a dark shade of green

go lions

Breakfast was over before I knew it and I was thrust into the first class of my morning.

I really did try to focus on my surroundings as I walked into my first-period classroom, but I just couldn't get my mind to stop wandering.

Sat at one of the tables, I tap my fingers on my leg, trying to keep my breathing as even as I could.

A mass amount of people had tried talking to me today. I was so over all of this.

I needed to go back to my room before I screamed at someone for calling me crown prince one more time.

I flinch when the teacher sets two books down in front of me. I look around to see if anybody had noticed my adverse reaction.

I fear every class I attended passed the same way this one did.

Excruciating slow.

My palms were a wreck after today. I was going to have to ice them later tonight.

...

After the last period let out, I felt my phone buzz.

(Jeffrey: Do not forget the counselor's crown prince.)

Even in text he was still formal and used my title. How proper of him.

Standing up I push in my seat, ignoring all my classmates around me chatting about the classwork.

I chose to leave swiftly instead of socializing. I look both ways down the hall.

Shit. Which way was the counselor's office?

I run a hand through my hair.

This school was too gigantic for me to remember. I have absolutely no clue. And no map.

Great.

Just as I'm about to go left out of hope it was the correct course of action, I hear my name being yelled.

"Nicoli! Prince Nicoli!"

Scanning the individuals in the hall, I see Olivia bouncing her way over to me through the sea of people.

I have to make my escape before she can sink her claws into me. Quickly I whip around, hoping she didn't see me see her.

"Prince Nicoli, Hey! Where are you going?"

She reached me faster than I could take my leave.

I face her sliding my phone back into my pocket.

She hauls her very full backpack up onto her shoulder.

The weight of it making her body slant.

What is that thing filled with rocks?

"Where are you heading?"

She beams a smile at me. Maybe I should try to be more scary so people stop approaching me. I guess the brooding, moody prince vibe I thought I was giving off just isn't enough.

"The counselor's office, I have a couple of things to settle."

She nods. Turning halfway back to the right.

"Actually It's this way. Would you like me to show you?"

No, I wouldn't.

"It's alright. I think I can find it."

"No, no, come on, I'll show you. I've got nothing to do anyway."

Of course she doesn't.

Why wouldn't a teen age on a Monday afternoon not have at least some plans.

She could be hanging out with a friend, not tormenting me.

"Alright then."

People in this school need to learn to take no for an answer.

"Did your classes pass by swiftly? Mine sure did! It felt like I blinked and then they were all over and done with."

"They were... They went okay. Thanks for asking, Olivia."

"Good! You remember my name. I was a little scared you had forgotten. I'm certain you've faced a bunch of people since your arrival."

I say nothing back, my eyes traveling out the windows as we pass. I wish I were outside right now.

"I heard a rumor you may play on the lacrosse team this year. You know I've met your brother! He knows my older brother. I'm apologetic for your loss. That must have been tough."

Why'd she have to bring up Jackson?

"I'd prefer to not speak on the affair."

I say, sounding unamused by the morbid subject she for some reason thought was light conversation.

"Sorry, yes. Um, Some of the boys on the team told a couple of my friends about your interest in the team. Do you like lacrosse?"

She asks, curiosity evident in her voice. I look back at her when I run out of windows and only have boring doors on my side.

I had never showed interest. These boys have let it go to their heads that I used to play.

"No. I don't."

Jackson used to play when I was younger, and I watched... As I got older, he taught me how to understand the sport.

I've lost the joy from the field now.

"Oh..."

Luckily the awkward silent walk didn't have to last for too much longer as we reached the counselor's office swiftly.

"Here it is. And even if you don't end up playing, I'm still rooting for you."

She touches my arm as she looks up at me. She was awfully short; I guess I hadn't taken notice of her until now.

She was rather plain.

Shrugging her hand off, I reach for the door.

"Thanks."

I say curtly, walking in and leaving her in the hall. I hope the full meaning of my shortened thank you came across.

At the back of the waiting room. An old lady was at a neat desk typing away, ignoring my presence.

Nothing else besides an abstract painting and two waiting chairs filled the spacious room. How homely.

Going up to her, I speak quietly.

To match the atmosphere of the dead office. I almost preferred the loud and bustling hallway.

"I'm here to see the counselor about my extracurriculars."

"Name."

Was her brief reply.

"Nicoli Stroff."

"Awe the prince, yes. She's expecting you. Head right on in."

"Okay, thank you."

The door to my left was slightly cracked. When I hesitated. The receptionist nodded her head towards it, telling me to enter.

"Well, don't waste her time. Go in."

I push it open without walking in.

A large oak desk filled with stacks of papers and binders was in the center of the office, books piled around the desk.

Vibrant colors and prints seemed out of place compared to the waiting room.

