riptide

Chapter 5.

After gym, Taryn and I exchange numbers, so we could meet for lunch. The school is large and open with students always floating about.

Unfortunately, I still have two more classes before lunch. Period three is chemistry, and period four is math. The two subjects I most despise. I’m satisfactory at them both; however, they’re just boring and useless. I still have yet to see someone use the quadratic formula in the real world.

The math teacher, Mrs. Corda, is a quiet and humble woman. She reminds me a bit of the female version of Albert Einstein – both looks and personality wise. Her tone remains soft, and her voice always in control, even when the class is out of hand. She keeps glancing at me, but not in a judgmental manner. It’s more of a thoughtful way.

The science teacher, Mr. Horzin, is the complete opposite. He’s a loudmouth, and uses much too many hand gestures while explaining. He doesn’t hesitate in calling me out when I don’t answer his question correctly.

I want to punch him.

I remained silent during the classes. No one talked to me, and I didn’t talk to anyone.

Just the way I like it.

At twelve thirty, lunch rolls around. I text Taryn asking where she is. Within seconds, I receive a reply.

“Inside the cafeteria. Go left, and we’re towards the back :)”

I stand in the lunch line pondering my options. The meal of the day is pizza, which looks awful, but I’m too hungry to care. The lunch lady slaps the food onto my plate without glancing at me. A few small drops of pizza sauce splatter onto my shirt.

Wonderful.

I grab a shit ton of napkins before searching for Taryn.

After looking around for longer than necessary, I see her waving a hand to me, flagging me down. I saunter to her table and take a seat on the cold, hard bench. Seated next to Taryn, is a girl with dirty blonde hair. She has caramel brown eyes, and a few freckles that sprawl across her cheeks. Her shoulder length blonde hair elegantly frames her cute face.

“Kat, meet Ashley. Ashley, meet Kat,” Taryn says, introducing us both.

Ashley looks over at me, and smiles. “Hey, it’s nice to meet you. Taryn was just telling me about you. You’re really from Seattle? The move must have been difficult,” she says.

She isn’t as bold as Taryn, which surprises me. Usually people with similar personality traits tend to blend, but Ashley and Taryn seem very different.

“It was pretty hard. Mostly because I had to stop so suddenly and leave everything,” I say, picking up my pizza and taking a tentative bite. It tastes better than it looks. “But, I mean, it’s been okay. I’ll live.”

Ashley giggles, at me. I automatically take a liking to her. She’s soft spoken and kind. I’ve never had a friend who possess her character.