The New School and Sarah
Again someone knocked at the door, Oh! I had to get ready, . I didn’t know where my new school was -I didn’t
even know how to get there. Many thoughts went through my mind, but there was no answer for any of them.
Mom entered my room with a smile, her eyes asking me why did I was still in bed. She insisted I do everything
quick; my dad waits for me.
I dressed for school and walked downstairs.
“You have to drop Jesse at her school.” ,” Dad ordered Rick. “She doesn’t know the way there.” ,” he said
grimly, dragging the door open faster to move out. They always frowned at each other while when they talked.
Business means more to him even than our family; he is always harder on Rick than with me. My mom was also
getting ready. She was one of the partners in Dad’s business. Rick nodded at him and I hurried when Rick gestured
for me to come.
We drove in silence for a few minutes until Rick broke the silence. “Do you want me to pick you up this
evening?” Rick asked.
I nodded.
“You were lucky, Jesse, to be with our affectionate granny, . I didn’t get any affection here.” ,” he grumbled. “I
felt alone before your arrival, but I’m happy now , and you are not.” His pain burst out in his words.
For a moment, I stared at him in wonder. I understood he suffered from lack of affection and care. My mom
and dad ran their life like a machine in this mechanical world. Their aim is always to increase their profits.
“No,” I answered. He looked at me once and then turned his attention back to the road, with a light taunting
smile. A girl attempted to stop our car. She stood next to her car. I realized there was something wrong with her in it.
Rick stopped our car and listened to her.
I tilted my head and watched them.
“There is a problem with my car.” She paused for a moment. “Could you drop me off at my school?” She
struggled to ask us for help. She finished her request and watched for our reply.
“Yeah, of course,” Rick answered.
She got inside the car, and then turned to me and introduced herself, “My name is Sarah.”
“I’m Jesse and this is my brother Rick.” ,” I said.
During our conversation, I learned that I would be going to her school. I was really grateful to meet her. She was
eager to know about me and my old school. We didn’t notice that the car had arrived at the school campus.
“Jesse,” Rick said, turning toward me, “This is your new school. Go. It is already late.”
I looked around in wonder, and then
we got out of the car. Rick said goodbye to me and then to Sarah and then drove off.
Sarah and I walked inside slowly. It was my first day and everything was new to me, I felt like a newborn.
Sarah introduced me to her four friends. I wanted to know more about them. First, she introduced a girl named
Kate, who was a little chubby, with fair skin and long golden hair.
“Jesse,” .” Sarah tapped my shoulder, . “Kate and I have been friends since our childhood.”
“Kate is peevish and short-tempered.”,” Sarah mumbled, but I didn’t think that when I saw her smiling face.
“Hey.” She smiled earnestly when I looked at her.
“Hey, I’m Jesse.”,” I replied and shook her hand.
Second, was Jason,who was tall, a little heavy in the face, and looked a little like a giant. Sarah said he was a
glutton. I could guess that immediately from his appearance. “Strongest one in our group,” she said aloud about him.
She paused, gazing at him for a few seconds, . “He spends money only to eat.” she added, not seeming to care if he
heard her.
It was hard for me to refrain from smiling when I heard her words about Jason. He had some snacks in his hand.
I bit my lip to hide my laugh.
“Hey,” I said to him.
“Hey, take this.” He handed me the snacks.
“No . . . no thanks,” I replied with a mocking smile.
“Thanks Jesse,” he said very softly, and finished the remaining snacks in the packet.
“Amazing!” A loud voice distracted us all and we snapped our heads around to listen to his speech. “Amazing,
inconceivable and I can’t believe that Jason offered you his snacks.” He laughed loudly. The scoffing smile caused
Jason to look at him fiercely.
“No need for an introduction.” Sarah groaned, and then rolled her eyes and looked at the ground.
“What? What did you say?” Alex asked.
“Nothing.” Sarah turned toward me with a small smile. “Jesse, this is Alex.” ,” she murmured.
Her third friend, Alex, had a fair in complexion. He was a talkative, humorous guy, according to Sarah, who
said the words aloud in front of him. But then she started to whisper something. I was eager to hear her comments
about him. “Alex is a jester who speaks continuously without any break and no one can interrupt until he decides to
stop - but he plays the guitar well.” Her words were derisive.
“Hey,” Alex said brightly.
“Hey.” I couldn’t make my voice louder than a whisper on seeing his face and tried to keep from smiling by
turning away.
