Puzzle Clay

A Story by Julie Victory

Puzzle Clay is a senior in Valley High. She only has one rule, organise. It has helped her for the past three years of high school and in life. And it will help find the missing piece of her life.

Organise. My only rule in solving a puzzle. And in life. I remember my first puzzle. I was 8 and my mother brought me to her favourite bookstore in Vermont. Personally, reading wasn't a hobby of mine, I did read some novels, but most were required for school. As my mom was walking around the romance aisle I was skipping around the game section. I was eight, games were my hobby. I looked up at the shelves and I saw boxes labeled "Jigsaw Puzzle" My mother handed a box to me as she smiled. When we arrived home I ran to the living room opening the box with a hundred pieces. After two hours I was able to form the ocean with three sea turtles. Nine years later, a hundred pieces became thousands. Being organised has helped me cope with high school. And my new family.

I remember when my mom's best friend Lisa took me in when I was 12, when my mom left me. And as far as I was concerned I never knew who my father was. I couldn't believe I had to go through high school without her. I had no choice. I guess the hardest thing besides letting go of her was moving to the west coast. I was never used to that kind of environment. A warmer weather. Hollywood. The calm beaches.

"Puzzle Valerie Clay! You're going to be late!" As I hurry down the stairs I try to dry my wet hair by shaking it leaving traces of water. "I'm here. I'm here" I'm out of breath. I grab an apple from the table making my way to the door. "Hold it Puzz" A voice coming from the kitchen.

"Yes?" I turn around to meet my uncle Clide.

"Honey! Lisa, come here for a moment."

"I'm gonna be late you guys." I argue.

"We just have a few words." Lisa says in a rush.

I know they love me, like I was their own. They always had a problem having children. I wasn't sure if it was Clide or Lisa, I just never bothered asking. Maybe because I was too embarrassed to act like their child. Until know I still see them as my guardians not family. I do love them. It's just different. I was always curious why I never meant aunts or uncles or cousins or any family members. Why My mother never introduced me to them. But my curiosity faded because I had her. I never thought I would lose her.

"Your mom would be so proud of you Puzzle." Clide utters.

"We all our. It's your last year. You're going to college. We are just proud." A tear falls down Lisa's face.

I breath deep, close my eyes, and I open my mouth. Nothing comes out but a simple "Thanks"

I run down the door and get in my car and drive to school.

"What up Puzzle! " She opens my car door.

"Hey Kary!" I hug her with one hand and grab my books with the other.

Kary has been my best friend since the first day of high school. We were like sisters. Literally. Our blonde long hair, brown eyes, height. Some people would mistaken us for wins if those people were strangers to us. Like me, Kary was somehow organised. Her grades were high, she had extra curricular activities, she had good taste in music. Except for one thing she had a boyfriend. Which is actually my other best friend. The three of us were practically a family. Me being their daughter.

For the four years my entire high school life I never had a boyfriend, a fling, date, a friends with benefits arrangement, a kiss. I wasn't anti-social or anything. I did attend parties. It's just that, I was never into relationships.

I wasn't a loser just because I never had one yet I wasn't the most popular girl who was onto of the cheer pyramid. I was average. If there was a party I was the girl who wouldn't be leaning on the wall with a red cup in my hand. I wasn't also the type who would be half naked and drunk. I would be the girl who had a shot or two hanging with some friends and maybe trying a kind of narcotics.

First period of my first day. Art. I loved art. Just as much as I loved puzzles. Maybe because art and puzzles were the things my mom loved. After all, she did name me Puzzle.

As our teacher walks in, I see a familiar face behind him. "Okay class, welcome to your first day of your last year! We have a new student here today. Everyone this Michael Downey. Michael meet the class"

"Uhm. Actually sir I do no them I went here for high school, I just dropped out junior year." Yup it's him. Michael downey, soccer player, singer, cutest guy in school. He was my only crush, until he left. But now, he is back.

Bell rings and it's time for history. I sit in the third row second column. When suddenly Michael sits beside me.

"Puzzle right?" He asks. I pretend not to hear him. Just looking forward.

He looks at me harder. I can't ignore it. "What?"

"You're Puzzle. Puzzle Clay."

"Yeah! That's me!"

"Aren't you in my art class too?"

"Mhmm" OH. MY. GOD. This is our first conversation that lasted for my than ten seconds. Good job Puzzle.

Recess time. I have my brown paper bag in hand.

"Puzzle! Over here." There he was. Adam Tucker. Best friend number two.

"Hey Adam! Where's Kary?" Chewing on a bread stick.

"Library."

"Are you sure?" Pointing to the vending machines.

"Be right back" running to Kary.

Obviously he wasn't' coming back so I leave the table and head to the library. When I arrived the chairs were filled. I was amazed to see how many people were desperate start the year right. Finally, after going around the library there was an empty chair. I was ready to sit down when someone stops me.

"Saw it first!' Of course. It was Michael.

"I don't think so. I have been going around looking for a seat." My eyebrows lift.

"How about, we share the floor?"

Is he hinting something? Does he like me? NO. NO. NO. I have done three years without a distraction. I'm not starting.

"You can have it" I walk out the library towards an empty hallway. I find a spot where I can read in peace. Where there won't be a hot guy to distract me. Maybe I didn't need the seat anyway. It was wasn't like I was going to study. I just wanted to read a book, possibly written by my unknown father.