Then he pulls back, allowing me to see him in all his glory.
The uniform trousers for the boys are khakis, a blue sweater over his white button-up shirt. His tattoo's show off because his shirt is rolled up till they get to his elbows and then some of the tattoos crept up from the collar. It was like a mosaic of tattoos dancing on his skin.
"Nothing at all." I exhale. I wasn't sure if it was my hormones, but the thought of being pushed against this locker and kissed roughly sounds uhggg….
He leans into me…close, and I shut my eyes, waiting for his touch, anticipating for when his lips to touch mine. But then, the bell rings. He quickly pulls back as the hallway fills with students. He probably doesn't want anyone seeing all this.
"Looks like it's your lucky day." He sucks in his lower lips, raising his head a little. A sinister smile on his lips. "I'll send someone to give you my address, so come to the party tonight," he says before disappearing into the crowd of boys.
My heart starts racing, each beat getting faster and more intense. I feel like I might pass out. I might need to see the nurse. Maybe if I pretend I'm sick, they'll let me go home. I mean, I paid to be here, right? Why can't I leave if I wanted to?
But right now, standing in the hallways confused as to whom that boy was? And what gives him all that audacity? I do wonder who he actually thinks he is, acting all high and mighty. But there was no way I'd get any answers standing over here might as well head to the office .
I push through the crowd and walk toward the office. My chest still feels tight, and who knows, I might be having a panic attack.
I get to the Wooden office door with a sign that reads. "Principals Office." I knock twice and push open the door. A kind looking woman who sat majestically behind a dark wooden table looks up at me. Her desk has a nameplate that says Mrs Kate Hood. She sizes me up before she gives me a soft, sweet smile. Her hair is properly and neatly braided, and her red lipstick matches the frame of her glasses.
"Do you need help?" she asks, after what looks like a few seconds.
"H-hi, Mrs. Hood. I'm Philip Blue. And um… today is my first day," I try to speak to the best of my abilities at the moment. I always hate talking to adults. I always mess up my words because of their terrifying gaze.
She laughs a little. "I was wondering why you weren't in your uniform. I'm very glad I didn't have to write you up for that." Her smile did not falter even for a second.
I laugh too, just a bit…..Very awkwardly. I probably look odd to her, a five-foot-six, wearing a lavender hoodie, black jeans and a worn out pair of shoes.
"We'll get you a uniform on Monday. We have some extras in the back," she says kindly. "You can pay the fitting fee and the uniform cost today, if that's okay." She stands and walks through a door behind her, heading into what looks like a storage room.
My stomach sinks. More money? I already used almost all my savings to pay the school fees. I'll be eating ramen for the next month.
"H-how much does it cost?" I ask, hoping she doesn't hear the worry in my voice.
"Oh, not too much. It's $200 for the uniform and $50 for the fitting," she says as she comes back holding a box of clothes. "Looks like the smallest size we have is large."
I'm definitely not large. I'm a small, broke kid, and $250 feels like a lot of money, not something so small as she makes it sound.
"Can I bring a check tomorrow?" I ask. I need time to gather that money. If they cash the check today, my account might bounce.
Thankfully, it's payday.
"Sure! Or if you'd rather use a card, we have the swipe machine," she says.
"No, a check is fine," I say quickly. Please don't cash it too soon, I think to myself.
Mrs. Hood takes out a neatly folded blue polo shirt with the school crest on the front. She hands me a pair of khakis too. "Here you go. I'll also get you some papers, just things like the handbook and health forms."
I hold the uniform close to my chest while she grabs the papers.
She returns and hands them to me. I place the clothes on the table and open my bag. I pull out one of my folders and slide the papers inside, leaving out the class schedule.
"The bathroom is across the hall. You can change there and then head to your first class. Luckily, you only missed Homeroom," she says with a smile as she sits back down.
"T-thank you," I whisper. It feels nice to be treated kindly after everything.
I take my schedule and head to the bathroom. I lock myself in a stall and start changing. The shirt is way too big—I roll the sleeves up twice. The pants are also too loose. I really need a belt. I sigh and stuff my old clothes into my bag.
I check my schedule. My next class is AP Government in room 222. What a great way to start the day.
I walk down the hall, looking for the room. When I find it, I knock on the door. A man in his late twenties opens it. He's wearing a green and gray sweater vest over a dark gray shirt. His dark red hair is styled perfectly.
"S-sorry I'm late," I say.
He smiles like he's joking. "You're new, so I'll let it slide. Welcome to AP Government. I'm Mr. Martin," he says, holding the door open wider.
I walk in and look around. Most of the students look bored and rich. Then I spot a guy in the back. My heart jumps. It's the same guy from earlier—the one who made me feel crazy just minutes ago. He looks at me and smirks.