Crushing Emeralds

Chapter Three

I sit in my seat with restless legs as my homeroom teacher Mr. Erickson a short stocky man that wears bottle cap glasses turns in his chair to face all of the students in the small classroom. Homeroom in my opinion is a waste of time. The first week of school was less than what I expected. The teachers didn’t hold back giving assignments and the freshmen didn’t hold back on trying to converse with us seniors.

My concentration is broken as Mr. Erickson leans back testing the springs on his chair making it creak from his weight. Louder than required he says a few key pieces of data along with mentioning that the school’s morning show will not air until next week. Thank goodness, I will not have to listen to his voice making my eardrums ring more than necessary, but the reminder of failure to produce the show this week made me a little depressed.

At the sound of the bell, he dismisses us by waving his chubby fingered hand at the door making a groan of relief. I gather my books in my arms and exit with my head held high into the crowded hallway. Just as I rounded the corner, a large hand firmly grips my shoulder making my heel slip from under me. I turn my head to see who will be apologizing for my slip up. In the middle of my eye roll my eyes fall upon Evan..

I look into his bright baby blues speechless for a moment almost forgiving him for last week, “Evan, can’t keep your hands off me, huh.”

He removes his hand and it slowly reaches back to his side with what should have been a half hearted grin, but was so big it showed his perfect white teeth. I turn my head around to watch where I’m walking so I don’t make myself fall. Like nails on a chalkboard, an annoying voice immediately breaks through my mild good mood. With the presence of Jordon Donners is the arrival of Kordie as well. I’m thankful that her homeroom is a few doors down from mine, not so grateful about Evan and Jordan’s homeroom down the same hall as well.

Putting it nicely, Kordie and I are not big fans of Jordan, but we play nice because he’s Evan’s friend. For every perfect thing there has to be an ugly side; Jordan is on that ugly side, a spitting image of a dumb jock, burly with a stupid look plastered on his face and an awful voice to match. Evan and Jordan are almost complete opposites as Kordie and I are. Jordan jams his elbow in Evan’s ribcage with some words about football I assume, because I barely can understand a word he says half the time.

“Boys” Kordie said. I give a little smirk as I think to myself the word to best describe Jordan is more like moron.

As we reach the end of the hall Kordie grabs my arm and says loudly over the noisy clatter surrounding us, “See you in two hours. See ya boys.”

She turns the opposite direction from me and disappears in sea students. I make my way to the closest staircase and work my way up to the third floor of the building. Having homeroom on the first floor and the first class of the day upstairs is a hassle. With a soft poke in the middle of my back I know I still had my puppies trailing behind. Even though a slight smile spreads across my lips I ignore Evan and Jordan until I finish the flights of stairs.

I wait in line behind a whole cluster of students smashing themselves into the large group room door when Evan pokes me again. “You know Emerald you can’t ignore people. They might think you were being rude. I know better, but Jordan…” he makes a tsk tsk noise with his tongue. “I told him to brush it off, but he’s senstive.”

“I’m sure he is.” I mock.

Jordan slaps Evan on the back “Take great notes for me, because I’m going to need them.” He turns down the room where is seat is located with a stupid smile on his face.

I continue to make my way to the back of the room to my own seat. Teachers enjoy putting large groups of students in alphabetical order and that puts me in the back row. I can’t rid myself of Evan that easily, because his last name is just before mine. Coincidently his seat is directly in front of me, one row down.

Our history large group class is regarding World War II lecture notes. My eyelids quickly get heavy with boredom and my arm falls asleep from the weight of my head leaning on it. I lower my numb arm and my fingers brush Evan’s hair. He always pushes his seat as far back as possible and puts his notebook in his lap as he scribbles his notes all while resting his head in my workspace.

I begin twirling my finger in the soft barely visible curls out of habit. I lean forward to see if he is actually taking the notes that Jordan demanded of him. Sure enough chicken scratch fills the page. I also see a faint smile that stretches across his thin pink lips. I drop the piece of hair that’s intertwined with my finger and watch it place itself perfectly on his head.