It looked as if a hobbit lived in the office and not a school counselor.

"Hello?"

I ask, uncertain when I don't immediately see someone.

I take one step forward not committing fully to entering in.

"Oh! Yes, hello? Sorry, I lost my pen under here. Here it is!"

A bright orange-haired lady popped up from behind the desk, grasping a pink fuzzy pen.

I blink, hesitant. Leaning back out of the room, I check the plaque next to the door. It reads

(Hillston Student Counselor Mrs. Kerri)

I looked back at her as she settled in her seat.

I'm in the right place?

"You must be Nicoli. I'm Mrs. Kerri. Now how would you like me to address you? Whatever you're comfortable with I think would be the best option. Unless it's something like big dawg. If so let's steer away from that."

Big dog?

I close the door behind me as I gently approach her. It looked like her desk could explode or tumble over and crush me.

"Nicoli is quite alright."

I say, sitting slowly and carefully in the leather armchair.

"Nicoli, perfect."

She grabs a folder off the top of one of the piles and scribbles something down on the front.

"Alrighty, I've got your folder here with all of your previous records, grades, levels, etc. But that's not what we desire to discuss today."

I lean forward, peering at my so-called folder.

That tiny folder contained my whole life of schooling?

How insignificant.

"Yes, we require to discuss my future extracurriculars, so everyone can get off my tail about it."

I sit back, resting my head in my hand.

She twirls her pen around as she talks.

"Do you have any ideas or inspiration on how you'd like to spend your time? Your mother gave us a couple of strong suggestions."

"I'd like to spend my time doing what I want. Not extra work outside of class."

She laughs, tossing her extra vibrant pen on the table.

"I love your humor, Nicoli. But seriously, nothing's caught your eye? Maybe a school spirit board you've seen over the last couple of days, or a friend who is already a part of a group or club?"

I think for a second. No friends. But Alex, he had that camera...

"Unless you'd like to go with what your mom has suggested. I think the violin was mentioned."

Mom. It's weird to hear someone speak so casually about her.

"Photography."

I blurt out. She raises her brows in surprise.

Grabbing a white sparkly binder, she flips through it.

"Photography is so unique; I never would've guessed."

"Not really photography. But is there anything I could do that just so happens to involve it while it doesn't require me actually doing the work persay."

I question fixing my posture.

She scratches her head. Pushing up her large, round tortoiseshell glasses.

"How so?"

"Like I would be around the photography students and be a part of what they are doing but wouldn't have to actually do what they do. I'm not very good at picture taking."

I mimic clicking a camera.

She ponders my words for a second.

"Hypothetically, if you would want to be in a mass amount of the pictures that get taken by the photographscholars. You could do art like painting. We do plenty of student art galleries."

I pull a face at the suggestion.

"Or... you could join one of the major sports teams. Hypothetically, of course."

"Sports?"

I question. I can't paint or draw for the life of me; I'd only embarrass myself.

Lacrosse was haunting me today, and I'm willing to bet my title as Prince. That I'm about to hear the word lacrosse come out of her mouth.

"Yes, sports. Those students do a whole module on inaction sports photography, and the newspaper photographers cover each game played. They also do things like interviews with the trending athletes for articles and the school's blog/social media."

"Huh. And what sports do you think get the most attention? Or, uh, screen time with the photography students."

I lean in on the edge of my seat. I already knew the answer, but I needed her confirmation.

"Hm, I'd have to say our rugby, hockey, and probably the lacrosse team. The schoolgirls really go crazy over the hockey and lacrosse players."

Winner winner.

Lacrosse.

It's a good thing I wasn't interested in the ladies.

I sigh. If I answer yes, I'm going to have to actually try to get on the team. Then I'll have to actually practice and play.

Why wouldn't I want to do that when I could just join some stupid book club where I could pay someone to read the novel for me.

"But that's just hypothetical, though we have plenty of options outside of the athletic side, like... choir?"

Choir? She's joking.

"Or a grand idea. The debate team."

My stomach cartwheeled at the thought of public speaking.

"No. I will try out for lacrosse."

I spin my ring on my finger, trying to hold off from digging my nails into my palms in front of her.

Mrs. Kerri seemed like an attentive person who would take notice of the insignificant details.

"Wonderful, I'm writing that down in here. Now tryouts are tomorrow afternoon. Let me find the exact information. If you do not make the team, no worries; come right on back, and we can get you a spot in the choir. You seem like a soprano for sure!"

I smile.

"For sure."

I say back, taking the paper she hands me after a second of searching for it.

I read it to myself.

(Lions Lacrosse tryouts.

!!! Unleash your roar!!!

Lacrosse field 2 @ 3:30 pm)

"Unleash your roar?"

I read the cheesy line off to her.

She pumps her fist into the air.

"Go lions!"