Chapter 2 - High Class Cannabis
Highschool. The most thrilling experience of a young adult’s life. Whereas, in all actuality, highschool is the most boring event you’ve ever had the misfortune of attending. North Hill was by no means an acception. It had to be one of the lamest buildings anyone had ever stepped foot in. The only exciting events that went on there were Battle of the Bands, gossip about teachers, and of course the friends you came to acquire. The people who sulked around with you just so you wouldn’t look like a lonely loser. You just looked like a loser.
That’s what I looked like almost all the time. A loser. I, at the time didn’t have the pleasure of looking pathetic in numbers. I only had about two true friends at the time of my break up with Andrew. Charles, the honest and lovable Jewish kid that no girl in their right mind could ever resist. I was no where being in my right mind though so I was safe. I would rather call him brother than swoon over his exquisite features any day. Then there was Kaye, the shady yet spunky one. She always spoke her mind and sometimes that got her into trouble. Honest? I’m not exactly sure, but, she did have her moments I guess. Kaye would come to be one of the most important links between my current world and my fate.
What’s my fate? I’m not exactly sure right now so I can’t really say. I can, however, tell you about where fate has lead me thus far. Which is what I was referring to in the first place. The story goes something like this....
December 12th, 2008. The clock struck 2:35 p.m as I and my fellow classmates bustled into the Art room. I sat down and began shooting out portraits left and right as always. If I had nothing else going for me I knew for a fact that I was an accomplished artist. I’d been drawing for four years and had gotten relatively good. Charles appeared at my side because he always insisted on sitting next to me. He enjoyed watching me draw and was fond of my conversation. I thought the same, he was an incredible artist. He, as I saw it, would be the next Kat Von D, only not because let’s face it, he was a little too manly. He sat down and began sketching and poking fun at our “pot smoking” art teacher. Our friend, Brown, joined him as soon as he acknowledged what Charles was doing. Yelling out curse words was his favorite pass time because our teacher had another thing going for her besides the marijuana, she was nearly deaf. Brown had a wonderful spirit despite his unorthodox humor. He could make anyone laugh, no matter how miserable their life or day was going. He wasn’t the best looking guy around though. He got more in-school-suspension slips than phone numbers. But he was still a perfect fit in our group of rejects at North Hill High so I don’t think he minded much.
3:15 p.m came quicker than anyone expected. Five minutes till we could leave. Oh yes. For some reason, I got lost in thought at that moment. I thought about people leaving which in turn made me think about Andrew leaving my life. This thought scared me more than anything before it’s time. That did it. The tears slowly fell onto my paper. “What’s wrong?” I could tell that his empathy was sincere but I knew he couldn’t quit sympathize with what I was going through at the moment. No one would understand, I don’t even think I did. So, I just decided to reply with a simple, “Nothing.”
The bell rang. I quickly gathered my things and bolted out of the classroom before Charles could interrogate me about my answer.
There were two sets of double doors leading out of the art center/cafeteria area. I chose to take the ones nearest the cafeteria to avoid Charles for a longer amount of time. All I wanted to do was get home. Get home, get home....
“Hey You!” That was it, Charles had me. Or at least I assumed he did. I mean, who else would be calling my name? I turned to face whoever was calling, but to my surprise it wasn’t Charles. It was one of my friends’ brother, Matthew. I hadn’t seen Matt much that year, in fact I had only seen him once. It was on the morning of September 15th, before school had even begun....
Flashback. I was having an argument with Andrew as always. If I recall correctly we were fighting about the fact that his parents didn’t let him go out to celebrate our monthly anniversary which was a couple days beforehand. While yelling at Andrew for being so immature, I hadn’t realized that my friend James had just arrived at school. He walked up behind me and tapped on my shoulder to get my attention.
“Hug me, cutie.” James was one to always make me feel better about my appearance. I never thought I looked good no matter what I did with myself, but he saw it otherwise. What I found funny was that he thought I was oblivious to the fact that he liked me. His methods were so transparent.
He outstretched his arms awaiting his morning hug from me with a quirky smile on his face. I gladly gave him what he wanted. He was like a giant teddy bear and his hugs were always the best.
That’s when I noticed him. I hadn’t known his name at the time so I quickly asked.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s my brother, Matt, the more intelligent of the Johnsons.” James rolled his eyes at the sound of himself saying “intelligent” and “Johnsons” in the same sentence.
“I didn’t know you had a brother!” I was starting to sound more interested in this new figure than I probably should have. It was okay at the time though, James isn’t too good at reading people and Andrew was off talking to someone else by this point.
“Yeah. I’ll get his attention if you want to be introduced.” Oh crap, had he figured it out? James using his brainpower? This didn’t make any sense.
I didn’t even have time to reply, James was already yelling for his brother to come say “hello” to me.
He popped up in front of me smiling like an idiot and waiting for me to start the conversation. At least I thought that’s what he was doing.
