The Life We Know

Chapter 1

"NORA" yelled my mom. I run downstairs for breakfast. "Sorry mom", I say walking into the kitchen. I sit down at the table and start to shovel warm eggs into my mouth. I was already running out the door because I'm already running late. I made it just in time for the bus. I climb into the bus and take the first available seat. I take a deep breath and just listen to my music because I don't see my friends till first period. Before I could go to my first period math class I have to go to my gym Locker and put my nice freshly wash clothes, even thought they won't stay like that for long. Ugh, here we go as I get the office I just think, school is only a few hours long what could possibly go wrong. Right? Well, on my way to math I ran into one of my friends Clara. "Hey Clara!" I say as I wrap my arms around her in a warm comforting hug. "Hey Nora, are you ready for the math test this morning?" She replies. "I'm hoping I do well I studied all weekend for it. What about you?" "Well I studied this morning." Said with a slight giggle. "Well we should head to class then. Maybe you can get some more studying in." I said with a little sarcasm. We walked to class and sat in our normal seats next to each other. We get put in groups of four for our tables and I have one other friend coming so there are only three of us. Just then a boy walked in and out teacher told him to sit at our table. Around friends I don't care about anything or anyone else cause they matter the most to me, but when this guy I've never seen before sits down right next to me I don't say a word. This guy seems to be at least six foot and does workout, but he also seems kinda shy. He definitely sends some good vibes.I still move even closer to Clara because of my anxiety. I take out my spiral notebook and begin to scribble down anything that had come to my mind such as, who is he? Why does he have to sit here? Can I escape by never talking? What if I just dropped out of school? As you can tell I definitely do not like change so much, I try to avoid it at all cost but it doesn't work somedays. The bell rings just as Riley walks in. Me and her have a lot in common in some ways actually all of us have quite a bit in common like we all have different forms of anxiety, me and Riley are more introverted unlike Clara. She can make friends with anyone which I wish I could do. I get through math I didn't really talk to the guy . Okay, I take that back I didn't talk to him. I didn't say a word all of class but we also were taking a test. I got into the locker room and changed for weight training. I for the most part trained by myself but if I didn't a spotter I would ask the teachers assistant if she would. I got into class and there was that boy again. I was the only one not partnered but I preferred it that way. The weight training teacher Mrs. Stephonie walked over to me and said "Hey Nora I know you like training by yourself but since we have no more stations and Ben doesn't have a partner will you partner with him?" He starts walking over and it's nice to know I know his name now. I zoned out when Clara asked in math. I reply with "sure!" I'm freaking out what I'm I gonna say? I'm I just gonna nod or shake my head? Damn, this guy can really lift. I didn't realize I was staring until. "Hey, you okay?" I hear Ben say. "Yeah, you done?" I ask "yeah, what are you gonna do?" " I'm gonna back squat if you wouldn't mind spotting me?" "Of course!" Says Ben. I put 25 pound weight on the bar and begin to lift. I try to push my self. I rack the bar and add ten more pounds to each side. I start to lift again and push through the rest of my sets. I turn around and completely forgot that Ben was spotting me and ran into him. "Whoops, I'm so sorry!" "It's okay!" The teacher tells us to stretch and then go change. I stretch and basically run to the girls locker room. Oh my gosh. What I'm I? Why I'm I like this? Constantly running into people. Well luckily for the next two periods I can chill and listen to music or hangout with a class of 1st graders. It's always makes my day. I love them. Right as I'm running out the door Ben stops me. "Hey, I was wondering if you can show me a good place to have lunch or something?" "Ummm yeah! I'll pick you up on this side of the school by that stop sign?" That was about 20 feet away." "Awesome, thanks so much Nora!" Says Ben. "Of course! Well, anyway I have to get going. I TA for a bunch of first graders but I'll see you later!" "Okay, see ya!" Ben replies. Wow, I can't believe it. It's surprisingly not super hard to talk to him. He seems really chill. I can't wait for lunch. I think I'll take him to maybe a Mexican place. I mean I don't have any classes in the afternoon but I don't know if he does. I'll just ask him before we get lunch. I enjoy the next few hours with my Little first graders. I get into my car and head back to the high school. I pull up next to the stop sign where I said I would pick up Ben. I see him and roll down the passenger side window. I yell "Hey, come get in!" Ben says " Hey" with a slight laugh "Where are we going for lunch?" Ask Ben "Well do you have any classes after lunch?" "No, I don't you?" "No, I don't and I was thinking mexican maybe sushi, since neither of us have classes this afternoon." " I think we should go to sushi. It sounds really good and it'll be nice to sit down and just talk." " yeah, it really will be." We listen to music all of the way to sushi. We walk in and get a table. The waiter ask if we want some meso soup and we both say yes. I ask "what's your favorite kind of sushi?" "I definitely love the rattlesnake roll. What about you?" "Oh my god, I love the rattlesnake roll" Ben smiles and says "really that's crazy!" We finish eating and it comes to pay. "Here, I got it" I say reaching for the check. He reaches over and snatches it from me. "Hey, I said I got it!" Ben looks me dead in the eye and says "No, I am I asked you to lunch!" "Fine!" I say with a sigh and giggle. We were heading back to the high school, talking, when it happened.