It's kind of amazing how much routine is a part of everything that I do. I wake up at the same time every day, have pretty much the same breakfast every day, leave for school within 5 minutes of the same time, have the same classes, only to go home and do homework. So naturally, when something changes in the system it really stands out. The only thing that gives dimension and contrast to my first few weeks of classes are my emails to Jacques.
He has this really cute way of writing with which I am slightly obsessed. He uses the word "freaking" like once per email, which is the kind of thing that sometimes annoys me, but yet it is so endearing when he does it. He tends to send emails later than I am awake. Some nights, I've stayed up a little later than usual hoping to see his newest email. Still, there's something about refreshing my email a hundred times over that just makes me anxious. It really would be nice to have a better way to communicate to Jacques, but how could I possibly do any of that without him realizing who I am? I don't even know if I want to know who he is.
Even though I don't know him, I have this mental image of him forming in my head: I start logically and statistically. Creekwood is about 70% white- fairly typical for a suburban school near Atlanta. I'd like it if Jacques could connect to what it's like to be black in a predominantly white school, so I don't rule it out. There's something about the way he writes that makes me think he's a suburb guy in a typical suburb family- mom, dad, 2.5 kids (possible divorce?). Of course, I know none of this for sure. I'll try to learn more as I read more from him. He's just too freaking cute for my own good.
About a week into school, I am walking into lunch, when I can almost feel a shift in the air. There's this new girl, Abby, who all of my male friends can't stop talking about. A recent transfer from Washington D.C. I hear, and attractive for a girl I guess.
One of the best things about being a quiet person is that sometimes people just forget that I'm listening and talk their guts out. I'm an unfortunately good listener as far as they should be concerned, and smart enough to put the pieces together of what's going on in most of my friend's lives at the time. I don't do it to be creepy, OK it is a little bit creepy, but I can't help that they all seem to spill all their secrets around me. Lunch today is no exception.
It's Simon Spier of all people who Abby is following. He doesn't seem the type to win over the cheerleader-type, but I notice that he's wearing an outfit that I have to force myself to look away from so I don't start staring: a light blue zipper hoodie unzipped revealing a formfitting charcoal grey t-shirt with a pair of khaki shorts that are perhaps a size too small. OK, so I do see what Abby would find attractive in him.
"Hey everyone" Simon says sitting down in his usual spot "This is Abby Suso. I asked her to join us for lunch today- she just moved here this summer"
"Hi Nick, Leah"
Abby seems to know a few people here already. She's so effervescent and bubbly that I can't imagine the entire school doesn't know who she is already- they probably do. She just needs to catch up and learn who they all are. Garrett almost upends the table to stand up in a gesture of chivalry which is simultaneously sweet, stupid, clumsy, and embarrassing. He manages to say his name while blood rushes unforgivingly to his cheeks.
"I'm Bram. It's nice to meet you"
Morgan and Anna are the last to get to the lunch table. They're deep in conversation about some Manga that I've never heard of. They give a nod to Leah and hardly notice that Abby has joined us. Leah has to facilitate an introduction.
"So, you're a junior right?" Garrett asks.
"Yeah, assuming that everything transfers alright" Abby sighs very subtly- it's clear that moving to a new high school is not her ideal situation.
"Cool. I saw you in English class, and assumed" Garret is trying way to hard.
"Mmhmm" There is no mirth in Abby's agreement.
There's an awkward silence that follows.
"Well the program was structured a little differently there" Abby mercifully picks the conversation back up. "The order of science classes and the availability of certain math classes- stupid stuff like that. In some ways, I'm a senior here, in some ways I'm a Sophomore. It all balances out, I guess"
It is obvious in that moment that Abby will fit in perfectly to our little lunch group. Garrett is a bit of a master when it comes to awkward silences. Either he puts his foot in his mouth or he speaks before thinking or something of that sort. It's kind of amazing to watch him at work. I resolve to never tell him this- I don't need to be the completely honest friend- I'm more of the silent supporting kind.
"Simon invited me to join you for lunch, which is really so nice of you. It's so hard to make friends at a new school, so I've resolved to do as much as I can. Let's see- cheerleading tryouts are tomorrow and the school musical auditions are next week. What's the show again, Simon?"
"Oliver, I think? I don't remember for sure. They have auditions really freaking early considering that we don't perform until January, though" Says Simon. Simon has been in every school musical since middle school- and he's never really been anything except for chorus. I haven't heard him sing alone, but he clearly enjoys it enough to do a musical a year.
"Well that just gives us time to get it right- oh, I have really wanted to be in a show, but the theater program took so much time back home, and you couldn't do everything" Abby is starting to ramble a little bit. Some people ramble when they're nervous and trying not to show it. I wonder if this is Abby's M.O. I resolve to keep a closer eye on her.
Abby has hardly had the chance to eat anything by the time the bell rings because she's been a part of the conversation so thoroughly. She quickly finishes her food with surprising grace considering she has abandoned the use of a fork, and we all go to our next classes.