Until I Die

Chapter 4

I woke up at around 6:00 am. I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and put on the outfit I already planned to wear last night. I was really anxious. My anxiety was creeping in the center of my gut, but I tried to suppress it. I felt so empty, so I didn't even notice my mom at the door.

"What's wrong baby?"

"Just first day nerves you know?"

"It's going to be fine baby. You've done this almost every year, this is no different."

That put me on the edge slightly. I love my mom, but something deep inside me has always blamed her for my anxiety. I blame her for not having real friends, for missing out on the things people do. It doesn't matter though. I only have one year left, and I can go to college. I can live freely. This will be my motivation. Just one more year.

I finished getting ready, picked up my backpack, and ran downstairs. My brother sat on the couch. It was already 7:50, and class started at 8:30. I still had to look for my classes, so I wanted to arrive a little bit earlier. I grabbed a banana and an Arizona bottle. I then packed my water bottle and left.

My brother walked besides me listening to music. He wasn't a morning person, so I tried to mind my business. The school was in the poorer part of the neighborhood, so I tried to walk slightly faster than usual. we got there about 20 minutes later. I could already feel my nerves creeping up, my palms slick with sweat, my arms shaking. I looked around rapidly at the people. There were so many people. Oh lord, I have to do this alone? I headed towards the main office, but I was stopped before I could reach the handle.

I looked up. Woah, I thought. I looked up at the boy in front of me. He was at least 6 feet tall. He had dark skin, the color of caramel. It was clear too. I could tell he cared for himself. He smelled like rose petal with chocolate undertones. He looked at me straight in the eyes. His eyes. He had small shiny eyes, slim but the perfect size to fit his face. They were a beautiful shade a hazel, matching the dyed tips of his tightly curled hair. Type 4 hair, just like mines. He stared at me intently, and then I realized he was trying to catch my attention.

"Hello? Are you there? Helloooo?"

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Hi, I'm Ayala."

"Damn, your name is beautiful. Mines is Jasiah, but I rather have you call me Jaya."

"Oh bet. Um, no offense but why the fuck did you stop me?"

"Damn, rude. I didn't mean to be in ya way but I've never seen you here."

He looked me straight in the eyes with a small smile. He seemed kind. Genuine. I've always been an observer, so I've caught on to certain actions made by certain people.

"You're right. Today is my first day. I may or may not be lost, so I was going to ask for help in the office. I also had to pick up my schedule."

"If you want, I'll show you around Aya."

"Oh, so you have a nickname for me already? Damn." 

I couldn't help but stare at him. He was incredibly attractive. He could be a model. He seemed so kind, so I accepted his offer. I went into the office to pick up my schedule, and we began to walk towards the main buildings. Ironically, we had the majority of our classes together. He even offered to introduce me to some of his friends. I said yes, but I warned him that I was more reserved. We continued to hang out until after lunch. His friends were very chill, but some of them were flirts. I got along with most of them, but there was one that didn't catch my vibe. He seemed intense. I didn't pay much mind though. Jaya walked me over to my next class, and told me to meet him after 8th period. These were the only classes we didn't have together. I entered the classroom. Telling by the awkward motivational posters on the walls, I assumed it was English. My mom once told me in 5th grade that English was the art of bullshitting. After that, I never struggled with English again. After both of my classes, I met up with Jaya in the school parking lot. He stood there with some of his friends from lunch, but he stood out. He was muscular and tall compared to them. And his eyes. Ugh get over it, they're just his eyes. But the way he looked at me kept me in a trance.

I walked over, with a small grin on my face. 

"Ayo Aya, who's finer, me or Jasaiah?" Bryan yelled as I walked over, smiling.

"If I answer that honestly, you won't like it."

He looked me up and down, and rolled his eyes.

"I don't know what your looking at, with that damn haircut. Lord Farquad looking ass."

Everyone laughed, while he gave me a jokingly rude stare. Alexandro and Shawn, two of Jaya's other friends had stopped laughing and now stood staring at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked impatiently.

"Well, we just realized how short you were to be talking that much shit."

I started laughing, while everyone joined in. I had never been bothered by my height. I understood that I was very short, only reaching 5 feet on a good day. Then, I noticed how tall everyone actually was.  Alexandro, with his tan skin, loose curly hair and thin lips was about 5'10. Shawn, a skinny boy with wavy hair, a pale skin tone and blue eyes, stood at about 5'8. Jaya was, as I mentioned before, at least 6 feet. Bryan was also six feet, with a skinny build, dark brown skin and a big head. And lastly I noticed his friend Jordan. He was silent throughout the whole interaction. He just stared at me with hungry eyes. Why is he looking at me like that. He was a good 6'1, with a similar build to Jaya. He was just as fine to. But he seemed so distant, so quiet. I told everyone that my brother was waiting for me. We exchanged numbers, then I met up with my brother and walked home.