Turning Point: Turning Twelve

Chapter One

I finally found my missing sock under my bed..

I straightened out my uniform..

And found a comb too, but kept it in my pocket, and instead finger-combed my hair.

And just like I said, I was out in two seconds, sorta..

My uniform was nice and tidy, from the collar to my shoe straps..

My hair was neat and shiny, complete with a cute pink headband to finish the look. I once had a black one, but I felt that it made me look.. ‘boring’..

I’m not really into the color pink, but.. It seemed it was time for a change..

A new ‘me’..

Oh and, by the way, the name’s not Lizzie, it’s Aly.

I’m Alyson Marina, I’m 11, but my 12th birthday’s in less than 2 months.

But my story begins on the day after our Christmas break: January 14, 2013…

It was on a cold Monday morning. It was during recess, and I was in the classroom, reading my book. Suddenly, someone sat beside me. And he was all cheerful and bright.

He was Jesse Smiler, a boy from my class.

“Would you quit being so quiet all the time? You’re normally not this  silent!” says Jesse.

This wasn’t the first time he had whined about me being so silent. But I didn’t mind. Why? Because he was special. He was special in my eyes.

Normally, I’d continue reading my book even when people were talking to me. But I didn’t. Not to him. I liked talking to him.

So I finally said, “ Why don’t you read a book sometime? You’ll understand then.”, in the most casual tone I could do.

Then suddenly, he laughed. But I wondered, “What did I do? Did I do something stupid.. or something?!”

It was because of his smile that I couldn’t help but blush. I couldn’t help it, I just loved the way he smiled, the way he laughed, the way he was. I just loved it. To cover my reddening face, I looked down to my book, making him chuckle even more.

He patted my head, stood up, and left. I looked up for a second, but it was enough for me to see his smiling face. I was glad that I made him smile, but I also wished that the conversation lasted longer.

He left the classroom, but I could still see him from my seat, for the door was wide open every recess, so I could see, even though my seat is sort of far from the door.

I tried to continue reading, but I wanted to talk to him more. I closed the book, left the classroom, and tried to walk up to him.

But, I couldn’t. For…. reasons.

For one, I’m not that close with him. So I can’t just walk up and start a conversation that easily. Or maybe I could..

And I’m not that much of a ‘Social Butterfly’ either..

Another reason?

William Fourice, his best friend was there.

I still remember the way he teased me in the 4th grade when he found out I liked Wyatt Whyte, another boy I used to like, before he transferred schools. He wrote his name on my notebooks, which I had to erase, and that made my notebooks dirty. Sometimes he told someone to bring him to my choir practice, and that made me lose focus on the song.

There were times when just a mention of Wyatt’s name would mean a dozen’s worth of teasing. I’m not going there ever again.

But still, with that aside, maybe I could go up to him and chat. Maybe.

After awhile, William left. And just when I thought I could go there and chat, Chandy came.

Chandy Silver was a girl from my class. She was just a bit taller than me, had dark skin and had wavy hair she almost always tied up in a neat braid. And she was beauty, brains and brawl rolled up into one girl. Plus, she was rich.

Chandy and Jesse chatted and chatted for quite a time. I lost all my hope and my patience and I was just about to get inside the classroom again.

But just then, she left. And I saw how he looked at her. It was like how I looked at him. Does he like Chandy? No doubt.

I admit, I’m jealous of Chandy. But I always have to keep it all inside.

But not always. I did have someone to talk to.

And as I turned, she was there, and I had a feeling she knew what I was feeling.

She was AJ Fisher, a close friend of mine. She was a tall and dark-skinned girl with short wavy hair and thick lips. She was quirky and very creative. She also had a thing for Japanese things. And pasta.

She wasn’t my best friend, but I sure wish she was. And I had a feeling she knew more about me than I knew about her. But, we have a long way to go.

“Don’t worry, Aly, there are plenty of Jesse’s in the sea”, teases AJ.

I gave a face and gave her soft punch in the shoulder.

“Just how  do you know what I’m feeling?”

“You’re face says it all”

I laughed and jokingly said, “ Well, you know what my face is saying now?”

“What?” AJ asks in a sarcastic tone.

“It’s saying ‘let’s get in the classroom before anyone hears our conversation’”

We both laughed and continued our conversation as we walked into the classroom.

Class started later, but that’s another story..

~END of Chapter One ~~