Chapter 3 -- "Brace" Yourself

Would you know when I wrote this chapter. About two days later, I met a boy that looked just like Thomas?? Far out, man!

It was lunch time. Nasty pork N� beans. I shoved them aside while Rita droned on about the latest scoop in her relationship. Rita and me had been friends every since Elementary School. She was a girl that definatly bloomed way before me. She had blonde straight hair that at fell to her shoulders. Radiant baby blue eyes that made her look so pretty with full lips. She never had any trouble with guys noticing her. That was a fact. She had run through so many guys, we�d both lost track. Otto or Ottis was her new guys name I think. It was always the same though. I rolled my eyes softly. See what I mean about the same old thing everyday at school?

As soon as she noticed that I wasn�t paying attention she slaped my arm. Her eyebrows forked together.

�Are you even listening to me?� She placed her hands on her hips.

�Oh, yeah. Keep going. � I lied, while poking a fork in toxic waste or what was to be considered food.

�When are you gonna get a boyfriend?� She pulled her lips into a hearty grin. Here she goes again. She quickly started listing all of the guys that were either �just avaliable� or all the rejects. I sighed heavily and turned to my watch. My next class was almost on the clock. But then Rita gasped. I looked up while looming over my food. I saw her eyes twinkle and I knew in that instant she had an idea. She grabbed both of my hands and emited a scream. My face twisted in horror as everyone turned to us. I let my head fall to the table. Oww.

I felt like my cheeks could burn through the table because they were so hot. That�s Rita for you. She opened her mouth but the the bell shushed her quickly. Perfect Timing. I could hear about her idea later. Seriously. She would hunt me down and tell me later, there was no doubt in my mind.

I rose to my feet, pulling my bag to my shoulder. Just then a boy knocked me down and papers and books flew all over the floor. I was ready to hang him but I was just too worn out from Rita I just bent low to pick up my things.

�I�m soo sorry. I was just in such I rush I didn�t watch where I was going....I...I�m sorry� A english accent poured out.

I didn�t bother to look at them while I grabbed my last sheet and a book that appeared to be theirs. We rose in synch but I paused. Here I stood with a boy who seemed to be in the 7th grade because of how short he was. He had black hair that was combed to perfection with a small cowlick that didn�t obey. Huge glasses. Brown-rimmed. Did I mention that they were huge? He wore brown coudoroy pants with a formal shirt tucked in. Lovely brown eyes trailed to mines without even looking away. He froze them there. Boy, he had beautiful brown eyes.

�You sure didn�t watch were you were going, you jerk!� Rita said angered with her arms crossed. I glared at her and quickly saw that she made him feel uncomfortable. He rocked on his heels while bitting his lip. He had braces.

�Rita, he said he was sorry,� I defended, but turned to him again. His softy browns still locked on me. � Sorry, You know how friends are� I showed him a full grin, pushing my hair from my face. I forced my grin but I tried to be polite. He smiled showing every piece of metal he posessed in his mouth. �Yeah, � he breathed in agreement.

�Eww ... � Rita said under her breath. He quickly hid his smile. I jabbed Rita hard in her side. That�s Rita for you.

� uh, I gotta go. Sorry again.� He quickly shuffled his feet as fast as he could down the hall. I clutched my books to my chest and quickly stepped when he had departed.

�My name is Autummn� I shouted to him. He stopped and swong back around to me.

�Mine is Thomas. Nice to meet you Autummn� He smiled at me again as he seemed to vanish in the mix of students. I waved to a flury of students before realizing that he was gone. I could still picture his metallic smile. Something made me smile harder than I had ever before. But my eyes rose to Rita to see her looking at me puzzled.

She shook her head mumbling something about nerds as we walked to class. Thomas. That name stuck to my mind throughout the day. Like braces to teeth. Excuse the expression.