I sigh as I approach the drama room. I see Jamie standing there silently, her back turned to me. "Dude! Why'd you leave me there alone?!" I whisper-shout at her. She doesn't even flinch as I walk up behind her. "What's going on? What's wro-" I stop as I look into the room. Our teacher, Mr. Clay is standing in the middle of the small stage in a bright neon yellow tutu - no top on - just the tutu. I laugh very loudly, every face in the room turns to the open door.
Mr. Clay turns, smiling, "Nice of you girls to finally show up. You missed the beginning of the lesson and I don't like repeating myself so please find your seats and join the rest of your classmates for this lovely story." I blink rapidly for a few seconds, while Jamie slinks to her seat in the back. I hear laughter come from somewhere in the crowd. I take a deep breath and walk to my spot in the front. I flip open both my drama book and the quote book. I listen intently as Mr. Clay recites a scene from Shakespeare, every once in a while copying something from it down onto the blank pages of the quote book. I smirk as the guy next to me leans over, trying to read what I'm writing. I purposely tilt the book toward him, letting him watch me write, nothing appearing on the page.
"Freak," he hisses into my ear as the irritation of the invisible ink wears away his resistance. I smirk and stop writing as Mr. Clay finishes the scene. Everyone stands, pairs up, and gets on stage. I look for Jamie, but I see her with some boy and I frown. She turns her gaze to me, her eyes apologizing. I shake my head and cross my arms. I look around for someone without a partner, but I don't see anyone so I sit back down, my arms still crossed.
Mr. Clay walks over to me when he notices I'm still sitting. "You don't have a partner?" I shake my head. "Why not?" I shrug, my head down. "Well there's someone else who doesn't have a partner." I look up at him slightly. He nods and points at a guy sitting a few rows behind me, his head down, silver bangs covering his eyes. Mr. Clay raises his eyebrows in his stupid way of saying 'I knew my coolness would help you one day'.
I shrug my shoulders again, "Are you sure he isn't just waiting for his partner to come back, Mr. Clay?"
He shudders at his name, "Call me C-Dog." I almost die when he says this. I nod as if in agreement. "And I know he's not because everyone else is on the stage. I counted." His eyebrows dance and I smile slightly. "So are you gonna go talk to Andrew or am I gonna have to drag you kicking and screaming?" I smirk and stand, nodding my thanks. Mr. Clay smiles and walks over to the stage, helping the other students with their scenes.
I shuffle myself over to Andrew, straddling the chair in front of him. "Hi," I try to sound friendly. He doesn't move, he barely breaths. "Erm...I'm Maxx." Andrew's head cocks slightly. I sigh. "OK, so here's the deal. We have to do a scene together. Either you start talking and we can get this over with or I do all the work, put your name on it, get us an A, and then we can both get on with our lives." I swear I saw the corner of his mouth go up! He slowly shifts his weight so I can see his face.
His smile grows a little at my reaction. "Yeah I know. I'm ugly."
I sputter for a few seconds and once I catch my words I shake my head. "Um total opposite. You are like...." My voice fails me as my cheeks burn cherry red. "Sorry," I squeak. He shrugs.
"So, are we gonna get started or do you really wanna do it on your own?" I chuckle and shake my head, holding my hands out toward him. Andrew smiles again, "I take that as a 'we're gonna get started'." He begins to stand, but I shake my head. "What?"
"Can we stay on the floor?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever."
"Thanks. What scene do you want to do?"
"Can we make one up?"
I shrug, "Mr. Clay likes me so my guess is yeah." Andrew smirks and I narrow my eyes, "What?"
"I see why Mr. Clay likes you." I hear the flirtation in his voice and I roll my eyes.
"I'm off limits, Andrew. So what did you have in mind for the scene?"
"Don't call me Andrew, it's Desmond." I giggle. "Shut it, Mackenzie."
I mock a gasp, my hand flying to my heart, "How'd you find out? I've been using Maxx since second grade."
"I know things."
"Well you're a credit to your kind." He laughs at this. "Shall we get started?"
Desmond nods. "M'kay." He slips over the chair next to me so we're in the same row. "Improv anyone?"
I smile at his exaggeration, "Yes! My favorite i-word!" He smiles, grabs my hands, and pulls me to my feet. I gently pull my hands out of his. I look up at him, noticing we are really close. "Erm...." I take a step back, "So, the improv thing, you wanna start or should I?"
He shrugs, watching me closely, "A pool at 3am? Is that OK?" I nod. "You can start since I picked the pool." I sigh and take a moment to think.
As soon as I think of something the bell rings. Wow class went fast. I shrug, "Come over tonight and we can work on it." He smiles a very crooked, very cute smile. I begin to turn when I remember Desmond doesn't know where I live. When I turn he's got all of his stuff in his bag, his bag is on his shoulder, a beanie covering his fine hair, and a hood covering the beanie. I begin giggling, he raises an eyebrow at me, "You look like a mugger, Des." He shrugs and mouths 'YOLO.' I laugh harder. "Oh! Do you have a pen?"
"Yeah." He digs around in his bag and pulls out a blue sharpie.
"I said 'pen' but whatever." I grab his hand and quickly scribble my address and under it, my number. "Now don't be calling me when you need bail!" I smile up at him through my hair.
"Don't worry Maxx, I would never drag such an innocent little girl down to jail for me!" I smirk and drop his hand. Turning on my heel I race out of the classroom.
YOU ARE READING
The Woods
Short StoryWhen she loses her best friend to the thing she loves most her life will fall apart. She needs to learn to let go of old hopes and let in new love.