I reached for the doorknob to my classroom. I should have been paying closer attention because as I slammed the door behind me I caught a few words spoken words.
"- and I moved here from… "
Perfect.
I had interrupted the new girl. Wasn't I just the biggest asshole in the world? I probably wasn't but it sure felt so. I inclined backward against the door; I had finally caught my breath and didn't want to cause another ruckus by embarking on a mission to cross the room to grab an empty seat.
"Don't mind me, babe. Please continue. Enthral us all with your tale."
I stood in appraisal of this dark haired stranger that stood to my left – front and centre for the entire class to gaze with undetermined scrutiny. – It was an age old tradition at MFHS, new additions to the student body would be auctioned off in a way. Cheerleaders and Jocks had first dibs – The highest bids – followed by the drama club and social committee before the Junior Varsity Jocks and girls swimming, gymnastics and soccer were able to get a look in.
You were lucky that the AV Club and those considered less popular like Chess Club and Mathletes weren't given a chance. If the hierarchy didn't want you then you were basically thrown to the wolves and lumped in with the losers.
Silence… the emptiness echoed through the room. Not a peep not even a nervous shuffle of sheets carried to my ears. It was unnerving. I remained standing debating internally whether to make a run for it to spare myself another iota of embarrassment when Mr Roth broke the silence and demanded I take my seat and leave the poor girl alone.
Today was not my day, no finest hour for me. I guess I had a lot to recover from, I'd make things right before days end or I'd pay for it at home.
Dropping my backpack beside my chair, I slid into my seat beside the window and drew my attention back to the front of the class.
"Miss Flemming, please continue. Where did you move from again?"
Mr Roth prompted the young girl to finish her introduction. She was visibly nervous, I could tell as soon as her hand instinctively rose to smooth a strand of jet black hair behind her ear. A gentle throat clearing followed and we all waited patiently to hear where she hailed from.