When The Going Gets Tough

Great First Impression

When there was no response, the curiosity forced Alex to look up.

In front of her was a 6ft hulk of a boy she knew she had never seen before. 

"I didn't see you there" Alex tried again, 

The boy showed no facial expressions, no hint of anything... A gravelly "Hmp" came from his throat and he stepped around Alex, stopping at the locker adjacent to Alex's. It was at the moment the boy looked up and Alex realised she was staring... Crap crap crap.... Rule 1, don't engage, which means no unnecessary eye contact! And here she was staring at a beautiful stranger!! Which leads to rule 2, no boys, they are just a distraction, and this boy just happened to be locker neighbors, and there was a good chance she would see him every day!.. on that harrowing note Alex pivoted, head down and matched to registration. 

After a quick sign in at registration and no exciting school announcements, I was off to English. I took my seat prepared my book, currently, we were exploring creative writing so we each had an empty workbook and had to try different types of creativity with writing, whether songs, poems, short stories... Well, you get the picture, so far I had written.... Nothing, well that's not true I attempted to write a poem but that was scrapped immediately. 

Mrs. Hayes walked into the class, humming a little tune, that woman was far too chirpy, she sits down at her desk and sorts some papers, more students entered the class and took their seats. Just as the bell goes the door of the class opens and in walks none other than Mr locker 46, my locker is 47 and that was the best of the names I thought up on my to registration, I didn't think 'studmuffin' was inline with rule 2 and I definitely didn't need to be giving him a cute pet name was in my interest.

He hands Mrs. Hayes a slip of paper, she takes it and beams a wide smile "Welcome to my class Mr. McCaffrey, would you like to introduce yourself to the class?" A simple shake of the head was all the response she got, "very well, please take your seat, there's one free behind Alexandra" with that she points at me, and his eyes follow landing on mine, wow.. how did I not notice his eyes earlier, they were almost emerald green, I have never seen anything like it.... And yep here I am starting... Again. I quickly averted my eyes to my notebook pretending I was reading the blank page like it was the most interesting thing I have ever seen. 

I am hyper-aware of him walking past me to the chair at the desk behind me, I hear him sit and after a few moments, I hear the soft tap tap tapping of a pen on the desk..... 

"Okay so today we are going to look at poems, to inspire your creative writing" Mrs. Hayes takes a workbook from her desk and walks towards the back of the class"almost forgot, here, this workbook is for you to get creative In, short stories, poems, songs, anything which inspires you really". I keep facing forward, as much as my curiosity wants me to look back and see what he thinks of this task, but I don't because I know better, I have a plan! Mrs. Hayes walks to the front of the class again "where was I, ah yes poems, has anyone got any they would like to share?" Unsurprisingly the room is almost silent, and then Tracey puts her hand up. 

"Ah Tracey yes please share"

Tracey stands up, no surprise she is in drama club, there was clearly no need for the ovation " it's not really finished but here is what I have so far" Tracey smiles at Mrs. Hayes who nods for her to continue.

"If I was a flower, would I be a rose?

Would I lose petals as the wind blows?

If I was a car, would I be yellow?

Would I be fast or would I be mellow?

If I was a boy, would I be tall?

Would I like skating or playing some ball?

Tracey then curtseys and takes her seat looking at Mrs. Hayes waiting patiently for her thoughts.... 

"How wonderful, beautifully read and very insightful, I look forward to hearing the full version" 

I can still hear the gentle tapping of a pen behind me, tap tap tap.... I incline my head to try and work our the tune... I know it but what is it.... 

"Alexandra do you have something to share" Mrs. Hayes is looking at me intently

Oh no, I was looking far to interested, rule 3 stay under the teacher's radar. I never get picked out in class j have a foolproof plan, maybe she was just looking this way keeping an eye on 47 but didn't feel like it was fair to pick on him.... 

"Nothing finished miss" I respond, hoping she will move on..

Mrs. Hayes smiles, her blond Bob framing her happy face and I know what she is going to say will not make me happy. "Why don't we try some improve something easy. I will start, Alexandra you go next".

"Roses are red, violets are blue"....

Oh god, shoot me now.... 

"I go to bed, when um... iV got the flu?" I cringe as this comes out of my mouth.

"Good! Right Jackson?" Then I'm very confused, who the hell is Jackson? ... 

Then a voice behind me says "IV got 5 fingers, the middle one's for you".... okay so a few things went through my mind at that point,1, 47 is actually Jackson McCaffrey..2, I have never seen Mrs. Hayes look anything but happy, shocked is not a good look on her face.. 3, damn his voice is sexy.... Note to self, Jackson is not sexy, get those thoughts out of your head right now it will only end in disaster.