A gloomy cast of shadows clouded the sky. Small drops of rain leaked from the clouds onto the pavement. I sat in the back of the cafeteria, absent mindedly picking at a bagel and watching the natural phenomenon. Nature was a mysterious beauty to me. No matter how many times I’d seen it rain, I always found myself in awe at its simple grace.

                My stomach gurgled inside of me. Food was not appeasing to it. I set the bagel down, brushed a few crumbs off of my hands, and stood up noiselessly to drop off my tray. The lunchroom was filled with inane chatter. I mostly blocked it out. I wasn’t one to get caught up in the petty high school gossip. No one listened to me, and I didn’t listen to anyone.

                I retreated back to my lonely table and once again stared out the large window, watching the rain pick up its pace as it was falling. I pulled out my journal and started writing notes. This was a norm for me. Instead of actively chatting with other classmates, I usually huddled in the back of the cafeteria, writing about whatever crossed my mind. I usually wrote song lyrics because tunes constantly formed in my head.

                A loud bang sounded, and as an involuntary reaction, I looked up. Laughter swirled the room as I took in the scene. I sighed annoyingly to myself. A poor freshman had been tripped by one of the upperclassmen. I smiled slightly, not at the freshman, but at the idiotic students who found it so funny to make fun of a younger kid.

                I looked back down at my journal. Words began flowing. I wasn’t surprised at how lost I became in my writing when the time flew by, and the bell rang for sixth period. I stuffed the old notebook into my bag and shuffled quietly out of the cafeteria, carefully dodging other careless students.

                Pre calculus, my sixth period class, was on the other side of the building, possibly the farthest away from my locker a classroom could get. Sometimes I swear life likes to make me miserable.

                I walked as fast as I could through the overcrowded halls, avoiding eyes and dodging flying backpacks. The warning bell had long since rung and I knew I’d be late.

                I made a sharp right turn and entered the Pre Calculus class room of Mr. Hender. He was a somewhat slightly overweight, old geezer with graying hair, who enjoyed lecturing us on the importance of mathematics.

                I took my typical seat in the back of the classroom, the only desk with an extra open seat, and tried with great difficulty for him to not say anything about my tardiness. He gave me a slight warning look, but to my surprise didn’t mention anything. Instead he turned back to the white board and started writing several problems for us to work on.

                A few minutes into class, we were interrupted by Mr. Hender’s door opening. I didn’t look to see who it was, figuring it was some other math teacher or educator. However, I heard girls begin to giggle with delight as whoever had walked in the room, was revelated. Obviously, it was no teacher.

                I glanced up and my eyes widened with surprise as Jared Kent walked into the room. This explained the girls’ flirtatious giggles and stares. Jared Kent is the most popular guy in the high school. A grade older than me, he’s ruled the school with an iron thumb since kindergarten.

                “Mr. Kent, can I help you?” asked Mr. Hender.

                “I was moved into this class,” Jared said in a confident voice. He handed Mr. Hender a slip of paper and turned back to the class, smiling at a few girls and winking at one of them, which only caused an eruption of giggling.

                I rolled my eyes. I never understood how girls could be drawn to such an egotistical player like Jared Kent. Sure, he was tall, lean, and muscular, but I would think his over confident cockiness would outshine his so-called good looks.

                “Well, then, Mr. Kent.” Mr. Hender interrupted my thought escapade. “Welcome to the class. Take a seat next to Miss Ember, please.”

                My body froze stiff. Next to who? Me? Was this some sort of payback for all of my tardies? No way could I spend an entire semester with an air headed jerk named Jared Kent.

                Jared wasted no time plopping his backpack down at the seat next to me. He sat there, leaning back, his arms crossed over his chest. Maybe he was unhappy about sitting next to me as well?

                Mr. Hender recalled our attention and began explaining something we had already learned. After a half hour of teaching, he passed back assignments. “This semester we are trying something new. I think it’s important we all get along with everyone, so why not work with partners?” Has this old man lost his mind? “So say hello to your partner for the rest of the year, the person  you are seated next to.”

                My eyes nearly bulged out of my head. I glanced over at Jared who was looking at me with a slight frown. I looked away and continued working on the assignment.

                Jared relaxed back into his chair, pushing his assignment away from him.

                I glared at him. “I’m not giving you the answers if I’m doing it by myself.” My voice came out harsh. Did I really just say that to him?

                Shock crossed his face. “Who said I was expecting you to?”

                “I thought you might just want to know.” This courage seemed to come out of nowhere.

                “Ya know, for someone so quiet, you sure have quite an attitude,” he stated.

                I snickered and rolled my eyes. Tension was building up inside of me. I don’t have an attitude. I just can’t stand moronic jerks like him.

                He began working on his worksheet, to my surprise. It’s good to know I got my point across.

                “What’d you get for number five?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

                I slid my paper over to him so he could check his answer.

                “Are words too hard for you?” he chuckled slightly.

                “Hah,” I laughed.

                He frowned slightly again. “Well the least you could tell me is your name.”

                “Why should I tell a stranger?” I laughed sarcastically.

                He stuck out his hand for me to shake. “Jared Kent. And you are?”

                I shook my head, not accepting his handshake. “Austin.”

                He chucked slightly.

                My head turned sharply, my eyes piercing with question. “What’s so funny?”

                “Nothing.” He smiled.

                I gave him a demanding look.

                “Your name, it’s just unusual for a girl,” he admitted. I rolled my eyes once more and continued on with my work. After a few short moments of silence, I heard him say, “But I like it.”

                Just as I turned to look at him, a slight blush on my cheeks, the bell rang, and he was already out the door.