vandrophobia

Phythons and Kitties

I'm gawking. Jeff transferred to my school? I'm touched…but also a little scared. Why? Because Jeff will either save me…or make my current predicament even worse.

"Jeff, you can take a seat in the 4th row, near the windows," says Mrs. Elk. I sit at the very front at right corner of the room, and I turn around to see an empty desk at the very last row on the other side of the classroom.

"I was actually hoping I could sit where Wintar is sitting right now," Jeff says.

My eyes are popping out of my head for several reasons. First, I'm surprised at Jeff's boldness. Second, I feel everyone else's stare piercing the back of my head. But more so, I can feel Wintar turn and look at me.

Mrs. Elk sounds impatient. "We can discuss this during break. For now, you can temporarily sit in the last row, is that okay?"

Jeff nods and smiles. "Of course." He walks to the back of the classroom. As he passes down a row, girls turn and watch him. Is Jeff really that popular? My neighbor has a secret identity! I suddenly feel quite smug. He is my best guy friend after all.

"Are you aware you are smiling at a quadratic equation poster?" a smooth voice says.

My eyes veer left. Wintar is still looking at me. Please turn back around.

"I think math is brilliant," I tell him. Brilliantly difficult, but I can leave that detail out.

"Really, now…" My hand flies up to my face again, blocking him. "I would think P.E. is your favorite subject."

I remember his face and my punch. I laugh nervously. "Popular belief…but very untrue." I laugh again. "Very."

For the rest of class until break, I can hear girls around Wintar whispering to him.

"Wintar are you sure you're okay?"

"Oh, you were so tough yesterday!"

"Who did that to you! I hope he dies!"

I gulp. Well at least they think the person who punched him was a he.

"Oh, no," Wintar says. "The person who punched me wasn't a guy."

"What!" the girls around him say.

"It's the same person who gave you those muffin baskets."

I hope that beautiful boy gets severe acne one day.

When break finally arrives, I can't decide whether to run out of the room to avoid the inevitable confrontation of girls in here…or end up getting my face beaten by the female Hulk out there.

That's not much of a contest. I think I'll stay in my seat.

"So that's the pretty boy, huh?"

I smile. Jeff!

I look up and he's kneeling besides me. He's looking at a group of girls gathered around Wintar's desk.

"Yeah. That's the beautiful boy."

Jeff takes another look at him. "So is his hair actually supposed to be that color or was it a dyeing accident?"

I can't help but laugh. Only Jeff would see Wintar's bleached blonde hair like that. I think it looks very good on him. Unnaturally good. Soft, silky. Over his large innocent eyes...and…

"Lira?" Jeff takes a look at me. My face has twisted into an indescribable expression. "Did you pull a muscle or something just now?" I guess that expression is called pulled-a-muscle face.

My face relaxes again. "No. Oh, did you manage to change seats!" I sound far too excited.

Jeff smiles. He has a nice smile. Handsome, strong. I like it. "No." Then again, he's just a muffin stuffer. "But I did convince the girl sitting behind you to switch seats with me."