The Stranger

Chapter 1.

"Earth to Daze! Are you here?" I rapidly shook my head a couple of times, awakening myself from my daydream. "I'm here, Alex." "I thought I lost you for a second", he said in a jokingly way. "We have to get back to class, lunch is over." "R-right." I replied gathering my school books from the table. In case I forgot to mention, my name is Dazie. Pronounced as (DAI-zee). Yes, like the common plant.

For years I've questioned my parents, why would they name me after a plant. "Honey." My mom would always start off her story as such, while gently massaging my shoulders and continue to say "your dad was such a romantic," she would say while biting her lower lip. "He would bring me flowers everyday, and not any flowers! – "Eleven daisies." I would say interjecting her story. "Yes, eleven daisies. And they were my favorite. And so beautiful.." trailing her sentence off, she would let go of my shoulders and twirl around in circles, as her plain yellow dress followed her rhythm.

I would watch her spin, and not once did she lose her balance. Just like clock work, my dad would appear in the living room, watching her twirl and admiring her every step, as he mouthed the words "And you're still beautiful as ever." She would pretend to fall, and he would catch her and continue to twirl her around. Her giggles would fill the house with love and happiness. I would observe and wonder, when would I ever find a love so pure as my parents. "Watch where you're going!" I tend to daydream a lot, more than I should. It often gets me in trouble, but at least in my daydreams, I can imagine a perfect world, and a perfect guy.

I heard Alex suck his teeth as he walked back to where my books had fallen. He bent down and helped me gather my books from the ground. "For once, can you stop wondering into a Daze, Dazie." I guess that's why my nickname is Daze. Make sense, right? "Alex, I'm sorry. You know how I get when there's a trillion things on my mind, not to mention there's a huge Spanish test in our next period."

"!Buena suerte!" he said extending his arms out. I stared at him with a poker face, replying "What does that mean?" He rolled his eyes, and placed his hand on my lower back, pushing me to walk faster. "Daze, seriously. I can tell you didn't study." As we made our way through the crowd, we finally reached our fifth period.

The bell rung signaling that class was sadly in session. I lowered my head and started doodling on my notebook, escaping from the world. "Good afternoon class." Exclaimed Ms. Lopez.

"!Buenas tardes¡" replied the class. Ms. Lopez had a teaching method of speaking in English, and the class would have to respond in Spanish. She said this was the best way for us to learn the language. I never participated in this activity, and she always noticed I didn't. She walked by my desk and tapped on the top of my head for me to sit up straight. I obeyed. Slowly. My eyes darted towards her direction and she continued her speech. "Thank you all for participating," her eyes met mine as she wondered off into another direction.

"Class, I know today is a big day for us. We have a huge test!" Everyone groaned and moaned, but the person who stood out the most was Laney. "Ms. Lopez, can we delay the test? I had such a big project in my Chemistry class, and I –" "Laney! Please." Ms Lopez said interjecting, raising both of her hands. Even Ms. Lopez knew that Laney was a drama queen, who always seemed to get her way. "I understand there are other classes, tests, and projects happening at once. Usually I wouldn't delay a test, however today is different. We have a new student in our school today and he's joining us in this class!"

Everyone shuffled around in their seats trying to spot out the new student, except for me. I started to lower my head again, and went back to doodling on my notebook. I was drawing a daisy. Ironic. "Now, everyone I would like to introduce!" Ms Lopez, voice trailed off. I blocked everything out she said and everything around me. Until I heard a thud. I quickly looked up, and there you were. Sitting in front of my seat. The smell of your cologne lingered in the air, and tickled my nose. You didn't budge when you sat down, you didn't even turn around to look at me.

I had to get your attention, but how could I? "Hi there, cutie." I heard a soft voice and to my surprise it was Laney, making a move on you. In disappointment, I eased my head back down to my notebook. I didn't stand a chance against Laney. She was so confident, but there were secrets about her that I knew that no one else did. You moved your head swiftly to meet her gaze, and a simple "Hello," escaped your lips. I watched as your head darted back to the front of the class. Maybe you weren't interested in her, or maybe you had a girlfriend. Or worse. A boyfriend? Laney pushed an amount of her hair behind her ear, tilting her head to the side, flirting her way to grab your attention. "So, what's your name?" – "Laney can I borrow your nail polish?" Laneys attention moved towards mine, "What?" she said popping her gum. "Your nail polish, c-can I borrow it?"

I don't know what came over me. "Uh, sure" she said reaching into her purse and handing me the pink polish. She waved her hand, shooing my question away determined to get his name. "Are you going to tell me?" She pleaded. He sighed and replied with a mumble, "I'm sorry, what?" she said with an attitude.

The bell rung ending fifth period. He got up and sprinted out the door. I followed, not knowing that I took Laney's famous pink nail polish along with me. "Daze! Wait up!" I could hear Alex roaring in the hall. I ignored him, as I too was determined to get his name. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, in the middle of the hallway and I did too. I didn't want him knowing I was stalking him. Was this considered stalking? He turned around and our gazes met, as he flashed me a smile. My heart thudded as I couldn't believe what happened. I couldn't move.

"Hey, do you know where room 209 is?" I was headed in the same direction. The science halls. "U-uh yeah. I was just heading over there. I have room 210." "Awesome, want to walk together?" I was baffled as to what was happening. I couldn't speak, but my legs did. I walked off as he followed. He was following me around like a lost puppy, wanting to find his way home. Could I be his home? I heard him chuckle behind me, as he tried to keep up with my steps.

"Hey!" I turned around as I looked at him for a second, and looked at the floor, staring at my black Vans. "Yes?" "Hah, you're hard to keep up with." I shrugged as I waited for him to continue. "Um, my name is Oscar." he said holding tightly onto the straps of his backpack. Was he nervous, just as I was? I finally gathered the courage to actually look at him. Boy, was he beautiful.

A caramel skin complexion, his eyes were a light brown as his curly hair dangled just above his eyes. His plain white tee, and ripped jeans were so simple, yet so complex. "I'm Dazie", I replied. "Wow, like the flower?" "Yeah", I said managing a slight smile. "Like the flower. It's just spelled differently." "How is it spelt?" he asked. I never met someone who's taken so much interest into my name, yet alone me. "D a z i e." "I like that, that's very unique. Tell your mom she did great." "I'll be sure to tell her." "I'll see you after class, Dazie?" "Most definitely." I said nervously. He flashed me another beautiful smile and walked into his class. Today marked, day one of our stories never being the same.