Story #2

School Trouble

                                (Parts based on a true story.)

The ticking clock indicated that it was almost time for school to end. On the other hand, so did half the class. They were half sitting, half standing, and were ready to make a dash for it. Rose though wasn’t doing that. Not today at least.

Today is the day! I can do it! Rephrase that. I will do it! No one will stop me from talking with him! Just imagine it, me and him talking in the halls together! Be still my heart!  Remember don’t mess this up Rose. Another ball hitting his head, in gym, is not what’s desired. Yeah. Not my greatest moment. Does he still remember that?! He doesn’t hate me for it, does he?! Oh no! What if he does?!

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid,” Rose said.

 Her fist pounding the table caught the attention of those around her, including Jake.  Looking up now she noticed him staring at her. Feeling her cheeks go cherry, she tried to look away. Rang! Jake turned his head toward the clock. Thank you bell! And then it came, a whirl wind of kids racing toward the door.  Pushing and shoving blocked the doorway for a time, and then, it was over. A slow tumult of the left overs spilled from the room. Finally only two people were left in the classroom. Her and Jake! Besides the teacher of course. Yeah. That kind of broke the moment.

Gathering herself she tried to fathom what had just happened. And then she saw him walk on past her and out the door.

No! I’m going to be late! If I let him get too far ahead of me, then I won’t get to talk with him! And that would defeat the purpose of this day! The day I’ve been planning for weeks! No small set back is going to stop me, or any woman in love! Jake, I’m coming!

Shoving her things into her pencil box, and binder, she raced into the hall. There he was 7 yards ahead! Never mind make that 11 yards. Wait, no 15 yards. Wow. This guy was fast! Well, no matter. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching him. She sprinted toward the dimming figure as fast as she could.

Finally she had caught up with him. She was panting, and thought her heart was going to burst from the pressure. But she was doing it for the sake of love! That made everything all right!

 Being right next to him she started to sputter, “Ja, ja, ja, ja.”

Then someone snagged her pencil box. Rose spun around to see what had happened to it. There, in the middle of the hall, was Austin. He was the biggest bully towards her, and yet somehow one of her friend’s boyfriend. It was just strange.

“Please, give it back,” Rose asked.

“Nah,” he replied stealing a cruel glance at her.

“Please,” she was pleading now. That box held all her expensive art markers, and he was just stealing it!

“I don’t think I will.”

“Give it back! Return it to me now!”

“Too bad, it’s mine now.”

She lunged for the box, but he caught her wrist. Twisting it he laughed. She just glared at him. Being five minutes after the after school, barely anyone was there.  Few strays walked the halls, but no one was walking down this hall. No one was there that could help her. And he knew it.

Her head was the first to hit the harsh carpet. A rug burn formed on her arm, and her wrist was crying out in pain.  Struggling to get up she raised herself to her knees. Austin was about to open her box, when something happened. Blinking Rose looked up. There in front of her was a boy that neither Rose nor Austin knew personally. Standing there between them he did something neither expected. Right in front of Austin’s face was a fist.

He’s got a fist in Austin’s face. Wow! Who is this guy!? You know he’s kind of cute. The way his blonde hair falls, and his sea blue eyes. What eyes! They’re so mysterious. It kind of becomes him. Wait! Isn’t he that new 12^th grader, Lizee’s been talking about?! Yeah, that’s him. Ah! What am I thinking! Oh no! I missed talking to Jake! Aw man! Get back on subject brain!

“Give it back to her,” he said, staring Austin straight in the eye. He stared back for a minute, and then sighed.

 “Thanks,” Rose said stunned, as Austin complied with the demand.  Glaring at the boy that had helped her Austin picked up his back-pack, and walked down the hall. Once he had turned the corner, Rose let out a sigh of relief.

Fist falling, the boy offered out his hand. Rose took it and he helped her to her feet. She turned around to thank him, but he was all the way to the end of the hallway. Why are all the boys so fast?! Are they all trying out for the track team or something?! She was alone in the hall. Heading down the way she reached her locker. Pulling her black phone out of her back-pack she called home.

“Hello,” her mom said.

“Hi Mom, it’s Rose.”

“What is it?”

“I missed the bus, so I’ll need to be picked up from school.”

“Okay,” she replied, “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Sound good?”

“Yeah, okay. See you then.”

“Love you Rose. Bye.”

“Love you Mom. Goodbye.”

 Closing the phone she gathered her things, carefully putting them in her backpack. Was it just a dream? No her wrist was proof of that. Passing the classes to the doors, Rose ran into her friend Tayvia. Tayvia had to stay to do some social studies work, so her mom was picking her up too. Chatting down the halls they walked out the doors. The summer air pricked Rose’s skin, and the warm breeze blew her hair around wildly.

“Are you all right,” Tayvia asked.

“I’m fine,” Rose replied hiding her feelings with a sweet smile.

“You keep wandering off in thought,” Tayvia went on; “When you aren’t smiling you get this mysterious look. So I’m asking you. What exactly happened?”

“All right, I’ll tell you,” Relieving herself of hiding it, Rose poured out the tale.  You see Rose could tell Tayvia everything, and in exchange Tayvia could tell Rose everything. Neither would tell anyone else.  Instead they just offered help and comfort.

“Wow. Are you sure it was him?”

“Positive,” Rose replied blushing, “He fit the description Lizee gave perfectly.”

“You like him don’t you,” Tayvia said teasingly.

“No, I don’t,” Rose tossed back.

“Yes you do!”

“How can you tell?”       

“Rose, your face is scarlet.”

“Stupid blushing problem! Okay, you caught me I do sort of like him. But I don’t know much about him or anything! Should I tell Lizee? That would be a spectacle. Imagine it! Murder in the lunch room.”

“That would be funny. But truthfully I don’t know if you should. I kind of like you alive. Anyway, good luck with that 12^th grader.”

Beep! A loud horn blew through their conversation, making both girls jump.

“There’s my ride,” Tayvia said, “See you later Rose!”

“See you later too,” Rose replied, “Oh and good luck with Ethan!”

Tayvia blushed, and walked to the silver Sudan. Rose waved, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Her heart pounded as she recalled the moment. She would thank him sometime. Maybe even in front of Lizee. Now that would be funny. She may even turn out to like him more than Jake! That is one reason why boys will never guess what a girl is thinking. Then she smiled bright and warmly the glow of the sun adding to her radiance.