The Sun in the Smoke

First Meeting

15 years later

P.O.V Tora

“You ready for your first day of high school ?” My mom pulled up to my new school. Jefferson High, home of the Jaguars. Wish the mascot was a dog breed of some sort. Dogs are way better than cats. “Yeah, I guess so.” I moped. “Just ready to get it over with I suppose.” My mom gave me a hopeful look. “You know it’s okay to talk to people and make some friends. Please try.” “For me?” It’s been a year since dad died and we moved to this town. It’s been hard for both us. Mom has been focusing more on her job selling houses. I on the other hand, would rather keep to myself. What’s the point of even trying? I feel like a half of my being is gone from my world. I sighed at my mother and nodded before exiting the car. Teens were grouped up in the typical fashion as most social groups go. Jocks, nerds, band kids, popular group etc. I adjusted my bag to one shoulder and made way inside. Mom said for my first day of high school outfit, I should pick out what expresses my personality. Naturally, I chose a simple pair of distressed dark jeans and a black graphic t-shirt with a wolf howling at the moon.

There was always something so fascinating about wolves that I felt drawn to. Or any canine like creature to be completely honest. Reading was my passion, soaking in tons of fantasy stories about witches, vampires, and werewolves. I brushed my dark jet black hair away eyes. I hated having long hair so I begged mom to have it shaved short on the sides but leaving it long enough on top to give me bangs. Though, regrettably it was always getting in my eyes. I observed my surroundings as I contemplated if I could skip school to read my new book in the back of the library. A large Jaguar mascot logo was printed on the tile as I walked through the main entrance. A gaggle of girls were squealing about some talent show the school would be having. One girl with long straight blonde hair and green eyes made eye contact with me. Normally, I would look away and move on but there was something familiar about her. I’m sure I never met her before, I’ve only moved to this town earlier this week. She gave me a weak smile before leaving with her friends. I shrugged it off and inserted my headphones. Black Veil Brides blasted through my eardrums as I made me way to first period.

P.O.V Winnie

“Winnie, you good?” I stared blankly at girl dressed in all black including her hair that passed by. Strange, do I know her? She must of felt my stare and made eye contact with me. I wanted to go say hi, but was embarrassed she caught me so instead I gave her a friendly smile before turning back to Cheryl. “Yeah, sorry! I spaced out there for a second.” I scratched the back a neck and gave an awkward laugh. “Do you know that girl or something?” Cheryl asked. “No, I don’t think so. But she does seem familiar, I can’t figure out why though”. The first bell rang signaling we were late for first period. Like a gun shot releasing the horses to race, students pushed by aggressively to get to class. Cheryl and I parted ways so we too could brave the crowd. I waved and let her know I would see her at lunch.

First period was english class with Ms. Evidente. She was a middle age teacher the medium brown hair and more stout in shape and size. She made a tisk sound before marking me late for class. I searched for a seat and my eyes landed on the girl in black. Only chair available was the seat behind her. We made eye contact again, she still didn’t smile back at me. What’s her deal anyways? Ms.Evidente addressed the class. “Good morning clash. We will be tharting our year off reading Romeo and Juliet. Pleash pull out your texts bookss to page thixy thix”. I tilted my head, is that an accent she has? Maybe she’s joking around because it’s the first day? I raised my hand to ask a question. “Yesh Winnie?” I the most serious tone I asked “Missss, what’s wrong withh your mouth?” The class erupted in an uproar, the girl in black turned and glared at me. I mouthed the word what before looking back at my teacher. Ms. Evidente cheeks flushed red. “I have a lisp Miss Benson.” Still not understanding what she said “what’s a lisp?” The class continued to laugh and I looked around. “That’s detention Miss Benson.” I slumped in my seat and I heard the girl in black scoff. The next few weeks went by and I couldn’t help but notice the girl in black never spoke in class. I only learned recently her name was Tora Hartleigh when I spied on her paper for it. I never saw her with friends outside of class either. I wanted to be her friend. From then on I made it my sole mission to get to know her. However, I needed to get her to talk to me first. A task that was much more difficult then anticipated. Everyday I would tell her good morning and something about my day. Tora would glare at me each time before blasting rock music in her head phones and ignore me. This lasted for 2 weeks before I changed tactics. From then on, I started throwing paper balls at the back of her head. After we finished with a quiz I continued throwing the little paper balls while adding a pssst ever so often. Finally, she cracked. Tora slammed her hands on her desk and turned around to face me. “WHAT?!” A huge smile grew on my face as I threw my hands in the air in triumph. “YES! You talked! You’re my new best friend now. Congratulations you’re stuck with me” I declared. Tora stared dumbly before Ms. Evidente gave us detention for interrupting class.

P.O.V Tora

What is with this girl?! She won’t leave me alone! After she said I was her new best friend, no matter how hard I try to get away from her, she’s everywhere! Award to the most annoying chick alive goes to her! Winnie would always talk my ear off during English class and in between periods. She always would go on telling one story before remembering something and start telling a new story. Since she hasn’t shut up, I have yet to hear a full story she could tell. Even though I wasn’t remotely interested in the things she liked (make up, boys, singing, socializing) I was listening to her ramble on and on. Eventually, after some months I must admit she grew on me. I found I looked forward to her stories and dumb dad jokes. She always had one everyday trying to make me laugh. But it was always her laughing at such a cheesy joke she just told that would be the thing to make me laugh. I’m not sure how it happened but she was right, I was her new best friend and she was mine.