Across the Maps

Chapter 5

Second, third, fourth, and fifth period are absolutely miserable. Time seems to slow and I find myself staring at the clock, hypnotized. Finally the bell rings and everyone is dismissed for lunch.

I head to my locker, grab my lunchbox, and then walk to lunch. The hallways are vacant as I stride through them and I am thankful for the space and quietness. Since I have gotten here, I have tried to make friends, but every time I've failed and now I just want to be alone.

The cafeteria is packed with students. Some are sitting at the round tables eating and others are waiting in the long lunch line.

I find an empty table and sit down. I open my lunch box and start eating. As I gulp down some water, someone sits down beside me.

I turn and meet the familiar eyes of Jeremy. "Hey," he smiles, gobbling down some chicken. "Why are you by yourself?"

"Why do you care?" I ask. "It doesn't matter anyway."

"Yes it does. And I care because you are all alone and it's your first day."

"Don't you have friends to sit by?" I question in an annoyed voice.

"Yeah. And I am sitting by one of them right now."

I sigh and bite into my sandwich. After chewing, I exclaim, "You don't want to be my friend. Trust me."

"Why?" he asks, curious.

"It doesn't matter," I state. "I kind of want to be alone right now. If you don't mind."

I wait for him to get up and walk away, but he doesn't. "Then it's your unlucky day. I'm sitting with you whether you like it or not."

"Whatever. Just don't speak or be annoying," I finish my sandwich and open the container of strawberries and start to eat them, setting the stems to the side.

""You're kind of bossy. You know that right?" he teases and I laugh, something I thought I wouldn't do today.

"Yeah. I know. And your annoying, pushy, and like to get into other people's business." I point out and he laughs. "I guess we're equal."

"You know you like me," he says as he licks his lips.

"Yeah," I say, smiling. "You wish."

The rest of lunch is actually okay. Jeremy and I talk about school and some other stuff. Then the bell rings and I have to go to Algebra.

The walk there is horrible. Everyone rushes to class, squishing me. I wiggle out of the crowd of students and finally get to my locker, grab my books, and head to class. I get there seconds before the second bell rings.

Everyone sits down in their seats and I feel odd standing in the middle of the classroom. A woman around forty with long wavy dark brown hair and large amber eyes walks up to me.

"Hi," she says, her voice high. "My name is Mrs. Vidales. You must be the new student, Wimberly." I nod my head slowly. "Well you can take a seat over there."

I look to see where she's pointing. It's an empty desk between two large guys, one with short bleach blond hair and light brown eyes and the other one with dark brown hair and emerald green eyes.

Walking at a fast pace, I stride over to the desk and sit down. The rest of class drags by so slow that I think I will be fifty by the time I get out. Finally the bell rings, dismissing us.

Seventh and eight period aren't as bad. Jeremy is in both of them and I am happy to see a friendly face.

When my eighth period teacher, Mrs. Holland, finishes lecturing, we have five minutes just to speak. I turn around and face Jeremy.

"So how was your first day of school?" he asks. "And you have to tell me the truth."

"Well," I say. "It started off horrible but then..."

"Yeah," he says, waiting for me to continue to speak.

"And then, it got even worse, but," I pause. "But meeting you made it better." He smiles and I can't resist grinning. "But seriously, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," I admit and his smile widens.

"Well that's good. And I'm glad I met you. Your really cool," he exclaims.

"Really? You think I'm cool?"

"Yeah," he says. "I do."