Her first crush

2

Leona looked around the hotel as her mom unpacked a few belongings. The bed was really spacious. There was a TV and video games. A door was adjoined to the room and she found out it was the restroom. She closed the door leading to the restroom and sat on the water closet. She was deep in thought. She thought of the school she left behind, Spring days high. She remembered her first day at school, the first girl to ever tell her about her relationship life, the first friend she ever had, the girl with whom she shared her sorrow and joy. She stood up from the closet and looked into the mirror above the sink. Only then dis she realize that she had been crying. She turned on the tap and washed her face. She looked at herself in the mirror and a girl with a swollen face and pitiful eyes stared back at her. She dried her face with a face towel and left for the room. Her mom was asleep by the time she entered the room. She changed into her night wear and laid on the bed. Nothing seemed to interest her as her head touched the pillow. I'm going to school tomorrow morning, she thought and sighed. Maybe if her dad had been alive, he would have influenced her mom's decisions. Her dad, what was he like anyway? She had only seen his face in pictures. Her mom told her he died the same day she was born. Phew! Who was Mrs Brown? What was she like? What would her husband say if she starts to live with the Browns? She decided that all the answers to her questions would unfold the next day after school. She took her phone and video called Marie.
"Hey", Marie said from the other end.
"We got here an hour earlier from now", Leona told her.
"It must be great over there"
"But I miss you, Marie"
"Me too, I wish........... "
"I know how you feel, Marie", she cut her short.
"We'll stay in touch right? "
"Yeah, I'll keep you updated, I promise "bye"
* * *
Mrs Waller drove into John Wesley High School, and headed towards the administrative block.
"Seems you know your way around already", Leona noted.
Mrs Walker nodded, "Yeah, Mrs Brown's first son attends here"
"Your friend? "
"Yeah"
"His name? "
"Can't recollect"
She stopped the car in front of a large building. Leona got down first. WOW! she exclaimed internally. The building was painted white and it had beautiful flowers adorning it. Students moved here and there, minding their own businesses. Leona continued to stare until her mom nudged her.
"Beautiful, isnt it? "
She nodded, short of words. They entered the big building and met a brunette sitting behind a desk. Above her head was a golden plate with RECEPTION written on it.
"We're here to see the Principal", Mrs Walker spoke first.
"The Walkers? "the receptionist asked after checking a book.
"That's right"
"This way, please", she led the way to where Leona guessed was the principal's office. The whole place looked like a hotel. They entered another air-conditioned office and they met a woman with white hair behind her desk. Her head was bent over a pile of paper work. Leona recalled that the door had a brass plate on it which said "Mrs Wesley". She sat down opposite the Principal who raised her head after a while. She noticed that the Principal had a pair of glasses on that made her look like a cat. The receptionist left after she was told to.
"Leona Walker", the Principal said, staring directly at Leona which made her uncomfortable.
"Yes ma'am", she responded almost in a whisper. She didn't know why she felt uneasy about the woman.
Mrs Wesley brought out her file from a cabinet.
"Department of languages ", she said almost to herself and Mrs Walker nodded.
"Judging from your daughter's file, she transfered from Spring days high in Dallas, right? "
"Yes", Mrs Walker replied.
"You're welcome to John Wesley High ", the woman extended a hand and Leona took it.
"Thanks ma'am".
"You can call me Mrs Wesley,. Feel free to come to me anytime, okay? "
"Yes ma'am", Leona responded with a smile. She knew that was going to be the last time she was stepping her foot into her office.
Mrs Wesley put a call through and a short woman entered. She didn't look American.
"Madame Chère, this is your student. She's new here and will be in your department. "Mrs Wesley said to her.
The woman looked at Leona with a smile plastered on her face.
"Comment ça va? "
"Je vais bien, Merci"she responded.
Leona knew that was the beginning of trouble for her because she wasn't really good in French. Madame Chère looked pleased as she turned to the Principal. "She's bright", she said with an accent.
"That's good to hear", the Principal said and turned to Leona. "She will show you the way to your class".
Leona stood up and took her schoolbag. She went out of the office with Madame Chère.
Madame Chère started a conversation as soon as they left the administrative block.
"Comment tu t'appelle? "
"Je m'appelle Leona Walker"
"Bien"
She continued to speak rapidly in French and Leona couldn't get a word.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand a thing", she voiced out.
"Je suis desolée. I was telling you about my class."
"Ohh... Ok"
"What was your grade in French? "
"What? "
"Grade"
"C"
"C? Mon Dieu! "
"Sorry?"
"You don't understand?"
Leona nodded.
"You're an average student", Madame Chère said with an accent.
Leona frowned because she was the second best in Spring Days High. But was it important? The fact was obsolete. The standard of Wesley High must be very high.
Madame Chère pointed out a class and told Leona to step in. She excused herself, saying she had to attend to something. Leona was scared as she got to the entrance of the class. There was a lot of students in the class. She decided to enter, but someone was standing in front of her. She moved to the other side and the person also moved.
"Sorry", she moved to the left side and the person followed simultaneously.
This continued for a long time until the other person sighed. Leona looked up and she gasped. The guy was good-looking. He looked at her.
"Close your mouth and move over", he said in a husky and commanding way.
She stepped back and he walked past her. She entered the class and most of the students stared at her, speaking in low tones. She found an empty seat and sat down. She started to unpack her books.
After ten minutes of doing nothing, a teacher entered and the students comported themselves. Leona turned to look at her seat partner to say "hi", at least. She froze when she saw who it was.
"Having problems with your mouth? "
She turned away immediately. The guy was too arrogant. That was the second time he insulted her.