The New Kid

Chapter 5

I was sitting in class, looking over the notes Christian had already written in his textbook in pencil. From the looks of it, he was staying on top of his learning. I was still taken aback by how friendly Christian and his buddies were being to me. It wasn't easy; being new. It wasn't easy being the misfit back at the last school either. 

My hometown, the first home and school I had ever had, was the best experience for me. I grew up with everybody, I knew everybody's names, I even had some of the closest friends I've had to date there. It helped that a lot of my peers were also neighbors - it was a smaller town. I still teared up when I thought about the move and how I hated leaving my elementary and middle-school friends behind for a bustling city. I spent freshman year at the last city we were in, and now sophomore year here. I think freshman year would have gone better if I hadn't been so down about the first move. I was scared to re-attach to anybody and start over, scared of being rejected, or even afraid of moving and losing my friends again. And here I was, yet at another school, in another town. 

I was certain I'd never have good friendships again. Sleepovers-and-birthday-party-type-of-friends were over for me. Plus, everyone wanted to be cool in high school and I just...wasn't. I hadn't dated, I didn't dress a certain way, and like I said earlier, I didn't want to care much about what others thought of me. It kept me strong, or so I thought.  

Until I met the boys at West View High, I hadn't laugh-laughed in quite awhile. I think my family noticed - they tried often to cheer me up. Even now, mom and dad were all peppy and asked me a lot of questions to see how I was getting along. They even let me have Robin, though it took like 99% of my savings to buy her. I knew dad needed the jobs the last two years to keep us financially stable, but it was still hard on me, no doubt. At least Reagan, my kid brother, seemed to be ignorant and happy about this move. 

This was the beginning of the second school-year after saying good-bye to everyone in my real hometown. And I couldn't help it. I couldn't help but worry that I was seemingly starting to fit in just a little here at West View High. What if Christian was only being nice for a time? Or if he started dating and forgot about being my friend? What if they were treating me like a charity case - be friends with the loser, the misfit. Or what if...my thoughts trailed off. My attention snapped back to the lecture when the teacher asked me a question. 

I don't hesitate to make something up. "...Um, two?" I said unsure. "No. Miss Mercier, please pay attention next time," the teacher sighed. I heard a few giggles from my classmates, and I starting blushing . . . again.

Just like the mystery question in class, I had no idea what my future was here. 

...................................

Christian was obviously up for sticking around to talk after school after getting his textbook back, but I told him I only had fifteen minutes to get to my interview at the coffee shop. "Which one?" he asks enthusiastically. "It's called the Full Mug," I answer. "Ah, I like that place. Do you need moral support?" he inquires. I look at him like, Really? You'd come with just to sit around? He raises his eyebrows at me playfully. I shrug, "Suuure, let's go." He smiles brightly at me, "Thatta girl. You're loosening up a little." I push him into the locker playfully and we get going.

We take my car and Christian is impressed. "You an old car junkie?" he asks. "I don't know about that," I respond, "but I sure do love my baby. Her name is Robin." I tell him, "Hop on in." "It's weird to be the passenger for once," Christian says. 

"So you have a car?" I ask him earnestly. "Yup, it's a black 2019 Hummer." He points straight ahead, "That one over there on the far side of the lot." I see it and raise my eyebrows, "Wow, nice! Showy much, though?" He shrugs both shoulders, "Ah, I've got a deal with my parents and I'm gradually paying them back all through high-school for it, so." I think to myself, of course, he's a rich kid. 

"I know what you're thinking," he says as if reading my mind, "We're not filthy rich, just hard-workers." I look at him out of the corner of my eye as I start driving as if to say sorry for judging, again.

I feel the pressure to be a flawless driver as Christian has nothing else to focus on but me and my driving skills. I'm hoping this was a good idea to let him join. No one has ridden in my Robin before, besides my mom and dad. "Are you nervous for your interview?" he asks curiously. My knuckles started turning white as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. I replied, "Last time I was interviewed was last year in another city... so I guess, a little?" He sits up a little straighter, and his broad shoulders and chest seem much more defined. "Well let's help you out by having a practice round, shall we?"

 "What're you doing?" I ask, letting a little giggle escape. His posture looks so strained, almost regal. "I'm going to pretend I'm the manager at the coffee shop." He starts, "So, Avalon. Is that your preferred name?" I smirk at him yet try to keep my eyes on the road. "Yes, it is ma'am." He looks at me like seriously? I smile, I kind of like his efforts. It's cute.

 He continues, "What would you say are your strengths in the workplace?" I ponder a little, actually taking him seriously now because I realize I could use the practice. I say, "I like to go above and beyond. I take the phrase, if you have time to lean you have time to clean as my motto. I also think I'm good at organizing, being punctual, and customer service. "I see," Christian says, "And what are your weaknesses?" I think a moment. "I am shy at first, but then I really like to invest in regular customers. At least at my last barista job, we warmed up to each other." My thoughts turned to a couple of my old customers I did really miss.

Christian pauses his faux-interview and looks at me while clasping his hands, "You look kind of . . . sad. What's the matter?" I glance over at him, "Um. Moving can be . . . pretty tough. I miss some of my customers at that last coffee shop. And just generally feeling comfortable and aware of my surroundings and knowing what to expect." Christian says, "That makes total sense. I'm sorry to hear it's been rough." I shrug, "I'll get used to the newness, just like I did last time."

I am eager to change subjects and am glad we've arrived at the Full Mug. "We're here!" I say. We hop out of the car. "Here goes nothing," I state un-confidently. Christian says, "You're gonna do great Avalon." He surprises me when he invades my bubble of personal space and puts an arm around my shoulder loosely, as if to say, Don't worry, I got you.