Time After Time

Part 2

An uneventful first day of school makes it's way to an end as I walk to my last class of the day. I pull out my paper, which lists the classroom numbers along with the teachers. My eighth period is World History, with Mr. Page, room 815. I pull my way through the crowd of students and watch each room number, looking for mine.

807, 809, 811, 813, here we go! 815.

I feel a yawn come along and I hold it in, causing my eyes to water up as I enter the room. Only one other person, whom I don't know, is in there. I must be early. I make my way to a seat on the fourth row, the side farthest from the teacher's desk. I always hated sitting in the front because I felt like everyone was watching me. But, I couldn't sit in the back because that's where the people who didn't pay attention sat and I couldn't listen. I pull out my dark blue notebook which I already decided I'd use for this class. Another yawn creeps up and I manage to hold it back. I can't wait to go home and sleep. A group of three students pile in, backpacks swung around their shoulders as they laugh, making their way to the back. The room slowly begins to fill up and I pull out my favorite gel pen. I'd always loved history, so I was sort of excited to see how this class would go. A third yawn approaches me again just as I look towards the door, a very familiar face walking through. Corey Haim. My attention is held by my surprise that we share this class that I forget to hold my yawn back, my mouth widening. I quickly turn my head and cover my mouth and then my face, assuming everyone must've looked at me. I slowly bring my hands down and everyone is in the same chatter amongst each other, not paying any attention to me. I sigh in relief and look to find that Corey has sat at the empty seat on the 3rd row, closest to the teacher. I reach to fix my hair discreetly and readjust my dress in a straight position. I look over at Corey. He's slumped in his chair with a bored expression, his white and blue striped shirt waved in crinkles.

"Alright class," Mr. Page begins, "I hope you're supposed to be in World History because that's what I teach." He smiles, attempting to make a joke. While everyone understands, no one laughs. He clears his throat and sits down on his brown leather seat at his desk. "When I call your name, say 'here'." Mr. Page begins calling names and I can't help but watch Corey. He sits up and lays his head down on the desk, his head facing the wall next to me. His dark hair falls slightly around his forehead and I wonder what he's thinking.

"Fontaine? Fontaine?" Mr. Page's voice grows louder, pulling me out from my gaze.

"Oh, here." I quietly respond as I feel Corey glance in my direction. I try my hardest not to look over at him, but fail after only a few seconds. When I do, he is still looking at me and slightly smirks after looking away. Did Corey just smile at me? Am I in the Twilight Zone?

I feel my face grow hot and I try to ease my nerves before roll call is finished. Once it is, Mr. Page begins explaining the same old rules and regulations for his classroom, even though they are the exact same in every classroom in this school. I continue to keep glancing over at Corey, who is now leaned back in his chair. His right hand lifts up and his defined fingers run through his dark hair. I try my hardest to hold my internal swoons together. I'm not used to being this close to Corey for such a long period of time since I've never had a class with him before. Mr. Page finishes his unnecessary speech and I'm about to doze off until his loud voice awakes me.

"Mr. Haim?" He speaks firmly. I look over to see that Corey found the speech boring as well because he was waking up from what seemed to be a nap. His distraught eyes flutter open and he sits up.

"Yes?" Corey speaks, in a sleepy yet ornery way. "Mr. Page?"

"You'll learn very quickly that you'll stay awake in my class this year." And that same smirk creeps up on Corey's face as he began to rub his eyes awake. I look towards the clock, which informs me we only have 13 minutes left in class. "Anyways, class, you can set up your history journals now until the end of the period. Number every page, odds on the left and evens on the right." The bell finally rings, releasing me from my sadly dreadful class. I'm relieved to go meet up with Lucy at our favorite smoothie place downtown like we planned. I put my things in my backpack and get up to leave the classroom. As soon as I enter the hallway, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"That Mr. Page guy's a real drag, eh?" I turn to see a tall gorgeous face tower over me. Corey.

I freeze and feel my body walk, although it doesn't seem like I have control of the movement in my legs. I smile and nod in response. The smell of Corey's musky cologne fills my senses and I can't believe that he is actually speaking to me.

"What's your name again?" He asks while licking his lips, staying close by my side as we squeeze through the halls.

"Lux." I grin as we walk out the doors, the California heat embracing us. He was so kind, just as I thought he'd be, that I wasn't even bothered that he didn't know my name.

"Lux? Hey, that's a cool name." He smiles and I notice a couple people looking at us as we walk down the sidewalk, towards the senior parking lot. "I'm Corey!" I love the way he says it, as though I don't know; as though the whole school doesn't know.

"Nice to meet you." I reply shyly, looking away. I notice my car in the next row of the lot.

"You too, Lux." The way he says my name gives me goosebumps. I really am in the Twilight Zone. There is no way this is happening, not to me. "Do you have a ride?" Corey asks in a nervous voice I never thought I'd hear coming from him.

Corey Haim is asking if I have a ride. I, Lux Fontaine, do have a ride. I think back on what I said this morning. This year is meant to be different. It's clear what I should say.

I smile and look right at him. "Actually, no."