“Uh, hi?” Oh yeah. Real smooth. I was such an idiot. A really attractive guy standing right in front of me and all I could muster up was an “Uh, hi?” Great.
“I didn’t save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Gieco, but at least I have my baby ostrich!” He did a weird hand gesture my way and then walked away. I saw him look back while he was walking away. I’m pretty sure it was either to see what my reaction would be or to just smile at me for some odd reason.
For the first time in a long while, I felt real laughter come out of my throat. That was a nice feeling....
Back to the future. “Uh, hi?” Not again. Why must that be the phrase that comes out of my mouth whenever he is around? He may have thought I was illiterate.
“Come here for a second.” Matt made another weird hand gesture to me. Hooray for our dorky repetition. This time it was telling me to walk over to him, so I did.
“I’m here.” He was only standing a few feet away from me now. Even though I hadn’t seen him in almost half a year, his looks were still the same. He was almost six feet tall, had unnatural bright red hair, a goofy but gorgeous smile, dark green eyes begging for you to get lost in, and that adorable band geek fashion sense. What more could a girl ask for?
Okay, whatever, maybe it was just me.
“Come closer.” I was definitely not arguing with that statement.
“Sure.” I was determined to get as close as possible without it sounding the “awkward alarm.” As much as I wasn’t complaining, I still wondered why it was important that I was close. Perhaps he had a secret he wanted to tell me. I’d always wanted to be his friend, maybe this was the start of it.
“You look like you could use one of these.” He wrapped his arms around me, pulled me into his body, and held me there.
At that moment it was a struggle to keep my heart rate down. For obvious reasons as well as some personal ones. This was the first real hug I’d gotten from anyone, besides my family, since the break up. To me, that moment meant more than anyone could ever imagine. Out of all the friends I had, I would never of thought that -he- would be the one to give me exactly what I needed. He didn’t even know me. I didn’t even know him.
Wow, this hug has gone on for a little longer than normal....
When that thought crossed my mind, I let him go. It was over. I gathered myself together as quickly as possible and started trekking on towards home. I looked back at him as I walked away, just to see his reaction or maybe just to smile at him for some odd reason.
I bumbled in the doorway of my house still smiling. I hated the fact that I hadn’t been able to stop myself since I left him standing there. I just knew that my mother was going to ask me what was on my mind. I couldn’t think of an excuse, so I decided to try and avoid her at all costs.
I made haste to my bedroom. Taking a deep breath, I closed the door and threw down my book bag. Exhaling, I crashed down onto my bed then closed my eyes.
When they opened, the ceiling was before me. This particular ceiling had become popular subject matter for my eyes in the past few weeks. It was slowly becoming one of the only things that made sense anymore. Those intricate bumps and swirls that made my mind clarify all of it’s scattered thoughts. Fascinating and therapeutic if you ask me.
From then on, I proceeded to lay there staring and thinking. This went on for at least an hour straight. Thoughts of the past month, Charles, my mom, James, school, my sisters, and of course, Matthew. The more I thought of him, the more something started to stir up inside me. A feeling. Something I simply had to share. Share only with him. Our little secret. Was this really an epiphany?
I ran out of my room and into the kitchen where the main computer of the household lay. Luckily, my mom went to go shower five minutes before, so my plan to avoid at all costs was still in action. Plus, it gave me plenty of time to write him.
“www.site.com” Enter.
Welcome. Please Login.
E-Mail Address.
Password.
Okay....Why were there so many intricate steps just to write somebody a message? Geez.
Inbox.
Write New Message.
To > Matthew Johnson.
Subject > About Today.
Body > So, yeah, about today, I -
My mind froze. I lost my train of thought. Crap. I began trying to spawn a new idea for what I was going to say because I realized I was never getting the previous back. But everything I thought about saying either sounded too gushy or just down right embarrassing. In the end, I decided to go with something short, sweet, and subtle. On of the worlds’ best combinations.
Body > Thanks for the hug today. You were right, I needed it.
I then attached a smiley-face and a heart to the end of the message, clicked the ‘Send’ button, and started hoping for the best. Now came the hard part - waiting for his reply.
It was bound to be a long night...
10:45pm. I was still sitting next to the computer awaiting the voice that would tell me that I had...
“You have new messages.”
Success. I quickly clicked refresh on my Inbox page and there it was. Low and behold, the message.
From > Matthew Johnson
Subject > Re: About Yesterday.
Body > Oh, you’re welcome! Anytime, just let me know...or I’ll surprise you!
I decided to call it a night after I replied with a, “Surprises are always good.” I assumed that would be the end of that conversation or rather, the lack of one.
I crashed on my bed for a second time that night. This time for good. With that, I went to sleep with a smile on my face, longing for what tomorrow was certain to bring.
(A Little heads up to anyone who is reading this, yes, some names are going to be altered. I have to do that for publishing reasons. So, if anyone's confused about who's who - send me a message. Oh and yes, I know Matt's name is still the same, so if anyone has any ideas on what his new name is to be for the book, let me know. Thanks. )
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