It's Easy to Smile

Chapter 2: I Hate Monkeys

I gasped when I saw his face. It was perfect, flawless, you name it, it described him. In short, he. was. hot. I took a seat behind him as he ran his hand through his creamy brown hair. People around me could probably see me drooling.

 I shook my head to return back to my senses. Yep, he was definitely there. And he was... turning around? My eyes widened and my heart probably skipped a beat as the really cute guy in front of me said, “Hey you’re new, right?” I managed to nod my head. “I’m Derek.” And then he smiled, and I almost fell out of my chair.

 “Laura,” I said, trying to hide my excitement. The bell rang cutting off our conversation. I groaned. Bells really do ring at the worst possible times.

 A tall, short haired lady walked into the room. A cold atmosphere surrounded her. When she looked up it seemed like her dark gray eyes were piercing into my very soul. “Hello, class,” she said, almost with a witch-like voice. “My name is Mrs. Loir, and I am going to be your home room teacher this year.” Then she smiled, a great evil smile, and I could feel the kids around me freeze. This is going to be a great year.

 Lunch, I have to admit, is my favorite hour. Except when you’re the new kid and have no idea what to do or where to sit.

 I was probably walking around the room aimlessly for a couple minutes when I bumped into someone. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

 A girl with long luscious brown hair tied up in a ponytail looked at me. “Its fine,” she said, smiling (does everybody in this place act so nice?).  “You’re new, right?”

 “Yep,” I said answering the same question for the third time today.

 “Why don’t you sit at my table?” she said, gesturing to a table with about eight kids at it.

 “Ok,” I replied.

 “I’m Clarissa,” the girl said.

 “Laura.”

 At the table I saw a few familiar faces. Jaden, Jake, and Derek were at it. (Yes, Derek!) Then there were the others. There was a sporty looking girl sitting next to a gorgeous girl with dirty blonde hair, they were chatting. And then there was a guy with spiky blonde hair who was kinda cute sitting next to Derek. Then finally there was a guy that looked to me very much like a monkey.

 “Guys,” said Clarissa. “This is Laura. Laura this is Jaden, Sarah, Emily, Luke, Derek, and you already know Jake.” They waved at me. But the monkey boy just glared at her. “Oh yeah,” she said laughing. “That’s Griff.”

 I almost choked at the sound of his name. Griff? I stifled a laugh. What kind of a name is that? (no offense to anyone who has this name)

 I took a seat next to Jake. Everyone was laughing and pulling jokes.

 Jaden whispered to me. “Let me give you an overview of who these peeps are. So Sarah, is really good at sports, she’s a total child prodigy. But she won’t admit it.” Then she pointed to the blonde girl. “That’s Emily, and just like her hair she’s a total blonde.” We laughed. “Luke is the guy next to Derek; they’ve been best friends since forever. Just like me and Clarissa.” Then she pointed to monkey boy. “And Griff? Yeah, he’s the class clown.”

Griff looked at me. “So what school did you come from?” I bit my lip. Hejust had to bring this question up.

 “Um, Rosewood Academy.” I said.

 “Isn’t that the tiny school that closed down?” asked Griff. Stupid monkey boy.

Jaden elbowed him in the stomach. "Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Whatcha do that for?"

"Sorry about this guy," Jaden said. "He has a small brain."

I nodded. "Its fine," I lied. "I don't blame him."

When Rosewood Academy closed down it was probably the biggest thing on the news, but oh well, the boy is a monkey after all.

Ok, so it might be weird that I get really emotional about a school closing down. But it’s kinda hard to understand without an explanation, so here goes.

 Rosewood Academy was a private school of about three hundred students, kindergarten through twelfth grade. But as the years passed on the numbers dwindled until there were only a couple kids in each class. I absolutely loved this school. All my friends were here. And I expected nothing else than to graduate from here and then finish my life. But that all changed.

 “Laura, we need to talk to you.” Those few infamous words were all that took for me to figure out what was happening.

 Ok so it sounds pretty lame right now. I should be happy shouldn’t I? School closes down then I don’t have to go to school anymore, right? Well, think about this. All the friends you’ve known and shared memories with are all gone in one fell swoop. Except for Jake, he stayed with me. All the things you know and love are stripped away. And all that’s left is you. Lonely, poor you.

 I cried a lot that night. It took me a while to grasp the concept that I would never be going back, but that day I made a decision. I would be strong and I will not cry anymore. That’s why all the time I smile. I smile to hide what I truly feel and I smile so no one will ask if anything’s wrong with me. I smile to hide the pain.

 Sorry this chapter wasn't too exciting (ill prob edit some stuff)...the next one will get better! and please comment!!!

Thanks to PhoebeTandoc for the cover!!! :D