Vignette #1

The cold metal lockers run up and down the hallways of Lake View High School. Fluorescent lighting, broken water fountains, and posters surround me. Two hundred twenty-three, I repeat to myself as I look for my locker. My flats are digging into my heels, and I can feel them ripping off the band-aids I have protecting myself from blisters. Kids plow through the doors as if they would actually want to come to school, and jump into their friend's arms like they never got to see each other over the summer. My mom decided today would be a great day to try the “bobby pin hair look,” but the number of bobby pins in my head feels like it is ripping my hair from my scalp.

Right, left, right, left.

Not my locker, not my locker, not my locker.

Finally, I saw in the corner of the hallway, locker #223 calling for me. The lockers are a rusted navy blue and match the blue in my plaid skirt. I pile my textbooks into my locker and gently close it. None of my friends are here yet, and I have no idea where I am going.  Math, home ec, science, English, government, shoot I forgot what was after that. I have pencils, I have paper, and I also have a dictionary just in case it is needed.

“I have locker #224, lucky me I get to see you in between every class this year,” a boy says. His eyes were dark blue and his hair brunette. He had a popped collar and khakis on. Everything about him was put together like his mom laid out his outfit for him. His teeth were perfectly white, they were almost brighter than the lights in the ceilings.

“We all get lucky some days,” I said holding out my hand. “My name is Betty, I’m a freshman.”

“Hello Betty, my name is George. I really hope you have math first period because I am a freshman too.” George closed his locker, grabbed his math textbook and led the way to our first-period class.

Vignette #2

I was told to change by mother this morning, but I simply told her no because I liked what I was wearing. My khakis are perfectly straight and my shirt properly popped. Walking down the hallway I run into my friends, but don’t say much because I saw them all day before. All I want is to get to my locker and drop off my textbooks. My friends are shoving me as I walk past them, but I’m not saying a word back to them. They are all asking me if I am going to join the football team, but that shouldn’t even be a question. I know my locker is at the end of the hall because my older brother informed me this morning in the hopes of me not becoming extremely confused.

    I walked down the hall I keep my head down trying not to step on anyone's foot. Once I finally get to the hallway where my locker is I lift my head. Behind the open locker I can see blond hair, perfectly pinned, and a skirt at the perfect length. I go up behind her and pick up a band-aid that had fallen on the ground, yet she doesn’t notice me. I open my locker which happens to be right next to hers. I put my textbooks in my locker trying to come up with something witty to say. She closes her locker, and I have come up with no conversation starters yet.

   All I can focus on is her forest green eyes and how her cheeks get rosy every time I look in her direction. I look down at my watch and notice the time is 8:14. I fix my hair trying to make sure I give off an acceptable first impression. For an entire year I get to see her every day, in between, every period, and I have finally found a reason to enjoy coming to school. I shake her hand and I have never shaken someone's hand that is as soft as hers. I take her to her first-period class that we so happen to share. Luckily I know the way.