Stuart Meczes - The awakening

Several guys made low whooping sounds and exchanged ‘subtle’ hi-fives. Miss Steele paused to let them finish, rolling her eyes.

“In case any of you are nervous about changing teachers this late in the game, please let me re-assure you. I may be a supply teacher, but I have taught at some of the most prestigious institutes, including Eton and Charterhouse. I’ve taught Physics for about seven years after graduating with a Master’s degree in the subject. My Student pass rates are on average about ninety four per cent. So you are in safe hands with me.” She finished with a wink, which got all of the boys grinning like idiots.

Miss Steele walked over to her bag and plucked an attendance sheet from inside.

“Now you know who I am, but I have no idea who any of you are.” She gestured to the class with a slender hand. “So I’d like you each to tell me who you are and a little about yourselves.”

My body stiffened. Public speaking was not my strongest attribute. I had enough trouble talking to one person.

“We can start with you at the back there.” The teacher pointed towards TJ and took a seat at the desk. Fishing a pen out of her suit jacket, she held it poised over the sheet like a hawk waiting to attack.

Everyone spoke in turn, giving their names, chosen subjects and going on about their personal interests. As people reeled off the cool things they did, I racked my brains for something interesting to say about myself. I settled on pool. It was a lie, I’d played about twice in my entire life and sucked both times, but it was the only thing I knew I could get away with — you didn’t need to be sporty to be good at pool. Simon finished droning on about himself and Miss Steele’s eyes shifted to me. My tongue turned to sawdust. I cleared my throat. “Um…my name is Alexander Eden. I study Physics, English, History and Maths. Socially I enjoy-”

“Being a complete loser!” interrupted TJ.

The class erupted into fits of laughter. I felt the heat rise to my face. Looking down at the desk, I mumbled, “playing pool.”

Then someone retorted, “Wow, it must have taken all night to charge up your two remaining brain cells, so you could come up with that gem!”

Fresh laughter rang around the room. Even Miss Steele appeared to be struggling to keep a straight face. I turned to see Gabriella glaring daggers at TJ. He scowled and fumbled with his pencil case. Clearly he wasn’t comfortable being on the receiving end of a joke. Gabriella winked at me. I felt a wave of warmth, mixed with shame. This was the second time she’d stood up for me, but the fact that someone else needed to bothered me. I should be able to fight my own battles! I smiled as best I could.

“Okay now, settle down everyone, lets continue,” said Miss Steele. “Oh and Thomas?” He looked up. “If I ever catch you insulting another student again, I will have you thrown out of my class like that!” She clicked her fingers and the sound echoed sharply around the room. “This is Sixth Form, not primary school. Are we clear?” “Yes Miss Steele,” TJ mumbled. I couldn’t resist an indulgent smile. It felt good to see him put in his place. “Good. Thank you very much Alexander. Now who do we have next?”

Gabriella and Miss Steel’s eyes met and the two smiled at one another, as if sharing some private joke. Without so much as a nervous dip in her voice, the new girl filled in some of the blanks.

“My name is Gabriella De Luca. I was born in Roma, Italia. My family moved here after Papa transferred with work to London. I’ve chosen to study Art, Physics, Performing Arts and English. Outside of education, I practice martial arts. I’m a black belt in Taekwondo and Kyoshi rank in Kenjutsu.” She knitted her hands together to symbolize she was finished. The rumble of approval swept around the class.

I shook my head. This girl just gets better and better.

“Well,” said Miss Steele, placing a tick next to a handwritten name at the bottom of the register. “That was an impressive way to finish the introductions.” She clapped her hands together. “Okay, now would be a perfect time to get the lesson underway. Today we are going to talk about electricity and its effects. Please turn your text books to page seventy three.”

The bell for the end of the lesson sounded and the usual rustle of bags and shuffling papers started up. “Right class,” finished Miss Steele, “homework today is a summary of what we’ve learned. It doesn’t have to be war and peace, but I expect to see the key topics in there somewhere.” I jotted the word ‘summary’ at the bottom of my notes and stuffed my folder back in my bag. Gabriella turned to me. “So what lesson do you have now?” she asked. I thought for a second. “Uh…double Maths.” Then put both my thumbs up. “Fun!” She laughed — a soft sound, like a purr. “Okay then, meet me by the main entrance at Lunch?”

The thought made my heartbeat accelerate. I agreed. With that, she swept off the chair and joined back up with the girls. Their chatting and laughing resumed as if there had been no hour long interruption.

Miss Steele was wiping her notes from the board, so didn’t see TJ seize me by the back of the neck, digging his fingers into my flesh. His mouth moved close to my ear and he spoke low and harsh, sending spittle flying onto my cheek.

“Think you’re it now do you Eden, getting birds to stick up for you?” His eyes were wide with anger. “You better watch your back mate, because I’m coming for you.” He released his grip and shoved me as he stomped away. I collided with the desk, whacking my ribs against the edge. Groaning, I rubbed my side. At that moment Miss Steele turned around from the board. She frowned at my pained expression. “Are you okay Alexander? You look hurt.” “Uh I’m fine thanks. I fell against the table. I’m a bit accident prone.” Miss Steele set the cloth down on the desk. “You know you can talk to me if you need to. That’s what I’m here for.”

Something about the way she asked seemed genuine. If I’d been in my normal low state of mind, I may even have told her. But knowing I was going to spend some time with Gabriella had lifted my spirits. Not even TJ’s threat could do much to bring them down. “Really, I’m fine,” I assured her, heading for the door.

“Alright then, please close the door behind you.” She shot me a dazzling smile then busied herself with the collection of papers on her desk. As I pulled the door shut behind me, she muttered something under her breath. It sounded like ‘not long now.’ I shrugged and headed for Maths.

When lunch time rolled around, I eagerly made my way to the main entrance. As promised, Gabriella sat waiting for me on the front steps.

Problem was she wasn't alone.

There were a hive of people hovering around her. Most of them guys, I noticed, with another stab of alarming jealousy. Also it irritated me to see the gossip witches Lucy and Rita in the group. It seemed that in just over a day, Gabriella had managed to climb the social ladder higher than I had done in my entire school life.

My bag swung around my legs as I stood frozen in the doorway, unsure of what to do. By now there was no doubt Gabriella would’ve been told how uncool I was. Which meant this could be some kind of trick. Maybe if I went over, she would humiliate me in front of everyone, which would cement her social status — maybe that’d been the plan all along. I just didn't know if I could take a confidence knock like that — not from her. After weighing my options, I decided that the best course of action was to simply walk past the group and pretend that I hadn't seen her.

I got three quarters of the way down, before a familiar angelic voice floated over to me. “Alexander, there you are!”