by Katilyn S
However, I took it in my hands, surprised at the light weight of the gift. Sighing, I held up the card and looked at it. Gorgeous, caligraphy letters exclaimed:
Welcome to the family!
Cute, I grimaced and laughed silently. Suddenly, I noticed Lauren watching my every move.
“Do you want me to open it here?” I wondered aloud. Startled, she glanced at my face.
“You don’t have to, if you don’t want to,” she exclaimed, looking sheepish. I shrugged lightly and placed the gift on the table closet to us.
I slid a finger underneath the wrappings and pulled it off in one swipe. Lauren and Alex watched me, impressed at the feat I had just acconplished. Underneath the wrapping paper was a long white box. A box that would usually hold some type of clothing. I picked the top off and was greeted by a swarm of black tissue paper. I threw it to the side and picked up the garment that laid in wait underneath them.
“Oh my-”
In my hands, was the beautiful art smock. It was a navy blue with pockets positioned all over the place. I slid it over my neck and marveled at the way it fit my body perfectly. I glanced down and noticed that on the center of the chest, more caligraphy letters stated my name.
Ms. Barnes
“Do you like it?” Lauren’s voice brough me out of my trance and I looked up at her.
“Like it?” I asked. “No.”
“Oh, I’m-” She took a step back and cast her eyes to her boots.
“I absolutely love it,” I gushed. She looked back up, surprised. I grinned and took the smock off. “I’ve been looking for something like that, but I could never find one that I really liked. This one is perfect.”
“Oh, thanks,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Did you do it yourself?” I wondered.
“Um, yeah, kinda,” she admitted. “I wrote the caligraphy, but I found somebody to embroider it onto the smock.”
“That’s so cool,” I awed. “Thank you so much.”
“No problem. It was my pleasure,” she said and gave me another shy smile. I had to smile back and Alex laughed.
“I’m going to put this on a hook on the wall,” he told us and went off in search for one. I bit my lip and glanced down.
“I feel really guilty now, since I didn’t get you something,” I confessed to Lauren. She giggled and touched my shoulder tentatively.
“You don’t have to get me anything,” she said. “I just got this as a welcome present for you.”
“Well, I’m still going to get you something. Would you like a sign for the door to your classroom?” I suggested. Her eyes brightened and she nodded.
“You would do that for me?” she inquired. I nodded and smiled slightly.
Suddenly, her arms were around me and she was giving me a hug. I felt my posture stiffen and I kept my arms where they were; right by my sides. I don’t think she noticed my tense body, because she let go and smiled up at me.
“Thanks, so much,” she exclaimed. “I would really like that.”
“Well, what should I use as your last name since you are getting married?” I questioned.
“Jeff’s last name is Richards, so you could put ‘Mrs. Richards’,” she proposed. I nodded thoughtfully.
“Okay, I will get right to work on it,” I said. Lauren turned to leave, but looked at me when she got to the door.
“Thanks again,” she said softly.
“Well, thanks for the smock,” I replied and watched as she turned the corner and left.
“Wow, you really are breaking out of your shell,” Alex muttered as he came up behind me. I jumped at his voice and turned towards him.
“No,” I answered defensively, “I’m not. I’m just trying to be nice since she got me a gift. It’s not like I really want to make this sign. It’s the only thing I could think of off the top of my head. God, just leave me alone.”
Alex laughed. “Now there’s the Claire I know and love.”
“The Claire you know and love is going to smack you upside the head if you don’t shut up,” I warned. Laughing, Alex walked to the door.
“I have to leave anyway. I need to go get supplies for school.” He winked at me and left.
“What a weirdo,” I laughed to myself and opened the supply closet. I grabbed an eleven by thirteen canvas and set it out on a table. Next, I toted my basket of paints and set them next to the canvas. I placed my brushes on the side along with a cup of water and a few paper towels.
