• I moaned and a delightful laugh escaped my lips before my eyes just opened. I sighed, annoyed that my dream come to an end and jumped off the bed. I walked down the hall to the bathroom, staring in the mirror with horror. Was I rolling with curler irons in my hair and gum too? It was everywhere. I tried to stick my fingers in it; it was like a steel wall, impossible to get through. Maybe a quick hot shower will help I thought quickly and I threw myself into the shower, scrubbing frantically at my hair to get it unknotted. It worked! My hair came apart, little by little, knot by knot.

    The sound of water stopped, I stepped out of the tub, drying myself off. Squeaky clean and perfect hair! I sighed contently, brushing through the wetted mat of hair and grabbed the blow dryer to dry off.

    Once I was satisfied with my work, I placed the brush down and proceeded onto washing my face then dressing myself. I skipped down the stairs, plopping onto the kitchen chair and digging into the pancakes that were already there. “Thanks mom” I said while chewing. Normally I would be choosing my breakfast but I guess not, it must be one of her happy days. I continued to stuff my face until the last bit of pancake was gone. Wiping off the syrup from my face with a napkin, I grabbed my books and binders and ran out the door.

    I wasn’t late; I was an early bird, Jessica as well because she only lived about five minutes from school from the other side of the building.
    It’s funny how your friends seem to live so close to you when you become best friends.

    I met up with Jessica, she noticed my new attitude but she just smiled her regular smile as we talked till the bell rang. Once it did, everyone started showing up, carpooling, saying ‘bye’ to their parents, and getting off the bus. There were clumps of kids in the hallways, in their circle, chatting with each other. It always annoyed the heck out of me especially since there were more students than the school could hold. I maneuvered through the halls to my locker, everything nice and neat and organized in there. It was perfect. My binders were so organized, I could figure out which binder to take, blindfolded. I peeked over my locker door to see someone opening their locker, everything fell out but he just laughed. Grabbing my supplies, I slipped my way through the halls and went to class.

    History was my first period, the best part of the day and my favorite!
    The teacher announced a new student, a girl named Tina Stoker. With short brown hair that could still be pulled into a ponytail and chocolate eyes, she was the beauty of the class, besides Jessica of course. Her face was acne-free, her eyebrows thinly waxed into arches, no freckles, and a smile to sway any boy or teacher into thinking she was an angel though I knew she wasn’t. She wore an American Eagle shirt and tight blue jeans that covered her feet but I saw white flip-flops on them. Her fingernails were painted pink along with her toenails, which were almost invisible.

    Tina leaned over to whisper into the teacher’s ear. Her face turned to shock. “Oh! We have another student as well. I’m sorry, I forgot, her name is Haley
    Harker.”

    Haley walked in; her hair was straight and black that went down to her hips, curling a little at the ends. Her hair was also parted at the far right side of her face, layered as well. Her skin was as a ghost, bleach even, and now I was the second whitest person in the room, her being the first. Her eyes were dark, black, dull, but still beautiful, sparkling even. She also had small thin glasses on, silver frames that fit about half way down her nose. Haley wore a thin, what looked of silk, long-sleeved white shirt that had paint splatters of every color of the rainbow on it in various spots. The pants fit snuggly on his hips and flew down past her ankles to hide her feet. I didn’t dare stare at her too long so I didn’t see the rest of her. However, her attire was beautiful. A dazzling creature that made every guy in the class turn their focus from Tina to Haley. Tina scowled, but made sure not to show it that easily. Instead, she just smiled at her like she was her new best friend.

    The teacher pointed Tina next to a short guy in the first row to the left and Haley next to me on the right. The rows were split, two people in each seat on each side. Tina smiled at him but I knew that she was disgusted with him. Haley gracefully glided to her seat next to me, sitting like I was revolting.

    “Ok, now we will discuss this idea with our partners,” our partners were the people that sat next to us,” and write what you think on a piece of paper in proper sentences. The more you write, the better the grade” the teacher sang, spinning to her desk.

    It felt like Haley wasn’t much of a talker so I started off. “I think it’s possible, but, I just can’t explain it well.” I felt like I was sweating bullets now. Haley made me so uncomfortable that I ended up just staring at her. She stared back, her dark eyes drilling into mine, her lungs filled with air, which she exhaled through her teeth. Finally, she spoke. “I will agree with you, and I could help explain it too. Here let me write it down.” She carefully weaved her hands so they didn’t touch mine and wrote down her answer in a paragraph. I’m so relieved, she doesn’t hate me, but why would she? I thought.

    The rest of the class period seemed to just pass, Haley answered the question when the teacher asked us to present it and I still felt like she had something against me. We got an ‘A’ of course as well as a few others like Tina who I suspected did all the work. So, I guess I was happy.

    The bell rang for lunch and I ran like the wind to my locker. Stuffed most of my supplies into it and almost closed it right after when I saw the letter. In perfect calligraphy was my name ‘Ashley’ across the front. There was a golden seal to hold the top and bottom flap closed so you couldn’t peek inside. I looked left then right, no one. Grabbing it, I slipped my finger underneath and ripped the seal. It read:

    To Ashley,

    I still must apologize for yesterday and so to make it up to you I want you to come to the church again. I really do hope to actually meet you conscious and talk.

    Sincerely,
    ~Your secret admirer~

    Again with this! I thought bitterly. What makes him think I will come back after what happened? I feel horrible enough already! I don’t think I will even consider. Once thought that, I stomped off to lunch.

    Jessica was waving me frantically over to her table. Guess I wasn’t going to buy today. So I sat down and she pushed a tray in front of me. “What, not eating?” I asked. “No, a guy gave me his lunch so I have one.” She smiled as usual but then frowned. “Please tell me, it’s like you are a different person everyday.” I chewed on my lip and replied, “You swear you won’t say a peep?” She nodded, very serious. I inhaled and started from the beginning.

    “It all started when I got a note yesterday in my locker. I was skeptical of it but then thought why not take a try? So, I went home and ended up at the church, but I felt angry because no one was there. I started to leave then someone started talking, telling me to come inside the church and that’s where I met him. I still don’t know his name though he was extremely cute.” I sighed. “Then it all happened in a blur, I blacked out not long after and I got another note when I woke up. Now I have another note saying to go back though I’m pissed at him and I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just angry with myself.” Everything I said came out slurred together, I was just talking way too fast for anyone to understand but Jessica did; she nodded her head as I released my feelings onto her.

    “What do you want to do?” she asked. “Punch something” I replied bitterly. “Something less violent?” she pleaded, a little amused. “Not see him?” My head tilted to the side. “That’s better, but I think you should. Just my friendly advice to you, because you should face your fears instead of run from them and be angry.” I slowly nodded in agreement, halfheartedly though. “And we are going to the football game tonight after school so be ready” Jessica said, determined. But I have to go see ‘him’ again after school I thought frantically but didn’t say anything.


    Jessica was there at my house when the game was going to start. She pulled me just to get me moving. “Come on, you’ll have lots of fun!” she encouraged. I nodded, not really hearing her.