A Proscriptive Relationship

A Proscriptive Relationship: o2

"It's cold," I commented, pulling my jacket tighter around me as the wind nipped at my face.

"Yeah," she responded, nodding her head vigorously. "Thank god this is our last year of walking to school."

I chuckled. "Agreed. But you know you don't have to walk with me. Don't you have a car?"

She shrugged. "I get more exercise this way and it's more fun."

I shrugged back at her. "Whatever, I guess, let's just go. It's too cold for September." 

Together we set off down the sidewalk toward our school. It was only a ten-minute walk, but in the cold it seemed longer than that. I could feel goose bumps on the exposed part of my knee and wished I had worn a different pair of jeans.

"So," Casey started, turning to face me with a grin. "Any news about the mysterious stranger you saved?"

I shook my head. "I wish."

"That's too bad. I would have loved to meet him."

"I would love to see him again."

She suddenly smirked, an eager expression crossing her face. "You know what? There's a new biology teacher this year."

"Really? Male or female?"

"Male," she responded, stuffing her hands deeper into her pockets. "I don't know anything about him though, but I was thinking, what if he's your mystery man?"

I laughed. "No way. This guy was young."

"So?"

"Too young to be a teacher," I clarified.

Her expression dropped. "Bummer. Are you taking biology this year?"

I nodded, pushing my hair behind my ears. "Yeah. I took anatomy last year, so I was forced to take biology this year."

"I'm pretty sure everyone in our grade was forced to take anatomy last year and biology this year."

"Probably. I like biology though, so I don't mind."

"I wouldn't mind if this new biology teacher was young and handsome," she stated, a dreamy look coming onto her face.

I rolled my eyes. "There's no way. All science teachers are creepy. They are usually all old and bald. Or they have a lot of facial hair."

"Well, one can dream. But you're right."

"I'm always right," I told her with a wink. "I'm omniscient."

"Yeah, whatever," she responded, rolling her eyes.

We came to the gates of school and the building towered over us. It had been over two months since I had last been this close to it. I wasn't sure I was ready to be back.

Casey grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward a group of people. I recognized them as some of my school friends: Sadie, Lance, Danielle and Willis. They were all huddled together and I could hear them chattering excitedly.

"Hi guys!" Casey greeted them, catching Danielle in a hug.

"Holly!" Lance cried, pulling me into a tight hug.

I laughed, hugging him back. "Lance! Man have I missed you and your sexy British accent!"

"So I'm sexy now?" he asked, pulling away from me and winking.

"You wish," I retorted, shaking my head. "I know I just got here, but can we move this little shindig inside? It's freezing."

The six of us trooped our way inside the school building, the welcoming warm air defrosting our frozen bodies. Students filled the entrance hall, chattering with friends; some were walking around with schedules in their hands, comparing theirs' to others'.