As I started to slowly paint the canvas, I heard footsteps by the door. I paid no attention to them, concentrating only on the thick white streaks of paint gliding across the canvas. It wasn’t until I heard the creak of my door opening, that I actually looked up.
Chapter 13-September 2, 2001 (Michael)
I listened silently, as my boots clomped across the tile hallway. I kept glancing at the doors, trying to find the one I was looking for. Finally, I saw a door with a sign hanging on it that had Claire’s last name on it. I studied the painting for a minute.
It was dark blue with yellow letters-the school colors-and along the edges, faces were painted. There were different races and they trailed along the outside as if they were a connect-the-dots problem. I ran my finger along Claire’s last name. When I got the the loop of the ‘e’ and pushed on the door, wincing as it creaked.
Inside the classroom, Claire was working at a table-probably painting something. But, when I stepped inside, the first things that I noticed were the walls. I could tell that they were freshly painted and done beautifully. The background was black and there were neon paint splatters covering most of it. The far wall, though, was completely black and someone had written Claire’s name on it in chalk.
Chalkboard paint, I thought to myself as I looked at it.
“Can I help you with something?” Claire’s voice traveled across the room clearly and I glanced over at her. She stood up with her hands on her hips, a white spot of paint on her forehead. I smiled and walked over to her.
“Hey Claire,” I said easily and looked up at her ceiling. “I just came to check on your sprinklers in your classroom.”
“You do this to every classroom?” she asked. I nodded.
“Yep,” I lied quickly and looked around her classroom. “You have a ladder around here somewhere?”
“In the supply closet,” she said and pointed at a closet next to the desk where she had been painting. I sauntered over to it, pulling the door open. My eyes wandered over to her painting where she only had painted the canvas white. I pulled the ladder out and set it in the middle of the classroom. I could feel Claire’s eyes on me as I tightened my grip on the clipboard I brought with me.
“Could you help me?” I asked, pointing to the ladder. She shuffled over to it, then looked back at me. Confusion clouded her face and she raised her eyebrows. I almost wanted to laugh at her, but swallowed it back.
“What do I do?” Her hand went up and she started twirling a lock of her hair. I could tell she was starting to get annoyed.
“Just hold the ladder. I don’t have anyone to spot me,” I explained and grabbed her hand. I placed them on the ladder where they were supposed to be. When I dropped my grasp, she hesitated, shooting me a look.
“Is this safe? It’s very high,” she said haughtily as if she didn’t believe me.
“It’s fine,” I soothed and lightly touched her shoulder. She stiffened and slid from my grasp. I shrugged and started to climb up the ladder.
Once I reached the top, I took a ceiling tile off and placed it on the top of the ladder. I started to mess around with the wires up there, making it look like I actually had something to do. I “made a note” on my clipboard. Laughing silently at my little doodle dog, I looked down at Claire.
“How is it?” she inquired carefully. I could hear fear taking over her voice. Her grey eyes widened and she swallowed loudly.
“Perfect.” I smiled and doodled another dog on my clipboard. “Let me just chack one more thing.”
“Okay.” Her voice flooded with relief. Suddenly, she cleared her throat and glared back up at me. “Well, make it quick. I have to finish my painting.”
“What are you painting?” I tried my best to stay nonchalant.
“A sign for another teacher’s room.”
“What teacher?”
“Mrs. Richards.”
“What does she teach?” I heard her exhale hard and let go of the ladder. It wobbled a bit before she placed her hands back on the metal. The ladder stilled and I sighed.
“Theater.”
“What-”
“God, are you always this nosy?” she interrupted. I looked back down at her. Her eyes had a hard glint to them and her mouth was set in a tight line.
“Sorry,” I muttered and turned away. She exhaled again.
“Why do you want to know so much about me?” she asked.
“Why do you keep pulling away?” I countered. She laughed softly.
“It’s a long story,” she managed. That time, I laughed.
