Blindside

Special Treatment

“Hurry up spitfire, get those legs moving” Oliver heckled at me.

“Listen here big guy, I have little legs and they’re only going to move so fast compared to the gargantuan steps you take” I retorted.

“HA! You’re so easily riled” Oliver laughed. “We’re almost there spitfire, and I’ll even ’slow down’ for you” Oliver said, making fun of me.

“Yeah, yeah, lead the way sir jokes-a-lot” I grumbled in response. “Damn giants, damn little legs. ‘I’ll even slow down for you’. Jackass” I mocked, mumbling under my breath. 

After a couple of turns, I was thankful to finally make it to class.

“Here we are spitfire” Oliver said with a smirk.

“Thank you to the higher power! You walk too damn fast” I grumbled.

Stepping into class, voices started to quiet at our arrival. Reaching for my elbow, Oliver gently guided me to follow him a row shy from the back of the room to a table with another student seated. Looking up from her phone, we were greeted with a smile and warm hazel eyes.

“Izzy!! Since when are you into art?” I exclaimed, a little shocked.

“I’ve always enjoyed art. I’m nowhere close to your level, but it helps me appreciate history that much more. I love learning the foundations, the thought, and the care that goes into each piece” Isabelle explained.

“That makes sense. Well anyhow, I’m happy to have another familiar face in my classes” I replied.

Isabelle was amazing. I was disappointed in myself for not having asked more about her love for history. That girl was going to go places, and I was thankful that she kept my cousin in line.

“Corbin gave me a bit of a heads up just as you arrived. What else do you have?”

Together, we went over my timetable, to which I was happy to discover that we would have ______ together. Our discussion was cut short by the teacher as she entered the room.

“Good morning Starshine, the world says hello!” She shouts. I look at her and smile. “Now, before you go thinking I’ve really gone off the deep end this time, I was quoting Johnny Depp” She explains. The class laughs.

“Before we begin, if I do remember correctly, introductions are to be made” she says. “Miss Banks, if you may please stand” so I do “ Everyone, please welcome our new student Cleopatra Banks. Welcome Cleopatra, I am Mrs. Cortez and I do hope you enjoy your time here. Please feel free to ask for any help as you get acclimated” she said warmly. 

Standing just a few inches taller that me and dressed in a flowing fall dress, Mrs. Cortez was full of life. I was definitely looking forward to how the rest of term was going to go. Just like that, we were in full swing of our first lesson.

As mrs. Cortez reviewed her expectations, I sat feeling eyes on me. Every so often, as to not be obvious, I would look quickly around the room. Before I knew it, class was ending. Gathering my things, I felt eyes on me again. Looking up, I caught the set of eyes watching me, and the borderline angry expression of the face they were coming from. At first I was startled, but after catching his expression, I just got annoyed.

“Cleo, are you coming?” Isabelle said, getting my attention.

“Yeah, just give me a moment. I’ll meet you in the hall” I replied. Turning back to the brood, I didn’t even hesitate “Can I help you?” I said, my voice full of attitude. 

What did I get back? Nothing. Grabbing his bag, he stood, grunting in response and brushed past me and out the door. 

“What the hell was that?” I said to myself. Confused by the ordeal, I shook it off and left to find my friends.