Class ends after what feels like eternity and I stand up immediately from lack of circulation to my butt. It seemed that everybody runs out of their seats to the exit. I reach the isle ahead of Evan and am pushed with the flow of bodies to the bottom. I hear a whole brunch of grumbles from a variety of people and Evan mumbling ‘sorry’. Soon enough he’s at my side. A give him a quick glance. Following his line of sight, I spot Jordan trying to flirt with some girl.

That one second I’m watching where I’m walking almost cost me my heel...or my ankle. My knees buckle as my right heel bends awkwardly under my weight from missing the step totally. Before I come crashing down to the ground in front of tons of people Evan’s strong arm is once again placed upon me, grabbing my forearm roughly keeping me from hitting the ground. I tilt my head up to meet his tall frame that towers over me.

“You know Emerald you shouldn’t wear heels anymore if you can’t walk in them.” Evan said with his hand still grasping me.

On the verge of stuttering I barely manage to say a sentence. “I’ll think about it.” is all I can get out. Evan helps me down the stairs that are left with his hand still firmly clutching my arm. His grip is so tight that a painful tingle starts to work its way down my arm.

Before we make it over to Jordan who’s being brutally rejected I turn to Evan, “I have to go all the way back to the first floor and have Art with Kordie. I can’t be late. I’ll see you at lunch.” I turn dangerously on those heels I can barely walk in and break the hold that Evan tries to keep. I walk as fast as I can down the stairs to provide as much space between Evan and me as possible.

I thought I was on time to class, but when I see Kordie sitting at our usual table already at work with her pencil along with the rest of the class I question my attendance. “Hey am I late?” I whisper as I join her.

She looks up at me with a big smile on her face, “Nope, you’re actually early by…” she glances at the clock, “two minutes. How was history?”

“Awful, more note taking of course. World War II, watch yourself.” I reply sarcastically.

“Good morning class, today you will continue on your projects that will be due two weeks after our trip. Get to work.” Mrs. Claire announces. She walks gracefully over to her desk and stays behind it for the remainder of class. She looks like the rich ladies that you see at art exhibits buying thousand dollar pieces. We all know that she had created pieces that are at high end art galleries and was mentioned in lots of art magazines around the world. We never figured out why she wanted to teach a high school art class though.

The project of the semester that she assigned had to be a completion of twelve black and white sketches of outdoor scenery and our trip she mentioned is to get our creative jucies flowing. We’ll see.

Kordie looks out the window between working on her drawing. the multitasker in her is able to visual, replicate and hold a conversation, “Are you excited for our trip to School Forest?” Kordie asks.

Oh how fun, not. The School Forest is a camp that has cabins and counselors, along with trails and supposedly fun wilderness activities. The junior high students go there for three days to have an experience that is similar to summer camp. It seems fun...for an outdoorsy type person, which is not me.

“Could be better, we’re going to be outside for three days.” I reply irritated.

“Well Evan will be there to keep you occupied.” Kordie says waging her eyebrows.

“Yeah and Jordan,” I say in response waging my own eyebrows, “Along with about 15 other students.”

“Whatever, you’ll see.” I try to interrupt her but she cuts me off, “End of story!”

I want to ask her if she wants to go to the mall with me this weekend to buy some new sneakers and pajamas for our trip, but I know she would not let me get past the first few words. We keep quiet the rest of class sketching.

Within no time the bell rings for dismissal. Kordie and I walk out side by side and head to our lockers to exchange our books and then make our way to the cafeteria. We enter the crammed large room and walk with our heels clacking in unison to the table that’s located close to the middle. I dodge waves and greetings from some acquaintances.

I notice that Kordie is mimicking a Miss America wave to a bunch of skater boys. We make it to the table to see that Evan and Jordan are already there cramming their faces with food.

“Did Mr. Moore tell you that you guys have to gain more weight?” Kordie asks them as we sit. Mr. Moore is the last man on earth you would think of being a football coach, he does interior decorating in his spare time. His life partner Mr. Erickson helps as much as possible, pushing potential players Mr. Moore’s way. We all know who the man of the relationship is, but the feminine one has the masculine job.

“Actually, the new tryouts this year I hear are going to be huge,” Evan comments before swallowing his mouth full of food.

