First day school jitters can get the best of anyone. For some more than others. Sandra inhaled deeply, holding to the cloth strap of her backpack, making mental notes in the process. Students of Gregory High took a glance at the new Asian student before assimilating back into the herd. She held her head up high ignoring the stigma of being the new girl as she sensed their curious eyes watching her.
Wearing affordable trendy jeans? Check. Wearing a cute sweater? Check. Not making eye contact with people you don’t know? Check. Blending in the crowd and not standing out? Check. Check and double check.
She made her way up the cracked concrete steps of the main hallway of Gregory High passing though a crowd of teenagers gossiping, chatting, finally locating the entrance of the school’s office to get her class schedule. An older gentleman in his forties with a grayish brown mustache, glasses, and receding hairline greeted her from behind the counter.
“You must be our new student Cassandra Shan?” he asked extending a handshake. “Hello there. I’m Principal Doug Meyers and on behalf of Gregory High we welcome you!”
“Meyers?” questioned Sandra. “You wouldn’t to be related to Calliope Meyers?”
“The one and only!” A friendly voice behind her exclaimed.
Calliope, looking very pretty in a simple floral top and skirt, smiled as she made the formal introductions. “Sandra, this is my stepfather Doug. Doug, my best friend Sandra whom I’ve been telling you about.”
“Now now Calliope,” corrected Principal Meyers. “Remember, at school I’m Principal Meyers to you. Now why don’t you show Sandra to her locker and help her find first class?”
“Sure Doug,” she replied. “Er…I mean Principal Meyers.”
Before making any more faux pas, both girls rushed out into the hallway.
Calliope had proven to be an excellent guide showing Sandra where the all important areas of the school are situated at. The upstairs janitor’s closet that is never used which students take advantage of for ditching classes. The lunch time courtyard, a popular hangout for the cutest boys, is also the best scenic view for the female student body. Finally finishing the tour of the school at Sandra’s locker, conveniently located on the main floor near the cafeteria right across from the girls’ restroom, both girls took a moment to chat on the latest gossip.
“You didn’t tell me your dad was the school principal?” Sandra inquired.
“Stepdad,” Calliope explained. “I never knew my biological father. He left when knocked up my mom. Growing up, my mom dated so many guys that I barely got a chance to like any of them. She was on this kick that she needed a man to fulfill her life, met Doug, married him and the rest is history. Aside from the fact that he’s the school principal, he’s not such a bad guy.”
“He’s seems really nice.”
“He is. When my mom passed away six years ago, he ended up being my legal guardian.”
“Oh I’m sorry,” apologized Sandra. “I didn’t mean to touch on something so personal.”
“Don’t be,” continued Calliope. “Look my mom was not exactly going to win any Mother of the Year awards. She had problems with drugs and alcohol. The whole town knew about it but did very little to help her. I guess that is why I’m a bit uncomfortable around the residents here. I always feel they are always judging me because of her actions.”
Strong emotions seem to flow through Sandra’s system. Tragic, sad, melancholy feelings emanating from Calliope alone, coming in waves reaching into her soul to pull out any little bit of contentment or happiness, instead leaving the dark part behind to be dealt with by the individual.
“She died from a heroin overdose. It was Doug that found her in the bathroom with a needle in her arm. I was ten, in grade school, at the time. I was grateful he told me what happened. Lies tend to eat away at you making you resentful. He’s upfront and honest which helped me deal with her death. It was him who adopted, raised me, and became a stable force in my life making me your crazy BFF that I am today. Anyway, no harm. No fuss.”
“Calliope, I never knew my father either,” admitted Sandra. “My mom raised me as a single mother until I was six and she died in a tragic accident. It was Uncle Lee and Aunt Brita who later took me in and raised me.”
The redheaded teen reached over giving Sandra a great big hug. “See this is why we’re BFF’s, we connected through our pain.” A small tear slid down Sandra’s cheek.
“Hey no tears!” Calliope pouted. “BFF’s never cry. Well, only at chick flicks and members of hottie boy bands! Speaking of hotties, guess which Prince Charming is heading this way.
No question about it, Calliope Meyers had built-in radar. The girl’s innate sonar could locate a missing satellite. Sandra’s senses tingled again. This time the emotions became more intense, more ardent as it shot through her body from head to toe. Euphoria took over, lifting her off the ground, removing her from this plane of existence, before settling back into this physical realm.
Her curiosity needed to be satisfied as she turned around to see whom her BFF had been referring to. Wearing a clean flannel shirt, flattering his well toned physique, and tight blue jeans that complimented his best assets, Patrick Evan headed toward them. A strand of dark, brown hair concealed one of his bright blue eyes as he gave the girls a pearly, white smile before moving the bothersome follicle away from his eye.
“Hey! I knew I’d find you girls here!” he grinned as he placed a hand to next to Sandra’s locker.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were stalking us.” She teased. Why did she say that? That was such a lame line. Upon the realization of her comment, Sandra’s face turned a beet red.
“Guilty. Now I guess you’ll have to call the cops to have me arrested.” Patrick cooed.
“So what’s your first class this morning?” she asked attempting to change the subject.
“Junior English. You?”
“Calliope and I both have Algebra.”
“Ouch! Number crunching first thing in the morning. I hate to be you.”
“So are you working this weekend at the park?” Calliope jumped in the conversation. “Sandra and I are and she has no plans after work. Maybe you two can hang out?”
Sandra stared hard at Calliope. If ever there was a time she wanted to kill her BFF, this was it! Going on a date with Patrick? She was not prepared. She was not ready. She had nothing to wear!
Patrick laughed which made him even more handsome. “Sure. I know this little coffee shop that is opened until midnight. A friend of mine is the bass player for the band that is playing there that night. You want to come? I can pick you up at the gift shop at work and drive you home afterwards?”
“Uh…sure,” she answered. “The park closes at eight and we can meet up. It’s a date then…I mean it’s not a date…It’s hanging out…um…”
“It’s a date,” he reassured her. “Give me your number and I’ll call you.”
Both teens took out their cells to exchange phone numbers. Despite Sandra’s nervous fingers punching the numbers of her phone, she managed to input the correct contact information in her mobile device.
“All right I’ll see you around,” he said as he walked down the hallway. Sandra threw her head back relieved against her locker.
“God he has a gorgeous butt!” remarked Calliope watching Patrick disappear into the crowd of students. “Don’t bother to thank me.”
“How about if I kill you?” she clucked. “Thanks for letting me make a fool of myself! I can’t believe I’m going on my first date with this guy!”
“Well it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for me,” Calliope cooed. “Now be grateful and say thank you to your fairy godmother.”
“Thank yoooouuuuu Faaaairy Goooomother!” mocked Sandra.
“You’re welcome ingrate,” giggled Calliope.
The bell rang.
“We’re late for class!” They ran down the hall hoping they were not going to be dinged for their tardiness on the first day.
No comments:
Post a Comment