Moonlight Love

High school

            I looked at my clothes and tried to decide on what to wear. I looked at some mini skirts mum had bought for me. Mum always wanted me in mini skirts, she said It showed off my hot legs. That was a lie. I had grizzly red legs. It even looked like lobster legs and waxing was too painful. So I never bothered with mini skirts.

           I ended up with jeans and a top. I hid my grey hair under my fire red hair because I was not ready to be called freak on my first day of school.

          I gathered my bag and stuff and went out of my room. I went down to the stairs and banged on Denis’s door.

          He opened the door. “What?”

         “It’s time for school dufus.” I said.

          He leaned on his door and gave me what he called the hot boy look.

          “Eeewww don’t do that. You don’t know how stupid you look.” I said.

           “Well girls always go crazy about it.” He said pulling his bag over his shoulder as we went down the stairs.

            I made pretentious sounds like I wanted to puke.

            He stuck his tongue at me.

            “Hello kids.” Grandma said from the kitchen.

            “Morning grandma.” We chorused.

            “Good morning sweethearts.” She said kissing our foreheads. Her hair was packed into a neat ponytail and she looked so much younger. “Come and eat.”

             We sat by the tiny four seat dinner table as grandma served us our breakfast.

             “Eat it all up.” Grandma said.

             Her sincere love made me feel so happy.

             The red cat from yesterday cat walked into the kitchen and climbed up the sink to where grandma was washing dishes.

             “Oh hi Elise.” Grandma said. “Have you kids met Elise?”

             “I saw her yesterday.” I said taking a bite of my omelette.

              Elise climbed Grandma and rubbed her tail around grandma.

              “How old is she?” Denis asked.

              “Elise is very old.” Grandma said. “Very very old.”

I imagined Elise was maybe over a hundred years, but maybe grandma was just playing. But it was odd that the cat was bright red, just like my hair color.

               Grandpa came through the front door holding a newspaper. “Hey kids. Sleep well?”

               “Morning grandpa.” We chorused.

               Grandpa walked up to grandma and gave her a kiss. I admired their love.

               Elise climbed grandpa and rubbed her body against him. He took her to us. “Meet Elise kids. She’s part of the family too.”

               He set her on the kitchen table and Elise blankly stared at us.

               I reached out to her. “Hey kitty kitty.”

               She jumped on me and rubbed her body on mine.

               “Elise only likes a few people and she likes you.” Grandma said.

                Denis tried to carry her, but she screeched and flew out of the kitchen window.

                “Wow, you must be very ugly Denis.” I said to him. “Told you that hot boy s**t doesn’t work.”                             

                I turned to my grandparents. “Denis is not really a cat person. He always has dogs coming around him. They see him and they follow him. All the time. It’s like his a magnet. Except doggy magnet.”

               “Shut up.” Denis snapped at me.

               “Make me.” I replied nastily. 

               From the corner of my eye, I saw Grandma and grandpa exchange looks but said nothing.

                Then we heard a car drive-by and grandma looked through the kitchen window. “Ok kids, that’s Charlotte. She’s here for you.”

                 We got up and grandma handed us brown packages. “I know you kids are all grown up and there will be food in the cafeteria, but I still want you to have this.”

                 “Don’t mention sweethearts.” Grandma said kissing our foreheads one after the other.

                 “Bye grandpa.” We waved.

                  We went down to the car where Charlotte was already waiting for us. Denis made a speed bolt to the back seat. Irritated at his attitude, I groaned and went to the front. It was not that I didn’t want to stay in the front with Charlotte, I hated the fact that he made it so obvious that he was avoiding her.

                 “Hi Charlotte.” I said cheerfully. “You look great.”

                 Charlotte had her hair plaited in two pigtails that made her look like a baby, and undeniably beautiful. She had on a top and a mini skirt that showed of her shining ebony legs. I sighed in envy as I admired them. At least, she didn’t have gorilla legs like mine.

                 “Thanks. So do you.” Charlotte said.

                 I made a silent tsk. I looked plain no lies.

                 “Hi Charlotte.” Denis said.

                  I had to turn and look at him. I could not believe he had just said hi to her.

                  Charlotte blushed so hard you could see it, then she hid it and said an off handed. “Oh hi Denis. Didn’t see you there.”

                  I looked at the two of them. One thing was definitely certain Charlotte had the hots for Denis. Denis was my twin brother, but he was unpredictable.

Charlotte started the engine, the car moving in motion and my new journey in Brookville had truly begun.

*

“Does the school have a well facilitated arts department?” Denis asked behind us.

Charlotte took full advantage of this heavenly opportunity at a conversation with Denis and launched into a lengthy conversation of how great the school arts department was.

I merely looked at my window and watched as cars moved back and forth.

When i saw a large signboard ahead that had Brookville high school written on it, I felt my insides squeeze uncomfortably as my anxiety came over me with full force.

Charlotte made a swerve at where the signboard was and we entered Brookville high school. We drove into what was obviously the school car park and Charlotte made a neat parking.

“We are here. This is Brookville high school.” Charlotte announced to the car. “Let me take you to the receptionist’s office.”

