Shy Girl
Chapter One
“Good morning, class!” A high, shrill voice echoes through the large room. It’s followed by a chorus of mumbles from twenty sleep deprived high schoolers. I barely glance up from my notebook as a pair of heels click towards the front of the class.
“I said, good morning!” This time only about three of the students even acknowledge her. I glance around and realize that most of them are either passing notes or texting. I hear her clearing her throat and look up to find her scowling, clearly flustered. Her grey hair is tied up messily in a bun and her face is so full of wrinkles I swear she could be at least one hundred years old. Add a pointy nose and a broomstick and bam, you have yourself the wicked witch of the west. Sighing, she goes to her desk and sits, mumbling to herself.
Why does she even bother? I think, turning back to my notebook. I pick up my pencil and continue to sketch what is starting to look like the face of a lion. I hear the teacher continue up front and try to block her out, knowing she’ll probably just do what all the other teachers usually do on the first day of school, talk about herself and try to learn names.
I’m just about done with my sketch when I hear my name being called out.
“Chloe Bennett!” My head shoots up towards the front board. I hesitate. “Chloe Bennett?” The teacher is now looking around the room, trying to figure out if I’m here or not.
“Here,” I mumble quietly.
“Absent.” She says, marking something down on her clipboard. Apparently, she didn’t hear me. I try to say it louder, but there is too much chatter to be heard.
“Mrs. Erxleben?” a clear voice rings out. “Chloe is here.”
Oh. My. God. Jake Miller. He…did he just…yes! He pointed to me. He told her I was here. He…he knows who I am? I stare at him, his perfect black hair spiked up and his brown eyes glistening in the light. Suddenly, he looks at me, and for a second, our eyes lock. I quickly look away, feeling my cheeks get hot. I take another look at him and I can almost swear I see a smile tugging at his lips. Maybe it’s just me…
The bell rings soon after, dismissing me to lunch. I walk with my head down into the lunchroom and am immediately hit by a wave of voices. Everyone is shouting and laughing at each other. I quietly walk towards the table I have always sat at since freshman year. I set down my lunchbox and books without looking around or hesitating and take a seat. I’m just about to take a bite of my turkey sandwich when a voice right next to me nearly makes me jump.
“Hi, I’m Connor.” I look up to find a boy sitting across from me with his arm outstretched, clearly expecting me to shake his hand. I mumble hello and start eating my lunch.
“Are you new here? I’ve never seen you around.” Figures, I think to myself. I just shake my head no. He’s silent for a moment, before continuing. “You don’t talk much, do you?”
Just leave me alone! “No, I guess not.” I say.
Another long pause. “So…what classes are you going to next?” I sigh, realizing he isn’t going to stop talking. I pull out my schedule to show him. “Oh, you just had Mrs. Erxleben? I had her first hour. I absolutely HATE her so far. She’s so…so…”
“Creepy?” I finish for him.
“Yeah! You know, she could probably be that one witch from the movie The Wizard of Oz. You know, the evil one, not the good witch….”
He continued on and on, and I just listened mostly. Occasionally I’d add in a thought. He seemed to like hearing me talk. And I guess I kind of like it to. It felt like something was lit inside of me, something I can’t really explain. All I can say is that it felt really good. By the time the bell rang, I was almost disappointed to have to leave. Maybe this new friend can be good for me. Maybe staying quiet isn’t the answer. Maybe…
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