New Girl
1128 Words
It had been two weeks since Isaiah’s strange encounter with the phone. Since then, things hadn’t been the same with his mom—she’d been distant, almost withdrawn. Isaiah tried to fix whatever was wrong, hoping things would go back to how they used to be. But deep down, he felt this lingering tension in the air, as if things could never truly return to normal.
Then, suddenly, Monica lit up like a switch had flipped. She eagerly went up to Isaiah’s room and said,
“Isaiah, dear, next week’s the full moon. You know we have to do our movie night thing.”
Isaiah, eager to mend their relationship and see his mom happy again, replied excitedly,
“Of course, Mom. I’d never forget.”
Monica’s face softened with relief. “Thanks, Isaiah. I know I haven’t been myself these past few weeks—”
Isaiah cut her off hurriedly. “Mom, it’s fine. I know you’re going through something. But I’m late!” He laughed.
Monica laughed with him. “You’re right. You better hurry.”
Isaiah felt a surge of happiness seeing his mom’s beautiful smile. “I’ll be back, Mom.”
At school, Isaiah was surprised by his newfound popularity. Suddenly, girls were paying attention to him. Even the guys started shooting their shot, but Isaiah was so dense that he made a concrete wall seem soft. He didn’t mind; he just thought they were being nice.
He made his way to homeroom, where his best part of school awaited—Lucas. With a smile, Lucas greeted, “What’s up, Isaiah?”
Isaiah replied warmly, “I’m alright.”
Lucas’s face lit up with anticipation. “Aisha’s throwing a party at her house next week. You coming?”
Isaiah shook his head. “Nah, man. Me and my mom have this tradition. During the full moon, we get home early, lock all the doors and windows, and binge movies with snacks.”
Lucas frowned. “That’s weird. Why the full moon?”
Isaiah thought for a moment. “You know what? I never really thought about it. I always assumed it was because of my crescent birthmark—that we had to do it when the moon was out.”
Lucas, eyes sparkling with his usual fixation, said, “Then why not do it when it’s a crescent moon?”
Isaiah stayed silent.
Lucas, blond hair and blue eyes like a lost puppy, asked shyly, “Can I come?”
Isaiah replied quickly, “Nope, it’s just for me and my mom. Besides, your dad says you spend too much time at my house—that I’m bringing your grades down.” He whispered, “Not like they were ever up.”
Lucas’s eyes widened. “What was that?!?”
“Nothing, just talking to myself. Ha ha ha.”
Their teacher snapped the piece of chalk in his hands and said, “If I hear one more word from either of you, so help me I’ll—”
Before he could finish, someone stepped into the classroom.
With beautiful, shiny auburn hair and hazel eyes so stunning they were almost hypnotic , the new girl smiled softly.
The teacher, as if burdened by one more responsibility, sighed. “Class, we have a transfer student with us. Please introduce yourself.”
“They’re just coming out of the walls, aren’t they?” the teacher muttered under his breath.
The new girl said warmly, “Hi everyone, I’m Taylor. It’s nice to meet you.”
Isaiah’s eyes widened as if he’d seen an angel, the girl destined for him. He stuttered as he tapped Taylor, who sat in front of him, and said,
“H-hi, I’m Isaiah. I’m new here, well, not exactly new, but I just moved here. And I’m pretty sure you just moved here too.”
He thought, s**t, Isaiah, you dumbass.
Taylor chuckled. “Well, hello there, Isaiah. It’s nice to meet you.”
Isaiah was left speechless, as if he’d found something he’d been searching for ages.
Lucas, watching the scene unfold, kicked Isaiah’s seat, snapping him back to reality.
Isaiah, embarrassed, said, “If you ever need anything, I’m right behind you.”
Taylor smiled, so pretty it could put models to shame. “Thanks, Isaiah,” she said, pulling out her notes.
Suddenly, a wave of embarrassment washed over Isaiah, emotions he’d never felt before crashing down.
Later that day, Isaiah saw Aisha—with thick dark curls and beautiful caramel skin—talking to Taylor. Aisha never spoke to Isaiah; she felt something off about him, something inhuman.
Isaiah and Lucas walked up to Taylor and learned that Taylor and Aisha had been friends since elementary school, but Aisha had to move away for unknown reasons.
Awkward Isaiah was too shy to have a proper conversation with Taylor. Thank God for Lucas.
Lucas sensed the tension in the air and said, “Taylor, right?”
Taylor smiled while glancing at Isaiah. “Yeah, you’re Lucas, right?”
Lucas nodded. “You’re coming to Aisha’s party, right?”
Isaiah’s ears perked up as if he’d just heard the winning lottery numbers.
Taylor nodded. “Yes, Aisha’s my best friend. Of course, I’m coming. Isaiah, are you coming?”
Isaiah’s face fell. “No, I have to do something with my mo—”
Lucas cut him off hurriedly. “Of course he’s coming. He wouldn’t miss it for anything.” He dragged Isaiah to a corner. “Dude, this is your only chance to have some time alone with Taylor. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
Isaiah stammered, “Wh-what look? And besides, I have to do that thing with my mom.”
Lucas smirked. “It’s just one night. Your mom will be fine. Look at me—my dad doesn’t even know where I am most of the time, and look how I turned out.”
Isaiah chuckled. “Whatever, dude. It’s just one night. It’s not like I’ll die.”
They both laughed.
Isaiah felt a gentle tap on his back. It was Taylor.
She asked nervously, “Well? You coming?”
Flustered, Isaiah said, “Yes, I am. I have someone I’d really love to talk to.”
They both blushed.
Aisha, feeling cringed, cut the conversation short. “Well, we’ll see you there, I guess.” She whisked Taylor away.
Before leaving, Taylor asked Isaiah for his number.
Lucas, ecstatic his best friend was coming to the party, said, “Thank you, God, for sending an angel to change my brother’s mind.”
They both laughed.
What will happen at the party?
What did Aisha sense from Isaiah?
Does Lucas have a hidden reason for wanting Isaiah at the party?
- Writer
