Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

Robert Hooke

Meggie's POV  

I groaned. Biology again. I hated Biology. I just wanted to curl up on the bench and sleep. Well, at least it was last period, and I was going home soon. But then, there was a party this evening, and I had to go to it, or Hazel would yap off my ear later. Not that anyone really close to me was throwing the party; it was just understood that I would go to most of them.

Yes, that's right, boys and girls, I am popular. I can't imagine why, though. I mean, I have purple eyes, which, I suppose is unusual, and a good figure (well, actually I'm way too skinny) but that does't qualify me for popularity. I'm not a cheerleader, although I do like gymnastics, and when it comes to boyfriends... forget it.

Hazel, one of my best friends, is definitely the popular girl type, though; tall, very pretty, red haired, athletic, social. I sometimes wonder why, out of everyone, she chose to be friends with me. Although, it's not like I'm a bad person or anything, I just can't see myself waving pom-poms, wearing mini-skirts, or applying so much make up it makes my face heavy.  

Mikelah kicked my foot under the table. The teacher was staring at me. "Umm," I looked at Mikelah, and she mouthed the answer to me. "Robert Hooke." I said and he continued with his lesson. Mikelah leaned over to whisper to me.  

"Are you all right?" she asked me, with genuine concern in her eyes. I nodded, and she gave me a look like she didn't believe me. Mik claimed I'd been 'distracted' lately, since.... well, since my mom left, a couple of months ago. But anyway, that's something for another time.

Mik is another member of the popular group , the sweet one who's actually worth imitating. She has shoulder length brown hair, deep blue eyes, and eyelashes so thick that she's never worn eyeliner or mascara in her life. She will sit with everyone and listen to their stories about being dumped, about kissing whoever, or about who's getting together, but gets all shy when the conversation turns to her.

To be honest, I don't have a very high opinion of the high school drama with boyfriends and so-called 'love'. It's a waste of time and energy, and it never lasts, anyway. I've had a boyfriend before, yes, but we broke up a while ago. I've decided to give it a rest with the love crap for a while.

I daydreamed until the final bell rang and we were finally free! I nearly forgot to pick up my books before I left class. I was headed straight for the park near my house, where I liked to go and relax.  

The sun shone in my eyes and I turned the other way. I was sitting on my park bench, watching little children play with balls and slides and swings. It's my favorite place to be, but today it was just too hot for me. 

Suddenly a boy walked up to me. He was tall, had black hair, and brown eyes that were just a touch familiar. He just stood there, watching me, and though I was glad for the shade he provided, I was confused.  

 "Excuse me, can I help you?" I asked. He grinned, and I felt that twinge of familiarity again.  

"You don't remember me? I'm hurt." I stared at him, still confused, and then he put one hand on my back, kind of dipped me, and planted a kiss on the tip of my nose. Normally I would slap someone for something like that, but he had reminded me of something.  

"Mervyn!" I shrieked, and hugged him. Then I slapped him, but not hard enough to really hurt. Mervyn had been my best friend when we were small. He had moved away with his family whe we were both 10. He'd grown so much that I didn't even recognise him.  

The kiss was one of our funniest memories. When we were about 4 or 5 years old, we had gone to a wedding together, an someone or other had made us dance with each other, because we were so cute. Then, right before we went to sit down again, Mervyn had kissed me, smack on my lips. I got the impression that he really didn't want to come anywhere near my lips, which is why he kissed my nose just now. Mervyn is like my brother. He's so sweet.

But, back on the subject of the kiss. We laughed at that for years, to Mervyn's eternal embarrasment. He was always a shy, reserved type of person, who didn't usually take to doing things like kissing people suddenly and for no good reason. I put my purple notebook on my lap and made him sit next to me on the park bench.  

"What are you doing here, Mervyn?" I asked him, but he was already gazing off into space. He's the spacing out type, and I can't tell you how many times I've had to stop him from walking into walls. And how many times I let him and then laughed at the look on his face.  

"Hello? Earth to Mervyn?" I snapped my fingers in front of his face. No reaction. Then I pinched him, hard.  

"Huh? What?" He looked at me, still pretty lost.  

"You spaced out again. I asked you how come you're here again. Are you staying around here? Are you staying for good?Where's your mom and dad?" I was a little excited, and temporarily forgot that Mervyn didn't respond well to lists of questions like that. He looked at me for a second, then blinked twice.  

"Umm... yes?" He replied. I laughed, and then repeated myself, very slowly. I had missed him.

*****************

This is Meggie's eye colour. I'm looking for a picture for her. ------->