‘Rough Night, Mr. Andrews?’
“Wake up!”
“What happened, Mom?”
“What happened? You are late for school, Justin!”
“Oh Crap” he said and quickly rose from the cushiony, soft bed. The same be that engulfed him, protecting him all through the devilish night. Justin Andrews, a twelve-year-old, sixth grader, good looking, straightforward guy, not popular among girls though. The Andrews just shifted from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California, the reason being job transfer of Mr. Andrews.
“So, late for your first day at school?” laughed Nathan, Justin’s brother, gulping the glass of orange juice.
“Somewhat” said Justin, rubbing his eyes, helping himself with bread.
“Well, you both must be off to school now, don’t be late on the first day. “said Mrs. Andrews. “And don’t get yourself in trouble” giving them farewell kisses.
“Stop it mom, we are teenagers. Stop this farewell kissing nonsense!” said Nathan, wiping his cheeks. “Let’s go, Pothole”
“MOM!”
“Nathan! Stop calling your brother that”
“Never, mom” said Nathan, cunningly, and ran along the street towards St. Johns, the finest school in California. Nathan Andrews, elder brother of Justin, a ninth grader, good looking, well-built young fellow, much different from his younger brother. He had a lot of girlfriends in Phoenix. Much popular among girls. He was good at studies too, so basically an ideal teenager. On the contrary, Justin didn’t like to be among girls, he believed in aloneness. He didn’t have had any girlfriend till now. Nathan used to taunt him, that he will never get a girlfriend in his teenage life, and will die a bachelor. Justin just used to get away by saying that he didn’t want a girlfriend, and he is happy being single. But in reality, he too wanted a friend that can eradicate his loneliness. He used to have a crush on a girl in his previous school, but fate wanted him to be lonely, and shifted him to new school, far from previous one. So, Justin too had given up on the idea of having a girlfriend.
So, between all the taunts and comments from his brother, they reached their new school. A massive building stood ahead of them, children rushing in. There was large playground in front of the main building. The garden was well fed with all kinds of flowers and small bushes, surrounded by trees. Some kids were sitting under shade of the trees, gossiping.
The two brothers walked through the main gate. They first had to go to the principal’s office to get their respective class allotments and other things.
“Hey, can you tell us the location of the principal office?” Nathan asked a bypassing girl.
“Yeah sure. You first go inside that gate, move up the stairs, take a right, continue moving forward. At the end of the corridor, there will be a room with “The Principal” written.”
’Thank you so much” said Justin
“Seems like you both are new to the place.”
“Yeah we are, we just shifted from Phoenix, Arizona” said Nathan
“Oh, well, Susan here, Susan Sullivan. Nice to meet you.”
“Nathan Andrews, and this is my brother, Justin”
So, the brothers continued forward as directed. The school was indeed considerably large. Wide corridors, high ceilings. Sunlight poured in through the corridors, enlightening them. The playground could be well seen. Finally, they reached the principal’s office.
“Hello, this is Nathan, and he is Justin, we have been newly admitted here, so can we….”
“Miss Bloom will see you soon, she’s a bit taken over by work” interrupted a well-built sturdy man. He had a whistle which hung over his neck, much like Sports Teachers.
The boys waited in the Air-Conditioned room, pretty excited for their first day in this school. Nathan already had his plans ready, will go and make new friends etc. etc. Justin sat with half of his eyes closed, already in sleep.
“Nathan and Justin Andrews? You are required to come in.” the speaker blared.
Nathan got up immediately, ready to give his best first appearance, while Justin almost fell from the chair.
“Nathan and Justin Andrews? Please have a seat. Justin, you don’t seem well…. I hope your name’s Justin”
“Yes, yes sorry Mam, just a bit lack of sleep and...”
“Well, you got to change this habit, Mr. Andrews, this won’t help you go far.”
“I am sorry, Miss Bloom’
’Moving on, so here are your sections, Nathan, ninth A; Justin, sixth C. I hope you both are aware of the rules and regulations of this school. Now, you both must leave, the classes are about to start soon. Ask any one to guide you to your classes.”
“Thank you, Miss Bloom’ the boys said in chorus.
“Wake up, Pothole” Nathan slammed to Justin, who was leaning against the wall, “First day, new school, common man, be energetic”
“Eh... What?”
“Pothole…” said Nathan, and ran towards a group of girls, who were perhaps going to their classes. “Hello ladies, care to tell me where would be ninth A? Cause I am new here and….” Soon he unveiled his inner talent and got mingled with them. Justin unveiled his hidden talent too, and he was seen leaning against the wall for Mr. Cobblestone to wake him up and guide him to his class.
“Well, Hello! So, we have a new cum late comer in our class, mind introducing yourself to the class? Mr. Andrews?” exclaimed Alex White, the Math Teacher. He was a horrific looking, bald headed, short tempered person. The students used to call him Mr. Freak, always in a bad mood. He had rough hands, which seemed to tear the skin off the hand of Justin’s, when he held him by his hand.
“Hello…...Uh… I am… Uh...”
“We don’t have all day, Mr. Andrews!” shouted Mr. White from behind.
“Yeah…. Uh…. I am Justin, Justin Andrews, a new comer, previously from Phoenix, Arizona. Reason for my shifting from there to here is……”
“Yes, whatever, now Mr. Andrews, you will take your seat beside Miss Sullivan” interrupted Mr. White. “Miss Sullivan, I expect you to help Mr. Andrews cover up the left overs as soon as possible”
“Yes sir” said Susan, the same girl that the brothers met in the morning before the first period. ’Well, hello! Nice to meet you! Again!” she chuckled, picking up her bag from the chair next to her.
“Yeah, seems like that” half puzzled, he had almost forgotten she was the same girl he met, since he was half asleep. He sat down, almost tumbling. The class laughed.
“Quiet!” Mr. White shouted. “Rough night, Mr. Andrews?”
“Kind off, sir. I am sorry” apologized Justin, and sat down.
“You are a funny guy” chuckled Susan.
“Hehe” he faked a smile, embarrassed.
“Moving ahead. Chapter 2, section 2.6….” Mr. White continued.
“So, has the new place please you or has it got up to your nerves?” Susan asked. Justin replied, still half asleep “Can’t actually say, we have recently shifted, so it’ll take time you know, make friends, adjust to the surroundings.”
“Make sure to do it fast, otherwise it becomes difficult to adapt with the kids here. Here’s my address, do pay a visit tonight? I’ll help you cover up with others”
“Umm, tonight might be a little difficult cause I have to run some errands perhaps. May I have your contact number, I’ll let you know my status as soon as possible.”
“Sure, it’s….”
“Ok class, that’s enough of today, make sure you complete your homework, all of you. You guys pretty well know I don’t like to hear excuses.” Said Mr. White, packing up.
