My name is Daniel

My name is Daniel

Chapter 1 a new year

I looked up at the whiteboard as I tried to sit still. But just like trying to hold your breath, eventually you will crack and you will breathe a lot more than normal, trying to compensate for lost time. I was able to hold my tics for a few seconds longer, but sure enough, my hands and eyes twitched and I let out a huffing noise. My tics have forced themselves out.
"Hey Tourette's Dan!" yelled out the class bully, I looked up at him already knowing what he was gonna do, as he went about mocking my tics. I looked away sadly as my tics kept on going as they always did when I'm on under stress, that is, completely out of control...
"Come on Steve, Knock it off." Said the teacher.
"You know he can't help it." she added.
"Hey I'm just doing my duty as a fellow classmate, making people aware of it..." defended himself Steve in mock innocence. I sank deeper into my chair in humiliation, as the class laughed.
"Oh Tourette's Dan..." he sing songed as I placed my head in my hands.
"Can you make a huffing noise for us?" I groaned silently to myself in frustration. Provoking a certain tic only makes it come out faster. I did the best I could to hold it in for as long as possible, but alas...
the class burst out in laughter as I let out a huffing noise.
"Ooh that's a good doggy... can I get you to bark too?" he asked sarcastically.
"Shut up!" I yelled at him as I slammed my hand on my desk, not being able to ignore him any longer.
"Boys that's enough!" stepped in the teacher.
"Steve, one more word out of you and you'll be staying after school today for detention, is that clear?" she asked with a stern voice.
"Yes Mrs. Jane." he said in defeat.
"Thank you. As for you Dan, I know this is hard for you, but please, no snapping in my class, alright?" she said with to me with some compassion.
"Yes ma'am..." I said shyly and lowered my head as she continued the lesson. Soon class for the day was over and everyone stormed out of the class in a hurry. I packed my stuff up and walked towards the door, but not before getting tripped over Steve's extended foot by the doorway.
"Have a nice ride home Dan. That's for getting me into trouble with teacher." said Steve while hovering over me as I was still on the floor. He walked away laughing as I pulled myself off the floor and walked outside towards my bike. Soon I was on my way home riding it, glad that school was out for the day. As I rode through the grassy street I allowed myself to let the beautiful and peaceful colours of the trees and the flowers overwhelm me, almost forgetting about the day's ordeals. After some time, I reached home and came to a stop. It didn't take long for me to notice that someone was moving to the house next door. I was wondering who was gonna replace our old neighbours. My parents were still at work, so the first thing that greeted me upon entering the house was my pet dog Loui.
"Hey buddy." I said after putting my backpack in place and knelt beside him. It didn't take long for my pet Labrador to start licking my face and lay down on the floor, asking for a belly rub, which I gladly provided.
"How you doing pal? Huh? Did you miss me?" I cooed at him as Luoi barked happily.
"I thought so..." I said with a chuckle. Soon I got off the floor and replenished his food and water bowl and went about doing my homework. After solving some math and grammar problems, I put my pencil down and put my books away, glad to be done with today's homework. I walked towards the living room couch and lay down for a while...
I woke up to hearing the door open and close.
"Hi honey."
"Hi Mom" I said groggily still brushing off my nap.
"How as the first day of sixth grade?' she asked. I gave her a thumbs down and she frowned sympathetically.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. I know Steve can be difficult but you'll have to put up with him for only one more year and then it's off to junior high. Hopefully you won't have to see him again after that."
"Hurray..." I muttered sarcastically.
"Did you see we have new neighbours? she asked
"Yeah, who are they?"
"I just spoke to them. They seem like nice people. They have a daughter your age."
"You don't say..."
"Why don't you go over there and introduce yourself?"
"Maybe tomorrow Mom. I'm tired..." I said as my dog started licking my hand, as if sensing that I wanted to stay home and he provided the perfect excuse.
That night I went to sleep, thinking about the day I experienced. I honestly couldn't wait to finish studying at that school and get on with my life without that jerk Steve. Slowly but surely, my eyes fell shut and I was sound asleep. The bell rang before I knew it and school was starting once again. As we sat down in our seats, I noticed there was an empty seat next to me that wasn't there earlier, which struck me as curious but I brushed it off after a few seconds. When the teacher came in, she left the door open for some reason. When everyone quieted down she spoke.
"Good morning kids, before we begin today I would like to make an announcement. We have a new student joining our class today and will stay with us till the end of the year. I want you all to be nice to her." She began and then turned her head towards the doorway.
"Come on in, dear." she said kindly and in walked in a girl with long brown hair, tied in a bun, blue eyes and a warm smile. As soon as I saw her, I could feel my checks turn red and my face warm up.
"This is Lily Klien everyone, she just moved here yesterday from San Francisco. Would you like to tell them a little bit about yourself?" the teacher asked and the girl nodded.
"Hi, my name is Lily Klien, I'm originally from San Francisco and now i live here in Cleveland. I like to sing, draw, play the piano... nice to meet you all..." she introduced herself casually with a hint of nervousness in her voice. The girls in class seemed to like her judging by the exchanged giggles and whispers. as for the boys, they seemed not particularly impressed.
"Now as for where you will be sitting, there's an empty seat right over there next to Daniel Cohen by the window."
"Oooh....." sounded off the boys in the class, clearly picking up on my nervousness. Was i that obvious?
"Come on boys knock it off." said Mrs Jane as Lily took her seat next to me and put her bag down on the floor. If putting up with Steve for another year wasn't enough, now I have to share a desk with the cutest girl I've ever seen.
"Hi I'm Lily." she said with a warm smile as she extended her hand for a shake. I gulped as the lesson began.
"I'm Daniel..." I said and shook her hand limply.
"You're my new neighbour, aren't you?" she asked.
"What?" I asked clearly puzzled, forgetting about my embarrassment for a minute.
"I just moved here yesterday, 13 Maple street. You live on number 11 right?"
My face went hot again.
"Uhh yeah... When did you move into old man Phil's place?"
"I just told you silly. My family and I moved there yesterday..." she said with a giggle, I couldn't help but join her with a soft chuckle. Maybe spending the next year sharing a desk with her won't be so hard after all... I just hope she won't mind my tics