All-day at school I felt like something big was going to happen... something bad. I just didn't know what it was. I had a feeling deep in the pit of my gut. My friend lizzy tried distracting me. She was telling me about Amanda Shirlwind's latest boyfriend. Her story was interesting enough considering Amanda is the school slut and was an everyday gossip. Leaving her alone with your boyfriend could be a mistake that would likely cost you your relationship. I mean there is the occasional guy that turns Amanda down but that's a rarity among teenage boys.
Not that I had much experience in the boyfriend department. The closest I ever came to being someone's girlfriend was when Riker Flame had waved to me when I was passing him in the cafeteria ... only it turned out that he hadn't even been waving at me. He had actually been waving at his friend who had been walking behind me. So not very close at all and boy was it embarrassing. Then again, no boy would want me if they only knew everything about me.
The gossip just didn't hold my attention like it normally would. Maybe it was just one of those off days, I thought. While Lizzy kept rambling off, I looked out the window at the huge oak trees. My attention drifted over to my teacher's purple dress and her yellow bead necklace. My eyes slid down towards her coffee brown boots. Mrs. G really needed some fashion advice, but her great way of making a class interesting made up for her lack of fashion sense. I looked down at my textbook and sighed.
I already knew everything she was teaching by heart. "Miss Collins would you please pay attention?!" I quickly snapped out of my stupor. "Sorry Mrs. G. What was the question again?" Mrs. G clucked in annoyance. "Who was Robert Hooke in the scientific world? "She asked, sitting on the corner of her desk waiting for my answer.
I thought for a second before answering. "Robert Hooke was a Renaissance Man – a jack of all trades, and a master of many. He wrote one of the most significant scientific books ever written, Micrographia, and made contributions to human knowledge spanning Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Surveying & Map Making, and the design and construction of scientific instruments."
I finished looking her straight in the eyes. I forced myself not to look away from her eyes first. She scared a lot of the students, but I was determined not to let her know that she got under my skin too. Everything would go downhill from there and she would treat me with the same contempt as she did with the others. Sometimes I wondered why she was even a teacher if she thought we were all stupid. I'd given her a run for her money so far this year and she couldn't seem to knock me down like the others.
She'd tried and tried, but my photographic memory helped me stay one step ahead of her at all times. I also read my textbooks before I even start my actual classes. I know I'm a nerd, what can I say. Mrs. G pursed her lips and kept teaching the class. I grinned to myself remembering the first day of class. Mrs. G had tried using me as an example. She tries to humiliate kids who don't pay attention in class by making them answer a question in front of everyone that she hasn't talked about yet. she doesn't know that I have a photographic memory and I plan on keeping that a secret, although it could be a pain in the ass at times. It's both a gift and a curse. She absolutely hated that she couldn't stump me with a question off-guarded like the rest.
"Hey Isabella I'm not understanding any of this...do you think you could tutor me some after school?" I turned following the masculine voice to look at Francis, our varsity quarterback-six foot two, stormy grey eyes and built like an ox. Francis was every girl's dream and yet I found him utterly resistible. I privately thought his name was better suited for an old man in a wheelchair. "Sorry France, I'm babysitting the little ones today, maybe Friday?" I replied barely looking at him. I could feel the jealous stares on my back like darts aimed at a dartboard. "Oh ok, Friday could work." He said with fake nonchalance. He tried to get my full attention by talking about his weekend plans. I listened politely while I continued to work. I couldn't focus on him or my work. That darn feeling wouldn't leave me. I was worried. My intuition was trying to tell me something ...Something important. And for some odd reason, something in France's voice was making that feeling go haywire.
The bell rang finally and I went about picking up my books, dumping them in my backpack as the room quickly emptied. Aeries High School was famous for short passing periods. and although this was the bell that marked the end of the school day I could tell Mrs. G hurried out to the teachers' lounge before all the donuts could disappear. I went to stand and turned into the aisle to leave the class but I nearly walked right into Francis. He was standing there looking nervous. He flashed out a hand to keep me from falling. "Oops. Sorry, Francis. I didn't see you there. Do you need anything?" I asked wishing he would get out of my way so that I could go home.
I had to pick up Niklaus from his friend's house on the way and I didn't want to make Mrs. Adams wait any longer than she had too. She was a very busy woman. Francis opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out. I waited a bit before trying to move around him. "I really do have to go Francis." I said as politely as I could ut I was having trouble not showing my annoyance. His hand flashed out again and grabbed my wrist. "No wait...sorry I just lost my train of thought... It's just that ...you're so pretty and sometimes I don't know what to say to you" he said nervously shifting his weight between his feet. "Francis I'm really sorry but I just don't think of you in that way. I mean you're nice but I just don't..." I looked up at him apologetically. I really did feel bad for the big guy.
I made it past him and was heading for the door when he grabbed my wrist. I stopped and turned to face him again. "Francis I'm sorry but I ..." he leaned in and stopped my words with his lips, His free hand now cupping the back of my head, holding me in place. I tried to move away, but he interpreted the motion as a desire to deepen the kiss.
Anger flared up inside of me. My first kiss was happening against my will! No Not again. My mind flashed back to a rainy night two years ago and my heart started to race. This was technically not my first kiss but that night 2 years ago didn't count either. At least that's what I told myself. The fear of that night welled up inside of me. I shoved that memory down and the anger for the here and now grew. Sure, the guy was as hot as a tamale straight ought of a steaming pot and most girls would be jumping up and down to be in my place, but I sure as hell was not one of them. I tried to shove him away with all my strength, but his grip was like stone. I waited for him to let go of me. He smiled and I slapped him across the face. What the hell!" he said glaring at me.