The Brightest Stars

Annabelle

I can't stop thinking of that boy. He must be new in school. Or perhaps in the city?

I shake my head hoping to make the image of the boy disappear. I let out a small breath and quickly walk towards the Mock Trial and Forensics class. Last year, the two subjects used to be two different classes. Now, they put them together into one class. Nerves make my stomach flip, but I push that feeling aside.

Get it together, Annabelle.

I stop in front of the door and stare at the small window where I can see people already looking into folders and talking to each other. I hesitate.

What if this is a mistake? All my life I've been scared of speaking out. Scared if I'm worth it at all.

"I'm sorry." I hear someone clear their throat awkwardly and I turn to see a girl smiling at me. She points at the door knob and says, "Are you....." Her honey-blonde hair shines beautifully with the little sunlight coming from the large windows of the building, and the small yellow jacket makes her sea-green eyes stand out even more than they already do.

"Oh." I chuckle lightly. "I'm sorry. I...I should go in. Right."

Her laugh reminds me of Julia. "Are you new to this class? I haven't seen you around here." She opens the door and we enter the loud room.

"Yeah." People seem to be arguing and talking about every subject I can think of already. Others just fool around as usual. "I thought this would help me into the field I might study for in college."

"Same!" I smile at her sudden excitement. At least I'm not completely alone here. "If you like arguing and justice, then you will do well here. Have you done any sort of debate before?"

I shake my head and she smiles politely, showing off a single dimple. "Don't worry. You'll learn that very soon. In fact, I think some of us have already started."

The instructor sits at a large desk at the back of the class and talks with a few of the students. He's checking schedules, and as I look at the person that's talking with him right now, a small gasp escapes my lips.

The boy is in this class. Great.

The girl follows my gaze with a smile. "You know him?"

"Uh, no." My eyes seem to stay glued to his back as he talks with the instructor.

"Oh." The tone in her voice makes me look back at her and smile; hoping she hadn't noticed what's really going on.

"I'm Annabelle by the way." I take out a hand for her to shake.

"Luna," she says as she shakes my hand firmly. Her pretty teeth show with her wide smile. "It's nice meeting you, Annabelle. Let's get a seat before they're all taken."

The desks are positioned in a way where debates can be made. They are all in a circle and there are two large tables up front along with the teacher's table. Luna and I take a seat around the middle of the circle and quietly watch as the teacher gets up to explain the rules of the class. My focus keeps coming on and off as I catch glimpses of the boy. He sits near the door at a far corner of the circle. His gray eyes are concentrated on the teacher and his arms are crossed on his broad chest. For a second, he catches my eyes and I quickly look away.

Get it together, Annabelle!

"We will be dividing up the class. The first semester will be focusing mostly on mock trials while the second semester is only focused on forensics." Mr. Suarez walks around with a tall and firm posture. His outfit is like business attire and confidence shines in his tender brown eyes. "This is why your schedules say mock trial for this period. But there's a catch to this: Not everyone will move on to the second semester."

People immediately start to whisper to each other. Even I'm surprised by this. The challenge suddenly creates this excitement in my bloodstream. I exchange a surprised look with Luna, and a smile forms on my lips when I see that same excitement in her eyes.

"That's right," Mr. Suarez says. "Ladies and gentlemen, this class is a place where you can get college credits. Therefore, if you think you are capable enough to pass this class, I want to see you do the same in college. Only a selected amount of students will go on to the second semester because they will be going to debates and competitions with other schools."

My eyes seem to drag themselves to the boy who doesn't seem to react to all of these announcements. Not even a glint of excitement or fear. As if he's done this already.

My thoughts are interrupted when the teacher suddenly stops walking around the circle of desks. His brown eyes seem to shine when he gives us all a small smile. "Most of you told me that you wanted to pursue a career in debate or law. This...is the life of a lawyer." His tender eyes grow dark and his smile falls as he says, "So get used to it."

With these last words, the room suddenly falls into a tense silence. He walks back to his desk and looks through a few papers. He sighs and says, "This class will become noisy in a few weeks. So let's start with something simple. Who here wants to share their thoughts on this subject?" The teacher stands to write something on the whiteboard behind him. My stomach falls to the ground as I read the single word that has changed my life forever.

Mr. Suarez writes Abortion in big red letters and sits back in his seat. "Now, if you do decide to speak, I want you to give your thoughts and evidence that backs up your claim. Make sure you make it arguable."

Mr. Suarez waits patiently for someone to step up and speak. I avoid the whiteboard as I feel a mixture of anger and sadness fill my heart. I feel my hands turn into fists and let my eyes close slowly as I listen to the beating of my heart in my ears.

"I'll start." My eyes open when I recognize the familiar sound of the boy's voice echoing in the room. People sigh in relief as he stands and walks to where Mr. Suarez is.

"Good," Mr. Suarez says with a smile. "Introduce yourself and start your argument."

With a firm nod, the boy fixes his posture and his grey eyes seem to fall on everyone. "Hello. My name is Max Marquez and I'm here to argue against abortion." His low and soothing voice is now loud.

My sudden emotions seem to fade away as I watch with a new kind of intrigue. The way he walks around the room is tall and confident. The way his hands seem to know when to move and when to stay still. He does not show a hint of nerves. Strength starts in his gray eyes as he continues on with the evidence and states different laws to support his argument.

He was born for this.

When he finishes, Max gives a small nod and goes back to his desk. That graceful confidence still follows him even when he sits. Luna starts to clap and everyone follows her lead. They all have surprised eyes at how well he took the floor.

This surprise is seen in Mr. Suarez's eyes as he nods in approval. "Very well done, Mister Marquez. Alright! I want you all to grab a book from the back shelf and turn to page ten."

"Do you want me to get you a book?" Luna says as she starts to get up. I give her a thankful smile and nod.

I watch as Mr. Suarez erases the whiteboard. Chills go down my spine and it makes me shiver. Memories suddenly start to bombard my head with that word. But I can't quit now.

My eyes slowly fall on Max. He waits for the crowd to die down but his eyes catch mine. This time, I don't look away. He seems to study my face and a small smile forms on his lips, making his beautiful gray eyes shine. A hint of vulnerability and strength goes through him when he does a small smile.

Yet, his eyes rip away from me as he stands up to get a book. For the rest of the class period, I don't look back at him. Instead, I decide to focus on the assignment with Luna.

But my mind seems to wander back to Max with intrigue about his mysterious persona.