“I like long stories,” I told her, and looked back down. She watched me warily and tensed her shoulders.
“Okay,” she murmured.
“How about you tell me this ‘long story’ on Tuesday?” I chose my words carefully, as to not let her think it was a date.
“Tuesday?” Doubt filled her voice.
“Yeah. Tuesday afternoon. What time do you get off of school?”
“I can get off at two after lunch. Then the rest of the afternoon is free,” she said.
“Then I will pick you up at two,” I replied.
“I think Alex will be okay with it. He doesn’t have anything to do,” she continued. I let out a surprised gasp and climbed back down.
Once down on the floor, Claire glanced at my shocked expression.
“What?” she questioned.
“I actually meant that it would just be you and me,” I explained. Surprise flashed in her eyes and she looked down with embarassment.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know,” she said.
“It’s cool,” I forgave and smiled slightly. She glared back up at me.
“Is this a date?” she seethed. I laughed quickly.
“Of course not. This is two friends having an outing,” I lied through clenched teeth.
“Good,” she uttered. “Because, I don’t date.”
“Why?”
“I just don’t, okay?” She raised her voice. “I wish you would just leave it alone.”
“Okay, sorry.” I shrugged and started to make my way towards the door.
“Wait,”she called out. I turned back to face her, “so Tuesday? Two?”
Smiling, I nodded. She let out a breath and relaxed her stance. I raised my eyebrows, waiting for her to say something.
“You better be on time. Two o’clock sharp,” she warned. I laughed and nodded.
“I will. Don’t worry. See you Tuesday,” I said and walked out of her room.
Oh, Claire, I laughed to myself. You just wait to be dazzled.
Chapter 14-September 4, 2001 (Claire)
I sighed and looked into my closet. I ran a finger over all of the shirts, trying to decide what to wear. I felt awkward in my sweats and tank; I kept running my hand up and down my bare shoulder.
“Would you stop fretting,” my brother complained as he flopped on my bed. I looked over at him and stuck out my tongue.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I just don’t know what to wear. I mean, he said it wasn’t a date.”
“Hold up,” he interjected. “When a guy says it’s ‘not a date’, then he is just covering up for the fact that it is a date.”
“Really? Okay then.” I paused and sucked in a breath. “He said we will be going somewhere nice so I don’t know what to wear.”
“A dress?” Alex suggested as if it was obvious. I rolled my eyes and looked back in my closet. I found a black lace dress and pulled it out, holding it up to my body. Alex nodded his approval.
“I don’t know,” I muttered and turned to put it back on the rack. Alex grabbed it out of my hands and stepped away from me. I scowled at him and he just laughed.
“Wear it,” he ordered. “It is a date and you are going somewhere nice. Wear it with some red or black heels.”
“I didn’t know you were so into fashion, Alex,” I teased and reached over to ruffled his hair. He chuckled and handed the dress back to me. I took it graciously and laid it on my bed.
After Alex left, I drug out a pair of strappy red heels. I slid on the dress and laced up my shoes.
Before leaving, I glanced in the floor-length mirror on my door. My dress was a little short, but it would have to do. The shoes popped out on my tanned skin and gave a splash of color to my outfit. I checked my make-up making sure that my liner was even on both sides and my lipstick wasn’t smudged. I ran a hand through my newly straightened hair and smiled at my reflection.
Why am I so nervous? I asked myself as I walked out of my room.
-----------------------------------------------
I glanced at the clock; it was only 1:55. I was already ready for my first classes the next week and I had packed up ten minutes ago. I was perched on one of the stools, trying to tug my dress down without making it too low on the top. I grabbed my compact mirror from my bag and reapplied my lipstick, blotting it afterwards.
“It’s just a friend outing,” I warned myself. “It isn’t a date.”
I slid my mirror back into my purse and uncrossed my legs. I stood up and walked around my room, taking in everything I saw.
