"Did you feel that?" I said to Cole, sensing something strange in the atmosphere. "Feel what?" He looks my way seated at the desk behind me.
"Never mind," a sense of displeasing energy, "it must be nothing." I must be overthinking about it. It felt like an unwelcoming magical aura.
Moments later, our English teacher spoke. "Good morning everyone." She looks across the room, making sure everyone is here.
"Today we have a new student. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself" she said, sitting down at her desk.
"Hello. My name is Caleb Hennace" I glance his way for a split second before darting my gaze to my deserted table. I shouldn't stare at him. It's disrespectful.
I couldn't essentially tell what exactly his features were like. I just looked away instinctively without properly looking at him. All I caught was that he was tall, had light and dark hair and had dark clothes on.
"I've always been homeschooled and I like to read." I look up once again.
He wore baggy blue jeans and a black hoodie. As for the shoes—they were black trainers. Nothing special.
The volume of the girls talking to one another was low, though their excitement rang around me. I've managed to temporarily control my hearing by staying calm and not overwhelming myself. I need to find a way to control it even when I cross that line. As it may not hold forever.
"You like to read, that's nice."
"Could you please sit down then, there is a seat next to Cole." She said pointing to the seat. He walked through the aisle of desks, about to pass mine.
However, he stops by my desk, looking ahead for a second. Then sat down at the desk next to Cole by the left side of the dull white wall with a window. Odd timing.
"Hi Caleb. I'm Cole." he introduced himself, "hi Cole" Caleb greeted politely.
"Would you like to eat with me and my friends at break?" he asked, leaning over towards him. "I'd like that" he replied with a grateful tone. He seems nice.
Two hours later when classes ended. Break began. Cole and I waited for Caleb at the classroom door with Oceane. I want to go already. Can't this person find somebody else to hang out with. I'm sorry, new classmate. But I'm impatient today.
I'm sure there's a lot of people who'd love to talk to him. At least that's what I keep hearing. As for people—mainly girls. Who are drooling, over his face card. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't that handsome. Usually handsome guys are trouble.
"So…Caleb, how were your first two classes, so far?" Cole asked, meeting him by the classroom door. "They were okay,"
"Different to what I expected, though." He told, walking with us through the corridors. "Right. You haven't been to a school before. Must be nerve racking" Ocean added, "if you put it like that, I suppose."
Cole didn't feel anything strange, however, I can't shake the feeling that it was indeed a sensation of magic. Could a shadow creature have entered the school?
No.
Can't be. Daniel and Bizro would have known if there was one. Alerted us at that.
"Oh, I just realized I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Oceane and this here is Ember." She introduced us both.But then again, they didn't know there was one in the school before.
I'll go look for a way to sense for- "Earth to Ember!" Oceane suddenly waved her hand in front of my face. I was so focused on my hypothesis that I hadn't realized I'd been ignoring them.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking of something." I admitted smiling as if it was nothing. Then faced the new student. "Hi, I'm Ember" I introduced myself, holding up my hand for a small wave, while smiling.
As I look at him, I can't but help feeling a familiarity towards him.
With those starry blue eyes and the style of his ash black hair, it seemed so familiar to me.
I guess he didn't have light hair. Huh.
"Nice to meet you, Ember." he looks straight into my eyes, as if searching my soul. In a rather polite way. "I'm sorry. Have we met before, you look awfully familiar?" he asks with a sincere smile. I scurry through my mind, overviewing any situation including him. None come to mind. "I don't think so-" I say unsure. It's likely he thought I looked like someone he met before.
"Well, we should get moving. Come on, we're going to meet the others. they're going to love you" Oceane interjects, joyfully. We met everyone at a bench right outside the school building.
"Guys! This is Caleb." Cole introduced. They all greeted Caleb one by one.
"So, you've been homeschooled all your life?" questioned Yamma, sipping from her apple juice. "Indeed." Caleb answered once again, "that must have been hard." I added.
Not surrounded by kids your age. Cramped up in the house most of the day. Studied alone. Without the accompaniment of your friends. Not being able to do the things kids your age are doing. I'd feel lonely. And I'm not one to feel lonely…at least I don't anymore.
"It can be," he replies, after taking a bite of his apple. "Do you have any siblings?" Kyle asked. Standing behind Oceane with his arms tied around her neck. While she's seated on the bench. They are such a cute couple.
"I have an older sister," his tone is nonchalant. Interesting. "That's nice, what's her name?" I questioned further as curiosity overcame me. "Her name is Eva."
"Cool" expressed Sven, whilst adjusting his glasses.
We continued to interrogate Caleb (in a friendly manner) a bit more, and then the bell rang and we all had to go back to class. "Do you know what classes you have?" Cole asked him. "No" he admits.
"You probably have the same classes as us. As you were with us the first two classes." Reasoned Oceane, walking up the stairs, "could be." He agreed.
…
Therefore the classes went on, soon lunch came around and we all went to the cafeteria. Getting in line for lunch and finding a free table. Thankfully, we found a nice area near the windows.
Kyle, Oceane, Yamma and Caleb sat down on one side, while Cole, Sven and I sat on the opposite side. As we ate, my curiosity kept eating me away. At some point I found myself faced with Caleb. Who was sitting in front of me.
"So…Caleb, what made you decide to come to school now? I mean after being homeschooled for so long?" I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was generally curious, as to what changed. I could sense Caleb pause for a briefe moment. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Well…" he began, as he swallowed heavily, "I've always been curious about what it's like to attend school and I wanted to have a chance to interact with different people, learn new things, and simply experience the everyday life of a student." I nodded, understanding his perspective. So, was there really no other reason as to why he wanted to come.
"That's really brave of you to step out of your comfort zone like that. We're glad to have you here with us." Oceane remarked. She always so supporting of others. Something, I wouldn't be able to do. I can never find the right words to form an assuring sentence. To comfort someone. It always ends up sounding cold and short.
The rest of the group voiced their agreement, offering words of encouragement and support.
As lunch came to an end, we all gathered our belongings and headed to the school entrance. As we were about to part ways, I turned to Caleb. I eithe ask now, or leave it.
"Hey, do you want to hang out with us this wednesday?" I blurted out. I said it. No turning back now. I may sound like an idiot, as fear of judgement swirls me.
"We'll be having a picnic at the park nearby." Positive thoughts. I don't actually sound like an idiot, it's just me overthinking. Everyone agreed with me, "That would be nice, thank you," he gratefully replied.
I smiled and the rest of the group bid their goodbyes.