Skye

I clinched the piece of paper that held my destiny for the rest of the year tightly in my hand while searching for room A12. First class was English, which was a good thing, at least I'm starting with a subject I liked. I noticed some students were repeatedly glancing my way and whispering, the word "New girl", was thrown in a few times. It was starting to get on my nerves and my subconscious-self was getting worked up.

Could they smell fear? 

I sure hope not. 

Where the hell is A12?

A couple of guys whistled as I passed by the lockers making more heads turn my way. My heart started to pound in my ears and my palms began to sweat. Making a sharp right turn in a desperate attempt to get away from all the whispers and glances and BAM!! I violently slumped into someone and lost my balance and not so gracefully applying the 'Every action has a reaction' rule.

"Ouch!" I yelped when white pain shot from my butt down to my leg and ankle. My face hurt too from the collision and so did my wounded pride, but most of the pain settled in my butt. I was on the floor with my belongings splayed around me, absolutely and completely embarrassed. So much for getting over with the first day. There could never be a 'blend in' after that.

"Watch where you're going!" A strong voice barked from above me.

Wait! What? No apology? I looked up to see the face of this unbelievably rude person who did not even offer a helping hand. I couldn't make much out of his features other than the dark hair and the strong jawline because of the dark glasses he was wearing. At least help a girl to her feet!

Listen to reason and try not to pick a fight on your first day, I advised myself. Collecting my stuff as casually as possible and standing up. Be cool.

I was too busy trying to ditch all the glances and whispers that I didn't see him. Speaking about whispers, was it me or did the hall just became dreadfully quiet. My heart hitched for a second.

Nah! It's probably from the all the blood rushing to my face and clogging my ears. Nothing to worry about. I told myself in a feeble attempt to convince myself that it was exactly that. I didn't dare to look anywhere else other than the guy in front of me. One problem at a time.

Ethan

Why don't people look where the hell they are going?

I was on my last string, and this silence that downed over the usual loud hum hall was pulling on that string. "Mind your own business!" I growled loudly to no one in particular. It was enough to get the hum starting around me.

"I'm sorry," a soft voice brought my attention back to this dump situation. "You were right; I wasn't looking where I was going... I'm new here."

She sounded nervous.

I caught the scent of her perfume while waiting for the big finally. It was something between floral and some sort of fruit.

"Are you... Oh...Err...Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" She stumbled over her words.

And there it was. The grand recognition falling in place.

In the spirit of sparing this naive 'new girl' all the drama that was about to follow her apology- I interrupted, initiating to answer the question that was about to be asked. "Yes! I am blind! Thank you for noticing!"

I took a deep breath trying my very best not to snap, "Now that we've confirmed that, you better get going."

Apparently, my words had their effect judging by the silence that followed. I've heard that recognition a lot. More times than I could remember and I no longer have the patience for that anymore. I didn't want to be bothered. I JUST WANT for everyone to leave me the hell alone.

"Well, thank you for sharing," she broke the silence, "good to know."

There was no hint of apology or hesitation in her voice. "Actually I was apologizing for ruining your shirt."

My shirt?

I kept my features expressionless as I always did as she furtherly explained.

"I accidentally stained your shirt with my lipstick and I'm not really sure if the stain will come out or not."

She completely ignored my attempt to embarrass her and I felt as if someone has just dumped a bucket full of ice cold water over my head.

I heard her shuffle, "I really have to go," she spoke fast. "If you want me to pay for dry cleaning. Or... um... buy you another shirt I really don't mind."

"Just forget it." I cut her off as I was shaking my head refusing the offers. The second bell blared over our heads forcing her to pause.

"Okay then, sorry about your shirt and for bumping into you. Catch you later."

She walked pass me giving me another whiff of that perfume. I didn't notice that the corridor has cleared until she walked away and there was no one else there but me.

I didn't know what happened, but I was completely taken off guard. Something happened inside me, but I was not sure what it was. I ran my hand absentmindedly over my shirt where the impact happened, as if I could tell where the stain was by simply touching it.

Taking a couple of steps, my foot landed on something. Keeping a light pressure over it to locate it easily - a trick that I've learned over time- and picked it up.

I ran my fingers over the familiar slender shape and the small cap at the end. It was a pen, obviously, but the thread with the fuzzy ball hooked at the end made it interesting. There was some sort of shape glued on it that I couldn't make out. I usually don't pick things off the floor yet this time something possessed me to hold on to this one. Even though not being able to identify what that shape was deeply annoyed me for no reason, I still put the pen in my pocket. I didn't know how, but I was sure that this pen belonged to her.

