English notes
1489 Words
*Tala*
All weekend, I have been lost in my own universe, entranced by the idea that I am an extraordinary being, having captured the magnetism of Noah's gaze. This notion that I possess magical abilities, transforming me into an irresistible enchantress, even to the King of Goth, has held me captive.
Could it be true? Could I really be a witch? The idea is remarkable but compelling. Imagine if I could manifest the very things those Wiccan pages described. I'm simply bursting with excitement to reveal my new persona at school. This is the dawn of my new existence.
As I approach the grand entrance of the school, a group of ‘royals’ saunters down the path. Unaware of my transformation, they head straight for the doors, not even acknowledging my presence. I have to sidestep at the last second to avoid being overrun.
The dark enchantress is abruptly disregarded, left clutching the door handle as the ‘royals’ breeze past, not even sparing a first glance. All that I have built crumbles to the ground like a discarded book. Nothing has changed, I'm still the timid little mouse I was. With a sigh of disappointment, I trudge along with the other outsiders towards the cafeteria.
I glance nervously at the other tables. Not a single gaze meets mine, and a small smile creeps onto my face. Perhaps I have been pushed back into my shell, but at least I have had a taste of the real world, if only for a night.
Images of Noah pervade my thoughts, instigating a thrilling chill that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. I laugh at myself, shaking my head. There's no point in daydreaming about him, I will never be able to compete with the women on his balcony. No amount of Wiccan magic can alter that reality. Just like with Jacy, I must admire him from a distance.
"Hey, Tala... did you have a good weekend?" A warm voice says.
I'm jolted out of my thoughts.
Jacy's warm gaze is focused on me.
I need to stop daydreaming. I didn't even notice the ‘royals’ casually passing by my table, and now Jacy is standing right in front of me.
"I was so right," he announces, folding his long frame into the chair next to me.
I'm left gaping. So are the ‘royals’. Jacy, however, doesn't seem to mind at all, his focus on me.
"English is going to be the death of me," he continues as if this is an everyday occurrence, "I will never be able to catch up and read all the books and texts the rest of you have managed to in two months." He looks at me with pleading eyes, "I desperately need your help."
"You want my help? With English?" I stammer, still somewhat taken aback.
"Really?" He says, a wide grin spreading across his face, "I could really use your help. I noticed you always seem to be on top of things in class. That's why I thought you might be able to help with English."
His charm is disarming and his smile is infectious. My wounded pride, however, is still smarting from the recent blow it's received. I look at him, puzzled. Why is he asking me? I'm not the class genius or anything.
"I have some detailed notes. You are welcome to use them," I manage to stammer out, "But I don't have them on me right now."
"No problem at all. I can stop by later and pick them up if that's alright," he's still smiling, and my heart skips a beat.
"You mean at my place?" I ask, my eyes growing wide.
"Yeah, unless you prefer somewhere else," he shrugs casually.
"Uh, no, my place is fine. I will be home," I mumble, trying to process what's just happened.
"Perfect," he says, his smile lighting up his face, "I will be free after 2 pm, does that work for you?"
"Uhh, yeah," I reply, mentally kicking myself for sounding so clueless.
Unaware or perhaps simply being kind, he suggests, "Why don't we meet outside later?"
I barely manage to utter, "Yeah, well..." before I'm cut off.
"It's a date. I'll see you after school," he announces, a captivating smile lighting up his face that sends my heart into a chaotic dance.
He strides back towards the popular clique, the ‘royals’, completely disregarding the disapproving glances thrown his way by Pavati and her followers. I witness Pavati utter a sharp retort, to which Jacy merely laughs and responds with a comment I fail to catch. His words incite laughter amongst his friends, causing Pavati to spin around in irritation and march off, her gang trailing behind her.
My gaze lingers on Jacy's broad back as he traverses the hallway, eventually disappearing into a classroom.
"You had me at hello," I whisper into the vacant space.
Suddenly, reality crashes down upon me. I have never brought a boy home before. And now, Jacy. Panic surges as I recall the state of my room: dirty laundry strewn about, posters of forgotten idols still hanging, and a collection of teddy bears adorning my bed. This feels like a parody of a cheesy romantic movie. What am I supposed to do? He's coming over right after school, leaving me no time to clean. A groan escapes my lips as I let my head fall into my arms. Then, the dishes from last night flood into my memory. Overcome by exhaustion, I had left them to be cleaned today.
"Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty. Are you heading to class or not?" Halyn suddenly jolts me awake, her fingers snapping before my eyes.
I lift my head, staring at her as if she's just descended from another planet.
"Suit yourself," she retorts, shaking her head with laughter before making her way to class.
In a daze, I retrieve my phone - oh no! Is that the time? I bolt upright, barely making it into the classroom before the door closes shut.
"It's remarkable how the author deftly shifts the narrative's tone, making the second part contradict the first with just a few sentences," the teacher effuses, dissecting a set of poems.
From my spot at the back of the room, I can covertly admire Jacy, who is seated a few rows ahead. My mind wanders, envisioning our walk home together. As if sensing my thoughts, he swivels in his seat, gracing me with a smile.
'That’s the new guy right?' Halyn scribbles on the notepad we're sharing. 'What's his story?'
'His name is Jacy,’ I write underneath.
'Whatever ... he is soo checking you out,' She writes back.
'No he isn't!' I glare at her, but she just smiles overbearingly.
'Do you know what the best thing about you is, doll?' She writes.
'That I stick up for you?' I write.
'LOL!' She sticks out her tongue. 'No, it's that you don't realize how cute you look. That's what makes you special, down to earth.'
I roll my eyes as I write. 'Sure. I'm a great beauty and guys are falling over each other to get to me. Haven't you seen?'
'Only because you always hide! Put on a bit of eyeliner with some mascara and do something with that mob of hair... and wait, they will come,' Her eyes shine excitedly behind her heavy makeup.
'Nope, not going to turn into a panda... like someone else,' I can't help but giggle.
'Catwoman, thank you,' Halyn writes back.
As I giggle the teacher shushes us, then continues gushing over the poem.
'Just a bit, a thin line, no need to go full goth,' Halyn writes.
I shake my head and try to focus on the teacher.
Shortly after, Halyn writes something else, 'Maybe you should give that Jacy guy a chance. He's looking at you again.'
My head snaps up, seeing Jacy turn away with a lopsided grin.
'Yeah, he is coming home with me after school, you know, to borrow my English notes. And now he probably thinks I'm totally weird because of your behavior,' I silently slap her shoulder.
Halyn's eyes widen and she quickly writes, 'Oh wow, he is smooth. What are you going to do?'
'Is there a special way I should hand him the folder with notes or?' I write.
'Come on, you silly goose. Why is he asking you? No offense, doll, but there are at least ten people in this class who are better at English than you.'
'Don't you think I know? But I have a lot of notes, and isn't that the most important thing when that is what he's going to borrow?'
Halyn looks skeptical. 'Not buying it. Oh, you so have to call me the moment he leaves.' That is the last she gets to write because then the clock rings, and we have to get to the next class.
- Writer
