I looked up and saw her. She was different, just as I had predicted. She was everything I'd always hoped for—a heartbeat. Her eyes were scarlet red, like rays of the sun. Her long, straight hair was jet black, almost unnaturally so. Her skin appeared dry, I could tell it would be smooth to the touch. And her smile… The delicate curve of her chin was mesmerizing. Her full lower lip was a shade of caramel latte.
She was probably around 5'8". She wore a skort paired with black stockings that reached her knees and a black turtleneck that covered her arms. On her feet were rugged black Doc Martens, and her hands were adorned with half-palm gloves.
The boys in the class stared at her, wide-eyed. I wished I could pluck their eyes out and shove them into their mouths. Mr. Patrick directed her to a seat in the fourth row on the right. The first seat was vacant, and she sat down next to Jina, a goth by nature.
Classes resumed, but I couldn't stop staring at her. Hours passed, and all I did was stare. What's wrong with me? She's way out of your league, I thought to myself. Yet, I couldn't stop. I felt a heavy nudge against my chair.
"Stop looking at her, asshole. Freaking weirdo," Jack said with a chuckle.
The idiot was also staring at her like she was candy, yet here he was, lecturing me. Freaking idiot, I cursed inwardly but didn't dare say it aloud.
Suddenly, she glanced in my direction. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, like diamonds catching the light. She smiled at me briefly before turning her attention back to the board.
My heartbeat quickened so much. God, I need to calm down. I fidgeted with my glasses and tried to focus on the board.
Class was over, and I went to my locker to grab some of my books for studying. Students walked past me, heading home. Home doesn't feel like home anymore. I love my dad, but sometimes I feel like he isn't really with me. I was about to leave when I saw her walking in my direction. I felt petrified, and my nerdy instincts kicked in, so I pushed my head towards the locker as though I was searching for something. I could hear her footsteps getting closer, and then she stopped two lockers away from me. What the hell am I doing? Jaze, be a man and at least don't act like a weirdo. I took a deep breath and banged the locker. She looked at me, startled at first, then smiled at me. I was about to speak when I saw Jack run towards her and grab her hand. I quickly turned around and knelt on one knee, pretending to tie my shoe, which was already tied.
"Hey, I just spoke to a couple of friends, and we're having a welcome party for you," Jack said, shooting a glance at me. Like I said, I could tell when someone's aura shifts.
"Thanks, let's go," she replied. Her voice was ever so mystical and soft. I continued pretending to tie my shoes when Jack hit me hard on the back with his shoe.
"Get out of the way, douchebag. Ha!" The bloody idiot yelled between chuckles and off he went with the strange girl. I was still on the floor, clutching my back. My glasses had been dislodged from the push, so I fixed them properly. I stood up and squinted my eyes. Jack turned around with a smirk, but I saw something quite unnerving and eerie. His canine tooth had grown into a fang, and I could feel the sunlight shift its ambiance. I shut my eyes immediately, almost petrified by what I had just seen. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
"What the hell was that?" I muttered under my breath, unable to process what I had just seen. I picked up my backpack and ran out through the same exit she had gone through, heading home. I shot a few glances back to make sure no one was following me.
When I arrived home, Dad was coming back from work. He had his usual solemn look, but still appeared energetic.
"Hey, Jaze. How was school today?" Dad asked while sitting on the sofa and removing his shoes.
"It was great, Dad. Someone new transferred to our school," I replied as I climbed the stairs to my room.
"Who? A girl?" Dad asked. It had been a long time since he took an interest in what I did, but now he seemed interested.
"Yes, Dad, a girl. I've got to study now," I said.
"Oh yeah, go ahead. I, um... I'll prepare dinner."
"Okay, Dad," I responded with a smile and headed to my room.
I lay on my bed and closed my eyes. I just couldn't help it. I visualized her in my head. As I mentioned before, my memory of people and places stays vivid, and it's impossible for me to forget any detail. I don't understand why I can remember people's faces and places so well; I can recall every last place I've been to and every person I've met since I was five. Despite my impressive memory, I was still average in my studies.
Now, I know "weird" isn't a word a nerd should be scared of, but this ability of mine freaks me out a little. I've never told anyone about this—not even my dad. The cancer, my ability, Mom's passing... they were like a mystery I couldn't solve, no matter how hard I tried. But their effects on my life were evident.
I could see the strange girl standing close to me. Her eyes were ever so mystical, scarlet red, her paramour lips, and the edge of her smile. I wondered why she wore gloves, even though it was summer. I reached out to touch her face when I suddenly woke up. I could feel the pendant I wore on my neck glistening. The pain had returned. I crouched in my bed and held onto the pendant. The soothing warmth of a strange sensation coursed through my body, and I felt the pain slowly leave. I breathed in and out, slightly exhausted.