Getting to Nirvana {editing}

Chapter 2

Stream Enterer- Many of the stream enterers at the time of the Buddha were virtuous, led contented lives and were engaged in society.

Chapter 2

Nirvana

As I grab my books out of my cramped locker, and shuffle to my first period class which unfortunately for me is P.E., the only class I don't excel in, I accidentally bump my books into someone's chest. I mutter an apology, and I'm in the process of quickly walking away when I feel a strong but gentle hand on my shoulder. I look up in surprise not used to being touched and find myself locking eyes with Zack Sanders.

"Hey." He greets me laughing reassuringly. "No problem. It was my fault."

I can only manage a small nod still in shock that he's talking to me and touching me. Someone who in our almost four years of going to school with me has barely even acknowledged my existence except one time when he asked me if I was Zephyr's twin.

With his lovely brown skin that contrasts beautifully with his perfect white teeth and a chiseled jaw that looks as if it was structured from a Greek god's face, he is easily one of the most handsomest boys at our school, and also the most popular. So you can see my confusion with him talking to me. It's not that the popular kids don't know me, they just know of me as Zephyr's quiet twin sister.

"So did you need something?" I ask abruptly when his hand continues to settle on my shoulder like it's supposed to be there.

He looks surprised at my sharp tone and I internally wince in embarrassment. When I get nervous I tend to get blunt and sharp spoken with people, and talking to this guy is definitely triggering that.

He removes his hand quickly and sweeps it across his forehead where slightly raised acne is beginning to make its mark. They look like stress acne. I wonder what the wonderful Zack Sanders has to be stressed about? He seems to get everything handed to him on a silver platter.

"You're good at Calculus right?"

The interest I had in our conversation deflates. So that's what this is about. Of course what else would it be? I'm the best in our shared Calculus class and I'm pretty sure Zack has a 4, average. Or something in that range. It's not like he isn't smart. He just doesn't apply himself, and isn't motivated. The inner 30 year old teacher in me gets disappointed when I see guys like him.

"Yeah." I shift my books in my hand. "So I'm guessing you need help right?"

He shoots me a dazzlingly smile. "Woah are you psychic? See I knew you were smart."

I roll my eyes playfully and snap my fingers. "Damn it. You have me figured out. Don't tell anyone though."

He leans in closer a twinkle in his eye. "Don't worry your secret's safe with me." 

I feel butterflies in my stomach, but command them to stop. He's just a guy. A guy that's using me for my smartness at that.

He leans back from me. "So?"

"So what?" I say faking naïveté.

"Will you pretty please with a sexy ass cheerleader on top help me study for the test next week?"

I sigh as if contemplating my answer but I've already decided that I'll do it. And it's not because of the "sexy ass cheerleader" on top, or because I'm some lovesick puppy who has a crush on him, and am hoping this opportunity will give us a chance to fall in love and all that crap that comes after.  I just kind of love teaching people so whenever someone asks me for help in school, which is pretty often around testing periods, I usually say yes. Plus it's not that I have anything better to do after school anyway.