The class was getting noisier as the clock's hands made its way to 12:00.
¨ring¨
-Shit. Everyone gathered up their things quickly and made a run for the door I guess that in some ways American school is similar to home but that doesn't mean that I appreciated everything that happened back at home and this is one of those things, lunch. Lunch back at home is a common time where if you were not careful enough or just stupid enough to anger someone who is known for being violent to get your world absolutely rocked. From what I learned yesterday here in America well, at least here at my school they take getting your world rocked by a different approach as in emotional drama which is just as annoying. Yesterday a girl ran out crying after slapping her friend for dating her ex calling her a backstabbing bitch. And some guys were just talking about how much they liked some girl and were trying to concoct a plan on how to break it to their current girlfriend that they just don't feel the same anymore. Like what happened to just being friends with people especially since everyone including myself is just not ready nor mature enough to understand the commitment of having a partner. It was the first day and this is what I concluded about middle school relationships. oh boy I wonder how the year will turn out.
The cafeteria was noisy like the day before and just as chaotic I sat down at an empty table near the door. on the lid of my dosirak I read the note from mom.¨Cheer up it's only the second day.¨ Hugh she should try coming to this school. I huffed
¨You're the new kid aren't you?¨
I jumped backwards hitting my foot on the table.
¨Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you¨ they quickly apologized. ¨Are you hurt?¨
¨It's all good, I'm oK.¨ I reassured her as I rubbed my foot ¨넌 나에게서 겁을 먹었을 뿐이야¨
¨Sorry I didn't mean to scare the living shit out of you.¨
I looked up and saw a girl with olive skin long ginger hair and blue eyes that were slightly slanted not as much as mine but it was still noticeable. ¨You underst-stood that?¨ I could hear the excitement in my own voice.
¨I think I did.¨She sounded unsure of herself. ¨I'm not fluent in the language but my parents are. My Dad more than my Mom. I´m Alani.¨
¨Alani, Isn't that a Hawai-Hawai.¨-
¨Hawaiian name. Yes¨
¨I don't underst-stand¨
Ï'll explain, umm but first may I sit with you?.¨
I forgot that she was still standing so I quickly nodded in response she sat down and set her lunch tray on the table.
¨My grandmother is Hawaiian and my grandfather is from Ireland My Mom inherited my grandmother's black hair but I inherited my grandfather's ginger hair. and you can probably already guess for my dad.¨
I nodded
¨Hey you met Alani. I was wondering when you guys would bump into each other?¨ Elliot said as he sat down on the other side of me. ¨Now tell me was it by chance or did she shamelessly walk up to you?¨
¨Oh be quiet¨ she stood up and raised her hand Eliot crossing his hands over his head in his defense while he tried to stifle his laughs.
god It feels so uncomfortable to be sandwiched in between there little dispute. I feel like I can breath again the moment they sit back down.
¨You knew that I had to meet him when you told me where he was from. And lets be honest he wouldn't walk up to me and you know I'm to impatient to let it casually happen.¨ Alani folded her arms.
Eliot just shook his head as he chuckled. ¨Sorry jae this conversation probably is making you uncomfortable.¨
probably, it is making me feel uncomfortable.
¨Oh crap we should probably start eating we only have eight minutes left.¨ Alani said opening her carton of milk.
Another thing that I was not used to the length of this school's lunch break it seemed to end as soon as it starts. My friend Ji-Ho would hate this she probably couldn't go from a hour lunch break to a fifteen minute one.
,Eliot gave me a slight nudge to the shoulder pulling me out of my thoughts.
¨You should probably start eating unless you want to go back and learn on an empty stomach.¨
I opened the lid of my dosirak revealing gimbap, banchang and a salad consisting a mixture of different vegetables.
¨Now that's lunch. Alani how come you don't bring something like this to school, ¨ asked Eliot.
¨Well I used to it's just that...¨
¨You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.¨
¨No It's just that¨
-¨It's Just that.¨
¨She just realized how fucking weird it made her look bringing soup to school in a box.¨
we all turned around to the noise behind us.
It was sam. Why am I not surprised. I'm about done with his shit.
¨ Yo, what the fuck is your deal .¨ Eliot was up fists clenched at his sides .
I've seen this to many times before and knew exactly how everything was going to play out if sam did not shut up he'd get his shit rocked the way I´m used to. All of a sudden I could hear deep shallow breathing I looked beside me shit. it was Alani she was shaking and crying. I grabbed her by the shoulders, ¨Are you okay,¨ and almost in an instance Eliot came rushing to Alani.
¨I need to get out of here" her voice breaking.
He took her hand and tried to calm her down "Breath your going to be fine. I'm going to get you outta here but you need to try to calm down.''
She nodded as she tried taking deep breaths but she always cut short. Eliot then rushed her through the door.
as I stand there staring at he exit door still trying to grasp what happened it all just happened so fast. I can hear the buzzing of the other students and I could feel the stare of thousands of eyes pointed in my direction.
"See guys. This is why girls are over dramatic. It's because they're so emotional."
I felt my face flinch and the grip of my fists tighten "That's it ." I turned around ready to throw a punch but when sam was finally in sight he was laying on the ground another boy holding him by the collar.
huh what is going on. Can the world not stay still for five seconds. Moments later a couple of staff members tried prying the kid off Sam but he wouldn't let go he just kept throwing punches. Finally when he felt like he was done he stopped. He then looked at me straight dead in the eye . I felt chills go down my spine.
"Unbelievable it's only the second day." It was the staff member from earlier. "You," he pointed at the boy "And you." he was pointing at me. Wait why is he pointing at me?
" To the office now!"