Skye

I could hardly wait to reach my seat. Did I say that English was my favorite subject? Scratch that! Not after the awkward introduction Mrs. Morgan, -the English teacher- had me doing in front of the whole class. I just wanted to slide far down my chair that no one would imagine that there was a person sitting here. I kept busy by flipping through the pages looking for that paragraph she was reading.

Mrs. Morgan was a nice old lady. Petite, would be the perfect word to describe her. Even with her salt and pepper hair pulled up in a bun, the white blouse neatly tucked in a long navy blue skirt and the glasses that framed her eyes, this teacher was definitely not 'to mess with' type. She looked like one of the characters I read about in English literature. She was elegant and with a pleasant voice. Most importantly, she knew how to turn the attention away from the new girl to the book she was reading. Bless her heart.

"Ethan," I heard Mrs. Morgan say, "How nice of you to join us! Please, take your seat."

I couldn't bother much to depart with my search to acknowledge who she was talking to as I kept looking for that part she was reading. I remembered seeing it before. It was somewhere in the beginning. Or was it more towards the middle? Sometime I really wish books had a search button.

Then things happened fast. A loud thud came from behind my desk making me jump in my seat. Followed by a growl then a mumbled curse as a hand grabbed the back of my chair sliding me along with it almost knocking me off. I didn't have time to react or hold on to something, so my arms did an odd surfer impression to keep in my seat. Looking back at the memory of dropping my bag behind me, my eyes widened. The poor guy almost tripped over it and ended smashing his foot with my chair.

I started to twist in my seat to look at him, "Oh, I am so sorry!" I said sincerely, "I didn't think anyone was sitting h..." Whatever words that were coming out of my mouth just died.

My eyes widened for real this time and my jaw dropped. It was the same guy that I bumped into just a moment ago. With a bright pink stain in a shape of a kiss print on his solid white shirt.

Oh great! Just great! Just peachy!

What made it even worse was that he didn't move or say anything other than that curse. I could feel the heat rising all the way to my cheeks. Did he recognize me?

"Skye..."

I spun around at the call of my name, though it sounded like I've been called more than the one time I caught. I met Mrs. Morgan's eyes; in addition to all the other pair of eyes in my first class.

Oooooh shit!

Everyone was staring at me now.

Double shit!

"Skye dear, please make sure to keep your bag out of the way for Ethan." Mrs. Morgan informed me.

I instantly nodded squeaking an apology. I have apologized more times in one day than I could ever remember and I've barely touched forty-five minutes since I stepped foot in this school.

He started to move. His hand ran down the back of my chair, sending a wave of electricity down my spine with the little that touched my back. He placed himself in the chair next to me and I stopped breathing.

Please let this day be over. I mumbled under my breath as the glances were now recharged in our direction.

By now, I was sitting in the far end of my seat and if I scooted down any farther I would end up under the chair of the person in front of me.

Breathe! I told myself but my lungs would not comply. I wasn't expecting a 'perfect day', but certainly not this either. Busying myself, I pulled out a pencil since I couldn't find my pen. I swear I had it in my backpack earlier this morning.

Ethan

It was the same girl. I recognized her perfume and her voice. What were the odds of running into someone twice on the same day? Literally running into. Mrs. Morgan called her Skye. The new girl's name was Skye.

Who cares? I mentally yelled. I was dwelling on this way more than I should. Fixing the shades on my face, I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. I could hear her flipping through the pages, stopped for a moment and then flipped some more as she buff out a breath. She sounded far. I knew she occupied the space next to me but it didn't sound -next seat- close.

"Skye, dear." Mrs. Morgan's familiar voice said, "Don't worry about following on the book for now. Just take notes and Timothy will give you the entire previous notes you will need."

I heard something that sounded like an okay, then a shuffle and then the light scratching of writing on paper.

Why would she transfer a month after the school year started? The whispers in the class were unmistakably about her. Definitely a new student. Teachers didn't usually offer 'Timothy's notes' unless it was a new kid. That, of course, Timothy being the teacher's pet and a nerd.

Again! Who cares? I scowled silencing my thoughts for the rest of class.

Obviously, Timothy had a crush on the new girl. He came over right after Mrs. Morgan had left and others started to rush out. Nervous as ever, I heard him say with a voice a little higher than it should have.

"Um... Hi... I am... um... Timothy, what's your name?" His voice cracked a little.

"I'm S..."

Timothy interrupted her, "You're Skye. I'm sorry." And he added, talking to himself, "Stupid! I knew that!" He answered his own question.

