I don't know what I prefer, being the talk of the school, or being a complete utter nobody. Everywhere I go, I hear people whispering about God knows what about me.
"Senorita!" I heard a very familiar voice yell. I saw Carl strutting down the halls. He scooped me into a big hug which caught me by surprise.
"Nice to see you too Carl."
"Of course you're happy to see me. Why am I just seeing you for the first time today? Don't we have any classes together? That wouldn't be nice." He rambled. I shook my head.
"I don't know. What about Mike and Kevin?"
"They're probably off doing punishment worthy things. Hey, you look great in uniform." I smiled sheepishly at him.
"Thanks Carl. Could you help me to find my next class?"
"For you, I'd dig out diamonds." Carl was really a sweet talker. His words were enough to make a girl swoon. "Which class is it?"
"Biology." Carl made a face like he was shuddering.
"That's horrible. It's right this way." He guided me through the halls, telling me something's I should know about Hawthorne. For example, on Tuesdays only spicy meals are served. So students who hate spicy food have to skip lunch or bring theirs along.
"That is a weird tradition." I uttered. Carl nodded languidly.
"Yeah, but we met it and we shall continue with it. Hope you like spiciness."
"I don't hate it. But I do have a limit."
"Everyone of us has a limited Senorita." We then arrived in front of an empty class. Immediately we got here, the bell rang.
"Welcome to the class of death." His voice was low but I could hear the detest in his voice. I furrowed my eyebrows deeply.
"You don't like Biology, right?" He then pulled me aside. I stared at him curiously, wondering what he had to say.
"Imagine a beautiful woman standing at one end and at the other end is the devil. Both of them are calling to me."
"Weird comparison, but continue."
"The woman is biology and the devil, Is well…the devil." I saw a few students filling in.
"Carl, I don't see…"
"I'd rather choose the devil." He said. My mouth fell open, as I tried to comprehend his words.
"Really?!"
"I wouldn't think twice Emily. The horrors Biology has shown me is unforgivable." He said. I laughed, hard. Carl had a look of confusion on his face.
"What horrors Carl? Biology is all about life and most importantly, your body." I poked his arm and he groaned.
"You won't understand. But unfortunately, I still have to suffer for a year more."
"If you say so. Bye Carl." I then entered the class and sat at the back.
'I just hope the teacher won't be like Mr Smith' I thought. Then, a female teacher walked in. She looked like she was in her late forties. She strolled in and dropped a ginormous book onto her desk.
"Welcome to the new term class. I am Mrs Perkins, and I'll be your substitute teacher." She sounded American.
Hushed whispers filled the air. Her eyes glanced around the class until they fell on an empty seat that was next to me.
"Is someone missing?" She shrugged and turned to the board. Unfortunately, I didn't know anyone here, so I just stuck to myself. I tried not to utter a single word so I buried my head between a large book.
"Ah, someone was indeed missing. Please try not to be late again, young man." Whoever she was talking to walked around the class and sat on the only empty seat, which was next to me.
I didn't look up to see who it was, I just kept my nose buried in the page which contained notes of the peripheral system.
"If you stick your nose any further, you won't be able to breathe." I heard a very familiar smooth voice say. I pulled away from my book to look at Shawn, his scrutinising gaze never leaving me.
"I can't suffocate from a book Anderson." I mumbled. He shrugged slightly.
"Are you sure about that?"
He was right in a way. I literally stuck my whole head into the book, pressing my nostrils against the pages. I just didn't want anyone to recognize me. But somehow, this handsome jerk still recognized me. Even though the book was wide enough to cover my entire face.
"Why are you late?" I enquired.
"Why are you trying to kill yourself with a book?" He retorted. I let out a sigh.
"You know that wasn't what I was doing."
"One can never know. You seem to be coping well." I nodded slightly.
"It's not like I have a choice."
"Alright, open your textbooks to page 205."
"You didn't bring any book?" I asked.
"I'm not always thrilled to be here."
"Don't tell me you also hate biology like Carl?" He gave me a small smile.
"I don't hate it, I just don't like being in it."
"But you have no choice." I concluded. What's with them and hating biology?
"Exactly." He replied with a sigh. I opened my book to the specified page.
"Is it biology that you hate or school itself?" I asked curiously. Shawn chuckled ever so lightly.
"Do you see me as a guy who has bad grades?"
"No, I don't." I didn't see Shawn or Carl that way, but I might have thought of it.
"I just don't click with biology Iike you do."
'What those he mean by that?' I wondered.
"And how do you know I 'click' with biology." I asked while stressing the word click.
"I've told you this Emily, you're like that book, so many things hidden between, but can be opened and read immediately."
'I remember when he said that. God I do not want to remember that day.' It was about a month ago. Remembering what happened made heat rise to my cheeks.
When class finally ended, it was time for lunch. I packed up my books and headed out of the class.
"That was much more tolerable than normal"
"Because of the substitute teacher?"
"No, because of you." He then faced me.
"You know you have to pass biology in order to graduate." I informed him. He gave me a look like he wasn't aware of this.
"Looks like I have to do something about it." He stared thoughtfully at me.
"Be my tutor?" He asked.
"What?"
"I know you heard me, new blood." Of course I heard him. But why would he want me to be his tutor? He could literally choose anyone better.
"Why me?"
"Cause you're the only one I can tolerate." Was he serious? But he looked serious
"Are you going to make my life a living hell?"
"No.."
"Will you cooperate with me and be respectful?" An amused laugh broke from his lips
"I'll try to cooperate, but I can't promise to be respectful. Unfortunately I wasn't born that way." I shook my head wearily.
"Are you done setting your conditions, new blood?"
"No." I thought deeply for a while before saying.
"Stop calling me new blood. It sounds weird." Shawn's smile never faded.
"Alright, is that all?" I nodded slowly.
"Great, let's go gorgeous." He pulled my hand but then what he called me finally clicked. I removed my hand from his.
"Gorgeous?!" I exclaimed. He tilted his head slightly.
"You said I shouldn't call you new blood, didn't you?"
"Y-yes, but…"
"I'll only call you by what you truly are, gorgeous. Or which do you prefer?"
"Whatever." I muttered.
"Exactly." He strolled off. His walk was provoking!
'I hate him. I seriously hate him!'