Survival [completed]

English

After lunch there was math and then now we were in english. It was also the last class of the day and my favourite lesson of the day. Tristan walks next to me and he's talking to some guy he met in the hallway. I didn't bother ot listen to their conversation instead, I was looking around or at the ground. I'd pass a set of lockers and then look up. It was a pattern now. 

I step into class and walk to the teacher’s desk to give him the form stating my transfer and particulars. The teacher has written his name down on the board-Mr Stone-and was seated on the table smiling at students as they walked in. I hand him the paper and look around for Tristan. He saved me a seat at the back. I look at Mr Stone expecting him to have signed the paper but he simply stares at my paper. I clear my throat bringing him back from his day dream to remind him I was standing there.

“You’re Star Miller-Taylor?” He asks me uncertainly. 

“Yes, I don’t usually use Miller” I inform him. Miller was my mother’s surname. I didn’t like adding her name to mine because for starters I didn’t quite like her and secondly I didn’t see the need. However in all my identifications she insisted on having her name there. As usual our opinions defer. 

“What’s your mother’s full name?” He asks. 

This takes me by surprise. Why would he want to know that? Regardless I answer him “Sarah Miller” 

Mr Stone sucks in his breathe and looks at me in shock and then studies me closely. I stare at his green eyes searching for some form of answer. But he seems to be as confused as me. 

“Right. Okay. What am I supposed to do with this?” he asks 

“Erm you’re supposed to sign it.” I reply. Why doesn't he know this. None of the other teachers asked me this before. He really was an odd teacher. 

“Okay.” He says and signs it then returns it to me. I hurry to my seat next to Tristan. 

“What took so long?” Tristan asks me as I slide in. 

“He wanted to know my mother’s name and he didn’t know what to do with the form” I reply 

“He’s new” Tristan, explains to me as he leaned back on his chair and studied Mr Stone.

That makes sense. I look at Mr Stone properly for the first time. He looks familiar. He’s tall and buff. He has straight chestnut brown hair, like mine, and has them cut short. His cheek bones and jaw bones are distinct. As I assess him he looks directly at me and I look away embarrassed. He looked familiar, I just couldn’t remember where I’ve seen him before. He waits for a while more before officially starting. 

“Okay…good afternoon class. As you can see I’m your new english teacher. I am a substitute for Mrs Sherry. She has been hospitalised as some of you may already know. For those who didn’t, well now you know. Since I’m new I’m going to have get to know each of you so I’d like you to introduce yourselves one by one. When it’s your turn, I’d like you to state you name tell me your birthday and…..why family is important to you.” Mr Stone explains, he seemed to have gotten the last bit out of nowhere cause he was looking around at us and then at me and said that. 

There are few moans from the class but they begin. Since I’m at the back I get to be one of the lasts. Tristan rests his hand on my chair behind me and out of habit I lean back into his arms. I practice in my head what I'm going ot say to the class and then repeat it till it becomes like a mantra to me. When I'm done I turn to Tristan and he's staring at me, when he realises I'm looking he smiles. I look in front and ignore him. When I do, I realise Mr Stone is staring at me. I look down at my hands. Then it hits me, I had seen him before! He was the tenant unpacking yesterday!