A/N:
Since this is the 10th chapter,
It deserves better A/N, just to bore u a little more before I start the actual chapter.
So, for those who are wondering why I've wasted so much time, energy, and effort in churning up useless chapters...
The answer is that I myself have changed 3 high schools…
Naturally, I had gathered a lot of experience in that area…
And now when I'm making Alex go thru the same change…
I am re living the memories myself… the good and the bad of it.
Don't want to get all mushy on you but I have never put that on a paper…
Technically I'm still not because I'm writing on a computer, but u know what I mean.
And when I started writing this fic, I had no intention of writing about the new school theme… just one chapter and then I was gonna start on Paige.
But this just naturally came to me… and I felt like sharing it with my reader.
How a new kid who doesn't know anyone perceives things around him… they don't know the names, so their only references are the hair colors or dress style etc.
So be patient…
I will introduce Paige pretty soon…
In fact I'm currently writing that chapter…
So feel free to give your input…
But in the meantime…
Some more angst of my life…
About the Chapter: 2 points:
1-- in most of the scenes in S3, Alex is actually interested in this class... so felt like i had to add it to do justice to Alex's character...
2--trying to explain what Alex said at the beginning of LOL1, that she never needed Jay... why she said that? something that Deg. writers never did... i will try to take it further in coming chapters... but for now, i think this will be enough.
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or any of its characters, except my views which I have tried to portray in this story, so don't sue me.
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Chapter 10: 'Shop'
This classroom looked very different from any other I had ever seen.
At the entrance, we had chairs like any other classroom,
But in the back, it was like a lab with lots of conventional power tools scattered all over the place.
It looked like a garage…
It even had a garage door on the other side, which opened to reveal the beauty of the basketball court in front of it.
It looked pretty interesting to say the least…, but I tried not to show my awe.
It wasn't like Lakehurst didn't have a 'shop' like this…
It's just that it wasn't updated properly due to the constant vandalism that kept going on
Things used to get broken or stolen very frequently so they weren't maintained as frequently.
While Amy took a seat in the middle of the room,
I looked for a teacher in the room…
I was astonished to see a middle aged man sitting in an automatic wheel chair at the lab side of the classroom..
He was dressed like a handy man in navy blue one-piece coveralls.
Even in his casual attire he conceded a sense of authority.
Must be the teacher?
I turned my head to look at Amy, my body still facing him…
She gave me a nod as if suggesting to go ahead…
"Mr. Ehl?" I said as I walked towards him.
"Yesss, how can I help you?" he replied in the cheeriest voice.
"I'm Alex, I'm supposed to be in your class" I handed him the papers.
He smelled of car oils mixed with a musky aftershave.
Although he looked rigid, he had a kindness in his eyes.
He scanned my papers for a while and then looked at me with a modest smile,
"Yes Alex, I believe you are… glad to have you… please take a seat."
He said while returning me my papers.
I went back to Amy and took the seat next to hers.
The bell rang just then and all other kids started taking their seats.
"He seems nice…"
"Yeah, we all like him."
"How come?"
"He gets us… …There's a rumor that he belonged to the wrong side of tracks but he changed it around for himself."
"Hmm" Interesting… Mr. Ehl an inspiration…
"Look, here's the guy I was telling you about…" Amy interrupted my thoughts
"Jay" Amy said looking at one of the two guys who walked in the class
"This is Alex,
Alex this is Jay and
This is Towerz."
She looked at each as she introduced us.
They both looked at me and nodded and then at Amy,
As if confirming with their eyes, 'are we taking her in?'
Amy smiled giving her signal of approval...
"Mr. Hogart and Towerz, nice of you to join us…
If you both sit down now, I'll ignore that you were late."
Mr. Ehl's ultimatum caused both of them to jump towards a seat,
Almost as if they were playing 'musical chairs'.
An unconscious chuckle released from my throat at this sight.
They sure looked tougher than how they were acting.
It was pretty clear to me at that very instant…
They needed me on their side...
Not the other way around…
It was my nature to be the way that I was…
A survivor,
One who never lets its guard down…
"Thank you" said Mr. Ehl as he came to the front desk and started handing out assignment papers for this week's group project.
We were supposed to design our own 'car alternator' and submit the schematics on Friday for grading.
It involved reading on our own now all I needed was enough time to finish this…
Because I hate to admit this but I was beginning to like this class a lot.
The day was going better than I could've imagined...
----------------------------------------------------------------TBC
If you wish it… it will come…
Am posting the next chapter in 5 min.
Added bonus for finishing chapter 10.