“Yeah we can’t be benched because some freshman is taking our place,” Jordan adds before he too swallows his bite of burger.

“How sweet both of you so passionate about nonsense,” I reply without an eye roll. They should be thankful.

“Well, does you two right. Skinny football players. Who do you think you are?” Kordie teases.

“Hey, at least I eat unlike that one.” Jordan says looking at me with a disgusted look on his face.

I look over at Kordie with my mouth open to say something but shut it when I see that she is eating a candy bar that she got out of her oversized purse.

“What!!” Kordie yells as she realizes everybody including Jordan was looking at her. “I don’t care about my weight like some people,” tipping her head towards me with her eyebrows raised and takes another bite of her food.

“I don’t care about my weight, I eat all the time.” I proclaim crossing my arms across my somewhat flat chest compared to Kordie’s well filled out one.

“Yeah right Emerald, I’ll pay you twenty bucks to see you eat or gain weight,” Jordan says in between chewing. I see Kordie sneak Jordan’s soda while he was calling me out.

“Okay! Even though it’s a lousy twenty bucks,” I say throwing my skinny arm up flexing my petite muscle for him to see.

He nearly spits out all the food in his mouth as he tries to hold back laughter making a choking noise. Evan quickly pounds his fist into his back to prevent him from choking. And Kordie spits soda everywhere to her right side accidentally spraying it on some girl’s bare legs walking by in a skirt.

My arm goes down hesitantly and my eyebrows make a crease on my forehead in confusion. Evan, Kordie and Jordan after he finished swallowing his food laugh the loudest laugh I have ever heard. It's almost embarrassing.

“Come on Emerald I’m trying to eat here, I could have choked on your humor,” Jordan says with serious eyes but with a wide grin.

Kordie interrupts him, “I think some soda went up my nose,” rubbing the top of her nose with her palm.

“Hey, these muscles you guys just laughed do mighty fine at the jobs at hand,” I state, “And that’s a fact!” My eyes move to Evan’s burger that he did not have in his hands, because he was covering up his smile, with this opportunity I grab it.

“Hey!!” Evan yells, “That’s mine,” like a little kid.

I met his gaze full on, smile a wide smile and took a huge bite before handing it back to him. Unfazed, Evan takes a bite right after that indicating that I can’t have it. Not like I want it. Kordie and Jordan look somewhat grossed out on the sharing of food, but when we were younger, we shared our food a lot. I finish chewing, swallow and open my mouth wide to show proof that I just ate something.

I fling my hand out, palm up towards Jordan, “I think you owe me twenty bucks, because you just watched me eat something,” I say looking him square in the eyes.

“I owe you smartass,” Jordan says over the laughs of Kordie and Evan.

“Jordan, I have seen this girl eat a lot. Our families are friends and we were always at each other’s houses all the time. Another thing I learned is not make bets against her, you will always lose. Trust me I learned.” Evan informs Jordan obviously too late. I look straight at Jordan with my still highly glossed lips turned down, slightly puckered and jerk my head up in a cocky way as my hands bend towards me expressing come and get me.

“We’ll see Emerald. I will get you, maybe at camp next month,” Jordan replies. The boys continue to eat until they finish and I decide that this would be a great time to discuss how I bet Evan to eat dirt when we were seven years old to Kordie.

“Really?” She questions holding back her disgust.

“Hey, I put one little fistful of dirt in my mouth for something in return that I never got by the way,” Evan states.

“And what was that?” Kordie questions.

“A kiss,” Evan and I say at the same time. Evan puckers his thin, pale pink lips towards me and mutters. “I’m still waiting.”

I take my index finger and place it on his lips, “And you’re still going to be waiting.”

Evan pulls back, “I will get that kiss if it kills me or you.”

Jordan interrupts, “Sorry to break up this love fest, but we have to get to Bio in five minutes.”

Kordie and I are the first to stand up and grab our books. I’m startled as I stand up bumping into the editor-in-chief for the yearbook that’s standing right behind me.

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry Emerald. I just wanted to ask you if I could stop by the studio tomorrow during class to get some shots for the school paper.” Marley Matthews nervously asks.

