Linger

O N E

"Bye, see you later!" I called out, closing the car door as my mom drove off.

It was Monday, the start of yet another dreadful week of school. Thank goodness this was my last year of high school.

I made my way through the crowded halls & approached my locker, opening it and putting away books I didn't need & grabbing my algebra 2 book, which I had a big test on today.

Joy.

I tucked the book under my arm as I closed the door & headed over to my first class: study hall, which I was in great need of today if I wanted to pass this exam. Usually the teachers that monitored study hall would vary & to my surprise Mr. Hayden was sitting behind the desk today. This instantly brightened me up.

Mr Hayden was the senior counselor and history teacher. A very young, laid back, & easygoing man. He looked up as I walked in the room, his eyes meeting mine.

"Ah, good morning!"

"Hi, good morning!" I replied.

He nodded to the book in my arms, "Algebra 2?", he questioned.

"Yep," I said "I have an exam to knock out today."  I laughed nervously as I walked to his desk, trying to make light of the big test.

He smiled, "I'm sure you'll do fine."

"I hope so." I sighed, walking to my seat on the right side of the room.

Forty five minutes & a few too many equations later, study hall was over and I felt like I had overdosed on Algebra two. I started packing up my things, as everyone started piling out of the room. I needed to get out quickly, to make it to my next class on time. I hated those crowded halls.

As I was exiting I heard someone call my name. Looking around to see who it was, I noticed I was next to Mr. Hayden's desk, his eyes looking for mine.

"Hey, you have your test right now?" He asked.

"Yeah." I sighed, anxiety getting the best of me.

"Relax, you'll do fine. I know you will." He said soothingly, care evident in his eyes.

"Thank you." I said with a small smile as I walked out of the room.

I walked to my second class with more ease & felt more confident about my exam. Not only because I had just studied an insane amount of problems, but also because Mr. Hayden had calmed my nerves with what he said. It was nice to talk to someone who believed in you, someone who cared. It was just a small conversation, but it had definitely made me feel a whole lot better about this test.

Two classes later & it was lunchtime now. The Algebra 2 test had mostly been a blur to me, but I feel I had done pretty well on it. I was sitting with a few other girls from my grade, who were discussing their weekend, while I just listened as I munched on my sandwich.

I took in the crowded atmosphere, as I looked around seeing students talking, laughing & eating. As I continued my little game of people watching, I felt a pair of eyes watching me. I turned my head to meet two deep brown eyes staring right back at me. The same brown eyes that held concern for me this morning. He held his lunch in front of him as he walked to a table filled with other faculty staff. His gaze holding my attention for only so long, but long enough to give me the butterflies, before he found a seat and I quickly turned away, feeling confused as to why I was feeling this way towards him.

"Maddie..Maddie!....hellooooo! Madison!" My friend, Alice yelled snapping me out of my thoughts of Mr. Hayden & rapidly bringing my attention back to the girls I was having lunch with.