Love Lies

New Day, New Faces

     The next day, Chris and I walk into school hand-in-hand. It feels good holding his hand knowing that I don’t have to hide it from Gia. I can’t help but smile when he walks me to Chemistry.

        “I’ll see you later,” I say while getting on my toes to kiss him.

        “Can’t wait,” he says and kisses me back.

        I watch him walk away and think about how amazing last night was. I stand in the hallway and wait for the bell to snap me back into reality.

        I walk into class and see Ms. Green writing the “Daily Agenda” on the board. I sit in my usual seat, which used to be next to Gia, but she hasn’t come to school since she dropped her little bombshell on me. I have to think of a way to prove that she’s lying. Maybe I can ask her mom or something.

        Before I can begin writing down all the possible options, Ms. Green says, “Alright chickens, we have a new lab to do. And the best part is you get to do it with an assigned partner!”

        I love Ms. Green. She's really sarcastic but in a humorous way.

        “Oh, come on! Last time you assigned partners I was stuck with Funky-Ass-Frank,” says Cara, one of Gia’s friends.

        “Hey! Just because I like to display my funk more than others doesn’t mean a damn thing!” yells Frank.

        “That’s enough, thank you,” says Ms. Green. She picks up a piece of paper and begins to read the pairs for the lab. “Alright we’ve got, Sara and Tom, Emma and John, Cara and Frank-”

        “Seriously!” shout Frank and Cara in unison.

        “Yes,” says Ms. Green. She continues, “Gia and Phil, Jenn and Brooke, Alex and Alex, you know who you are. And finally, Tia and Theo.”

        I look around the classroom confused. “Who’s Theo?”

        As the class continues to look around the room, a guy who’s about 6 feet with brown hair and green eyes walks in.

        “Sorry I’m tardy. I lost my way and had to ask for directions. This school is massive!” he says with a thick English accent.

        “Ah, you must be Theo. Welcome and for future reference, ‘tardiness’ doesn’t sit well with me,” says Ms. Green with her usual sarcastic tone.

        I’m guessing Theo doesn’t know the difference between sarcasm and sincerity because the look on his face looks like he's about to crap in his pants.

        “Go and take your seat next to Ms. Moore in the middle.” She directs him with her finger.

        When he spots me, a slight grin grows on his face. He walks toward me and the class watches him. Murmurs grow around me. One of the girls whistle at him and everyone laughs.

        “Hello. I’m Theo and you must be Ms. Moore. I’m guessing that’s not your first name,” he says with an even larger grin on his face.

        I laugh and say, “No, it’s not. I’m Tia. Nice to meet you!” I say with a smile. “So what part of England are you from?” I ask as he takes his seat.

        “Oxford. It’s west of London.”

        “Cool. Do you miss it there? I’m sure it’s completely different from this place.”

        “Well, I did ‘bout five minutes ago, while searching for this room but, then that lady up there told me that I got to sit next to you and I didn’t really think ‘bout Oxford anymore,” says Theo, winking at me.

        Is he flirting with me? Before I can respond, Gia walks in.

        “The mother-to-be has arrived!” she exclaims with both her arms raised. “I would’ve come back earlier, but being pregnant has made me realize that I should take some time out for myself before I can take care of anyone else,” she tells the class, smiling.

        “Oh, joy! Now go take your seat next to Phil Ms. Smith,” says Ms. Green.

        As Gia walks to her seat, she sees me sitting where we used to sit. I guess seeing me in our old spot trigger something in her because she to walk towards me and says the most shocking sentence yet.

        “Hey,” she begins. “I know we aren’t in the best place right but, I miss us and our friendship. Can we please try to be friends again?”