CHAPTER 1; How to politely say fuck off to creepy strangers?
Facing the mirror, made me realize that I actually was nervous. Damn! I should have known that starting a new school wouldn’t be a cake walk. Here I am, hiding inside a bathroom, trying to escape the reality. I wash my hands and go outside with an uptight smile. I don’t want to be pegged as a meany on my first day of new school. Trying to look like a normal confident person I enter my class. No one actually paid me much attention as it was the first day of our high school. I slowly went to the last bench and quietly sat down there, making sure to blend in with the furniture. I inwardly laughed at my own joke and wondered how funny I was, even after knowing it was less funny and more stupid but hell if I cared. Being a last bencher was a new feeling for me. And I made sure to savor it. I absentmindedly borrowed a book from my neighbor and then started going through it.
ACCOUNTANCY
Dang it. How thick is this book. I thought going for commerce stream was a smart choice. I have always been an average student, when it comes to studies. But I was lucky with sports. Maybe this was the only thing which I acquired from my father. He is insanely driven into physical fitness. And while growing up I made sure to do every whacky thing to impress my father. Climbing rope, running, jumping everything. I did everything to impress him. And finally it paid me off when I got selected for school’s kho-kho team and in later years I represented my region nationally, in the same discipline. I was sure that my father was pretty much satisfied with it.
Suddenly the heaviness of the book brought me back to the reality. I again reminded myself that I signed up for this course and now there is no turning back. I didn’t actually knew what I wanted to do after 10th. Given the fact that how much I loved science, it was clear that science was out of question. And arts seemed a bit too easy for me to tackle. So without giving it a much thought I went for commerce with IP. And here I am in this class, surrounded by antic human beings. This class looked worse than any D-grade government school. I highly doubt whether this building even pass the safety measures or not! Fan was rotating slowly like in 90’s movies. And when I say slowly, I mean very slowly. There was no trace of sunlight and everyone around me were howling like she-wolfs on their menstruation. This was for sure that only a miracle would make me like this place. I started concentrating on the big pregnant book that was in my hands. As I started reading it, the world around me faded. I don’t know for how long I was there, reading it. It would be crazy to say but I was actually reading accounts instead of doing it and the astounding part is that I am enjoying it.
I closed the book and returned it to the girl with a polite thank you. Now that I was observing her, I noticed that she was very intimately sitting with another girl and was bickering with her while keeping a straight face. She had petite figure with specks resting on her nose. She had this cheeky smile. As I was observing her I noticed that her eyes were firmly set on my lips. And for a second, just for a second I saw something strange, a very alien emotion flickering in her eyes. But then she was again back to normal, cheeky nerdy girl.
She extended her hand with a smile on her face and said “hello I am soumya. Are you new here?’
“Oh yes, I recently shifted here and hello, myself Ashly” I replied with a tight smile. She never lost her smile, or shall I add, creepy smile.
“You study too much; you were reading that book from last one hour. I thought you were going to complete your that book this instant” as soon as she finished, the other girl started laughing at this silly joke. And in no time even she shamelessly joined her. I flashed them one of my genuine fake smile. But this was clear that I definitely doubted her. I can’t believe she had her eyes on me from last 1 hour. Mentally I noted to stay away from her radar.
“Oh it’s nothing like that I was just getting bored" I said while scratching my neck. I was getting uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze. So, I just said her that I have to pay a visit to the bathroom, and then with quick steps, I ran out of her focus point. I felt relieved getting away from her.
Walking down the corridors made me realize that I still haven’t made a single friend, yet. Everyone around me were in groups, smiling and enjoying. I walked myself out of the school building and placed my buttocks in the nearby bench, in the field area.
“It’s going to be okay, Ashly. Just a few more days of awkwardness, then you will all be fine. I am sure you will settle well here. I started cajoling myself.” And that is when I noticed that passing by students were staring at me funnily.
“ah its nothing Ashly, they must be wondering who is this new face.”
And then it clicked that I was speaking out loud.
Aiyo, they must have thought that I am someone with loose screws.
To further not to embarrass myself, I stood up from my seat and started going back to the class. As I was approaching the class, I sighed and mentally cringed remembering that kinky smile. I have had enough for the day, I entered the class with the same thought, only to see that it was lunch time and not many people were there. I thanked my stars for not seeing that girl again. I went inside, gathered my stuff. I was wondering if I could leave this place. Anyhow nothing significant happened since morning. I saw no teacher, less students and a weird girl.
So I thought of asking someone, if I could leave. I approached the girls who were in a group of 3. All three of them were undeniably beautiful. The tallest one was shady with extremely high features. But the girl with hazy eyes caught my attention. And the other girl striked out as an arrogant and spoiled brat to me. I tried to look unfazed by their appearance, but am sure that my nervousness would have made sure, how self conscious I was around then.
Keeping my cool I asked them whether I could leave the school premises or not?
The girl with the arrogant aura replied with a sweet sticky voice “nothing is going to happen. You can leave if you want" she concluded
As soon as I registered her words, my legs flung back to action.
But the same girl called me back and continued that “school will properly function after 3 days”
I griped my bag tighter and waved her a quick bye along with genuine thank you.
Few minutes of walking and I, somehow was outside the gate. Thanks to my years of lying skills that i was able to fool the guard. Now these unfamiliar roads were laughing at my impulsed action.
I wanted to go back home but I had no clue which way to go. I cussed myself for not paying more attention while coming here. But it’s not as if I drove myself here earlier, I had this pickup facility, which I regretted, as of now.
I vaguely remembered the path, but I still started my journey back home trusting my instincts. As I was crossing the streets I began wondering, that who would have guessed that my first day of new school would end up like this, wandering around the city without a clue.
Somehow after hours of walking and hitch hiking, I finally reached back home, safely.
I was sound at my home but still that creepy smile haunted me for now.
