Adjusting her glasses, Anna hastily marched into Ellsworth High with intent deeply set on her light features. Pale skin was flushed with the sudden rush of warmth the building and many bodies provided, causing a light pink to taint soft cheeks. Her hands tightened around her backpack as she prepared to enter the vast sea of students, knowing full-well that there would be extra jostling for her. She had trudged through the snow, fought through the cold, but this was another challenge entirely: School. Now, it wasn't the academics that this redhead had a problem with, it was the students. Granted, not
all of them gave her trouble. At any high school, there was always a popularity list, or a chain. As well as Anna did academically, she struggled in any kind of social situation, landing her near the bottom of the list. Only the infamous lunch lady and the janitors were below her. Anna received her fair share of teasing, book-dropping, and nerd jokes because of this. Though Anna was strong, she could power through it, always reminding herself she'd been through worse.
Weaving her lithe form through the mass of bodies, inhaling large amounts of perfume, cologne and something that resembled rotten eggs, she tried her best to avoid colliding with the lockers as she was nudged by various students. Never once did her sea green eyes look up. Not a single nudge, not even to look at the rise and fall of shoulders as she passed those nearby. Or to notice the grins, or snickers some were trying to hide, if only to soare her what little dignity she had left. Upon reaching her locker, Anna finally peered up: lost green eyes searching. Searching for something she wasn't quite familiar with, a little something that caused her heart to race. Giving one last quick scan of the crowd, she quickly reached into her locker and pulled her book's close. While racing to her next class, she couldn't help but notice the strange feeling shadow her. Whatever the feeling was, it sent another chill up her spine, one that didn't involve the ongoing snowstorm outside.
The rest of her day had passed by with ease, the hallways may have been a nuisance, but her classes were actually enjoyable. Thankfully, she hadn't had to endure a schedule change yet, if ever. If that were to happen, she'd be exposed to a whole new environment. Anna was a turtle thrust into a world of lions, a girl with a shell to retract into for safety and comfort, while the lions charged along in their prides. She had to admit, looking at the "popular kids" left her breathless. She would notice a group across the lunchroom, laughing without a care in the world, the sun framing each and everyone just right. It seemed like they never had a bad day. Or, as if they could go through any kind of horrid situation and still look flawless. Either way, Anna envied that of them.
As the final bell rang, Anna remained seated in her chair and waited for the class to flood out of the room and mold into the herd of teenagers. Slipping out of her seat, she headed off towards the library. Her mother worked late, and still wasn't find of the whole "home-alone" thing, leaving Anna to extend her time in school. She didn't mind too much, she got extra time in the library, which was surprisingly comfortable. Luckily for her, her last class with Mr. Hemming was directly across the library, giving her a nice and quick route.
As she entered the library, heading to the study area where most of her time was spent, she slumped into her usual chair with a sigh. Today wasn't too bad, all things considered. At least she had a test to take her mind off of the day, allowing her to relax and invest her time into her studies. She had her IPhone in hand, eager to listen to her latest favorite song,
Cool Kids by Echosmith.
Having been so engrossed in her work, she hadn't noticed the new presence in the study area. Only when she heard a loud thud emanate from just ahead of her, did she look up — bluish-green eyes filled with shock. Though as her gaze found whom had made the noise, her eyes widened just a tad more. The girl that was in front of her was absolutely
stunning. The feeling she had earlier returned, and she found herself looking down to her notebook to avoid blushing as their eyes briefly met. Though she could feel a light warmth in her face, she knew it was a bit too late for that. What surprised her most though, was that the girl wanted to talk to her — even knowing who she was, the
new girl. Returning her gaze to the dark-haired teenager, who she seemed to have a hard time thinking around, she stumbled over a response.
"I..." She paused. What if this was some sort of prank? What if she was being set up? She immediately bristled at the the idea, wanting to pick up her things and run. Though, as she glanced over to the girl just ahead, she tilted her chin. Why engage in a conversation at all? Why not just come in and get whatever dastardly plan over with. She glanced around, noticing that they were alone in the study area, only the computers were being occupied in the far back, just behind the bookshelves. No, this couldn't be a prank. She wouldn't have come alone for that. As Anna gave a quick once over to the girl, sizing her up, she doubted that she had actually came here other than to study. Judging by the plentiful amount of things she had brought with her.
Adjusting her glasses, and nervously grabbing at her elbow, Anna continued; "I'm the new girl, yeah. M-my name is Anna. Anna Grace." She pondered whether or not to move from her chair to help the other girl collect her things. Shifting in her seat, Anna tried to think of any conversation starter that might lighten the mood, an excuse to help the stranger. She found nothing, leaving her sitting silently with a fluttering heart and warm cheeks. Suddenly self-conscious, she glanced down at her current attire: A cyan colored t-shirt, short denim vest matched with smooth skinny jeans and a jet-black belt. Nothing much, but it was her style.
Anna cleared her throat, hoping that would give her voice a little more strength. She then proceeded to shift in her seat, trying to stall and talk herself up to continuing the conversation. Eventually, when she noticed almost all supplies had been gathered, her foot tapped against a stray pen that had rolled towards her. It hadn't been there when she had first sat down. This was her chance, if any, to talk with the girl.
Quickly looking up at the new arrival before bending down to pick up the pen, she soon found herelf in auto-pilot. Holding the pen tight in her grasp, she stood and taking a deep breath, she shuffled over to the brunette. Midway to the table, her stomach tightened, nerves devouring her courage step by step. It was too late to go back to the safety of her table now, she was already at the foot of the table.
"I...I uh," The redhead stammered, lifting up the fancy looking pen she had procured, and holding it out towards the slightly smaller, yet more defined teen.
"I think this is yours..?" She trailed off, realizing she didn't have a name to finish the sentence. What a great way to start. She would've smacked her palm to her face if that wouldn't provide anymore embarrassment. She could already imagine every bad thing that could happen from here, all of which were mostly out of the box, and downright foolish. She knew that too — deep down. All she could process though, was that she was so much closer to this girl than before. Actually talking with her and attempting a conversation. Key word:
attempting. Anna's mind drifted off to the song she had still playing faintly in the background,
"She say's walking in a straight line, that's not really her style. They all got the same heartbeat, but her's is falling behind. Nothing in this world could ever bring them down. Yeah, they're invincible and she's just in the background
And she says, 'I wish that I could be like the cool kids, cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids, they seem to get it."