Evergreen

Four

The next morning, I couldn't wait to get to school.

For the first time in all of my three years at the dumpster of a school, I actually woke up on time and wanted to go to class. Specifically sixth period.

After I got ready, I jogged down the stairs and met Mom in the kitchen where she was making egg and bacon burritos, her "Kiss the Cook" apron on again.

She turned and gave me a look as I sat on one of the stools at the island.

"You're up early,"

I shrugged. "I wanted to go to school today."

Mom turned back to the pan to stir it before turning off the stove. "That's different. Is this because of a girl I know named, oh I don't know, Claire?"

The tips of my ears went hot. "Maybe,"

She nodded, setting a plate in front of me. "Uh-huh, maybe. Eat. We wouldn't want you to be late for school."

I just glared at her as I took a bite of the delicious burrito.

. . .

The chilly air coated me like a frosty blanket that settled deep in my bones as I drove to hell.

At least it might warm me up a little. I thought bitterly as I looked at the grey sky above me.

The parking lot was packed and it took me forever to find a spot. Today was not my day because when I did finally find a spot, it was at the back of the parking lot. At least I was early today because I had a long trek to walk.

Why are there so many cars this early in the morning? Does everybody want to get to school early or what?

I wrapped my jacket tighter around myself as I made my way to the doors of hell. The rush of heat assaulted my senses as I pushed the doors open, rubbing my hands together as I made my way to my locker.

I wonder where Claire's locker is. Is she even here yet?

I don't know how to feel after last night, I knew that I wanted to see her, to hold her hand, but what did she think of this? Was I just a teacher to her? I solemnly hoped not.

Twisting the lock on my locker right-left-right, I opened the small door, the hinges creaking loudly in the deserted hallway. It was almost creepy to be at Berksview this early in the morning when there was only a handful of people around you. It was peaceful, making me want to get here early everyday from now on.

Grabbing my biology textbook and notebook, I slammed the locker shut and wandered around the barely occupied hallway. The battlefield was gone and in its place was the peaceful outlook of the school as it really was. Not a nightmare, something better that I couldn't put into words. But as more people crowed the hallway, hell was coming back into the picture.

I hate people.

Maybe that's my problem. I loathed talking to people; maybe I was unsocial, but I didn't care. I liked being alone. But now that I have Claire, I wanted to have somebody around to talk to. I think things are starting to look up.

I hope so.

. . .

I didn't see Claire before school started and I even walked up to the field to see if she was up there. She wasn't. I sulked to first period biology, wishing I'd at least said hello to her before I had to sit through the sixty-minute lecture about dissecting frogs. Talk about nasty.

I didn't see Claire until the passing between third and fourth period. I couldn't help the face-splitting smile from slashing itself across my mouth when I saw her at her locker. It was only a three rows over from mine, lucky me.