On top of the world

Back to business

"Lyuba. Phone. Now."

Miss Kingsley, our English teacher, held out her hand. I sighed defeatedly while getting out of my chair and handing the phone to her. Only 20 more tortuous minutes...

"Busted..." I felt a tickle in my ear. Árni...

"Shut up," I snapped back at him quietly. My genuine interest in whatever was going on in English died 10 minutes after class began, and now my fake interest was waning as well.

Some of the girls in the class seemed to have envious expressions on their faces directed at me. I didn't really understand why. Sure, he had grown a little taller during the summer, but other than that he hadn't changed much. He was still the same old Árni to me.

Finally, the bell rang. And luckily, this school was one that honors the bell system, so the bells dismissed us and NOT the teachers. Everyone grabbed their bookbags and binders and rushed off to the next class. Árni was heading out too, but I knew he would still wait for me.

Miss Kingsley handed my phone back. "I don't want to see your mobile device out during class again, understand?" I cringed when she said "mobile device" but then quickly nodded my head and tried to scramble away, but she still had more to say.

"Say, who is that fellow on your lock screen wallpaper?" she inquired.

"Javier Fernandez. Spanish figure skater." I locked eyes with her, trying to intimidate her. She will NOT start thinking about MY Javi.

"Well..." She trailed off, but I could see her thoughts, and I was not liking them. "Ok, see you tomorrow," she said casually as if we did not just have a Mexican standoff.

"Have a nice day Miss Kingsley," I replied with a nanoscopic amount of sarcasm.

Miss Kingsley nodded curtly. We were both trying to hide strong feelings for some guy that didn't even know we existed.

"Well, you're a feisty one."

Árni was just outside the door in the "cool hallway stance" that was popularized by Zac Efron in High School Musical.

"Ugh, you heard all that?" I rolled my eyes. "I know I'm in the wrong for having my phone out during class, but that last scene was totally uncalled for." We were both headed to math now. That would be a nice break from English.

"You're sassier than you look." Árni shrugged.

I made a face and glanced down at my phone; amidst all the notifications I saw the clock. Only one minute until algebra?!?

"Shoot! We gotta book it!" I yelped while starting to pick up my pace.

We made it just in time. Mr. Todd looked at our flushed faces curiously, and the other students proceeded to poke fun at us.

"Ok class, take note of the homework assigned on the board..."

Algebra was over soon enough, and Árni and I had to part ways, at least until gym. But lucky for me, Bessie and I had science together. Science also happened to be my favorite subject. We were currently learning biology, which I liked a lot. When I grow up, I'd want to do something related to science, possibly in the medical field (if I find the guts to get through college and medical school).

Bessie, being the polar opposite of me, loved English. Therefore, we resolved to help each other out with our respective weak points in school.

The final class of the day was gym. We played volleyball, and I happened to be very good at serving. I made 7 aces in a row for our team.