01
Everyone in my class had their first crush around 13 or 14. But I never experienced that. It seemed weird to me - how could they feel so strongly about someone they barely knew? At first, I thought they were the unusual ones. However, as time passed, I realized I might be the outlier.
I was obsessed with anime characters when everyone else had their first crushes. I got so caught up in the fantasy world that I forgot about reality. By the time I snapped out of it, I had lost interest in real-life relationships. My friends even teased me about it.
As I woke up, my body felt heavy with fatigue. I couldn't fathom how some people bounce out of bed full of energy. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I went through the motions of my morning routine. After a refreshing shower and getting into my uniform, I headed downstairs to fuel up with breakfast.
Sara
"Morning, mom..." *yawns* "I'm starving"
Safiya
"Still half asleep?" Safiya said curtly, slapping the plate onto the table. "Eat."
Safiya
"You're in 10th grade now, you'd better get used to waking up early. No more sleeping in, got it?" Safiya said sternly, her voice firm and unyielding. "You're wasting daylight, and your breakfast is getting cold. Eat quickly and get moving."
Sara
* I shoveled food into mouth, eyes cast down, silence punctuated only by the clinking of spoon against plate*
Safiya
"I'm speaking with you!" Safiya slammed her hand on the table, making me jump. "Are you even paying attention? You need to focus on your studies, not waste time daydreaming. Do you understand me?" Her voice was loud and firm, brooking no argument.
Sara
"Just stop, Mom," I said, exasperation creeping into my voice. "I'm tired of hearing the same thing every day. I get it, I need to study. But can't you just give me some space?" *pushed plate away, appetite gone*
Safiya
Mom's eyes narrowed, her glare piercing. "I'm your mother, show some respect," she warned, her voice low and stern. "Don't talk back to me like that. You're still under my roof, and you'll follow my rules." Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken consequences.
Sara
*rolled my eyes, sarcasm dripping from my voice* "Yeah, yeah, got it. The Queen has spoken. Can I go now?" *tone laced with attitude, gaze still defiant*
I grabbed my bag and swiftly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor. Without looking back, I turned and rushed out of the house, the door slamming shut behind me. I didn't dare look back, fearing Mom's angry face would only fuel my guilt and frustration. I quickened my pace, the cool morning air hitting me like a slap, snapping me out of my anger-fueled haze. As I walked away from home, the silence was a welcome respite from the tension that had built up inside.
As I walked to school, I ran into my classmate who greeted me with a cheerful wave. Forced into a conversation, I fell into step beside her, exchanging pleasantries about the day's schedule and upcoming exams. We chatted casually, our footsteps synchronized as we headed towards school.
I trudged to my seat, dropping my bag with a thud, and slumped over my desk, resting my head on my folded arms. My face wore a familiar scowl, still simmering from the argument with Mom. My friend, sensing my mood, leaned in close, her eyes locked on mine with a knowing gaze. She didn't need to ask what was wrong; she knew the look all too well. Her silence was a gentle prompt for me to open up, but I just shook my head slightly, not ready to talk.
Sara
I raised an eyebrow, my friend's intense stare making me self-conscious. "What's with the look? Got something on my face?" I asked, trying to brush off the tension, but her expression only softened into a mixture of concern and curiosity.
Meher
"Honestly, I'm just wondering why you're always like this," my friend said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's really kinda annoying. You're always brooding about something, and it's like you're expecting the world to revolve around your problems." Her words were blunt, but her tone was laced with a mix of concern and exasperation, as if she'd been holding this in for a while.
Sara
My anger flared, and I snapped, "If my face annoys you that much, just look somewhere else." The words were laced with venom, and I couldn't help but add a parting jab: "You bastard." I turned my head away, refusing to meet her gaze, the sting of her words still smarting. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken tension.
Sara
"Don't even think about laughing," I warned, my voice low and menacing, eyes flashing with anger. "This isn't funny." *glared, daring her to smile*
Meher
With a warm smile, she chuckled and said, "Alright, I won't." Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in, her voice taking on a gentle teasing tone. "So, what's your problem today? Is it Mom again?" Her words were laced with a knowing empathy, born from countless similar conversations we'd shared over the years.
I sat in silence, my eyes cast downward, as her hand gently came to rest on my head. Her fingers began to weave through my hair, the touch soothing and calming. It was a gesture that seemed to melt away my frustration, a sense of peace washing over me. At that moment, I felt a deep connection to her, a comfort that only came from knowing someone who truly understood me. She had a way of diffusing my tension, of being there in a way that no one else could. As her fingers continued to stroke my hair, I felt my guard drop, my emotions slowly unraveling in her presence.
Meher
Her voice was soft and gentle as she asked, "Feeling better now?" Her fingers continued to stroke my hair, the motion calming and soothing. I nodded slightly, the tension in my body easing further with each passing moment. In her presence, I felt a sense of peace that was hard to find elsewhere.
