"N.. No, pick any seat."
And with that, the girl slowly turned on her heel, walking towards an open desk next to the window.
Masterson quickly checked her name off of the roster as he slipped it back into his bag. "So, class, today is just gonna be an ice breaker day."
Hushed murmuring emerged from
the students. "Masterson we don't wanna do that." A student blurted.
"Hey, AJ I don't wanna hear it, we could just do book work if everyone's in agreement." Masterson shrugged leaning against his desk. The class quickly protested, some yelling out in disagreement, but he wasn't paying attention. His eyes were on her, in the corner closest to his desk, as she peered out the window, her eyes never leaving the glass panel.
"Alright, alright! So we're gonna pair up, everyone with a partner and then wait for further instruction." Masterson instructed.
One by one, kids migrated together, linking together, some struggling to find partners. Others were distracted.
"Is she just gonna sit there and look out the window the entire class?"
"No, no, I heard she has a social illness and will attack anyone who talks to her."
"She's been to jail."
"Okay, so I want you and your partner to discuss what you did this summer, what your favorite summer song is and why."
As conversation quickly broke out between students, Masterson glanced back over to her side of the room. She was still looking out the same window.
Slowly approaching her, he swiftly combed a hand through his hair before wiping his palms on his trousers.
While making his way towards her, her eyes never broke from the glass, something enticed her, something he didn't quite see.
Kneeling next to her desk, Masterson quickly got a sense of what she smelled of, something that he hadn't expected from an intense looking girl. Sugar pea with lavender and a hint of men's cologne.
"So," Masterson finally spoke grabbing the attention of Jada quickly, "McPhearson, is it?"
Jada's eyes seemed to dilate quickly before she processed what Masterson had just asked her, as if it was some complicated question.
Without answering, Jada slowly nodded her head, her earrings making that same jingling as before but this time Masterson was able to see what they were. Silver butterflies that dangled from each ear.
"Alright, Ms. McPhearson. What is something you did over the summer." Masterson asked.
The question seemed to puzzle McPhearson but her face seem to relax as she fixed her eyes on her desk. "I went to Henry Wade."
Masterson's eyes went wide for a tenth of a second before he composed himself. "Henry Wade Juvenile Center?" He asked.
She nodded in response.
"Why would a girl like you end up there?"
Glancing up from her desk, their eyes locked, his brown orbs gazing into her blue ones. Why was she shocked at that question?
"I-"
"Mr. Masterson! Mr. Masterson!!"
Ripping his attention away from the conversation, Masterson quickly stood and made his way to the other side of the classroom.
"Madelyn, what is it?" Masterson asked.
"I just wanted to see how your summer was, I haven't seen you in three months you know." The girl responded shrugging her shoulder.
