Roxanne
My right leg bounced up and down with anticipation, my body sitting perfectly upright in my seat. Today was my second day at Valen's high school, and I was so excited to see her again! I thought we got along very well yesterday, despite a few disagreements. And oh my, she was as gorgeous as ever. Her body was sculpted by the most talented of artists, and her eyes…oh how dazzling her eyes were. They never failed to make me melt. They shined like the brightest amber in the sea, brighter than all the many stars in the sky. Every part of my body failed to hide the fact that I was desperate for her. Desperate for her to notice me, to crave my attention like how I craved her.
The bell rang, causing the whole classroom to vibrate. A truckload of students filed into the dim classroom all at once, including a face I found all too familiar.
"Valen Morgan," Mr. Cooke spoke dryly, "You're late,"
Valen, who was in the back of the quick-pacing crowd, stood still in the middle of the classroom, a puzzled expression glued onto her face. Her muscular forearms crossed over each other right below her chest defiantly. I always loved Valen for that little detail; She would never hesitate to stand up for herself. I could only dream for that level of self-assurance. Some days I wish I could just…speak my mind. How do people like Valen have the willingness to just talk back to our elders? Every time I feel the urge to speak up, a looming dread spreads all over my body, igniting inescapable fear into every delicate crevice inside my head.
It's hard to make friends your age, why make it harder by arguing with them? I'd be devastated if I lost a friend over silly arguments, such as sharing opinions over politics or pointless gossip. I longed to be straightforward with my concerns, but I know now that I was always destined to be a follower. Somebody who has to bend to every single whim, to cater to one's feelings. Me and Valen Morgan were significantly opposite in that specific aspect. She was born to make her own rules.
"What on earth did I do, Mr. Cooke!?" Valen scoffed.
Mr. Cooke adjusted his circular glasses that hung oddly low on his elongated nose. He was definitely a more strict teacher compared to my others in this school, not that I particularly minded. They always seemed to love me for some reason, a reason I don't seem to understand. Perhaps it is the fact that I can always conform to their expectations and standards.
"You were late." He replied matter-of-factly, "I'm sorry Ms. Morgan, but I will be marking you tardy,"
Valen pursed her lips in annoyance. Judging by her casual tone, this definitely wasn't the first tardy she had received. If I had received a tardy… who knows what would have happened to me once I returned home.
"Ugh, whatever," She scoffed defeatedly, sliding into the seat next to mine.
My ample heart was filled with even more emotions the moment she entered my peripheral vision. And oh my lady, did I mention she was an absolute vision herself? I mean, just look at her! Those soft pink lips, her tanned skin from being in the sun, those legs… her muscles made me genuinely want to scream so loud they took me to the asylum. I worshipped the ground that this girl walked upon, and she didn't even realize it!
"Hi Valen," I whispered shyly, roses creeping into my cheeks.
She turned her head slightly to look at me, her eyes boring into mine. We exchanged glances for a moment, our eyes undressing each other's gaze, trying to interpret what the other was possibly thinking. She must've thought I was so pathetic, for even having the guts to utter her name after she shoved me to the ground yesterday. I didn't care about that. Pain was temporary. Love was forever.
"Hey," She mumbled.
My top row of teeth devoured my bottom lip, heart racing faster than my mother's pickup truck. This girl actually replied to me and it wasn't the least bit hostile!? I must be getting to her head. After all, my sister always called me the charmer when we were younger. Perhaps…?
"Quit staring, you're creeping me out," Valen whispered into my ear in a hushed tone.
Oh.
—-
School being let out for break was always a dreaded nightmare of mine. Kids flooding the hallways and spilling into the courtyard? No thank you. The hockey kids screamed like idiots, and the nerds traded cards under the great big oak tree near the front entrance. The only group of people I admired here was the pretty popular girls, they were always angels towards me. This girl named Cara seemed particularly interested in me, always checking in with me about my day, sharing fashion tips before requesting some of mine.