Meher
She smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Seriously, you're like a kid sometimes," she said, her voice tinged with affectionate exasperation. "You can get so caught up in one problem, and it's like the whole world revolves around it. But sometimes, it's just a matter of shifting your perspective, and suddenly everything looks different." Her words were gentle, but they carried a deep understanding, born from years of knowing me and my quirks.
Sara
I shot her a mock-offended look, my eyebrows furrowed in a pout. "You're teasing me now?" I muttered, my voice laced with playful irritation, but my eyes sparkled with amusement, giving away my true feelings.
Meher
She shot me a sly smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Maybe," she said, her voice low and teasing, leaving me wondering if she was indeed poking fun or just enjoying the banter. The ambiguity only added to the playful tension between us.
Just as I was about to fire back a witty retort, our homeroom teacher strode into the classroom, her stern expression a stark contrast to the relaxed atmosphere we'd been enjoying. Her eyes scanned the room, and I felt a familiar knot form in my stomach. Mrs. Thompson had a way of making my life miserable, always seeming to find fault in everything I did. I'd long since pegged her as my arch-nemesis in the school hierarchy.
The class erupted in a chorus of "Good morning, Ma'am" as we stood up, our voices varying in enthusiasm and sincerity. I mumbled along with the rest, my tone decidedly less than cheerful, earning a disapproving glance from Mrs. Thompson.
Mrs. Thompson
"Good morning," Mrs. Thompson's voice was firm, her eyes scanning the room before she nodded curtly. "Take your seats." Her tone was brisk, brooking no argument, and the class obediently settled down, the scraping of chairs and rustling of bags the only sounds as we complied.
With attendance taken care of, Mrs. Thompson launched into her lesson, her voice droning on as she wrote notes on the blackboard. I zoned out, my mind wandering back to the argument with my mom, and my friend's gentle touch that had calmed me down.
Throughout the class, I caught Meher staring at me, her gaze piercing and intense. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what was going on in that head of hers. Meher wasn't exactly known for her love of academics, but this was different. Her stare seemed...personal. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling a shiver run down my spine. Yeah, Meher could be weird sometimes.
I tried to concentrate on Mrs. Thompson's lecture, but Meher's gaze was like a magnet, drawing my attention back to her. Finally, I gave up and turned to her, leaning in closer.
Sara
I whispered to her, "What is it?" My eyes searched hers, trying to read her expression, but she just kept smiling, her gaze never wavering.
Meher
"You've got a mole under your eyes," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the spot, a tiny smile playing on her lips, as if she found it endearing or fascinating.
Sara
"Eh?" I repeated, my confusion evident, my eyes narrowing slightly as I tried to understand why she was suddenly commenting on a mole on my face.
Mrs. Thompson
"Sara, what are you doing?" Mrs. Thompson's voice cut through the whispering, her tone stern. "Do you want to stand outside?" she asked, her eyes narrowing, daring me to push my luck further. The class fell silent, all eyes on us.
Sara
I startled, my eyes snapping back to Mrs. Thompson as I stammered out an apology. "Eh? N-no, Ma'am. I'm sorry." My face grew warm as the class's attention turned to me, Meher's whispering escapade now forgotten in the face of Mrs. Thompson's displeasure.
Mrs. Thompson
"Then be quiet and listen," Mrs. Thompson said curtly, her expression unyielding before she turned back to the blackboard, resuming her lecture in a monotone voice. I nodded meekly, trying to blend into my seat as the rest of the class seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
This is why I hate Mrs. Thompson. I was clearly having a conversation with Meher, and her voice was louder than mine, yet Mrs. Thompson only seemed to notice me. It's like she has it out for me. I wondered if Mrs. Thompson had a personal vendetta against me or if she just enjoyed picking on me. The unfairness of it all rankled, and I couldn't help but feel a growing resentment towards Mrs. Thompson.
I shot Meher a glare, my anger simmering just below the surface. If it wasn't for Mrs. Thompson's watchful eye, I might have let loose on Meher right there in class. What was she thinking, anyway? Did she find it funny that I'd gotten in trouble? Meher's grin only seemed to grow wider, and I had to physically restrain myself from saying something I'd regret.
Sara
As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of class, I turned to Meher, my frustration boiling over. "Hey, you! Why were you staring at me?" I demanded, my voice low but intense. "And don't even think about giving me that crap about the mole. It's not gonna fly."
Meher
"Aw, c'mon, can't I look at my bestie now?" Meher's face contorted into an exaggerated pout, her eyes wide and innocent, like a puppy's. She batted her eyelashes at me, trying to deflect my anger with her charm.
Sara
"What the...?" I trailed off, my expression incredulous as I stared at Meher, her puppy-eyed act doing little to alleviate my annoyance.