We came down from the car and I looked around. The environment was green and nature friendly. A couple of students were in the car park too.

As we walked past, a group of girls gawked at us. At Denis rather.

“Oh my God. Who is that?" One asked.

“He’s hot.” Another said.

“Charlotte Bennet knows him?” A third said.

As we walked past the car park, the girls stared at us. Drooled at Denis actually. Not that it ever bothered me that I was always in the shadows, in fact, i loved it. I hated all that attraction. Denis didn’t like it either but he was stuck with it. There was nothing he could do about that.

Charlotte led the way and we entered the first building in the school, she turned to the first door on her left and knocked.

"Let me warn you ahead. Mrs Lane has a tendency to be over friendly." Charlotte said to us before opening the door.

“Morning Mrs Lane. This is Denver and Denis Howe. They are new transfer students.” Charlotte introduced us.

Mrs Lane was a busty white woman, probably in her early fifties, wearing vintage sixties type of glasses. She pushed her glasses up and looked up at us.

"You must be Richard and Anaïs Howe's grandchildren." She said in a heavy southern accent. Then she turned to look at me. "And you, you have the Howe women's red hair. Fancy that! As for your hair color, it's unique never seen a white haired boy before."

Then she looked at us again and asked. "So Fiona brought her kids down to Brookville finally. Where is she? She came along didn't she?"

It was at that point I decided I did not like the plump receptionist. I suspected she knew our mother was not with us. She just wanted to hear original gossip from a first hand source.

"She's not here with us. She passed away." I said disgusted and reluctantly, but anyways.

Mrs Lane took off her glasses and gave an over exaggerated gasp and held her chest. "Fiona is dead? She was such a nice girl. Wow that must be really awful don't you think?"

Don't you think? I thought disgusted. She was such a gossip.

Then she rose up to her feet and walked up to a large cabinet.

"That's just so sad. Mind you I ask how she died?" She dug further as she flipped through files in the cabinet.

No one was going to give her the satisfaction of being told anymore gossip that she wanted to tell her club. We all kept mute.

Then she brought out two envelopes and handed to the both of us. "Such a pity. Your father gone, and now your mother. It's just so sad."

When we didn't say anything again, she became embarrassed and laughed to hide her shame. "Well those envelopes contain your class timetable, the map of the school, handouts and a couple of other things you will need. There is a slip for you to give every teacher to sign. When you are done, you would bring it back to me at the end of school that is. Welcome to Brookville and Brookville high school. Have a lovely day."

*

"My God was she too nosy or was it just me?" I asked as we all stepped out of the office and closed the door shut.

"It isn't just you. That's how she is." Charlotte said. "By now, I am pretty sure she's on the phone with her gossip club to break her latest findings."

We all leaned and through the window, sure enough, Mrs Lane was already chatty on the phone with God knows who. Disgusted, I pushed it aside.

Then the bell rang and the busy hallway began to empty.

"I have Spanish first period. What about you?" Denis asked me, as he looked at a paper from his envelope. From the corner of my eye, I saw Charlotte smile ever wickedly.

I hurriedly opened my own envelope and looked through my paper. "I have Algebra."

Charlotte cleared her throat. "I have Spanish first period too."

I wanted to laugh, but I held myself. Charlotte was so into Denis. Then I said the obvious.

"Well since you both have Spanish together, why don't you guys just go ahead?" I said.

Charlotte looked at me. "Are you sure?"

I nodded my head. "Sure. Why not? That makes sense to me doesn't it?"

Charlotte blushed and hid it again. "I guess so. Well we could meet at the cafeteria during lunch. Algebra is in Washington building. You can't miss it.'

"Alright." Denis said. "Good luck with your class. See ya later."

Then he walked ahead. Charlotte mouthed a large thank  you and thumbs up and hurriedly went up to catch up with Denis.

I waved at them as they left. By now the hall was almost empty.

I followed the instructions given on the map to find my way. I successfully reached Washington building, and when I looked around, none of the classes had Algebra indicated at the door. Very confused and anxious that I was very late, I looked around for help.

I turned and saw a boy drinking water from a tap.

I summoned the courage and walked up to him.

"Uhmmm hi." I said.

He rose up and I was so taken aback by his beauty that I stumbled on my own foot and almost tripped. Very embarrassed, I straightened myself up and looked at him. That was the biggest mistake I made.

I looked up at him and didn't stop looking. His face was perfectly made. He had the most perfect nose I had ever seen. His dark hair was so neat and his eye spat emerald fires. He towered over me just like Denis usually did, making me feel like a mouse before him. He was so beautiful I had no idea I was drooling at his features.

He didn't say a word, he just rose his brow in question.

"Ohhh. i.... err...uhmm.." I stumbled for words very embarrassed.

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. "Please I'm looking for Algebra."

He looked at me then pointed at a class to me.

I looked around and saw he was pointing at a class that had no indication of whatever class it was.

"Thank you." I said. He didn't say anything. He just looked at me. It was such an awkward moment.

I nodded my head awkwardly and walked to the class he had pointed out for me. Very conscious that he was looking at me, my walking step began to change of its own accord.