Some days she even let me braid her beautiful dark brown hair that flowed down her back, highlighting her warm brown skin. She was honestly a beautiful girl, and I was lucky to be on her good side. Valen didn't seem to care too much for her, though. I was confused whenever she mentioned it, but I didn't ask any further questions. I didn't want to pry.
The scariest part of the break though was definitely going home to find my parents fighting again. And the sad thing was? I had to deal with it for a week and a half. My parents never got along, even before marriage. I never understood why they even got married in the first place if it was just going to cause further conflict. Anyway, my mom's been fighting with my dad because he caught her cheating again with her 'boyfriend', Martin.
Martin's a tall guy who was at least ten years younger than my mother, but for some reason she was smitten with him. He had rich, deep skin that sparkled whenever he smiled, and a killer voice to match. Whenever this man spoke, the floorboards nearly vibrated with him! My dad has a pretty deep voice, too, but nowhere in the same realm as Martin's. He could be a narrator for a car commercial if he truly wanted to.
I know that cheating was wrong, but Martin is truly a great guy for my Mom. He loves to fish, and sometimes he takes me and my two sisters, Dolly and Finn, out to the lake to catch a few flounder. My Dad is an asshole, always too caught up in 'work' to spare time for his wife and three daughters. At this point I believe they're on the brink of divorce, I just know it.
"Roxy! Over here!"
I turned my head to see Cara and her blonde friend, Mira, waving me over near the front of the school entrance. They were both dressed in tight tank tops and black shorts, likely because they had gym last period. I definitely understood why both of them were very popular. Both were blessed with beauty that I could only dream of having. I mean, I'm not that bad looking, but I was definitely not gorgeous like the other girls at my school, especially Valen. She was by far the prettiest girl in this town, I'm not even kidding.
As I approached the two girls, Cara offered me a cheerful smile, her dark brown hair strung together in tight braids. Both of their heads tilted upward slightly to meet my gaze, which was typical for me now whenever I met new people. I was a tall girl for my age, and I never knew why. Neither my father or mother were taller than six feet, yet I was six-foot-two and a half. It bothered me a little bit, I never wanted to be so tall. I always felt like I stood out too much, drew too much attention to myself. Blending in was always much better.
"Hi Cara!" I waved cheerfully.
"Hey," Mira waved back, a slight smirk on her face, "Doing anything this weekend?"
"No, I don't think so,"
Cara's smile widened. "Ooh, in that case, you wanna go to the mall with us? Candi's got an extra ticket to the movies," She asked with genuine interest.
I paused. Going to the mall? It would give me an opportunity to get away from my parents, and maybe get some cute clothes as well! I've been dying to get more sweaters from H&M and Sears. All the sweaters that fit me right now or drop dead horrendous. They didn't flatter me at all, you couldn't pay me shit to wear them! But at the same time… I was unsure if my mom would let me go to begin with.
I was supposed to be on babysitting duty for my younger sister, Dolly. She's only two years younger than me, but my mom doesn't trust her one bit. When I was ten years old and she was eight, she invited her boyfriend over without asking my mom, and she was furious. Despite it being five years since then and Dolly's definitely matured, I think my mom's just scared my sister will become a prostitute or something.
"I'll think about it," I forced a soft smile, pulling my phone out of my jeans pocket, "What's your number? I can let you know later,"
Cara's eyes flashed with something I guessed was disappointment, but it vanished the moment I started to think about it. She pulled out her phone as well, a hot pink Nokia 3310, and looked up at me expectantly.
I caught my breath, "Ah, it's 989-488-xxxx,"
Mira and Cara's lips pouted slightly while focused, carefully inputting my number on both of their flip phones. Once I heard a soft click echo from both of their directions, I closed my cell and stuffed it back into my pocket.
"Super!" Cara beamed, pulling in for one last hug, "See you Saturday!"
I giggled back, squeezing her gently before pulling away.
"See ya,"