Ch2: Outsider
Hearing the hurried steps of a stranger, the boy paused. He pondered the possibility of trying his story on this stranger. His whole life he had not practiced his story, but now seemed like a better time that any to start. Rounding the corner, he prepared himself, jutting out his chin, thrusting his chest out with air, and tucking in his gut, but it seemed as if his perception of time had faltered. He collided with a girl about half a foot shorter than he. He had no idea how such a small creature could have such force. He got to his feet, formulating a new story as he rose so as to explain his clumsiness without cluing her in on his deception. In his head he thought, So, I'm poor lost soul without any idea where I am and I need to get to class. By the way I'm new to this school. My name is-, but before he could finish his thought she brushed past him
"Hey! I think I deserve an apology!" What the hell was he thinking? Totally out of character.
"Oh! And I suppose that your pompous ass parents are going to force me to give it to you," she called. His face in a state of undeniable shock, she continued, "Well, contrary to popular belief, money does not affect these halls as much as you'd like." With that she sprinted off down the corridor and burst into a classroom, sneakily.
He followed her at a walk, still stunned at the girl's performance. He looked at the paper in his bag indicating his class schedule. Among the list of classes and rooms, he found the same room that the girl had entered. He paused outside the doorway wondering what to do. Of course he could use the excuse that he was new and could not find the place, but he was bored of that. He thought, There is the possibility that they won't make a big deal out of my entrance. But, the probability of that happening is minute. I mean that girl didn't seem like the type to be so forward with someone. I want to talk to her. She is intriguing… and beautiful. On second though, I should stay away. She doesn't make me feel like liar, but, well, I didn't lie. What a display. I never see myself react outside of my head, it was nice to see a real reaction that was not calculated or observed or introspected. Well I might as well go in.
Coming out of the trance of his thought, he overheard the teacher yelling, "What, do you think this school is your own personal tutor center where you can come and go as you please? I know you don't feel like you fit in, but do you have to take it out on the rest of the class? Considering that you're obviously intelligent, why don't you make an effort to actually achieve something Tell me Natalie? Why?" Then he heard something that he though no one else heard. It was barely a whisper, "Because that would reveal who I am." He waited for the opportune moment to enter. Entering now would be too conspicuous, but waiting too long would indicate some knowledge of the events that had just occurred. Suddenly the teacher said, "Well then, class. Everyone take out your reading that was for homework." And there was an explosion of noise: voices conversing, papers shuffling, and chairs scraping the ground. He opened the door, but to his dismay, the door creaked so loudly that it drowned out the clamor. Afterwards was dead silence. Not a movement from the kids, not even to blink. He guessed that they did not get new students very often.
Putting on his act he stuttered, "Hello, my name is-"
"David Ackroid? Yes, yes, come in. You will find the text book under the chair." And she indicated to the chair in the back corner. Strange, he thought, that there is an open seat in the back. All the students must either have bad vision or are actually eager to learn. He smirked softly to himself as he made his way to the chair, and to his dismay or delight – he had no idea which – he was sitting next to a certain brown haired, green eyed, Natalie. He looked over to ask
a question, but before he could utter a sound, she shot him a quick look that shut him up instantly. He had seen that look before in the eyes of many others that he had alienated. Feeling slightly dejected, and strangely remorseful, he looked under his chair to find the book.
He tried to follow the material being covered but soon he was lost in his thought. God I've never been so self conscious in my life! Looking up slowly he realized he was missing a seemingly esoteric lecture. Ah, forget it. I'll scan it later. It's not like its important, right? Plus, Latin history was easy. I've read a few books on Latin philosophy; I could just make inferences based on assumptions of their time to guess what was happening. But why am I so self conscious? It can't be that I'm worried about my story. I'm an exchange student from California, which I am. It seems like a long way away but the courses there can't be much different. Uh, what else… oh! Of course, I got a scholarship to join this school. 'A scholarship for what?' they will ask. Well, I haven't used psychology recently. Ya, that'll be alright.
"So does everyone understand the homework? Should I explain it again?" Half the class muttered indications of understanding while the rest of the class suddenly seemed to wake up and want to 'try and understand the assignment to its fullest extent'. "Alright, you all have to pair up, even you Natalie, and try to apply Latin philosophy to some of the government's policies. Please indicate which policies or laws and show how that would improve or deconstruct a society…" And so on.
As everyone packed up, David tapped Natalie on her shoulder. Turning and trying to put on an apologetic face, she faced him. Trying to sound as reasonable as possible he said, "I can guess that you are not that popular among this crowd. Well, you seem nice. I would really like to work with you on this project to get to know you."
"What's to know?" She answered sharply, "Where I was born? How I ended up here, in this failed excuse for a school?" Well that shot apologizing out the window.
"Wow. Even after that display in the hall, you still have a sharp tongue. How about this, you show me the real you, the one you were threatening with under your breath, and I will tell you about myself. Trust me this is a once in a lifetime opportunity." After pondering for a minuet, she made a move for the door and indicated that he follows. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!? You've hid yourself for so long and you're going to throw all that away for some bitch? Get a grip!