CHAPTER 3- COULD THIS DAY GET ANY WORSE?

As soon as the stout looking middle-aged man walked in, the silence that followed was deafening. It is one of those moments I call "pin drop silence."

I could sense the tension that seeped into class like an unseen mystical force stumbled into the class by accident.

"A pleasant afternoon fellas, I'm Dr. Eric and you all know I'd be taking the Literature class," he said, suddenly breaking the silence like an athlete wiping sweat off his brows.

"Good afternoon sir," the class bellowed in unison.

"In our introductory class for this semester, we're on to the literary works of William Shakespeare. At the end of this academic year, we should have role played three major works of Shakespeare on stage. This means no slacking." He kept talking and idolizing Shakespeare and his astute literary prowess.

I was trying really hard to follow as he was speaking with a big lisp that made most of his words inaudible.

I glanced intuitively at Skye's seat and I found him dozing off a few times and a rather loud giggle escaped my mouth before I could stop it.

The man stopped talking instantaneously and all eyes darted in my direction while Skye jerked awake.

"Who made that sound?" He fumed, as his nostrils flared.

Seeing no means of escape, I stood up timidly with forty pair of eyes shooting me a mixture of angry, pitiful and wicked glances.

"I did?" I replied almost breaking into tears, as I hated stealing the spotlight for a rather unpleasant action.

"You did? Are you asking me or making a fool of me?" He was almost going to combust from frowning too much. I was about to explain myself but he walked me out of his class, not after emphasizing on how untrained and uncultured I am.

Skye felt close to a seizure because I could see how bulgy his eyes were looking from the corner of my eyes and I felt even worse because I knew he was dying to help me escape the numerous eyes on me.

"I'm sorry sir," I said when I was leaving the class. Not very long after the drama that ensued in the Literature class, the bell rang indicating the commencement of the free "Art" class.

I found out it was due to the fact that Mrs. Robinson gave birth and the management asked her to take a maternity leave pending when she can resume teaching again.

"Hey, I'm so sorry about Dr. Eric's behaviour today." Skye apologized and I began to feel rather uncomfortable. I saw a group of girls in skimpy uniforms and pom poms approach us with giant strides pushing everyone out of their way.

"I want to call my mum, excuse me." I regretted the excuse as soon as I said them because, it made me feel like I was scared of them or something.

"Hey, why have you suddenly turned so cold? Is something wrong? Was it something I did or said?" Skye kept flooding me with questions in a bid to find out why I was suddenly acting aloof out of the blue.

Just then, the pom pom squad arrived. Shoving me aside rather hastily, the blonde haired girl was all over Skye, hands everywhere and planting sloppy kisses on his lips, clearly marking her territory.

"Hey boyfriend, I didn't know you had company," she said maliciously, sizing me up with her perfectly outlined mascara lined eyes that spat "stay away, he's taken."

Skye clearly irritated said curtly, "Jess that is a very mean way to talk to someone who has done nothing wrong to warrant such unscrupulous behaviour from you."

I felt my legs sinking beneath me; I took all the composure I could get to remain on my feet.

"I am sorry Jess; I didn't mean to take Skye off your radar today. He was just being nice enough to help a new student, transfer student precisely (*this I said with the quote unquote sign with my index finger and middle finger of both my hands). If you have any insecurities or issues, get yourself checked for amnesia as I doubt he would have expected you to come off bitchy."

I didn't even make much sense to myself at that point but, the fact that I could speak for myself under the surrounding circumstances of the impromptu meeting with "ma'am cheerleader", I was awash with relief due to the fact that, I could speak for myself and it became clearly a memory I'd always relish. Not to mention, the priceless look on Jess's face. The gasps and oohs from onlookers and the discomfort her clique felt when I was lashing out at the Queen; the picture got a beautiful frame in my sub consciousness. A pretty sight indeed.

As I turned to leave, Jess pulled my ponytail sharply. I instinctively turned and gave her a slap across the face, as the pain she inflicted on me almost sent me bonkers.

Skye tried to follow me but I asked him to stay back and babysit his whiny girl on the cheerleading squad.

People had started talking about the hallway episode in small clusters. I had a gut feeling it was going to be a rather interesting school year, as I had already sparked the fire of popularity and attention on the very first day of my resumption in Queensland High school. I went to a secluded spot in the school's garden and sat down to recollect my thoughts. I knew I had to call my mum to tell her how well I liked the place, how I was making friends already and how great the scenery is and all those over exaggeration she was expecting to hear. Shaking my head and smiling to myself, I took out my phone and dialled "Mum".

She picked up on the first ring and acted like she was very free to engage in a chit chat.

I was enjoying the company and vibes from Mum who is someone I care deeply about, but I knew I couldn't stay too long on the phone. However, she insisted I continued talking even when I could tell she was at the hospital.

I heard her being called over the phone to offer assistance to a renowned specialist and doctor who had to attend to a patient who was about to undergo surgery.

"On my way doc," I heard her say.

"Love you baby, but Mama has to go. We'd talk about this later." She said and hung up before I could respond.

"I understand mum, bye." I said to the dead end of my phone. "As always, I love you too."

Looking at my phone, I lingered on the wallpaper and smiled to myself. The photo I was just looking at was a family photo of myself, mum, dad and of course Aunt Samantha who came with us on a fishing trip and exploration we had at Cuba, a year ago. It was a really great time and I got to meet beautiful people and I got time to spend with my ever busy dad, which indeed was priceless.

My phone beeped with a message from an unregistered number, "Hey, I've been looking everywhere for you. Where are you? We do need to talk." I almost threw the phone into my bag, but I saw the name Skye at the bottom of the text. My rage returned but it was directed at Jess who attacked me for no just cause.

I replied the message, " I'm at the school's garden.

Had to cool off. And how did you get my phone number?"

I waited for a reply but got none as Skye was already there in less than a minute.

"Can I sit?" He looked like a little lost puppy.

"Oh sure, suit yourself."

"I'm not going to act like you didn't see what happened with me and Jess in the hallway because it happened in front of you and a host of other people. I'm sorry." He rambled on.

"Hey, hey...you don't have to explain anything to me. Besides, I'm just a transfer student who got here less than six hours ago and I have started causing a ruckus." I countered.

"No no, it's all my fault. I should have made it clear to Jess that I was done with the relationship but she just doesn't seem to get it."

"Really, it is none of my business what you decide to do. You owe me no obligation...How did you get my number by the way?" I asked with a quizzical look.

"Not sure it's something that you should worry about. I have my ways."

"Touché, it's all good."

"Can I walk you back to class? We have History lessons in a few minutes." He offered as a way of an apology.

"Fine, I still need to master the school and venues for my classes, and I can't do that without my tour guide." I teased.

"You betcha, shall we?"

"Alright alright, let's go then."

All is forgotten; we walk back to class and engage in a little chit chat before arriving at Room 415 for the History lessons. I could tell I'd be doing the sleeping this time and not just Skye because, I do not have much liking for memorizing dates and ancient stuff.

"What a class this would be," I muttered under my breath as we walked into the classroom.