“Yeah that’s fine. I’m sure the crew would love it if you stopped by.” I reply.

Marley tries to keep her cool, “Great!” and runs to join the group of other publication lab reporters.

Bringing my attention back to my friends asking, “You don’t remember what today is, do you?” Now they were the ones that had confused looks on their faces. I continued to question, “What is our next class?”

“Bio,” they all replied.

“And…” I said.

Kordie was the first one to figure it out, “Oh my goodness, dissection.” All Evan and Jordan could say was crap before following us to class.

“You guys didn’t study did you?” I ask even though I already know the answer. They all shake their heads. Luckily, I can lighten the mood, “I did, I know everything about the brain and eye.”

“I would have never guessed that it’s a dissection day by what you’re wearing,” Jordan says as we proceed to the second floor laboratory.

I look down at my wardrobe that I chose this morning. I stare at my bronze high heeled sandals with teal painted toenails peeking through, working my way up my tan bare legs to mid-thigh were my silk black and teal dress. There’s a thick black belt wrapped around my waist, the sleeveless dress is under a solid black shrug. A long silver chain baring a skull charm was around my neck and black long earrings dangle through my hair that’s parted down the middle. My tote size handbag was slung over my shoulder.

I hold my hands a little away from my body and look over my fingernails that had the same teal polish on and three fingers held large stoned rings. Finally, my left wrist held a charm bracelet the Kordie gave me that I never leave home without and a tieback intertwined with it. “I don’t see what you are talking about,” I say seconds later.

They all laugh as Evan drops his arm over my shoulders, “Thank god we have Dr. Welles on our table. Gorgeous and intelligent.” Evan continues to walk side by side with me leaving his arm around me.

I look up at him at least five times that I could remember on our way to our science class and he never looks back at me. We could never stay mad at each other for long.

Finally Evan looks back at me. “You know your mom giving you the name Emerald just draws more attention to your eyes.”

Before I can reply we reach the door to the lab.

I stop directing my words toward Evan and Jordan, “If either of you throw up your lunch on me I’ll kick your asses. Don’t smirk at me Jordan, I can take you.” I turn my back on them before they could further reply and enter the classroom. We walk single file with me leading the way to our lab desk. An excitement comes over me and the rest of them know it.

Before class starts Mr. Hiltman walks over to our table and addresses me, “I expect great things from you today Emerald,” Mr. Hiltman is also aware of my daydreams of becoming a doctor since I had his class last year. I just never thought he was interested in helping me achieve that goal.

He stands in front of an excited group of students although some looked like they were going to be sick. “Now kids, today as you should remember we are going to take a look at some organs.”

My mind recalls all the areas of each that could possibly be on the assignment. I snap out of my dream world as people stand up to gather their materials. I’m the first one out of my seat from our table and have to gesture to the rest of them to get up. Jordan and Evan are first at the sink and briefly wash their hands along with Kordie who follows.

I noticed that Mr. Hiltman was walking around watching students scrub in as he places a large metal surigcal tray at the center of each table. By the look on his face everybody did exactly what Jordan, Evan, and Kordie just did. It was my turn at the sink with my partners wiping their hands with paper towel around me. I take three pumps of soap and scrub my hands while I hummed happy birthday to myself. It was a quick decent scrub.

“Starting off very well Emerald,” he says loudly so everybody could hear, “I expect all of you to scrub your hands better than what you did when you finish with the experiment.”

Evan and Jordan grab a pair of rubber gloves and move over to the side that Kordie and I are on. Instantly you can hear the snap of rubber hitting bare skinned wrists. I read the directions aloud and slowly following each line with my index finger.

We start on the brain by cutting it in half to view the old factory bulb and the gray and white matter. With each cut I could hear Kordie gasp and see Evan’s face scrunch up. I find their squeamishness quite hilarious, “They have been sitting in a chemical solution for who knows how long. I’ll warn you if something is going to be squirting out.”

I point out everything and have Kordie write the answers on the worksheet and within no time we’re on to the next one. The eye.

“Now the eye will have some liquid come out of it just to warn you,” I direct my words mainly to Evan.

