First Day
My backpack was packed, outfit for the day was hung on a hanger on the outside of the closet door handle, shoes right below it and my purse, cell phone and car keys on my computer desk.
The only thing there was to do, was to brush my teeth. But instead, I stand in the bathroom, scowling at my reflection.
It is my last year of sixth form at school, year 13 to be exact, and I should not be nervous but I am. Yes I will be scrutinized by my peers, as I am already accustomed to that. I actually look forward to it. It is a reminder that I belong at the bottom of the earth.
I am really nervous because I am going to see him again. The guy who I had a crush on ever since I knew how babies were made. That was probably around freshman year. Half of that was untrue but the question that still lingers in my head is:
Will he recognize me?
During the summer I volunteer at Camp Musique. A music camp for kids between the ages six and twelve. It has been like that since I was a sophomore. It probably may seem like a bore to outsiders but it is my happy place. I am myself when I am there. I was that confident girl I always wanted to be. Probably because I was surrounded by kids and adults mostly. I was the only teenage volunteer there for as long I could remember.
I figured it would be the same this year so there I was, my confidence level top notch, my long dark brown hair falling gracefully at my waist and my chocolate brown eyes brighter than ever, ready to do my job. I wore my contacts, instead of my black rimmed glasses because of a previous accident involving a six year old last summer.
The supervisor called me over and told me that I was not the only teenage volunteer this year. I felt my heart stop when I saw who else would be teaming up with me. It was none other than Harry. The guy who barely knows I exist and the guy who I am so deeply in love with. Well, more like infatuated seeing that I barely knew him.
I could hear the supervisor of the camp explaining what this summer’s camp would be like involving him but I was so focused on the beauty himself, I tuned her out.
It was as if everything were in slow motion. He was slowly turning in my direction, running his fingers through his wavy brown hair, and it was in that moment I could barely breathe.
“Oh Harry, there is someone I want you to meet!” The supervisor called him over. Everyone calls her Miss Olly, but I call her Aunt Olly since she basically is my mother’s sister.
“I am going to go. . ” Before I could walk away or even come up with an excuse to leave, she grabbed my hand.
Okay deep breaths, it is not like he’s going to recognize you or anything. Not the way you’re dressed now. Who am I kidding! He doesn’t even notice me when I’m at school!
“Hi Miss Olly. I’m so happy to be here to lend a helping hand.” Harry said, the words rolling off his tongue effortlessly making it seem as if it were rehearsed. Now standing at close range, I could see the richness of his emerald eyes and his dimples that appeared whenever he smiled. He seemed a bit different here though than how he is at school. He’s much warmer, approachable even. I actually felt like I could be civil and talk to him.
“Who’s this?” Harry’s mouth moved, meeting my gaze. Okay nope. I cannot talk.
“This is our dedicated volunteer who will be showing you the ropes around here.” Aunt Olly answered. I could feel her gaze now on me while I stood there frozen, lost in Harry’s eyes.
Shaking my head I took a deep breath.
“H-Hi, nice to meet you Harry. We have a lot to do so let us get started.” I quickly said, staring anywhere but at him. I was afraid that I would get lost in his eyes.
Stepping around him, I walked towards the arts and craft station. It is a music camp but they added arts and craft to make it more interesting this year for the younger set.
Just to be sure that he was following me, I turned my head slightly and sure enough he was on my tail. Swiftly returning my gaze to where I was going, I walked a bit faster feeling a bit anxious to get to the station. Everything is going to be just fine. Nothing won’t change at all.
Splashing water on my face brought me back from memories of past events. I quickly brush my teeth and got dressed for school, after making sure that my bed was spread and my room was tidy. I am dressed in the usual outfit, pleated skirt that landed right on my knee, a white buttoned up shirt and my white flats. My hair is combed the usual way. Neatly put in a bun at the back. I have been wearing my hair like that since first grade whenever I go to school. Putting my glasses on, I take one last look in the mirror.
“You will embrace every snide comment you receive today and for the rest of the school year. You will take it as a compliment in every way possible.” I speak sternly to my reflection. Who am I kidding, huh? I am going to be miserable.
I straighten my skirt and go downstairs to get breakfast. Mom and dad left for work early this morning. They’re hardly ever home these days. Both my parents work at the hospital. My dad is a surgeon while my mum is a general practitioner. I’m the only child and I must say it can be lonely at times around here. If it weren’t for my best friend I would’ve gone completely mad.
Oh Amelia what would I do without you.
Opening the microwave, I see my breakfast, thanks to my mom. She always and I mean always prepares my breakfast for me every morning before she goes to work with a note attached to it.
