Salad Days

H.E.R

A shroud of grey filtered through the air as heavy rain hit the windowpane of the classroom. The sound of the wind whipping against the trees, causing the branches to claw at glass viciously.

I watched the onslaught outside the window as the teacher droned on about the themes of our current reading. I normally loved Ms. Erland's literature circles but today just wasn't the day and my mind was miles away.  

"Eadlyn?" 

"Huh," I reply confused.

"We were just talking about how we're going to start writing poems.I knew you were excited about that," Ms.Erland says with a warm smile on her face. 

"I am delighted," I say, not looking the part.

"Right. Well without further due I'll start assigning partners."

Automatically my eyes dashed to Rose. Rose looked back at me smiling. Also hoping we were going to be partners I assume. Rose has been my ride or die for as long as I have been alive.

"Clara and Ross," Ms.Erland announces. I hear a few grunts around the class. I tune out Ms.Erland and stare out the window. 

Today, hasn't exactly been a good day. Mom being out of the house everyday to attend to her duties as mayor, she barely has time for me .  And the minute I came to school all I heard was " Why aren't you smiling?" or variations of the same phrase. It confuses me. Am I put on this earth solely to smile?But that was normal and it was to be expected, with me being the mayor's perfect daughter who hasn't ever missed a school day or ever got a detention. 

"Eadlyn and Archer," Ms.Erland announces.

I look to the back of the class where I know Archer sits. I don't know a lot about him but that he keeps to himself and doesn't really talk much. But I also know that he is good looking and a majority of girls at Blackwood High are interested in him. I think he's majoring in engineering.

I see him hunched over a piece of paper. I walk towards him and notice he's working on a piece of art. 

"Hi," I say announcing my presence. 

He looks up and his eyebrows pull together. 

"Hello," he replies. I guess I haven't noticed before but he actually has a very delightful voice. Soft like honey with a heavy British accent. 

"What are you working on?" I inquire trying to ease in to a conversation.

"Umm.........Nothing," 

"Okay," I say, unsure. He was not making this easy.

"Do you want to start brainstorming ideas?" I suggest.

"Usually when I write a poem its nice to have some inspiration first," he says looking at me for the second time in our conversation.

Getting a good look at his face I notice why some girls are interested in him. He has high and prominent cheekbones with light brown eyes to match his hair that is just as almond auburn as his eyes. Not to mention all girls here are crazy for guys that can recite Shakespeare. But he doesn't seem like the type who would care about that. 

"Right, well, I was thinking of writing a free verse," I say grimly.

" Are you okay?" he asks. This surprises me, he doesn't know me why should he care?

"Um no," I say tired of saying I am fine. 

"Well sad girl, Can I help?"

"I doubt," I reply.