I knew that I sounded like a lunatic, like certifiably crazy; but for whatever reason these two boys were bringing out the scariest part of me and I didn’t want them or anyone else to get hurt. I looked up at Kiran apologetically, but instead of looking concerned for this crazy person, like I expected, he just gazed back entertained, almost like he was about to laugh.
“Can someone help Ms. Matthews to the Nurse’s Office, please?” Mr. Lambert sounded exasperated.
“I can,” Kiran volunteered.
“No, that’s all right,” I blurted out; for fear that I’d faint again. “I’m sure I can find it on my own,” I gave a weak smile, but finally stood up. I actually had no intention to find the nurse, I just needed to calm down and get some space. I grabbed the back of my chair to steady myself, and inhaled deep breaths of air.
“Lilly, can you take her?” Mr. Lambert turned to look at a fragile-looking girl with short, vibrant, red, curly hair.
“Sure,” she answered sweetly. She took a few steps from the back of the crowd of students to wait for me by the door.
I grabbed my backpack, terrified to look at anyone until I was almost to the safety of the hallway. Once I reached the door, I took a brave look back only to see Kiran smile and wink at me from his desk. This had been the most bizarre day, and, unfortunately, it wasn’t even the end of first hour.
Chapter Three
Once the door closed behind me, I headed straight to the nearest bathroom. Kingsley was a school for the privileged; the girl’s bathroom reflected this. The stalls, sinks and hand dryers were all made of the latest bathroom technology and porcelain, I guessed. The mixture of class and technology seemed a little strange, especially in a bathroom. Conveniently, there was a plush sitting room adjoined where I could hide my shame in private.
I plopped down on the nearest divan, pulling my knees to my chest. I rested my head in my hands and let out an audible groan. What was wrong with me?
“Ugh. What is wrong with me?” I echoed loudly.
“Is there something wrong with you?” a soft, sweet voice asked. I had forgotten all about the girl who was supposed to take me to the Nurse’s Office. I would have rather not had an audience during my impending breakdown, but it was a little late to think up an excuse now.
“It seems like it,” I looked up and gave her a small smile. She was pretty, with bright green eyes and clear, pale skin. She was shorter than me, maybe 5’6 or 5’5, and had impeccable posture; which I was sure, was a sign of her upbringing. I expected her to look back at me as if I was crazy, but to my surprise, she only looked concerned. Her forehead had creased in worried lines and her plump red lips were pressed together in a frown.
“What happened back there?” She sat down beside me and waited for an answer. At least she hadn’t tried to console me by assuring me everything was Ok. We both knew everything was not Ok. She sounded genuinely concerned though, and I was suddenly grateful not to be alone.
“I wish I knew. Sometimes I just, uh, faint,” I knew it was a weak explanation, but I didn’t think she would believe me if I told her that sometimes I felt my body turn into a giant microwave. “I am a freak show; I was kind of hoping to avoid drawing that much attention to myself today…. or like ever,” I started to laugh; this was absurd.
“I’m Lilly Mason, by the way. And I know exactly what you mean,” she thankfully didn’t ask for more of an explanation, but I was one hundred percent positive that she had no idea what I meant.
“Nice to meet you,” I said with a genuine smile. “Thank you for volunteering to help me. I know that you didn’t have to, but I would have just died if Kiran witnessed anymore of my meltdown.” I rolled my eyes, expecting her to understand.
“Oh, do you know him?” Her question caught me off guard because clearly I was new to this school.
“No, not at all. I don’t know anyone here. I ran into him in the Administration Building.”
“That’s so strange. He’s new today, too.” The worry lines reappeared on her forehead.
“Why is that strange?” I remembered that Talbott was worried about Kiran being late on his first day. But if he was new too, then why would he offer to take me to the Nurse’s Office?
“Well, Kingsley doesn’t usually allow anyone to start classes late, let alone three students in one day. I can understand Kiran Kendrick, but why did they let you in?” Her question could be taken offensively, but the way she asked it seemed only curious. Her voice was so pure; and her eyes so innocent, that I could hardly believe this girl could ever have a hurtful thought about anyone.
“I’m not sure, actually. I’m not what you would call the ideal student,” I confessed with a cynical smile, but offered no explanation to my statement. I wanted at least one friend in this place; admitting that I was practically a ticking time bomb seemed like the wrong way to make one. “You said three students, who is the other one?” “Talbott Angelo. He was sitting on the other side of you.” Lilly started blushing as soon as she said the word “Talbott.” Her cheeks turned a crimson red against the pallid tone of the rest of her skin, yet somehow it enhanced her beauty instead of diminishing it.
I gave her a slightly knowing smile. I had barely noticed Talbott, other than his size and stature, yet, Kiran’s blazing blue eyes flooded my memory. I couldn’t help but blush too, as I thought about his perfect features and the way he seemed amused at my discomfort. I should have been offended, or at least irritated, but I couldn’t blame him.
Instead of being offended, I was more embarrassed at my body’s reaction to any close approximation to him. First, I stared unabashedly; then I acted clumsy and erratic. Next I had physical reactions that no one could explain and eventually I fainted. Clearly I needed a class on how to behave in the presence of the opposite sex, which I was sure they offered here at the prim and proper prep school I now attended.
The bell rang in the hallway, and we started to gather our things. I noticed that Lilly was wearing the best of every designer imaginable, which was hard to do considering we all wore the same, plain uniform. But her book bag was designer, her shoes were designer, and what little jewelry she was wearing screamed expensive. I looked down at the backpack I had carried since junior high and laughed at its…. um…. wear and tear.
I stopped to glance at myself in the mirror. My black eyeliner was smudged in the corner of my eyes, but I didn’t bother to fix it. I probably had laid it on a little too thick to begin with; I had been in a hurry this morning. The black from the eyeliner matched the color of my dark eyes, making the white of the pupil appear almost neon. I grabbed my pink lip-gloss out of my pocket and applied it quickly, unsure of the reason behind it.
“What is your next class?” Only Lilly’s clothes screamed snob. Her demeanor and voice were so sweet that I doubted she belonged at a place like this.
“Um, Drama with Mrs. Woodsen,” I replied, looking at the class list Mrs. Truance handed me earlier.
“Oh, good, I have that too. Hopefully we’ll have most classes together,” Lilly smiled again and I could tell that she was truly happy we had the same class. I already felt relaxed now that I had a friend or at the very least someone who didn’t utterly hate me; the rest of the day didn’t seem so impossible.
We left the restroom and entered the throng of students hurrying to their next classes. We joined them, and Lilly took me through a winding hallway to a set of beautiful marble stairs, leading both up and down. The English and Arts Building of Kingsley was another red brick building, but much larger than the Administration Building.
Located on the first floor were the theater and dressing rooms; there was also a lavish foyer and an elegant, marble staircase that led up to the second and third floors. All other grade levels of English, honors or non-honors, were located on the second floor. The third floor was dedicated entirely to the Drama department.