She woke up that Friday morning laying on her back staring at the ceiling. Wishing she could just got back to sleep and hibernate for a while. She had three short minutes to get to school, so she brushed her teeth, changed her shirt and, without waking her mom, managed to get out of the house to drive to school. She rummaged through her neon green L.L. Bean backpack looking for a brush, a useless quest. Jenna parked her car in her assigned parking spot and attempted to fix her hair. She could see her arms as she adjusted her hair in the rear view mirror, meaning she had mistakenly put on a t-shirt. She grabbed the black sweatshirt she kept in the back seat for days like these. Jenna felt cold as she got out of her car. She felt cold a lot, but cold was her favorite feeling. The numbness of ice gave her comfort.
Jenna was a shy, studious sixteen year old. She grew up in the town of Bath, New Hampshire and had never lived anywhere else. She didn't complain. New Hampshire's winters were her magnet, preventing any longing towards a different home. To all of her friends she was different, and a helpful person when she needed to be. To everyone else she was quiet and extremely smart, book smart, and basically happy. Apparently those that make straight A's have the image of being content.
Jenna walked through the foggy front doors of her 100 year old brick high school. It was so old that the floors even creaked when the students walked down the hall. She saw that class had already begun so she ventured to the front office to sign in.
"Late again, Ms. Michaels?" asked The Woman behind the desk, raising her drawn-on eyebrows.
"Sorry." Replied Jenna as her long, wavy brown hair fell in front of her face. She hated disappointing people.
"Almost every day this week Jenna." The Woman tried to keep eye contact with the quiet girl, but lost it as Jenna looked down at her black canvas sneakers. Jenna just shrugged and took the pass from The Woman. The less verbal communication, the less guilt she felt.
While Jenna was making her way upstairs to her first period, her friend Zach waved to her on his way to the office. You know Zach, the lovable guy friend who stays by your side even though you turned him down in the seventh grade and he's still hopelessly in love with you. Yeah, that's Zach.
Zach had that messy hair that made him look like he just woke up. It was black and wavy and everywhere. His eyes were so welcoming he could get anyone to be his friend, so he did. During the winter he was one of the few that actually wore a parka. A red, white, and black one to be exact. Jenna just loved the way he looked in it. He was so skinny and the parka made it seem like he was lost somewhere inside. He was a good friend to Jenna and she appreciated him by her side. Most days…
He knew she was running late again so he nodded and smiled as Jenna continued her carefree trudge down the hallway to English class.
Jenna's "friend" Samantha sat in front of her in that class. She would always make sure Jenna got the papers and notes she needed. Jenna was grateful.
"Hey, late night or what?" Samantha whispered as Jenna took her seat.
"Um, yeah, late night." Jenna wasn't exactly the most trusting person when it came to her life outside school. Samantha wasn't that close.
Jenna's day followed as usual. History, French, gym, lunch, study hall, algebra, and biology.
French was Jenna's best class. She always did her homework for it and scored the highest on her tests. She would laugh when others in her class pronounced things wrong. To her it was so simple but to those, such as Devin Thomas, it was the most difficult.
When class was over Jenna stuck around to ask the teacher for some extra credit. Devin too stayed behind for the same reason.
After they received their papers they turned to leave. Jenna dropped all four of her notebooks and her textbook on the ground in front of Devin. He looked down, shook his head, and stepped over the mess and continued out the door.
Being ignored was something Jenna had become accustomed to. He was hot so it was ok.
Samantha shared biology with Jenna as well. They had a substitute so it was basically a free day for them.
"So Allen asked me to the dance. I can't believe it. He even told me he was gonna ask Kerri. Do you think I'm his second choice or do you think he was joking? Jenna? Jenna! Are you listening?"
"Oh I'm sorry Sam, I'm a little out of it today. So Allen? That's cool right?
"But do you think I am his second choice or does he really like me?"
Jenna was terrible at relationship issues. She could never tell what was what. "Well, he asked you right? That has to mean something."
"But what if it doesn't? What if this is a big joke? Jenna! What do I do? Should I call him?"
"Umm yes?"
"Jenna, you really aren't helping here. I'll have to call Autumn before the dance. This is serious!" Samantha got up as the dismissal bell rang. Jenna thanked the god above.
Jenna walked up to her purple Dodge Neon and saw Zach waiting for her to drive him home.
"Hey, can I just hang out with you tonight?" Jenna grinned inside as she watched the steam of Zach's breath as he asked his routine question. It meant the air was cold, which, of course, Jenna loved.
"Not if you're gonna try to get me to that dance tonight!"
"Come on Jenna, dances aren't that bad." Grinned Zach.
Jenna hopped into the driver's seat still shaking her head no.
"Why won't you go? What harm will it do? It won't kill you to have, dare I say it, FUN!" Zach inquired, forcing his friend to look at him. She held the stare for a full minute wanting to explain her reasons. She looked for some glimpse of safety in Zach's eyes. Something inside that was safe enough for her heart to feel comfortable enough to express her thoughts. Nothing.
"Fine, if it's that important to you, I'll go." Jenna rolled her eyes trying to draw attention away from her apprehension. She started the car with shaky hands. The blast of Jenna's favorite CD startled Zach and everyone else walking to their surrounding cars. Zach amused her the entire car ride home with his kindergarten excitement and chanting of "Jenna's going to the dance" in several different octaves.