I woke up to my alarm clock. I looked over to read the familiar 4:30 AM staring me in the face. I slowly pulled the covers off my body shivering as I did so. I walked into my bathroom through the dark I knew my room well. I switched the flip on gently and let my eyes adjust to the light. My eyes wondered idly around the familiar setting. My bathrooms white walls were always bright in the morning. My double vanity sink was too large for one person but my parents insisted I have only the best. I turned on my ihome and let the light music float within the walls of my bathroom. I walked over to the glass shower and reached for the hot dial and watched as the water started to pour. As I waited for the water to heat I pulled the braids out of my long blonde hair and watch it fall down to near my waist. It was, as always, pin straight. I slipped out of my silk night gown and placed it softly onto the hook on the wall. I retrieved one of the freshly laundered towels from the shelves and draped it over my shower. Once in the shower I let the hot water sooth me and take me far away from this place I only called home. It was in many ways a mere hotel, only I stayed free of charge. That was probably the main difference. I couldn’t delay ending my shower any longer as I had already surpassed the time I usually spend on this portion of my morning.
I wrapped the towel around my body and stepped carefully onto the matt placed in front of my shower. I dried my body, but became distracted as I watched myself in the mirror. Even wet, my blonde almost white hair didn’t darken much. My translucent pale skin mocked me. I examined my icy blue eyes; they stared back at me telling me everything I already knew. My small frame looked out of place in this vast bathroom. I looked so utterly ordinary, why would anyone ever bother to notice me why should they.
Today was my first day of high school for the third time. Apparently this move was for good but that’s what my parents always said. I never trusted what they said; I hadn’t for a long time. I looked at the clock, it was only 5:15 I had plenty of time. I took out my hair dryer from the cabinet and began drying my hair. I did this merely out of habit, my hair would dry straight blow drying it was not necessary, I just didn’t happen to be found of having my wet hair hanging down my back. A half hour later my hair was dry. I pulled on my bath robe and went back into my room. A harsh knock came from my door. I turned on my light and called,
“Yes”
“Your juice miss” our butler called. Yes we had a butler, but to me he was much more. He was more a parent than my own two parents had actually been. I confided in him and no one else. My parents mistook that as me, just being a cheerfully easy to handle daughter, which they assumed had everything to do with how they brought me up. I laughed a little at the thought.
“Come in Alfred, and please how many times with this miss business, you didn’t refer to me that way when I was younger” I said I told him this every morning but every morning he started out with a “miss”, and always he just chuckled.
“So are we ready for another first day Liberty?”
“No” came my unchanging answer.
“Oh come now it will be wonderful” he always had a positive outlook on nearly everything and I always wondered what exactly had made him to be this way. When I was little he would tell me tales from his youth to entertain me, but these stories became rarer as the time had gone on. I have always marveled at the mystery that is my Alfred.
“Why must I go through this again?” I asked knowing he would put a positive spin on my outlook on life at least for a while.
“Life has many obstacles, the sooner you learn to face them and embrace them with joy or at least positively” he changed his wording at a glance of my face “the better off you will be when you my age” he laughed as left the room.
I sipped my juice, ugh, my face contorted in disgust as every morning before. I don’t think I could ever take my mother’s forced protein shakes with a positive attitude even Alfred dreaded the smell of them.
I walked into my closet looking at the rows of name brand my mother stocked it with. I spotted a casual sun dress that would hug my tiny frame in that “right way” my mother always referred to but I never saw what she meant it was a dress, that’s all. I had to admit for just a dress it was nice. I couldn’t say my mother didn’t have nice tastes I just wasn’t necessarily interested in sharing them. Most girls would envy this of me but if it were up to me I would let them have her. I shouldn’t think that, it’s a horrible thought I knew she had the best intentions for me.
I put on my favorite lacey pink lingerie, one of the only things I owned of my own picking. I am generally not picky about these things but I had acquired this set without my mother’s knowledge and it was my small rebellion. One that was harmless but still made me feel as if I did have some small control over my own life.
I slipped the black and white dress over my head. It was a white dress with a black print. It gathered under the under the bust line and was continually tight around until it reached my waist where it flared out slightly. It was very vintage and I could wear it with my converse. I smiled at the thought, my mother hated when I dressed my outfit down by wearing the most “inappropriate” shoe choice, and then she would proceed to curse the day she agreed to buy the sneakers in the first place. I slipped my cold feet into a little pair of warm socks that barely came just below the ankle and then continued to slide my feet into my sneakers.
I walked back into my room giving the clock another once over and it read 6:58. I went to my bathroom to brush my teeth and rinsed the taste from that awful shake out of my mouth. If she had accomplished nothing else with those shakes I had at least learnt always brushed my teeth after I drank them. I pulled a simple silk black ribbon from my drawer and made it into a head band leaving a small bow on the top of my head. It looked rather juvenile even to me, but I liked it and left it in. I brushed my lashes lightly with mascara and stoked each check ever so slightly with a tad of blush. One plus was I never had to deal with any skin problems, this was all the makeup I ever used. My skin was near flawless but it didn’t help my case any, I still looked regrettably unoriginal and average, but what did it matter, no one would stop long enough to look.
