I was just getting back from France and it was the first day of high school. I was very nervous, because after speaking French all summer, I didn't know if I would remember my English. English wasn't my first language, and I had a lot of trouble remembering it. I was also worried that my accent would be so strong that no one would understand me. I swallowed my fears and said good bye to my adoptive father Carlisle. I walked into the school with my head held high and found the main office. They gave me my locker number and the code to it and my schedule for the day. As I left the office, I saw these two guys trying to stuff this one kid into his locker. I walked over to them and tapped one of them on the shoulder. Since they were both 6'5" I knew I was asking for trouble.
"You need to stay out of this one little girl," he said not paying me much attention.
That was his big mistake. I did not take kindly to being called little girl. I grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him down to my 5'6" level.
"I do NOT like it when people call me little girl. Now you and your friend over here need to grab your stuff and stop stuffing kids into their locker," I said heavily accented.
He started laughing. Mistake number two. I pulled my knee back as far as I could and jerked it as hard as I could into his privates.
He fell to the ground and was moaning in pain. I looked at his friend and said, "You're next."
He grabbed his friend and they ran as fast as they could to their class.
"Are you alright?" I asked the guy as I helped him out of his locker. He was about 5'7" and quite slim. Apparently no match for those two guys.
"Yes, I am ok," he said. I noticed that he had a French accent even stronger than mine, but I had no problems understanding him.
"Parlez-vous français?" I asked him.
"Oui," he responded.
"What is your name?"
"Erik."
"Mine is Megan," I said holding out my hand.
He just stared at it. He must not have been used to American customs. That or he didn't like to touch people. I slowly and awkwardly pulled my hand back to my side.
"I am sorry," he said. "I am new to America and I am not used to American customs yet.
"So are you from France?" I asked. I wasn't trying to be nosy, but I was curious. I always wanted to meet someone else who was from France.
"Yes I am. I just moved here about a month ago."
I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek and he did the same.
"I just got back two days ago," I said.
"Were you on vacation?" Erik asked as we walked to homeroom.
"That and visiting my roots. I was born in France but my parents gave me up for adoption. The man who adopted me is one on the doctors in the hospital. Have you heard of a Dr. Cullen?"
"Yes. He was the doctor I saw when I first got here."
"He goes to England every summer since that's where he is from and takes me to France as well."
"That is really cool," Erik said as we walked into classroom. He sat down next to me.
"Can I see your schedule for a minute?" I asked him.
"Um… sure," he said reaching into his book bag and pulling out his schedule.
I looked it over. "We have all of the same classes," I said with a smile. I think I had just met my new best friend for the year.
"Really? Let me see yours," Erik said as I reached into my book bag and pulled out my schedule. He looked over mine then over his. I saw a smile slowly grow on his face.
"At least I will have someone to talk to. I thought I was going to be all alone because I was the only person from France. I was very nervous this morning."
"I was too, considering I had been speaking French all summer. I thought that no one would understand me."
Erik and I stayed together all day. During lunch he told me stories about his adventures in France. He told me about some of the cities I had never been too and some of the new bakeries that were opening up. It wasn't until the last period of the day that I noticed it.
We were in English class (God knows we need it). We were about to take our seats when I looked at him and noticed something white covering half of his face.
"Excuse me Erik, but are you wearing a mask?" I asked.
He slid down in his chair and little bit and looked at the ground. "Yes," he whispered barely audible.
"Why?"
"Well, I was born with a facial deformity and my mother gave me a mask to wear when I was five years old."
"Oh that is terrible…" I said. I felt bad. This was clearly something that Erik didn't like to talk about.
He was quiet until class started. When the bell rang, we both headed back to our homeroom and got our stuff. Just as I was stepping out the door to get into Carlisle's car, Erik stopped me with his hand on my shoulder.
"Would you like to come over to my house to do homework?" he asked me.
"I have to ask Carlisle first. He doesn't like me going places without him knowing."
"Okay, I will wait here to see what he says."
I walked over to the driver side window, and Carlisle rolled down his window. He always knew I was going to ask him to go somewhere if I didn't get into the car immediately.
"It's the first day of school and you're already trying to go somewhere?" He asked me with disbelief.
"Yes, well, I met this boy and he just moved to America from France, and I was wondering if I could go to his house with him and we could do our homework. He needs some help with his English because he isn't fluent with it yet."
"Where is he?" Carlisle asked.
I pointed to where Erik was standing. I didn't know he had changed his clothes into a white button down shirt and black pants.
"Well I don't see a problem with it. You have your cell phone right?"
"Yes I do."
"Have fun," Carlisle said as he rolled up the window to leave. He had to go to the hospital today.