Solana
Solana turned to the voice, she froze, seeing his panic-stricken eyes, as he failed to control his mad cycle. Struggled to stop his cycle. Suddenly, it skidded and just before it tripped, he jumped. And fell on top of Solana, hitting the wet grass.
The students nearby rushed to see the commotion and circled around them, as some gasped and hollered.
A group of students in blue letterman jackets huddled into the circle, a boy with spikey blonde hair, blue eyes said "Hey there, Idiot get off her!"
Matt manhandled him, grabbed the boy's t-shirt and flung him off Solana with his brute strength.
Matt's face softens, filled with concern. He kneeled next to Solana. Grazing his hand on her cheeks, pushing a stray hair away from her face; handled her like a fragile glassware. He tapped and gently shook her, said "Wake up! Amelia, get up"
The boy got on his feet, he whined. "Hey, it wasn't my fault. I told her to move out of the way!"
A nerve popped on his forehead, Matt tilted his chin, "Shut up Dork,"
Matt whistled, said. "Guys hold him for me"
"Hey, let go off me!!!" Two boys held him in his place, spreading his arms out.
With all the shouting, I drowsily got up, massaging my temples. 'Awh, my head'
Looked around my surroundings. I gasped, in shock.
The crowd chanted, as Matt punched the poor boy in his gut. The boy wailed in pain, through his teeth, he cursed Matt.
'What's wrong with them? Why isn't anyone stopping them?' 'I guess, I should stop them'
If I remember correctly Matt had a huge crush on the previous Solana, he had confessed many times. I'm not sure, if he is a great guy but he does care about her… though remembering the reason why she doesn't like him is because Amelia detests bullies and he is very overprotective, possessive, commanding and he sometimes takes things too seriously.'
While the crowd was focused, forgetting about Solana. The boy said "Haha… you think you are so tough. You punch like a baby…"
Before Matt's fist connected the boy's face, a hand held his arm. Softly said, behind his ear. "Matt, can you please let him go..."
They let go of the boy, he dropped, landing on his face.
Matt turned and smiled, he said "Amelia, you are, ok? wait let me take you to the clinic"
"No need, I think, I can handle myself. Thank you, Matt" I replied, sending a warm smile his way.
Matt glared at the students around us and in a domineering voice, he said "Guys, show is over. Get lost!"
"Can you guys, please keep his cycle somewhere safe?" Actually, I wanted them to carry him to the clinic but I just couldn't trust them with his wellbeing.
Matt mumbled with his head down, he nodded. They left from the scene, carrying the boy's cycle to the bicycles lot.
Pulled the boy's arm around her neck, said "Hey, Wake up! I'm not strong enough to carry you"
The boy grunted, he spat blood on the ground. And glared, his charcoal eyes tinted red. He said "Let me go"
Raised him an eyebrow, said "Well if that's what you want then..." and let go of him, he fell on his face. He grumbled, muttering some modern curses like f*** you; venting his anger on the ground. As he tried to lift himself off the ground.
Once he calmed down, he raised his head and said "I'm sorry, can you please help me?" with a sheepish grin.
"Ok" While he leaned against me, as I helped him to walk to the nearest bench, I caught a glimpse of his piercings. Internally exclaimed. 'Woah! I didn't know even boys could wear earrings in this era!'
Sitting next to him, I said "What's your name?" "Ethan" he replied, his head down. I opened my bag. I tilted my head, with a friendly smile, I said "Thirsty?" passing him a bottle of water.
Ethan hesitated and slowly took the bottle, he said "Thanks" before drinking the water.
Openly stared at his ears, while he was drinking. Ethan stopped drinking and turned away, averting from my curious eyes and he covered his ears. He placed the bottle on his place before sitting a bit further from me.
Scooted closer to him, whispered "uh, can I see them? I won't tell anyone… Please"
Ethan slowly moved his hands, his black earrings shinned in the light. I said "Why did you do this to yourself?"
Ethan said "Sometimes I too wonder why? My younger self just taught it was cool…"
"Oh, really I thought there was some kind of meaning behind it!" said, retreated my neck.
Bored, I asked "Why did you get angry when I was trying to help you?"
