The Tempest

CARBONDALE HIGH

First day of High school seemed like a fresh start of life after a boring slow summer. For every teenager the summer break was supposed to be fun but if playing video games every afternoon in your best friend's den and binge watching Netflix's series and movies all night and emptying soda cans and packets of crisps is taken into account then definitely it was sluggish.

Though the start of school felt like a breath of fresh air but Carbondale High exuded the same start of school aura. The aura of a fresh yet boring football season about to start and a nervous Back To School dance.

The homeroom of a decent American high school is supposed to be a place where students behave their best. It was not so at Carbondale High.

Archie Garfield took his usual seat at the end if the classroom like he did in homeroom every year and looked around casually at the group of jocks who were tossing around a football and chatting with animated gestures and voices. The desirable life. Then there was Cheryl Watson the red haired millionaire princess of Carbondale and her chums swooning over each other's Instagram posts. Cheryl's father was the mayor of Carbondale. The remaining kids in the room were much worried about the pending submission of their book reports that they had received for summer school.

The entry of his best friend Reginald Woods in the room was cheered loudly by the jocks. Wearing his Carbondale High jacket and his famous neon yellow sneakers he looked like the hero of a high school movie  which he was in a certain way. He was in the football, baseball, swimming teams and was the captain of the basketball team and also the school's sports captain. High cheekbones and a good height, strong jawline along with a great sense of humor. He had it all.

"Garfield." Reginald nodded as he dumped his backpack on the bench beside Archie and sat on the table lazily.

"Woods." Archie replied.

"Guess what I got today?" Reggie smiled adjusting his jacket's collar.

"Cheryl?" asked Archie.

"Be serious Archie. Nobody except you knows that I have a crush on her and I intend to keep it that way. Imagine, the sports captain of Carbondale High afraid of proposing a girl." Reggie sighed.

"Well, she's the mayor's daughter and not to mention also the vice president of the student body."

"No thanks for the intel, you prick."

"You are more than welcome bro," grinned Archie.

"Anyway, you diverted us from the core of the topic that we just started. Focus dipshit."

"Okay so, you got a clean chit for crashing your dad's truck while delivering the vegetables to the supermarket?"

"Well that is the second good thing that happened today. There's something more to this blissful morning my blarmy friend." Reggie said closing his eyes and cocking his towards the roof of the classroom.

"Quit that British accent. And I cannot guess ."

"Screw you Arch," said Reggie. "My dad gave me the keys of his 89' bro."

"The Mustang?"

"Nah the Porsche. Of course the Mustang."

"No Kidding?"

"No Kidding," said Reggie as a smug smile played across his face.

"How come?" Archie asked with utter disbelief.

"Well, dad decided that he'll be getting one of those pickups like your mum has; for his farm business. Ha! Finally free of the tyranny of doing that loading and unloading stuff. Good thing that my brother Phil is now helping out dad at our farm. I'm just not cut out for that stuff," said Reggie rolling his eyes.

The bell tilled signalling the start of homeroom.

Mr. Ira the history teacher had their homeroom this year. The second he set his books on the teacher's desk he started droning on about the responsibilities of a high school student as an American citizen and then about the highlights of this academic year. He was interrupted by the vice principal Mr. Jones.

"Morning, students." Jones began in an authoritative tone. "I hope you have a good year ahead. This year you have a new friend among you." He said gesturing his hand towards the classroom door.

Time froze as she entered the room. All the lights went out in a parallel world. Everybody disappeared and there was only him and her. She glowed in this parallel world. She glowed like the most beautiful pearl embedded in the darkest depths of an ocean.

The girl had long golden blonde hair that fell to her waist. A pretty smile played on her lips.

"This is Miss Gwendoline Snow." Jones continued. "Now you students will uphold the welcoming spirit of Carbondale High-"

"Bro, she's hot," whispered Reggie.

"Shut up, Reg." Archie snapped.

"Cute?"

"Sure," said Archie in agreement.

"So, not hot?" Reggie smirked.

Archie glared at Reggie so hard that it made him to stop commenting. He then again turned his head towards the new girl who was standing near Cheryl's bench shooting shy glances at the class.

"Whoa Garfield!" Reggie exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Be a stud. Stop staring like a fucking pervert."

"I can't help myself." Archie spoke in robotic drone. "She's so fucking cute!"

"Garfield! Yo Archie! Jones' calling ya. Stop fantasizing."

"- Mr. Cooper? Are you listening?" Jones asked.

"Yes. Yes sir." Archie stammered standing on unstable legs.

"I am appointing you as  Miss Snow's school guide. You up?"

"Yes sir," said  Archie as he felt the circulation of blood again in his legs which had stopped earlier after seeing Gwendoline Snow.

"Fixed then." Jones clapped his hands together and left the room after wishing Gwendoline luck.

"Miss Snow, welcome to your homeroom. You may find an empty bench at the end of the room." Mr. Ira directed her towards the last empty bench near Archie's and Reggie's benches.

Gwendoline Snow moved towards them walking nervously with her eyes on the ground.

"Did you just become the luckiest guy in the school?" Reggie asked animatedly. "Get to work."

"Thanks for the intel, you prick." Archie smiled.