. Today, will be a good day.

            Deciding to be a little less lazy with my appearance today I brushed my hair out and let it flow around my shoulders instead of putting it up. I put on a pair of black jeans and a purple top with black stripes. Doing a quick twirl in the mirror I decided I looked pretty damn good and quickly went about putting my make-up on.

            As soon as I got downstairs my Mom rushed us out the door, yelling about how she'd overslept and was running late. Refusing to let this put a damper on my day I let her usher me out of the house and into the car. I was momentarily scared for my life when she ran a red light on the way to school, and reminded myself to ask her about getting my own car or taking the bus from now on. She stopped at the school just long enough for me to get out before she sped off towards work.

            I smoothed my shirt out as I watched her drive away, wishing I had brought a jacket. I had nearly forgotten what was happening today until I began walking up the steps to the main doors and saw Marcel standing there. He looked like he felt awkward, normally I was the only person who saw him like that, but he looked amazing. As promised he'd left his hair in its natural state, and while he wasn't wearing his glasses I could see them carefully tucked into the breast pocket of his plaid button-up.

            The smile on my face must have been enormous because as I got closer to him I saw a flicker of a smile on his face, "good morning," I said brightly.

            "Morning," he said back, finally letting his dimples show, "you look nice today."

            "You look fantastic today," I replied, "do I get to kiss you yet?"

            "Everyone already keeps looking at me," he started.

            "Then let's give the something to look at," I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a lingering kiss. I knew public displays of affection or public anything wasn't his thing, but I figured throwing him into it was the only way he'd get used to it. He was reluctant at first but soon his hands were at my waist and he was returning the kiss. "See," I said as I pulled away with a smirk, "this is how we should start every morning."

            "I can get used to this," he said with a smile, taking one of my hands with his own. "We need to get inside or we're going to be late."

            "Fine, if we have to," and amidst the stares our little show had gained us, we walked inside. I paid no mind to the eyes that watched us inside, or the murmurs of people questioning if that really was Marcel. I know he heard every word, and while no one had said anything particularly nasty, he didn't like being the center of attention. I squeezed his hand as we walked into our Math class, willing him to find the courage he showed me when it was just the two of us.

            At lunch we sat at our usual table in the corner of the room, and Marcel  instead of sitting next to me sat across from me so his back was to the rest of the room. "Are you alright," I asked as I watched him pick at his food, "is it too much?"

            He shook his head, smiling more for my benefit than his, "no it's okay. Just not used to all the attention is all."

            "Well you're handling it very well. I'm proud of you."

            His face visibly perked and he gave me a real smile, "thanks," he said simply as we continued with our lunch.

            After lunch we had our big history test, and even with the help of Marcel's notes, I was fairly certain if I passed it would only be marginally. The test took most of the class period, and gym was next. I couldn't think of a time I ever looked forward to gym, but I knew today Marcel was dreading going into the locker room more than any other time. For the first time today I wouldn't get to be by his side while he tried to get used to this new look in public.

            He was quiet as we made our way down the hall to the locker rooms. His body getting stiffer the closer we got to the doors. "It's only five minutes, Marcel. They haven't been awful yet, they won't be now."

            "You just haven't seen how angrily you've looked at some of them since you moved here. They're probably scared you'll beat them up."

            "And I would," I said with a smile, "but in case you haven't seen your muscles, I think you could handle yourself in a fistfight. But don't get into one!"

            When we reached the doors he looked like he felt somewhat better; "alright, no fighting. See you in a few," and to my surprise he moved in for a kiss before disappearing behind the locker room doors. 

            A group of girls stood waiting next to my gym locker as I came in to change, "uh, hi," I said as I shifted past them.

            "How'd you do it," I heard one of them ask behind me.

            "Do what?"

            "Make him look like...that," another asked.

            I quickly changed my into my gym uniform before I turned to face them, "Marcel has always looked like that. Just no one took the time to look."

            "So you guys are an item?"

            "Yes," I answered as I walked past them, "pretty much since I moved here." One of them started to say something else, but their opinions were one of the last things that were of interest to me. Gym that day consisted of the glorious and entertaining rules and examples of soccer. While this would normally bore me nearly to death, Marcel was picked for an example and all eyes were on him as he ran down the court and kicked the ball into the makeshift net.

            His earlier goal gave him a confident stride, and he held his head high as we made our way to our final class of the day. Even though we were now finished with Shakespeare, English was still my favorite class and we had begun To Kill a Mocking Bird. Still one of my favorites I hung on every word as we took turns reading it aloud in class.

            When the final bell rang Marcel stood by my desk as I gathered my things while everyone else cleared out of the room. "You did great today," I said I as I stood up, "I really am proud of you."

            "Well I couldn't have done it if you hadn't been here," he said with a smile as we walked out of the classroom.