“Kill them with kindness Tiger!” I read out loud. I take a deep breath before I eat my food. I was in no rush because I was pretty early. I’m always at school and in class the second the bell rings. I have a perfect schedule for the entire day straight up to when I go to sleep.
After putting my dish in the dishwasher I leave the house. My silver 1990 Honda accord coupe takes me everywhere. It is my pride possession. I paid for it all by myself. My peers at school tease me about it but they just don’t understand what a fantastic car it really is.
Twenty minutes later I am parked outside Gold Valley High. The highly prestigious private school that’s located in the capitol of England. Some wealthy families, or celebrities send their children here with the intention that their child may interact with the middle class. I think that was a genius idea. They’ll grow up less arrogant if you ask me.
For the middle class, if you are highly intelligent you just might be lucky to get in. I was one of the lucky ones. Sometimes I was looked down upon because I’m of the middle class, but I was bullied mostly because of the way I looked. Not the fact that I was a nerd but I was a geeky nerd who put no effort in dressing to fit into the school’s high standards. Besides everyone at this school is highly smart. If not all then most.
My school is also centered around the arts. When you’re in year 12 and 13, you choose an elective/major. The subjects you study are from the college level curriculum. I’m studying Music and Rhetoric and Composition while my best friend is studying Theater Arts and Fashion Design. After year 13, we go on to university getting our degree in either one. You don’t have to go through with sixth form, it’s a choice but it’s not really wise not to.
With a sigh I enter my beloved school only to be greeted by a peer of mine. That peer I happen to call my best friend.
“I can’t believe you’re wearing that!” She exclaims with a look of disapproval.
“Good morning to you too Amelia.” I smile at her. “And what is wrong with what I’m wearing? I have been dressing like this since year 7.”
“That’s exactly the point Tiger. You’re a senior now. You can at least change it up a bit. Hear what, we’re going shopping after school and you can’t say no.” She put both her hands on her hips. Knowing Lia, she won’t back down. Not when both her hands are on her hips. She’s been bugging me to change up my look a bit and I knew that it was time to but I was just too scared to.
Lia has auburn hair that falls below her shoulders, and bright hazel eyes. She is beautiful beyond compared to me despite her being eager to get Botox.
“I told you not to call me that here.” I hiss at her. Yes, my name is Tiger, no thanks to my parents. Mom told me that the minute they saw my birthmark, they decided to name me Tiger. The very first day of freshman year I pleaded with my teachers to call me by my middle name but they didn’t because they addressed every student by their last name. So only my parents and my best friend Lia knew my real name. No one else talks to me at school so it’s not like they had any way of knowing that my name is Tiger or my name for that matter. If anyone talks to me, they address me by my last name or an insulting name.
The bell rings signaling that classes are about to start. I was supposed to be in class by now but Lia here just had to comment on my attire.
“Okay I’ll talk to you later at lunch.” She scurries off and I do the same. I walk to class, making sure that I keep my head down. I am not prepared to get any negative comments from anyone else. I didn’t mind them from my best friend because she is my best friend.
She is required to be honest. I would never want her to lie to me just to suit me.
I hurriedly take my seat and breathe a sigh of relief that the teacher isn’t here as yet.
Other students came in after me and took their seats, but Mr. Senior was nowhere to be seen as yet. Looking out the window, I see my car parked in all its glory. I should probably stop by the car wash later today. Hearing footsteps, I turn my attention to who I expect to be the professor of my major, Rhetoric and Composition. But it isn’t Mr. Senior.
Its Harry. He’s dressed in a long sleeve black buttoned up shirt that’s rolled up midway on his arm revealing some of his tattoos, black skinny jeans and a black and white converse. He has his bag swung over his shoulder in a very attractive way. My heart ceases as I gaze at him.
He takes his seat in the third row and takes a steady breath. A girl says hi to him and he nods. Another girl calls out to him then another and another. I roll my eyes at them. He is in the same row as I am in, but two seats away to my right.
Would he recognize me from camp?
As if hearing my thoughts, he turns his gaze towards me and then back to his fidgeting fingers. It was like his eyes went straight through me, like I wasn’t even there. My heart sinks. He did not recognize me after all. I don’t blame him though. Who would even want to be seen with me. I’m doing him a favor here.
The other girls in class flirt with him but he just gave them a bored expression.
Well, that hasn’t changed. Girls will swoon over him forever and always. I on the other hand, will continue to do it in private.
The principal’s voice suddenly comes over the intercom.
“Good day Gold Valley High. It’s the first day of school and I expect everyone to be on their best behavior. Clubs will resume tomorrow at their usual time and the drama club will be announcing the title of the play that they’ll be holding auditions for later tomorrow as well. That’s all for now.”
Nothing said was beneficial to me, so I sit in my seat and wait patiently for my teacher to arrive.
