Out of the Bayou: Secrets

Two

Magnolia

I began searching for my glasses with my hands sweeping across the floor. When I felt my left hand get snagged and some pressure being applied to the fingers on it. As I looked up to see who thought stepping on me would be a good idea, I could feel water being poured all over and down my back. The sudden shock of the cold water making me gasp. Opening my eyes to the sight of Eli, his girlfriend, Jewel Crochet, who was also Laura’s best friend, and Jewel’s twin sister Pearl, who was also part of Satan’s spawns, laughing as if it was the funniest thing they had ever seen.

A groan escaped my lips, as tears filled my eyes from the pain of my fingers being crushed to the floor along with having the embarrassment of knowing that I would be wet at school for much of the rest of the day.

All at once, the pain was gone. I was able to pull my hand free since Eli removed his foot. I clutched my hand close to my chest trying to remove some of the soreness that was left. I could hear a rustling noise and Laura sighing with annoyance as Mr. Leblanc came to my rescue.

“Excuse me, Mr. Boudreaux, what do you think you are doing to Magnolia?” asked Mr. Leblanc.

“I was helping her with her books, Mr. Leblanc. You know how clumsy this little flower is.” Eli replied sarcastically.

“Always the gentleman, Mr. Boudreaux. I suggest you, the Crochet twins, and Ms. Broussard, head to your next class before you get written up. I would hate for you all to spend your spring break cleaning the school.” Mr. Leblanc said firmly, not hiding his irritation.

Eli grabbed Jewel’s hand and began leading her away. Laura was smiling sadistically at me and winked. “Bye Flower, be more careful while daydreaming.” giggling as she walked away with Eli, Jewel, and Pearl.

Mr. Leblanc, my savior, was our history teacher. He mumbled something to himself that I didn’t quite catch as he began picking up the scattered books. I was able to retrieve my glasses and was looking at my smashed fingers as Everett cut the corner into the hallway. My fascination with Everett is frightening, because I can never seem to tear my eyes away from him. He looked down his nose at me with disgust as he stepped over a book, then passed by Mr. Leblanc without even sparing him a single glance.

I never understood Everett. He wasn’t like his friends. He didn’t torment me. He didn’t try to make my life hell. However, he never stopped them, and he always looked at me as if it was hard for him to breathe the same air as me. His trying to avoid me has gotten worse since he moved next door to me.

Mr. Leblanc cleared his throat, making me tremble as I realized he had caught me staring at Everett’s figure making his way down the hall as fast as he possibly could.

As I stood up, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks and ears. I looked at Mr. Leblanc praying he would not acknowledge the fool I just made of myself. Right on cue, Mr. Leblanc shook his head, handing me the books, letting me know my prayer would go unanswered.

“Magnolia, are you alright? Do you want to call your mother?” Mr. Leblanc said pitifully.

“No, please don’t. I’m fine, I swear.” I said, showing him my hand. “It’s just sore, and my clothes will dry.”

“You know Magnolia,” Mr. Leblanc said as he looked in the direction that Everett had just gone. “I hope you understand how brilliant of a student you are. I also hope that you don’t allow things to pull you away from the bright future you have ahead of you.” He explained, gazing back at me.

“Yes sir. I understand. Thank you for helping me. I had just left the library gathering more information on my local history project when I had bumped into Laura accidentally. I guess I was lost in thought. It was my fault really. Thanks, again Mr. Leblanc.” I said, staring down at my shoes trying to get away from this awkward situation. As I began to scurry away, he grabbed my arm to stop me. He then looked around to make sure we were alone.

“No Problem, Nola. See you later for class? Oh, and I’ll be at the boil tomorrow,” he said with a smoldering smile. I nodded, stepping away from him as I could feel the heat of embarrassment traveling up to my face again.

My parents have been friends with Mr. Leblanc’s parents since they were kids. Mr. Leblanc or Andrew, as I knew him outside of school, was always around before and after he returned from college at Mississippi State. Our dads are always having get-togethers to watch games and UFC, or seafood boils. This was his first year teaching since earning his degree at such a young age of 20. He worked hard to graduate early, even earning credits during his high school senior year. It’s kind of intimidating to live up to, since our parents were so close. It also gave my parents unrealistic expectations. I had seen him with a girl or two, but no one ever stayed long because he was so focused on his education, not on relationships.

Mr. Leblanc was intimidating, but ruggedly handsome with piercing green eyes and light brown hair. Every girl in our school strived to get his attention. He never reciprocated, but I couldn’t help but notice the looks he would give me during his classes and sometimes at the gatherings our parents would hold. I always wrote it off as appreciation for class participation and the love of history we shared, but the closer I get to graduation and turning 18 next week, I can’t shake the feeling of it being more.