The chalkboard wall was newly cleaned and I had written my name in big loopy letters in the center. I smiled and looked over at the desks. They were lined up in rows, waiting to be covered in paint and other miscellaneous streaks. I was running my hand over my new smock when there was a knock at the door. I looked at the clock; it was two o’clock sharp. I sucked in another breath.
“Come in,” I called out and smiled slightly.
He was dressed in nice slacks and a light blue button down with a sports coat slung over his arm. His usually dark eyes seemed brightened and the corners of his mouth were upturned in a smile as he took in my outfit. His black hair had been recently washed and still looked damp to the touch.
“You look great,” Michael murmured and walked over to me. Heat flooded my cheeks and I laughed.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I shot back and plucked at his collar. He laughed nervously, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged out of his touch and looked down at my shoes.
“You ready to go?” I heard his voice crack with anxiety. I nodded silently and let him lead me out of the school.
Outside, a bright yellow taxi was idled at the curb. The anxious driver glanced at his watch and shot a cold look at Michael. We slid in and Michael gave the driver directions. I swallowed nervously and glanced over at him. He was watching me adoringly, as if I were a precious jewel waiting to be bought.
“Please tell me we aren’t going to Waffle House today,” I burst out sarcastically. Michael’s eyes lit up and he chuckled.
“I thought you liked that place,” he said. I rolled my eyes and shoved him.
“I don’t want to go to Waffle House in a dress and heels,” I explained gesturing to my outfit. Relax rolled off his shoulders and he shrugged carelessly.
“Why not?” he suggested. I stared at him.
“Michael,” I said with a serious tone.
“Claire,” he repeated with equal seriousness. Then he laughed. “Actually, I thought we should go to somewhere a little nicer.”
“Good,” I stated and turned away to watch the city pass by.
“We’re here,” Michael commented and nudged my shoulder. I looked to his side, where he was opening the door. I eased out behind him and looked at the building in front of us.
A large sign stated the name, 21 Club. It was a large building; maybe two stories. Michael led me inside and I gasped. Inside, the restaurant was ex
quisite. Table-clothed tables were pressed up against the walls and in the far back, I could see a bar. In the center of the building, rested a large, open dance area. Couples were pressed up against each other, moving to the beat of the music blaring out of the speakers.
“Claire,” Michael called out and tugged on my arm. I looked over at him; He was walking towards an empty table in the back. I followed closely behind, aware of how close we were pressed up against each other. I could smell a spicy scent ovepowering his body.
I flopped into the cushioned chair, grateful for a break of walking. Michale smiled at me and I grimaced back. Shock flashed in his eyes and I shrugged.
“This is pretty cool,” I said-actually I had to yell. The music was pounding over the speakers and I could barely hear myself think.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Let’s go ahead and order before it gets crazy.”
“Okay,” I replied and glanced over my menu.
“You guys ready or what?” A waitress sauntered over to us, a bored expression on her face. Once she caught sight of Michael, her expression turned to a flirty one and she turned away from me. I looked her up and down, jealous of her slim figure outfitted in a short black skirt and white button down.
“Yes we are,” Michael told her and smiled. Something tugged at my heart and my eyes widened. I could feel jealously start to take over my mind.
How can I be jealous? It’s not like we’re together. God, I need to stop worrying, I chastised myself. Michael ordered for both of us and the waitress left. I watched him warily as he stood up.
“Want a glass of wine?” he asked and I nodded gratefully. He left and I placed my head in my hands.
“What is going on with me?” I whispered in agony.
---------------------------------------------------
“That was so much fun,” I exclaimed as we burst out of the restaurant. Michael chuckled.
“It was wasn’t it?” he asked and whistled for a taxi. I leaned onto his shoulder and giggled mindlessly. I could feel him smiling as he placed a hesitant arm around my shoulder.
“You need to stop being so careful,” I scolded. He froze and looked down at me. “I’m just a girl. It’s not like you haven’t had a lot of us around you.”