I gave myself a once over in my mirror and my eyes stopped on the silver heart locket that hung around my neck. My hand reached instinctively for it. No that’s a story for another day. There was nothing more I could do to improve myself appearance not that I truly cared to spend any more time on it.
I opened my car door, a silver convertible BMW. A “sorry we moved again and screwed up your life” present from my parents. Again this was far more extravagant than I needed or wanted but when had that mattered?
I pulled into the seemingly small school as I parked I realized this was only part of the campus, I was going to be miserably lost all day, I could already tell. I slowly emerged from my car and walked to the administrative area to get my schedule.
1st hour: Calc room 102 Mrs. Sherich
2nd hour: AP US history room 305 Mr. Steere
3rd hour: AP English room 204 Ms. Evans
4th hour: Anatomy and Physiology
LUNCH
5th hour: Choir room 512 Mr. Hannah
6th hour: AP Spanish room 111 Ms. Pence
7th hour: Art room 215 Mr. Dale
I studied my schedule for a long minute before heading to my first hour math, great. I looked around and saw the one hundreds across the park area and head towards where I assumed to be my first class.
I finally reached the right class and found an empty desk where I could blend in and pretend not to exist or at least not be in anybody’s way. The class began to fill and though I was trying my best to be invisible it wasn’t working perhaps they didn’t have many new students here. Lingered stares and whispers came from all directions but I pretended not to notice and went about doodling on my notebook. Class started and I began to listen but noting that the stares and whispers still continued. I took notes and worked the problems she gave us in class so I wouldn’t have home work and there wasn’t really anything else to do since I knew no one and there was no point in talking to myself.
The bell rang, I swiftly but softly put my things in my bag gently slung it onto my right shoulder and left the room. I walked to my next class doubtfully but I never showed a moment’s hesitation and walked luckily in the right direction for my AP history class. My eyes were scanning for my class room when they were caught by a pair of jade green eyes. I let my vision un-focus and take in the bigger picture. A boy was staring at me, today this didn’t seem uncommon but something felt different. An Electric shock swelled inside me. I looked down embarrassed as the heat in my cheeks rose, but why? I had done nothing wrong. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to look up again. I looked at my feet making sure they were still working one foot in front of the other; it took real effort not to look back once I felt sure I had passed him. I made it to my APUSH class just as the bell rang.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence…” she waited for me to supply my name.
“Liberty” and a couple kids chuckled, I knew my name was uncommon, and sometimes it caused that reaction. “Sorry I am new I was lost” I explained and her expression softened.
“It’s ok but let’s try not to make this a habit” she smiled and I was grateful she seemed to understand.
“Yes ma’am” I answered smiling. I took the only spot open in between a girl who looked like she was a cheerleader, and a boy who looked like he could care less if he was here or not. The girl smiled warmly at me and I smiled back brightly her acknowledge meant was nice.
Finally lunch rolled around and the girl who I sat next to in APUSH came up to me and introduced herself.
“Hi I am Amber” she offered
“Hi I’m-” I started only to have her finish my sentence.
“Liberty yes I know everyone does silly” she giggled.
“Right” I smiled making note of that. She led me to a table where many of her friends sat starring as we made our way over. It made me uncomfortable to have all these people’s eyes on me. In the past the schools I switched to and from were fairly large so my addition would go seemingly unnoticed.
“Hey guy’s this is Liberty, that’s Ashton” she pointed to the girl on the right of us and I smiled at her “that’s Luke and this is Madison” she finished going around the small circle. I would most likely not remember their names but I would try. Remembering things was not an easy feat for me.
“Hey” said Luke. He looked like a nice boy. His short spiked blonde hair was messy but cute. He wore a worn faded green T-shirt and white washed denim jeans.
“Hi” I smiled taking him in. I looked to Madison, the girl who sat beside him. Her eyes made me think she had a little crush on Luke, I tried picturing these strangers together in my head and realized it made me no difference I didn’t know either of them at all.
Madison was tall and lean, in a very elegant way. She had a rich brown hair that was not quite curly but a tad more than just wavy. Her hair matched the brown in her eyes nicely. Her slender body fit perfectly with her narrow face. All in all a very beautiful girl, they all were. Ashton the other girl had short red hair it was straight and rather choppy but she styled it the right way. Her body was more, curvy, filled out, than the other two girls.
I took a seat in between Luke and Amber. Amber chatted away about the latest scandal, but as hard as I tried I could not make myself care so I faked a switch between my horror struck and shock faces. I never have been a good actress but apparently I could fool these girls. I began to feel extremely uncomfortable as Luke started looking me up and down continuously.