I hurriedly walked to the class to avoid any further embarrassment.

I entered the class and was stunned to discover all the students were holding musical instruments. The class went quiet and all eyes were on me.

The teacher walked up to me. "Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Algebra." I said embarrassed.

"Algebra? You're in the wrong class dear. This is the music class." She said.

The teacher smiled at me. "Algebra is on the floor above us. It's the first call on your right."

"Thank you." I said to the teacher and hurriedly went out of the classroom.

That boy had given me the wrong directions on purpose. I looked around the hall to give him a piece of my mind, but he was nowhere in sight. By now I was surely very late for my class.

I hurried to the new directions I had been given and when I discovered it, I made sure to look well at the name of the class. It was Algebra.

I pushed the door open and entered the class. For the second time that day, I was the centre of attraction as the entire class fell silent and turned to look at me.

I was absolutely embarrassed.

The teacher was obviously irritated and unhappy to have his class interrupted.

"Can I help you?" He asked with a very heavy foreign accent.

"Ohhh....I er....uhmmm." I stumbled for words unsure of what to say.

Then I simply dug into my envelope for my slip.

I dropped my bag clumsily on the floor and everyone laughed at me.

"You are waisting my time!" The teacher complained.

Flustered and filled with embarrassment, I hurriedly bent to pick up my bag. As I rose up, I saw the boy who had lied to me at the far end corner of the class.

I looked at him angrily and rose up to my feet in full height.

I handed the teacher my slip and he snatched it from me. I tried my best to not look at where the deceiver was.

"I am Mr Vandaugh and I do not condone incompetent students who make a first bad impression on their first day of school." Mr Vandaugh snapped at me handing the paper back. "I shall sign the paper if and only if you are worth it."

I collected it from him.

"And why do you still have your bag here?" Mr Vandaugh asked me.

"Well, I received my slip and locker combination late." I explained.

He groaned at me very irritated. "An incompetent and disorganized young lady you are Miss Howe."

I wanted to explain to him that it was not entirely my fault that I was late. The receptionist and that  boy had both had a hand in it. But one look at the proud German mathematician in a fake blonde wig and exaggerated moustache told me I was going to receive another backlash if I tried to defend myself and so I shut up my mouth.

"Go take a seat in front of that dark headed boy and do not interrupt my class again." Mr Vandaugh said his fingers dramatically on his temples and his free hand flapping at a part of class.

I turned around to follow his flapping fingers and sure enough, it was the same deceiver I was to sit close to. There were only two empty seats in the entire class. One directly in front of the deceiver and another directly behind an overweight boy.

I took my chances and walked to where the overweight boy was seated. As I was about to sit when Mr Vandaugh lashed at me.

"Nein! You are not to sit there! Do you perhaps like big boys? Well no! You shall not get what you want! Sit in front of that Brook boy who is as incompetent as you are!" Mr Vandaugh screamed his face a complete red. As usual the class laughed. Anything to while away time from their boring lesson.

I didn't want to be arrested or sent to prison because I gave Mr Vandaugh a heart attack, and so I followed his orders this time.

As I walked past, a girl snickered at me mockingly. "Incompetent girl."

I ignored it and passed on.

When I got to my assigned seat, I came face to face with him. He didn't smile nastily or frown at me. He just stared at me blankly like he had not just seen me a few minutes ago.

I gave him what I hoped was the nastiest and meanest look ever before sitting down.

I hated him. Absolutely. He had put me in so much trouble and for what reason, I had no idea. He was not perfect anymore. I had seen a tiny scar by the side of his left head and that was my little victory. He was not so angelic anymore. In fact, he was very unattractive and I hoped he had the most unattractive teeth on the planet. Even donkey from shrek was much more good looking than he was. I wanted so much to turn around and strangle him, but that would have been the last straw. Mr Vandaugh would have either had a heart attack at the spot or I would have been kicked out of the class. And so I didn't do any of the things I really wanted to.

"Can we carry on." Mr Vandaugh announced after I was in my seat.

I was so uncomfortable with my sitting position that the hair on my skin was standing all through.

Mr Vandaugh resumed with the teaching I had obviously missed and fortunately enough, I was already familiar with the topic.

I sat on my seat like a mouse on sticks. I was so conscious of myself that moving my feet was almost impossible. I half expected the boy to poke my neck or do something nasty, but he did absolutely nothing. 

Class took forever and I so badly wanted it to end.

"Because you all understand and very much seem to like this topic, I shall give a twenty minutes math test!" Mr Vandaugh announced.

The class groaned and moaned in displeasure.

Mr Vandaugh ignored all their complaints completely and dished out papers to everyone. He eyed me as he handed me mine. My math teacher already hated me.

I was horrible in maths. I was a straight A one student in every subject while in maths I was the queen of F.

I looked at the paper before me. It would be awful if I failed this test even though I knew the subject.

The bell rang and freedom reigned.

The boy got up from his seat and was the first to leave the class despite the fact that we were at the far end of the class.

I got up from my seat and walked to Mr Vandaugh's desk with my slip.

He rose his brow and collected the slip from my hand. He signed the paper and handed it back to me.

"Thank you." I said and left the class.