“What!” He yelps at me.

I just shrug and take the scalpel to the dissection spot. Evan slowly placed his hand over mine, “I’m not as weak as you think I am, and may I with your supervision of course.” His politeness is more awkward than appreciated.

I hand the instrument over to Evan with a nod of my head, “Sure, I’m glad to see people want some hands on experience,” and smile wiggling my fingers.

Evan makes the necessary cut and a clear liquid begins to ooze out and Kordie makes a very slight sigh and loses all the color in her face.

“Kordie...Kordie are you okay,” Concerned, I gently place my hand on her arm.

She sways back in forth holding on to Jordan for support. It seems that the whole room goes silent as Kordie freefalls to the ground. The loud thump as her head cracks against the tiled floor vibrates through the room and gains everybody’s attention.

Utensils scrape on the metal tables and looks are thrown in our direction and at Kordie’s limp body on the ground. Within seconds, Mr. Hiltman and I are kneeling beside what seems to be her lifeless body. I uncontrollably tap her pale face and notice the color is gradually starting to come back.

I hadn’t noticed it before but Evan’s hand is on my shoulder squeezing it at timed intervals. I look up at him as my eyes fill with water. A tear slowly trickles down my cheek and lands on Kordie’s cotton tee.

I blame myself for Kordie’s fainting. I had been paying too much attention to the task at hand instead of reading the signs in physical appearance and body language Kordie was expressing. A low moan seeps out of her mouth and everybody’s head jerks up from whispering to each other.

“Uhh, my head is throbbing. It hurts way more than that time you made me go volunteer with you at the animal shelter.” A giggle slips through my tight lips.

That was another head injury I caused. It happened three summers ago when I wanted to donate my time to some needy animals at the local shelter. It all seemed fun until a very excited golden retriever sprinted towards Kordie. The dog plowed into her knocking her airborne, making her body smash into into the wall leaving an indentation of her head in the poor drywall. The shelter volunteer manager ended up driving us to the emergency room to treat some minor scratches and a slight concussion.

When I keep on thinking back since we became friends I made Kordie do many things that resulted in her losing a few drops of blood or a head injury.

“We already know that you have a hard head you don’t need to demonstrate.” Jordan told her. Kordie began to pick herself up off the floor, but ultimately need help to her feet by Mr. Hiltman and me.

“Emerald why don’t you take Kordelia to the nurse’s office and have her mother called to pick her up. Here is the key to the elevator.” Mr. Hiltman pulls out a gold key from his pocket, “Class go back to finishing your assignments as they are due before dismal. You have an hour for completion.”

I grab Kordie’s arm and drape it over my shoulder, I look back briefly at Evan and Jordan before leaving. Neither of them had any hint of humor on their faces. They were seriously concerned, which made me even more concerned.

As for the other students some go back to the dissection not caring what happened and some are giggling and pointing. All the way down to the nurse’s office I keep on giving apology after apology.

“Mrs. Oakley?” I say as we enter the white office.

“How can I help you?” Mrs. Oakley an elderly woman with white hair and very few wrinkles says as she rounds a curtained corner, “Oh my Emerald what happened?” Mrs. Oakley only knew me, because of my appearance on Eye of the Warrior.

“We were in biology conducting the dissection sessions and she fainted. She hit her head pretty hard on the tile floor. Mr. Hiltman wants her mother called to come pick her up.”

“Okay dear. If you just want to follow me to help her lie down on a bed I’ll look up all the information.” Mrs. Oakley kindly says. After Kordie is safely in bed, Mrs. Oakley turns toward me, “Thank you Emerald, you can go back to class now.”

“I will talk to you later Kordie. Bye Mrs. Oakley.” and I reluctantly leave.

Nobody notices me when I return to class. I don’t look up to meet anybody eyes and finish filling in the assignment sheet to hand in. Evan leaves his seat across from me to occupy Kordie’s empty one.

He moves the chair closer to mine and sets his chin on my shoulder, whispering in my ear, “She’ll be okay. She’s a big girl with a very hard head.” I can feel a puff of breath as a partial laugh creeps out.

