Fangs & Fins
Chapter 3: "Haikus & Thank Yous"

Rose just starred at the seat that James Wood now filled.

"What are you doing here?" Rose asked James who was now sitting directly behind her.

"I'm now in your English class." James explained to Rose.

Rose had no time for snide remarks. "Yes, I can see that, but why?"

"Because that's what it says on my schedule." James told Rose, handing his schedule over to Rose.

Rose didn't even glance at his schedule. What was the point? So she could see that he was in the same English class as her? No thanks.

"Well, then why are you sitting behind me?" Rose asked hating every minute James was sitting behind her.

"I don't know; she put me here randomly."

"Oh, cut the crap! You sat here just to talk to me!" Rose spoke, with anger in her tone.

"Rose Collins!"

Rose and James both looked up from their "conversation". Well, Rose wouldn't call it a conversation exactly. She didn't even want to be talking to James in the first place!

The person that yelled her name was Rose's teacher (and apparently now James!), Mrs. Frederick. She was Rose's favorite teacher for her favorite subject, English.

Rose has always been interested in English, ever since she found stacks and stacks of hand-written stories that her Mom had written. She had cried when she first read them. These stories were the last thing that Rose had that belonged to her Mom. That and the lockets Rose and Lily wore around their necks. Rose's was red and Lily's was white. Their mother, Violet, had a locket that had a purple gem in it, but unfortunately it was lost the day of her death.

"Rose!" Mrs. Frederick yelled again. "Are you listening to me?"

James tapped Rose's right shoulder from behind to get her attention.

Rose jumped back into reality.

"Yes, Mrs. Frederick?" Rose spoke, currently thinking of her now dead mother and brother. She will never let those memories go.

"Since you like talking today, you can show our new student here your haiku that is due today." Mrs. Frederick said.

Rose was shocked. Mrs. Frederick was never like this! But then again Rose has always been quiet, well-behaved, and Mrs. Frederick thought she turned in some of the best work.

"Um, ok." Rose quivered. Rose had never spoken in front of the class before. She usually just kept to herself and turned in her work. With each step she took, Rose's heart beat quickened. She could feel pairs of eyes staring at her every move. Rose looked out into her classmates and it seemed like the class doubled in size.

"Go on," Mrs. Frederick said, motioning her to continue.

Rose looked down at her haiku. The now simple words that she had spent hours on, was now a foreign language to Rose.

Rose started anyway, "S-s-he, is, um, all alone," with every word she stuttered more.

Rose could hear chuckles in the background.

Mrs. Frederick noticed this and tried to quiet them down.

With every second that Rose was up there, she got more and more discouraged to just run; leave this classroom.

Off in the audience, James knew he had to do something.

Rose barely even said a sentence. She was just about to give up and quit when she felt someone grab her haiku from her hands.

Rose looked up at the person that had grabbed her haiku to notice that that person was James Wood.

James read the haiku with so much clarity than Rose ever could.

"She was all alone. Her feelings mean nothing. Her life is nothing."

No one was chuckling anymore; the entire audience was paying attention, especially the girls.

When James was finished with the haiku, Rose leaned into James' ear and whispered, "Thank you."

James whispered back, "You're welcome."

After thank yous were said, Rose and James quickly took their seats; Rose quicker then James.

"Ok, well I would have liked Rose to deliver her haiku by herself, but it was nice of you, James, to step in," Mrs. Frederick said. "Now, anyone want to present theirs?"

********

It felt like agony to have to listen to the rest of the haikus her classmates presented. They were all mushy and lovey and had no real feeling to them, like Rose's had.

Suddenly, in the midst of the presentations, someone from behind her nudged her shoulder. Rose obviously knew this person was James. Who else sat behind her?

James whispered in her ear. "These haikus suck! Your's is way better."

Rose replied, "Yeah, I agree." Why was she talking to him? It seemed like whenever he opened his mouth she either smiled or replied to his ridiculous comments.

"What was yours about anyway? Being all alone? Can't stop thinking of the past?" James wondered.

He had to mention that. Rose didn't want to be a charity case so she simply said, "Nothing."

"Come on, it had to be about-"

"NOTHING!" Rose yelled, unaware presentations were still going on.

The entire class grew quiet.

"Rose Collins! What is wrong with you today?" Mrs. Frederick asked.

"Um, nothing. I'm fine," Rose responded. The memories were starting to come back again. Those wretched memories.

"Well please try to contain yourself." Mrs. Frederick explained to her.

Rose nodded. She was seriously going to yell at James.

Bing! The bell had rung and finally she could leave this classroom.

"I hate-" Rose started to say to James, turning around towards his desk.

But he was gone.

"-you?"

Apparently James had really wanted out of that class, because he was nowhere in sight.

But there was one thing Rose noticed on James' desk.

A single red rose.

Rose had figured out who was sending her these roses. James Wood.

Rose was disgusted. James liking her?

She grabbed the delicate flower, brought it to the nearest trash can and threw it in the trash with no regrets.

She walked towards her desk, grabbed her lunch, backpack and purse and headed out of there.

I can't believe James is the one giving me all these roses. Wait, if I don't like this guy, then why am I smiling? Rose thought, a smile appearing on her face.


Hey guys, it's Kelly...again! :) So what do you think of this chapter? (i wrote it). I personally don't like the ending all that much. I really didn't want Rose to figure out the 'rose' thing that quickly, but it fits with what happens next. That's about it. Oh & PLEASE review! :) We only have 12 reviews TOTAL! :(
You guys can promote "Fangs & Fins" anyway you can! :)

that's all for now,

Kelly