A FINAL DREAM – Chapter 1

Tina Kennard

The following day starts with homeroom. I arrive together with Bette again. To my surprise, Shane has shown up. For homeroom, she tends to just stay at home and sleep long. I shrug and greet my friends.

Carmen is talking to Shane. “Shane, since you are here, can you sit next to me in homeroom? That Jenny Shecter is becoming creepier with the day.

“Sure,” Shane nods. She looks at Carmen and I see in her eyes she wants this girl, but she knows well enough she won’t get her like that. I also have the feeling that Shane wants more from Carmen than a one-night stand, but she doesn’t admit it to herself or me.

The bell rings and we all leave for the first class, which is clearly homeroom. We approach the classroom and I see Jenny is waiting already, the hope readable on her face. She reminds me of a little mouse at times, she is sure small enough. Her face falls when she sees that Carmen is accompanied by Shane. She knows that today she won’t be sitting next to her crush.

Alice and Dana find themselves a seat in the back. Helena, who has a thing for Lara, overdoes her British accent because Lara once said she thought it was cute and proposes for them to sit together. Carmen and Shane find themselves a spot and that leaves me and Bette.

“So, I guess it’s only the two of us then,” I say. I don’t wait for an answer and Bette just follows me. I don’t feel like doing homework. I decide to think on how to persuade my parents to let me buy that camera. It’s just so fucked up… I have to persuade my parents to buy something of my own money? Of money that I myself work for?

I notice Bette is a bit uncomfortable. When she accidentally touches my arm, I feel a jolt going through my body. I glance out of the corner of my eye and see that she reacts the shame.

I don’t understand myself doing what I do next. I grab a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down: Feel like coming to Al’s party Friday? I shove the note in Bette’s direction, but she’s so wrapped up in her assignment that she doesn’t notice. I poke her and there it is again; that jolt. She looks up, right into my eyes.