“If it is your time, love will track you down like a cruise missile.”

-Lynda Barry

Fifth period was by far the most boring class that had ever come into my, let a loan anyone else’s, existence. My teacher’s name was Richim, and he made volcanoes, asteroids, and even catastrophic global warming sound like types of fabric softener. Halfway through the class, he quit talking, and we watched a movie about earthquakes, tornadoes, and other disasters, complete with the screaming people, and bad news casting. Nevertheless, Mr. Richim fell asleep about halfway through the video, and his head lolled onto his shoulder, revealing a bald spot no one of my height, (or lack thereof) would ever be able to notice otherwise. I couldn’t help giggling. You know your class is horribly boring if your own teacher falls asleep. Many a time I had to stifle my giggling that class period.

The bell rang for the five-minute break to get to sixth period, and even though I ended up sitting in the far row of the class, I was the second one out of the classroom. Kate and Josh planned to introduce me to everyone, and I wasn’t about to miss it, or chicken out.

I ended up finding the drama room easily, considering there was a stage at the end of the cafeteria, however, not being able to find a door, merely a stage with a large folding curtain. A few tables had been set up right in front of the stage so I sat on one of them. Kate and Josh quickly approached.

We exchanged greetings, and Kate commented, “You got here fast! Everyone will be here in a few minutes.” I nodded. Could your neck cramp from nodding all day?

The people I was introduced to were of all kinds. I met a tall Indian boy by the name of Aaron Newman, who’s eyes never left my chest, and many others that were hard to keep track of.

A guy that truly stood out to me was a guy named Gareth. He was wearing a long, black leather skirt, complete with a black jacket that had zippers and chains, in a pattern that resembled a straight-jacket. His hair had some grow-out of brown, covered by black hair dye. He had a prominent brow, which jutted out above his eyes, which were deep-set, and very dark. The eyes were lined with black eyeliner, and spattered with fading black eye shadow as well. Did I mention he towered over me at about 6’1”?

“Nice to meet you, Kelly,” he said solemnly. He shook my hand as he said it, which had painted black fingernails, and was covered with silver skull rings. His appearance was rather shocking to me, but somehow, the urge to pee my pants inspired confidence.

“I love your outfit, babe,” I said pointing.

His face split into a humongous smile, like the sun through a heavy April rain. It was so inspiring, I smiled eagerly back. This guy was just like Josh, flirtatious, but still rather serious.

“Your red hair is gorgeous, “he said, even lifting a black fingernail or two to grab a strand, and twirl it between his fingers. He was like me in the way he wasn’t afraid to touch, or say what he thought. I liked him right away, though our differences were rather great at first sight. Gareth was interesting, to say the least, but he wasn’t like the second-to-last guy I met.

The second-to-last guy was shorter, maybe 5’9”, but he was amazing. His hair was down in chocolate waves that curled at the ends, by his ears. He was meaty, like a hockey player, with voluptuous curves that made him look like a marble statue of a Greek God, though not nearly as lifeless. He wore a black and yellow Ninja Turtles jacket, which was sexy, for whatever reason. It was stretched gracefully over every beautiful curve in his upper body. He wore dark blue jeans that ended with whitish sneakers, with some design on them.

His face was the most lovely, round, and curvy, lightly dotted with moles, and a creamy complexion free of acne or redness. His eyes were a very dark, yet warm brown color, that were looking out behind glasses frames that blended so well you could hardly see them. Even his mouth was curved into a very friendly, charming grin. Everything around me dissolved, and it was only him I saw. I had never seen anyone that looked even remotely like him. He looked like a Clark Kent, and a Superman.

Kate was saying something. “Hey, Oliver, we have a new student.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The God-like Oliver came over to me and Kate. He stuck out his hand, which was also quite curvy, and said, “It’s nice to meet you…” he waited for a name, although I didn’t let Kate introduce me. He was mine.

“Kelly, Kelly Koffel,” I said breathlessly, smiling at him in complete admiration.

He was smiling right back at me, and then the smile faded, and he looked at me in a rather shocked silence. Something was happening, I knew it, and he knew it too, as it was written all over his face. His eyes drank in my appearance, from my height, to my clothing, the wavy, long red hair, green eyes, and even my lustful stare.

His observations seemed to catch up with him. “Wow,” he breathed. Then he seemed to regain his composure. “Oliver Gove.” He said it GO-Vey. “Nice to meet you,” he threw me a flirtatious grin and his eyes squinted a little, then nodding while he finished, “Kelly.” His tongue emphasized my last name, and it rang in my ears like clear bells, as I caught him catching a glance at my curves. How beautiful.

“Kelly is from Port Trees, just a few miles from here,” Kate told him. His eyes didn’t leave mine, and neither did his smile.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” I replied, totally cutting Kate off. “My mom got married…again.” I laughed a little at that, and slightly rolled my eyes. My mom had been married just two days ago on New Year’s Day. It was her third marriage.

Oliver seemed to catch on that my mom may have had a few before. He seemed to laugh a little too.

“Again?” he said

“Again.” I said nodding sideways, and never dropping my gaze.

“Ah. That’s cool. Well, welcome to Fairview.” His hands opened as if in an embrace, while he said it, and it was almost my immediate reaction to rush into his arms, and be wrapped around in them. Consequently, getting wrapped in someone’s arms you’ve known for two minutes might be slightly awkward, so I refrained.

He walked a little ways away, tilted at an angle as he picked up his backpack that was slung over only one shoulder. It was cute. Not the angle. His tush.