Before we know it the bell rings and everybody’s lining up in front of Mr. Hiltman’s desk to hand in their assignments. Evan, Jordan and I break off silently to each of our lockers. I drop my books off and linger at my locker for a few moments staring off into space.

“Emerald.”

I’m not sure how many times he said it, but I snap out of my self induced lalaland to notice him waiting for me with concern in his eyes.

“I’m good.” I lie.

“That’s not what I asked.” But he doesn’t push it. He tries to hold my hand, but I keep them close to my sides.

We stop outside the broadcasting studio. “I’ll see you after class.” He says giving me a tight hug before making his way to the boys’ locker room with Jordan.

I enter the filled room and sit listening to lectures about what the layout of what the show is going to procure. The students including myself make our way to the desks. I pick one out in the front along the wall. Toni takes the desk next to mine and says a kind hello as she unpacks her bag of goodies. Toni was the only other girl in the class and she’s hoping to acquire one of the director positions this year.

“Crap I left my stuff in my locker.” I say mostly to myself.

“You have time to go and get it.” Toni says not looking up from her desk.

I leave the classroom and make my way down the hall to my locker, grabbing my bag and closing it in a hurry, so much of a hurry I didn’t get my fingers fully out of the way.

“Damn it.” My muffled yelp hopefully isn’t heard too far down the hall. I return to the studio with my bag in one hand while blood begins to run down the other. Without wasting a second, I drop my bag off and immediately exit the room once again to go see Mrs. Oakley.

She’s not at her desk and when I call for her, she doesn’t answer. I help myself to a band-aid that she keeps on her desk for times like these when she’s not present. I put the wrapper in the garbage and make my way one more time back to the studio.

By time I finish laying out my things on my desktop I just want to go home. I sit silent and start to create a script for the first episode. Before I know it class is over and the bell rings signaling the end of the day.

I remain in the classroom determined to finish this script.

“Bye Mrs. Bloomwood.” I say as I walk out the room an hour later. I take my time to the student parking lot, because Evan is supposed to be in football practice. I decide to make a stop at the bathroom to throw my band-aid away since there’s blood starting to soak through. I really got it good.

I finally make my way to the parking lot sucking my finger that’s swollen and still bleeding. When Evan’s car comes into view, I notice him leaning up against the passenger car door talking to Gwen, a cheerleader on the JV squad. As soon as she sees me walking over she says her sweet flirty goodbye, her hand lingering on his shoulder. She walks away to her car giving me an evil stare down.

“What a day, huh.” Evan says as I approach him.

“JV huh. You know the JV girls suck, because they didn’t make the real squad. Slightly retarded I think.” I joke, but I fully intended to insult her.

“What! She was just asking me what I was doing on Friday night. I told her I already have plans.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. The two of us just don’t get along. If it was any of the other girls I wouldn’t have been so snarky.”

“How was prep work?” Evan says changing the subject. He knows better than anyone that Gwen and I don’t see eye to eye. Figuratively and literally. I’m not the tallest girl, but compared to her I’m not the shortest the girl either.

No matter how much I want to pry for details on her failed attempt, I accept his change of subject. “First I almost break my ankle in history large group. Then we have the lunch episode leading to Kordie fainting. And I end my day with this,” I hold up my injured finger up to show him, “This is how I conclude my day. By slamming my finger in a locker.” It’s severely swollen, bright red and there’s a little cut right along the nail which has a small puddle of blood bubbled on it.

“Do you want me to bandage it up for you or give it a kiss to make it feel better?” Evan asks in a sarcastic tone. He opens the passenger side door, “Just in case you couldn’t open it.” He says in that same tone letting out a burst of laughter that he couldn’t hold back.

“Very funny I think I’m still capable with my left hand. I see practice is not in full swing yet.” I say as I enter the car.

“It was canceled due to some emergency that coach had to attend to.”

It doesn’t take long to get home. We say our goodbyes and I walk across the Victors lawn to my own. I immediately call Kordie to get an update, but her mother doesn’t give me much to work with besides the fact that she does indeed have a concussion and she’s resting now.

Which is exactly what I want to do. Rest.