Sara
"You know what? Just never mind," I said, shaking my head and turning away from Meher. Whatever her reasons were, I didn't want to know.
I leaned against Meher's shoulder and closed my eyes. Despite my frustration, her familiar presence was comforting, and I let myself relax into it, the tension slowly seeping out of my body.
Meher
"Tired already? What are you, a sloth?" Meher smirked, her voice laced with amusement as she nudged me playfully with her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Sara
"Shut up!" I said, a laugh bubbling up despite my attempts to stay annoyed, my voice barely above a whisper as I playfully elbowed her in the side.
Meher
"Yeah, yeah, I got the message," Meher said, her smirk still firmly in place, her eyes glinting with amusement as she wrapped a casual arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
Meher
The next teacher will be coming soon
Sara
"Eh?" I said, my brow furrowing slightly as I opened my eyes and looked at Meher, my mind still slightly foggy from leaning on her shoulder.
Meher
"He's here already," Meher said, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded discreetly towards the door, her eyes flicking towards the new teacher who had just walked in.
Sara
"That soon?" I sat up straight, yawning widely as I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes, my movements a bit more abrupt than I'd intended.
Meher
"Cute," Meher mumbled, her lips curving into a soft smile as she watched me yawn, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Sara
"Eh? Did you say something?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly as I leaned in, trying to catch what she'd mumbled.
Meher
"Nope," Meher said, her smile widening innocently as she shook her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Sara
*I shrugged, still looking a bit confused, and muttered under my breath* "Whatever," before turning my attention to the new teacher walking into the classroom.
As I walked out of the school entrance, the warm sunlight and bustling chatter of students momentarily lifted my gaze from the pavement. Lost in thought, I didn't notice the approaching figure until a gentle yet firm pressure settled on my shoulder. Someone's hands wrapped around it, the touch sending a shiver down my spine.
Sara
I turned my head, trying to catch a glimpse of the person behind me. "Who's that?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and caution, as I tried to shift my body to get a better look.
Meher
The hands relaxed slightly, and Meher's soft voice whispered close to my ear, "Easy... it's me." Her breath tickled my skin, sending a flutter through my chest as I turned to face her, her eyes sparkling with a gentle smile.
Sara
"Oh… it's you again," I said, my face flat and unimpressed, my tone dry as I looked at Meher with a "what now?" expression.
Meher
Meher's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in slightly, her voice taking on a playful tease. "What? You sound disappointed. Were you expecting someone else?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of mischief.
Sara
I shrugged, deliberately turning away from Meher's probing gaze, and started walking, my silence a clear indication that I wasn't biting into her teasing.
Meher
"Hey! Answer my question," Meher said, her voice rising slightly as she quickened her pace to match mine, her hand slipping from my shoulder to grab my arm, spinning me back around to face her.
Meher
"Fine. Whatever. I'm leaving," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance, her eyes flashing a mix of irritation and hurt as she realized I was deliberately ignoring her question, her shoulders squaring as she spun around and stalked off.
As I watched Meher disappear into the crowd, a fleeting sense of satisfaction gave way to growing unease. My eyes scanned the surroundings, my mind racing with the realization that I'd be walking home through a neighborhood teeming with stray dogs. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of those snarling, snapping creatures. Panic began to set in as I thought about turning back, but my pride hesitated. I really needed Meher's company now, but I'd just pushed her away. The likelihood of catching up to her seemed slim, and I resigned myself to a potentially terrifying walk home, all because of my stubbornness.
I let out a resigned sigh, scanning the street ahead, the thought of those dogs making my stomach twist with anxiety as I reluctantly began my solo walk home, wishing I'd swallowed my pride and let Meher stay.
My heart skipped a beat as I spotted the dog in the distance, its presence instantly heightening my senses. I froze, my eyes fixed on the animal, watching to see if it had noticed me.
Sara
Maybe I should just apologize to Meher and beg her to walk along with me. *I took a step back, turning to head in her direction.*
My pride wouldn't let me turn back, so I continued walking forward, but the dog's approach only intensified my fear, its strides eating up the distance between us.
Sara
"Oh shit... Mr. Dog, please, for the love of all things good, go that way! Don't come any closer, c'mon, go the other way!" I pleaded, trying to shoo the dog off with increasingly frantic gestures.
Just then, I heard someone laughing. I thought it was Meher, but the voice was different—it was a guy's laughter. I turned around to look at him.
Sara
"Who's that?" I asked, my eyes fixed on the stranger as I momentarily forgot about the dog looming nearby.
？？？
"It's my first time seeing someone calling a dog Mr.," he said, chuckling, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he clearly found the situation amusing.
Comments
Emmanuel
You've got me hooked! Don't stop writing now!
2025-04-24
0