I am not sure what it was on my face that gave me away to this stranger but I am glad it did. I was sitting there contemplating different ways to excuse myself without being rude. These girls had been very kind to me today. Right as I was thinking this a very attractive boy came and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Liberty is that you?” he asked in false surprise. He winked at me quickly telling me to play along.
“Hey” I said enthusiastically, but it sounded a little off.
“It’s been a while why didn’t you tell me you moved?” he asked still faking his shock but it sounded real to me.
“Oh just really busy getting settled and all that” I answered trying to think on my feet I was a miserable liar but I was hoping no would know me well enough yet to notice.
“You guy’s wouldn’t mind if I stole Libs away for a little while so we could catch up would you?” he asked the table, their reactions were probably the most comical thing out the whole ordeal. They numbly nodded their heads and Luke just sat their unmoving.
“Thanks” I said as I stood up to go. The boy I realized at that point was the one I had seen earlier. I couldn’t help as a small blush crossed my face as we left. Once outside he spoke.
“You are a terrible liar” he laughed.
“Yes” I agreed knowing it was true I looked at my feet again unsure where else to look. “Thank you by the way” I said now remembering he had been the one to save me from Luke’s glances.
“Well you didn’t look like you enjoying yourself to much back there” he assumed
“I would have fine” I lied
“Terrible liar” he countered.
“Alright maybe I was a little uncomfortable what’s it to you?” I asked back a little too aggressively.
“I am not sure” he muttered. Again I blushed and looked down to my feet I had been too harsh.
“Sorry” I whispered
“For what?” he asked looking puzzled.
“Snapping at you, you helped me I shouldn’t have been so rude” I apologized.
“Think nothing of it” he laughed “Let’s start over, hi I am Conner” he said and I looked up.
“Liberty” I said weakly, and I smiled to him.
“I know” he said, but his tone was gentle and kind. “So what was wrong back there you seemed terrified” he asked.
“I am not found of the attention especially not Luke’s” I said softly.
“Hmm that’s new” he chuckled “I like your shoes too” he added as I realized I was starring at them again. I blushed and looked up. “You’re too easy” he chuckled again and the heat in my cheeks burned brighter. “To make blush I mean” he laughed.
“I am glad you find me so amusing, but I better get to class, thanks for your help” I said lightly and walked away swiftly in a random direction hoping it was the right way for my next class.
The rest of the day was uneventful and routine. No class was all together to dreadful and none of the instructors too mean. I found myself to my dismay letting my mind wonder to Conner. Something about him I just couldn’t figure out why I was so intrigued with him, though I had no business being interested in him. He was in a different world. I saw him a few times throughout the day, he and couple of his friends were walking around joking and having a jolly time. At one point I saw him greet a girl, who was about as beautiful as he was, warmly and walk her to class. He was in world of his own filled with amazingly beautiful and interesting people why would he ever need to talk to me again?
I decided to stay late in the art studio to work on my drawing, I was very behind they had started the project weeks ago. I didn’t have point class for two hours anyway. I started working and soon I was immersed in my work. I didn’t hear the door open as I sketched a new line. Suddenly I was chilled and looked up startled to find Conner watching me, I was so surprised I nearly fell out of my seat.
“Oh!” I said shocked beyond the point of words, as I sat myself upright again blushing at my near catastrophe. Conner just laughed.
“I didn’t know you were an art student” he said after a moment. I shook my head yes unable to form words with my mouth.
“Not much of talker are you?” He asked smiling “Or just shy perhaps?” he questioned farther.
“The latter” I responded.
“That certainly is unusual, I don’t think I have every met anyone who has said as few words to me as you have” he said still smiling and again red stained my cheeks. I looked at the clock and realized how much time had slipped away,
“Oh shoot” I muttered to myself.
“What?” Conner asked, I hadn’t thought I had said anything loud enough to be heard.
“Oh nothing I just didn’t realize the time and now I am sure to be late to my point class” I spoke quickly hoping he would give up this one sided discussion he had been having. I walked quickly into the bathroom with my bag and changed into my leotard and tights. When I walked back out Conner was still there and now he was staring at me. I blushed
“What?” I asked unsure of why his look was so lingering.
“Nothing” he rearranged his features and smiled.
“It was nice to see you” I smiled as I left the room and walked to my car. Not two seconds later he had caught up with me matching my pace easily.
“I wasn’t through talking to you” he teased.
“Sorry” I apologized smilingly, “But I am going to be late” I finished as we reached my car. I popped the trunk open and set my school bags in it. Conner had stopped at
the sight of my car.
“Nice car” he muttered.
“A gift, a little extravagant for me though” I sighed. “Bye” I said as I shut my door and drove away leaving an aw struck Conner behind.