He shifted his head from my probing gaze "I can't answer that."
"Why?"
He raised his voice, growled "I said 'I can't'."
The air around us turned stiff, unable to take the awkward silence between us for a few seconds, I said "Are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah… I guess"
While I was internally debating whether to wait with him. Ethan said "You better get going! Don't worry about me!"
"Alright, if you say so." Taking my cue, stood on my feet and kept the bottle inside, I said "Bye then, Ethan"
With a spring in my step, I walked, heading to the school's entrance, I glanced back.
And heard him say, "Yeah. Bye" as he waved, watching my departing back.
=====
Inside the school building, Solana walked through the school halls, she was amused, taking in the sights, it felt new at the same time old.
Knowing the way to class, I walked and soon stopped in front of her class. Inside, I saw Samantha talking to a couple of girls. As I walked in, Samantha smiled and waved her hand, signalled me to sit next to her.
Sending her a friendly smile and sat on a desk, in front of her. The bell rang, a teacher entered. The students quietened down and wished the teacher Good morning.
Mr. Morris did the roll call and then passed sheets of papers to the students. He boorishly said "Alright class, this is your last week and I expect everyone to maintain their good behaviour."
"Now, I want you guys to fill in these papers and turn it in before Friday" he said, distributing the papers.
The students shouted. Mr. Morris said "Hey calm down. This isn't a test or a quiz. What I want you guys to do, is to fill in your college application with three universities of your choice and major subject or fields you want to study"
Samantha said, "Pstt, Solana so which university will you pick?" tapping my back.
University. this was the first time I heard about university, maybe it must be a specialized academy or school. I replied "I haven't decided, I'm not sure!"
"Yeah, me too… I don't understand, why should I study? When I can marry a nice rich guy and live a good life. I am too lazy for another round of studying. Full of tests, homework and exams"
"Just thinking about it gives me a headache" Samantha said, she rubbing her head.
At the same time, someone knocked, entered the class. His long messy hair was wrapped in a black beanie, hiding his charcoal eyes under those black rimmed glasses. I didn't even know he wore spectacles before.
Ethan said "Sorry Sir. I got held up in the clinic" and he showed Mr. Morris his pink slip.
"Ethan Larson, you can sit down" Ethan sat on a desk, next to me. Curious about Ethan, I turned back and asked Samantha "Who is he?"
Samantha took a glance at Ethan, playing with her strawberry blonde hair, she said "Oh him… just a classical junkie."
'Junkie? what is that?'
"What do you mean?"
"He is part of the school's musical project. You don't see him much, because most of the time he sits at the back of the class and now that I get a closer look at him… he isn't that bad"
"Wait! Are you interested in that geek? Do you like him?" Samantha said, putting on her gossip hat.
"No, I don't!" I quickly denied and looked sideways.
"Then why are you staring at him?" Samantha said, she grinned.
"No, I am not"
"Yes, you are"
Mr. Morris heard our banter; he smacked his book against his desk. 'Thud'
The class went silent. Mr. Morris frowned, said "Samantha, Solana, is there anything you want to discuss with the class?"
The students' attention fell on us. Nervously looked at my shoes.
"No, sir" we both said at the same time.
From a corner of my sight, Ethan covered his mouth, muffling his laugh.
==
Three periods later,
On the way to my locker, I paused. Suddenly, I started breathing heavily, it my heart quickened when I saw Cameron... opposite the hallway.
'Damn it! Why did it have to be him?' I groaned.
He was talking to his buddies. 'ahh come on leave please leave'
I hid my face behind the locker, waiting for them to leave. As they passed me, I quietly walked on my toes. Before Cameron went inside, he suddenly turned back.
Dumfounded, Cameron stared at me with his mouth open.
Feeling his intense eyes, I squealed. "What a pervert!!!"
Cameron said "Wait Amelia. Wait! Your shirt is short…"
I blushed in shame, as he saw a strip belly and a waistband of my red knickers 'I didn't notice the shirt was short. Damn it he saw it, now how will I get married now?' pulled my gym pants up and covered my open belly. And wailed, running as fast as I could.
