You're Beautiful the Way You Are

[CamlinSkitt]

"Oy, Aiden! Over here!"


"Aiden! Haven't seen you all summer, man!"


Aiden smiled slightly as he was bombarded with greetings from his fellow students. It was probably messed up that he had missed this, visiting his dad in Florida. Not just the company, but the attention. Yeah...that was definitely messed up. Still, he enjoyed sharing the stupid grins, the long-distance waves, the manly back slaps, and the exaggerated groans whenever anyone brought up the impending school year. At least they were still relatively homework-free for the day. Only the math teachers were sadistic enough to assign work on the very first day of classes.


He caught up with as many people as he could in the brisk morning air until the first bell rang. T minus five minutes. Everyone dispersed then, and Aiden glanced down at his schedule. Advanced Chemistry with Mr. Vanderburg, room 206. Not too bad, then. Mr. Vanderburg was pretty cool, as far as teachers went. Aiden joined the pile of teenagers trying to go upstairs.


When he finally got to the classroom, Mr. Vanderburg was turning on the projector to show a seating chart. The room was filled with those black-topped lab tables, the ones that were supposed to be fireproof on top but had completely flammable wooden legs beneath. There were two people to each table; whoever you were assigned to sit with would be your lab partner. Aiden found his name on the projector screen—third row, far left table, seat further from the wall. He didn't recognize the name beside his. With a mental shrug, Aiden ran his hand through his hair to make sure it was still in place and went to take his seat.

 

[BloomingScribe]

Scarlett quickly bolted into the classroom, and just before she set foot inside of the classroom the bell went. She gave a sigh of relief, and tried to catch her breath. Her alarm clock wasn't working. Again. She was meaning to by a new one but she never got around to it. She was relieved that she wasn't late to her first lesson... On the first day - now, that wouldn't look good and she didn't feel like doing a detention at all.


Mr Vanderburg didn't say anything, except that she should try and get to school earlier next time. She was told to sit next to someone named Aiden. The name ran a bell, but she didn't know him. She didn't know many people - she found it hard to make friends and well... Fit in. She wasn't one of the most 'popular' students, but she didn't care at all.


She nodded and quickly made her way to the student named Aiden. She sat down beside him and waited for the lesson to start without a word.

 

[CamlinSkitt]

"Okay class, settle down," Mr. Vanderburg began ritualistically. "Welcome to Advanced Chemistry. We're going to do some pretty cool experiments in here—just ask the seniors who've sat where you're sitting now. During the course of this class, you'll handle live flames, corrosive chemicals, and sensitive equipment. In return, I expect you all to treat these materials and the subject matter of this course with utmost respect. No dancing around the Bunsen burners like wild hooligans. No sleeping during class. Anyone showing the slightest disrespect will be sent directly to Mrs. Whitefield for the rest of the period." Most of the class groaned at that. Mrs. Whitefield had many nicknames among the students, the kindest of which was 'Time-Out Director.' She spent her days in the small detention room, providing ridiculous-looking T-shirts and sweatpants to anyone cited for dress code and keeping an eye on the kids that were kicked out of class. Once in her clutches, you had to sit in an uncomfortable chair and stare at the wall until the period was over. No talking, no sleeping, no homework. And you couldn't just pretend and say you went to Mrs. Whitefield. She kept a log that the teachers checked up on later.


Apparently assured that the severity of his message had gotten across to his students, Mr. Vanderburg continued. "Now then, everyone turn and look to the person sitting next to you. That's your lab partner for the next two months, longer if you work well together. You have five minutes while I set up this demonstration to introduce yourselves."


The room instantly broke into chatter, and Aiden turned to his new lab partner, smiling brightly. "Well, then. Scarlett, is it? Nice to meet you! I'm Aiden Lambert." He stuck his hand out for her to shake. She was rather pretty, he noticed. Her tan skin seemed to glow, and her hair fell in thick, gentle waves down her back. Were they in the same year? She didn't seem familiar.

 

[BloomingScribe]

Scarlett nodded, "Hi" She squeaked and then dug into her backpack. She pulled out a book and then opened it and began to read, she wasn't very used to having conversations with others - she'd never quite crawled out of her shell. She didn't say anything more.

 

[CamlinSkitt]

Aiden frowned slightly at the girl beside him. Shy or no, that was...kind of rude. He didn't want to be miserable in this class for the next two months. He was good at making friends, sure, but usually people were at least open to the idea when he tried. What was he supposed to do now?


Well, the book couldn't be homework. It was still first period of their first day. "So you like reading, then? What book is that?" he inquired, leaning over a bit to get a good look at the pages.

 

[BloomingScribe]

Scarlett carefully placed her hand onto the glass window beside her, she was actually glad she was seated by a window so that she could gaze out of it whenever she got bored. It was currently raining, and the raindrops which were falling from the sky gently pattered against the glass. She pulled her hand away from where it was resting on the window and looked up at a circular clock which was on one of the classroom walls and she couldn't help but wonder if Advanced Chemistry could be any longer... Only ten minutes of class had past - It felt like ten hours. She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a voice next to her, and when she looked up she noticed that Aiden was peering over her shoulder to get a look at the book she was reading. He had asked her what book she was reading, she was quiet for a moment before simply answering, "A book" and then went straight back to reading.


She closed her book and placed it back into her backpack when Mr Vanderburg finally started the lesson. She sat boredly, taking down notes and glancing out of the window here and there. She was actually almost asleep until she heard the bell go. She got out of her seat and then grabbed her things and raced out of the classroom, determined not to be late for her next lesson.

 

[BloomingScribe]

@Skittish