the eyes of a storm

1

Aspen Rocket

"We're changing the seating plan!" Our short, freckled, ginger English teacher announced in a manner way too enthusiastic for a gloomy Tuesday morning. People who had loathed their previous seat mate or were excited at the chance of sitting next to their friend cheered whereas people like Zach and I, who were about to be parted, sighed and loudly complained how it was 'too soon' to be altering, what we thought, was a perfect seating arrangement.

"Quieten down kiddos," she tried hard to calm the storm again after several attempts already, not much to her prevail.

Eventually, she gave up trying to silence the class and just projected the new seating arrangements on the interactive white board. It was silent for a split second as everyone searched for their name and the person's name next to their own. I squinted my eyes and searched the screen. Damn, right at the back where I won't be able to see anything. I read the name next to me, 'Dante Evans'. Whomst??

Chatter erupted.

"Who are you with?" I nudged Zach, causing him to drop the pencil case he was trying to pack up into his bag in preparation to move. He tutted in response.

"Alexandra Lee." He answered and shrugged.

"He's alright," I commented. "I have no idea who Dante is-"

"Um, excuse me." Some guy who was now going to be sitting in my old seat interrupted me. I quickly apologised for being slow since everyone else had mostly gotten to their new places and some started to settle down by now. Zach and I exchanged grins and acted our dramatic farewells, which earned some chuckles, before I reached my spot.

Dante had already had his reading book out and was reading. He had, from what I could see: fine, raven hair that fell messily on his scalp, a small but not lanky build and milky white skin. This was a contrast to my dirty blonde hair that I straightened unconditionally, lightly toned muscles and tan skin.

I followed Dante's lead and began to read my book. Every lesson of English started with ten great minutes of silent reading, one of my favourite activities.

I could've stayed in the realm I had created of my book for hours upon hours, however the ten short minutes ends as quickly as it started and Miss Hufflepuff, also known as Miss Heather, started the lesson. But I can't complain. English is one of the only subjects I am good at - not that anyone knows. Subjects to do with maths bore me with their strange numbers that cannot possibly be comprehendible to any given human, right? Certainly not me.

I listened intently to Miss Heather ranting about the book we were currently studying; explaining in depth the meaning to all the hidden literary techniques the author implemented in their writing and took notes. The only notes that will be taken today.

Miss Heather clasped her hands, "Right kids, till the end of the lesson y'all can read in pairs one page each." Before forgetting to add, "stop at chapter 11 though!"

I quickly grabbed the book 'of mice and men' and turned to Dante who was rapidly flipping through the pages to where we had last read.

"So, I'll start?" I suggested. He barely looked up at me, focused on the book, and nodded.

I took it as a hint that I should start reading immediately. So I did and despite what Miss had told us to do, I - alone - read up to chapter eleven, perfectly and confidently till the end. Once I finished, I looked up from the words and was met with my blurry vision and a Dante who was now faced forwards towards our short teacher, head lowered still. Then, I realised I hadn't let him read a single page of the entire extract we were supposed to have been taking turns in reading.