Somewhere in the school corridor, I stopped and panted, hands on my knees.
'Where am I?' 'Looks like I will be late for class'
Tried to find my way back. Heard a smooth, muffled sound. I walked closer to the sound, it eventually got louder and more vibrant. Resting my ear against the door.
She heard the silvery violin, short and sharp strokes. I softly hummed to the tune.
Overwhelmed with curiosity, wanted to peek in, through the door's window. Before I could.
A very nosey potbelly teacher, Mrs. Krump shouted "Solana, what are you doing here?"
I jerked and hit my head against the door, I groaned in pain. The music behind the door stopped. Mrs. Krump flared her fat nostrils, fat as a pig's snout and roughly grabbed my hand.
Mrs. Krump adjusted her red spectacles. She said "Don't you have sports right now?"
"Yes Ma'am"
Mrs. Krump's head was full of assumptions, she said "Were you trying to bunk the class? Well done young lady, today you have earned yourself a trip to the principal's office"
"Wait Ma'am!! Noo!!!"
While she dragged Solana to the principal's office. Behind the door, the same charcoal eyes sparkled through the window, he chortled.
===
The bell rang, it was the last period. Well not exactly the last, since it was the last week of school, it ended earlier than usual. Mrs. Krump made quite a big fuss in the principal's office. It was a good thing the principal, Mr. Peterson was an easy going. I was let off in the end, with just a warning.
Too bad, I wasn't able to find out who played that beautiful piece. Even though it's her fault for assuming things, she reminds me a lot of the old maids back home.
Mrs. Krump is just bitter, maybe she just had a pretty rough day.
I was walking out of the school building, humming to myself. Out of the blue, Matt appeared and cornered me.
Trying to act cool, he pushed his wet hair back and said "Amelia.."
Nervously, he put his hands in his pocket. I didn't want everyone calling me 'Amelia' so I corrected him and said "It's Solana"
Matt said "Yeah, Solana... what I want to say is..."
"Yeah" I impatiently looked around, waiting for him.
Sensing my annoyance, Matt said "I was wondering If you would like to play video games with me? At my house"
I just nodded and absent-mindedly said "Yes.. yes"
Matt's eyes widened and held his head, he said "Wait! Are you serious? for real... Haha"
"Yes, Yes" He pumped his fist in the air, like he won the Superbowl.
He seems kinda cute... haha.
Matt heard me laughing, his face turned red.
I said "And?"
"Yeah" he said.
I smacked my forehead and said "What time should I come over then?"
"Oh, sorry maybe sixish or six thirty tomorrow" Matt said.
"Ok, see you tomorrow" I said, started walking.
"Solana, wait" Matt said.
My hair swished, as I tilted my head, looking back and said "Yeah"
"Can I have your number?" Matt said.
"Sure" I said and passed him my number. He seemed so happy, with the excitement of a little kid, he ran and shouted to friends. "She said Yess"
I laughed at his cute reaction.
Waiting under the tree, I watched the driveway, trying to find Dad's car among them.
A matte black BMW car, tinted windows suddenly stopped in front of me. The window went down, a hand signalled me...
I wasn't sure, if he specifically wanted me. I walked towards the car and saw his smirk behind the dark glass, it was awfully familiar. As the window rolled down, a cool air brushed against my face, I sighed contently.
The window slowly went down, the stereo played in the background, I heard his playful voice.
"How are doing, baby? need a lift"
Surprised, I leaned in and said. "Aaron, what are you doing here?"
"Didn't you hear? I am here to pick you up" Aaron said, he took my hand.
"Wait, what about my Dad?"
"Screw, that old man. Come with me" he commanded me.
"Wait" Not taking no for an answer, he pulled me through the window. In a second, he pushed me into the passenger seat and tightened my seatbelt. He shifted the gears, pressing the accelerator, the engine roared and the tires skidded. Speeding out of the driveway.
Assaulted by the sudden speed, I dig my nails into the seat. He chuckled at my plight.
"Aaron, can you slow down? AARON AARON" screaming at the top of my lungs. Finding it amusing, he smirked. He dangerously steered and drifting past the cars in the highway.