Eyeglasses

When she opened her eyes that morning, Juleane was positive for another long, boring day.

She was shaken awake by the cold from the chilly water that was splashed at her by her idiotic little brothers as a prank. When she got up, she decided that she was too tired and sleepy to berate the annoying midgets and let out an exaggerated sigh. She looked up and saw the time shining, as if glaring at her mockingly. She was running late again. With shuffling steps that scuffed the floor, she squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them wide in an effort to stay awake before stretching her limbs awkwardly. She showered drowsily and dressed without any enthusiasm. She knew that she was late, again. But that was nothing new, and she didn't really care about her tardiness.

After bidding good bye to her parents, she grabbed her umbrella because there was a slight drizzle and fumbled around the handle to open the thing. It stretched open wide and its tips almost poked her eyes. She furrowed her brow while adjusting her eyeglasses. With exhaustion obvious in her countenance, she arrived to her school with a gloomy expression and half lidded eyes. Self-consciously patting her curly hair in an attempt to look presentable, she entered the lobby and fell in line along with the latecomers. They were always reprimanded for their tardiness, and it happened just about every single day that it was like a broken record. A whiny, annoying broken record. Surely, the number of late students wouldn't be that many if the school didn't start so early.

"I see the same faces. Since the importance of punctuality still can't seep in your minds, I suppose punishments may suffice. Today, you are cleaning the loo. Use the mops. Make sure it is spotless when I come and check. "

Great. How bloody brilliant.

She should've just made up a plausible reason to her mom so she could be absent. Like a stomach ache, or a head ache. Or something.

Her classmates were huddled in a corner and giggling. They were always giggling about something. Never failed to hurt her ears. They were playing like mindless eight year olds, splashing filthy water everywhere. Do they ever do things seriously? She sighed for like the fiftieth time of the day and began doing her part of the chore.

By the time they were sent up to their classes, her face was flushed and she was sweating. She quickly wiped her face with her handkerchief and moved to sit down on her seat. Their teacher hadn't arrived yet.

Someone was poking her shoulders.

"Psssssssst,"

She turned her head to glare at her seat mate. God, why are people so annoying?

"What?" She asked, irritated.

The nuisance who was bothering her was Ronn. She always thought his name was incorrectly spelled, or something. Really, who names their son Ronn, with two n's? He was a transferee, and by being a new student, with apparently "good" looks, he immediately gained popularity. Sure, he had a straight nose and high cheek bones and a nice jaw, but who cares? Having a fine bone structure does not necessarily make you attractive. Really.

He slid his armchair closer.

She fidgeted.

"Nothing, really. Just trying to annoy you, you look particularly grumpy today," he shot her an impish grin. His arm brushed across hers. Do people here really have no respect for personal spaces? God.

She scowled and looked at him above her spectacles. "Just say what you have to say to be over with."

He cleared his throat, as if uncertain what to say. "Uh, do you have, uhm, the assignment for science?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Oh. May I copy it?"

"No," she snapped.

"Okay then."

Two minutes later, "Please? Ronalyn never lets anyone copy her assignments. And it's not that I didn't do my homework, I just forgot it at home, really, and I-"

She intercepted his babbling by flinging her notebook to his desk. Ronalyn was a goody two shoes swot seated to his left. She'd rather have her eyes clawed than to let anyone copy her homework.

"There, now could you please leave me alone?" She took of her glasses to scratch her eyes, feeling sleepy.

He stopped talking and turned to stare at her, his mouth slightly open.

"What, now? Do I have something on my face?" She narrowed her eyes, her expression pinched.

He blinked and immediately closed his mouth.

"Nothing, uhhh, just, Ithinkyoushouldtakeoffyourglassesmoreoften, I mean, I know you need it for your eyesight, but-" he mumbled.

"Uhm, what?"

He took a deep breath. "I think you should take off your glasses more often," he said in a low, and almost skittish tone, looking at anywhere but her.

She gazed at him curiously. His cheeks were slightly tinged pink.

Perhaps today wouldn't be so boring, after all.