Up In Flames

The First English Lesson... (ಠ⌣ಠ)

"So, as you can see, this is quite a big school, and it will take a while to learn where everything is." Sylvia said, touching her hand gently to my shoulder.

"Yeah, it seems so." I laughed nervously. We turned a corner and Sylvia smiled.

"We're about to go into the cafeteria, so brace yourself. It's about as calm as the ocean in an angry storm." Sylvia stopped walking, reaching a hand out, gesturing to the cafeteria doors. "Go on, open them."

I walked slowly to the doors, extended my arm and clasped the door handles. I pulled the door open and took a step inside, followed by Sylvia. The door slammed behind us.

'Oh, no. Oh, god, no. It's quiet in here, Sylvia said it's never quiet.' I thought.

Everyone was staring at me. A wave of whispers erupted within my fellow students and other than that, there was not a sound. I shifted my gaze from the room full of teenagers to the polished timber hardwood floor.

Sylvia put her hand on the small of my back, smiled at me and whispered, "come on, let's go sit down."

I followed her as she led me through the jungle of tables, the students watching me. I felt like an animal in the zoo.

We stopped at a table full of both boys and girls.

"Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late. I was showing Danielle around." Sylvia glanced at me. "You can sit down next to Lucy. She's the one always reading."

I sat down next to the girl called Lucy. She had auburn hair and ivory skin, beautiful like women are. Whoops, there goes my straightness. Haha what straightness. Her eyes were skimming over the pages of a book. "To Kill A Mockingbird... A good book, that one." I said, nervously.

"It is, isn't it? Not my favourite, but you know. Nice to meet you, Danielle." Lucy said, not meeting my eyes.

"You, too." I said.

"Oh, Lucy, you're such a nerd. Can't you just not read for two minutes of your life? TWO MINUTES??" Sylvia joked.

"Fuck you, Syl. I'm just educating myself."

"About defending a black dude who raped a white chick? Wow, that's definitely going to be in our mid-terms."

"Mhmm"

A deep-voiced throat cleared itself, interrupting the conversation.

"Yes, Marca?" Sylvia sarcastically asked.

Marca..? Wait, he's...

"Can you two just not clash, for once? Honestly, you two are just like an old married couple." he said, rubbing his temples. I stifled a smile.

I started stuttering. "H-hey, y-you're the guy in my-"

"Your science class, yes. Now, if you don't mind, I would like some silence for at least 5 minutes. That goes for everyone." Marca grumbled, leaning back on his chair, legs crossed under the table. Everyone went silent. "5 minutes start now."

He must be the boss of this group? Or... something like that. He seems angry, or annoyed, or... tired? I don't know, he's very complicated to understand.

"Don't mind him, he's just being his normal, grumpy self." A guy from across the table whispered. "I'm Caleb, by the way."

"Caleb." Marca warned.

"You're very pretty."

"Caleb." Marca's voice got sharper, a warning with an edge.

"Chill out, dude. I'm only giving the new girl a compliment so she can feel accepted." Caleb said innocently, raising his palms.