Tsk... Tsk... Tsk, poor Timmy. A low scoff escaped me. Not the best opening line. He was never was the smoothest talker when it came to girls.

Timothy cleared his throat getting more nervous by the second. And me not showing any attempts to leaving didn't help his case one bit. I wasn't going anywhere that was a given. Little Timmy would have to perform in front of an audience. I was curious to know what her response would be. Were a nerd was her type of a guy?

"You... you're new here?" Timothy started again with another stupid question that he already knew the answer to. "Of course you're new, I knew that. Why else would you need me tutoring and my notes if you weren't?"

This was too painful to hear and the words blurted right out my mouth, "Give it up, man! You're embarrassing yourself!"

Sharp pain blasted in my leg making me yelp, "Hey!!!" Did she just kick me?

"Be quiet!" She was definitely talking to me and her voice sounded pissed.

Timothy spoke again, "H... here are the notes, t... take your time, no rush." And he left. Every step echoed closer to the one before it as he scurried out.

I shook my head. That must've been the most pathetic conversation I've ever heard.

"You are a jerk!"

Her voice was close to me, colored with anger which only spiked my own. I got a feeling she was looking me straight in the face. Subconsciously, I touched the shades checking them in place.

"You might be blind, but that doesn't give you the right to treat people that way and humiliate them!" and she left calling after Timothy.

I froze in my seat. The heavy reality of her words struck me hard turning me to stone.

Skye

I felt bad for Timothy. His face turned bright red all the way to the roots of his blond hair and his hands were shaking when he handed me his notes. The guy was already nervous talking to me and that jerk's remarks weren't helping. I saw his slender frame walking away and I barely was able to catch up with him after successfully avoiding bumping into any other students. Don't need any more accidents; I had quite a fine share of that. I thanked him for his notes complimenting his neat handwriting and how clear his notes were.

Timothy didn't make any eye contact until I said if I could ask for his help in any of the subjects. His face just beamed and his eyes twinkled. He told me to ask him anytime. He was such a sweet person. Stuttered lot, but a nice person. He even showed me to my next class.

How were the other classes? Let's just say, I could hardly wait for this day to be over. The upside was that I didn't see more of that Ethan guy for the rest of the day. Didn't know if we had other classes together or not, but one class was enough.

A girl in one of my classes introduced herself to me. Her name was Abigail but she told me to call her Abby. She had super curly black hair, beautiful deeply tanned skin and wide dark eyes. She complimented my lipstick color, I complimented her eyeliner and just like that we became friends. We sat together at lunchtime.

Abby asked a lot of questions like: where I moved from? How was it there? Did they serve the same crap they were serving in this cafeteria? When the conversation started to turn towards my parents I pushed the pain back and change the subject to something else. Like, where are the best places to visit around here? That question never failed, especially when you're new in town.

I didn't want to see that same "I am sorry" look on people's faces here. I saw it a lot at my previous school. People looked at me and Matt differently ever since. Even after almost ten months have passed, those looks never changed.

*************

"How was school?" Aunt Sophie yelled from the kitchen, after we announced our arrival.

"Awesome!" Yelled Matt.

A growl was my response.

She came out wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, wearing a checkerboard apron with red and yellow stains. Right then and there she really looked like mum.

"What about you Skye?" She asked.

Apparently, she didn't hear the previous response so I growled again.

She laughed, "So soon! It's just the first day!"

Urgh! Don't remind me! I didn't know why that sentence put me down, but the thought of this was barely day number one depressed me.

"This has been a very eventful day." I huffed a deep sigh, "Oh, and by the way, Principal Campbell says hi."

Her face twisted then frowned making me laugh.

"Skye almost knocked down a blind guy" Matt offered "twice..." he deliberately added.

I can't tell him anything!

I glared at him for a moment deciding between tickling his ribs or hollowly promise to get back at him. I second later I shrugged and gave in without doing any of that. I was going to tell her too anyway.

She looked at me in shock, "I want details," she pointed a finger at me, "from both of you," that finger moved to Matt. "But first let me get the chicken out of the oven while you two change. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."

I dropped on my bed after closing the door behind me, then I pressed a pillow to my face and, "Aaaaaaaaaaa!"

Screaming didn't make it better. I kept thinking about that guy, Ethan. Did I overstep when I told him that he was a jerk? Because he totally was. I just pointed it out.

Then why do I feel bad about it? It's not my fault that I couldn't stop my mouth from blurting what was running on my mind. It just spouts out. No filters. From brain straight to mouth.

Urrrgh!