The last friend was Annie. She looked very calm and sedate. Her brown eyes and black hair gave extra beauty to
her face. Sarah didn’t whisper anything about Annie, which surprised me. “This is Annie.” ,” Sarah muttered.
“Jesse, right?” Alex asked, and it sounded as though he was going to taunt me.
“Yes.” ,” I answered quietly and watched him, curious about what he would say since he didn’t know anything
about me.
“If you have any questions, just ask me but only about music and our school.” He paused, gazing at me. “Don’t
ask me anything about studies, okay?” he asked, and I knew he was kidding. I nodded, and smiled.
“You don’t want to clear any doubts, Alex,” Sarah said bitterly, “regarding studies.” She scowled at him. “She was
at the top in her old school and I hope she’ll continue the same here,” Sarah praised me.
“I won’t consider you as my friend anymore,” Alex said grimly, his expression unfathomable.
“Why? I asked.
“You are the first in studies.” He grinned. “I’m the last.” His words sounded derisive.
“So what?” I challenged him, my voice no louder than a whisper. “I don’t think this should affect our friendship.”
I shrugged.
“Okay, one question remains.” Alex pursued me with mocking questions.
“Enough, Alex!” Kate ordered.
“That’s all right, . I want to answer him.” ,” I said with a smile.
“You don’t know the consequences of answering him,” Jason taunted lightly.
Alex resumed his interrogation. “You like to eat?” Alex asked and grinned.
“Yes, but I’m not a professional eater.” I smiled at the banter with Alex.
“Okay, that’s good.” He glanced at Jason to check his expression. “If you won’t eat much, Jason will like your
friendship.” I didn’t understand it, but everybody laughed when he said it. I couldn’t guess what he was going to
explain because everything was new to me. It was hard for me to understand Alex’s quick, jocular speech.
“I don’t understand . . . .”
“Relax Jesse,” .” Annie’s voice reduced my tension when she said it and she patted my arm gently.
“If you aren’t an extreme eater, it’s easy for Jason to take your share too,” Alex concluded, gazing at Jason
serenely, . I laughed out loud.
Jason moved forward to hit him and Alex tried to run away with a loud laugh, but Jason didn’t let him. He chased
Alex. They ran once around then reached the starting place again where we stood like statues watching them. Jason’s
right hand pummeled Alex’s arm quickly.
“Will you just stop?” Kate stopped them, grabbing their hands.
“It’s time to leave,” Sarah ordered and we all nodded.
I’d decided that I loved my new school, because of my new friends. They seemed to like me and were very
welcoming.
At the end of the school day, I stood outside the classroom with my new friends, waiting for Rick. He was late,
but I didn’t mind; I wanted to spend time with my new friends. Alex kidded everyone without any partiality.
“Shall we plan an outting this weekend?” Alex asked.
“Where? Name the place!” Kate urged.
“A round trip to the forest area,” Alex replied enthusiastically.
“Are you kidding Alex?” I asked, and stared at him wide-eyed.
“No, I’m serious.”
“What’s your plan, Alex?” Annie asked.
“A one-day trip; it would be a new adventure for us.” Alex replied.
“Okay, I have to go home.” Jason hurried away without expressing any interest at the plan.
“What? Aren’t you coming with us?” Kate sounded as though she wasn’t willing to go without Jason.
“I’ll go, but I have to arrange my pocket money some more for snacks, breakfast, lunch and . . . “ He trailed off.
“It’s impossible for Jason to finish his list. It would be better to postpone our trip to next weekend.” Alex
taunted him.
“Alex.” Annie grabbed his hands and pulled him toward her, trying to stop him but there was no use. Nobody
could stop him.
“What happened, Sarah?” I whispered a little loud; I felt anxious about Sarah.
“It’s not a good idea to spend the weekend in the forest,” Sarah said in a disgruntled, irritated-sounding voice.
The eyes of the rest of our group widened at her reply.
“Why? What’s the reason? We all are eager to go.” Kate seemed interested in Alex’s idea.
“It’s highly dangerous,” Sarah insisted.
“We’ll manage it,” Alex persisted. “If any huge beast tries to attack us, we’d have a great weapon with us.” He
paused. “It will save us from danger,” Alex said with a serious look.
“What weapon?” Jason’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Tell me,” Jason urged him.
Alex surprised me by standing there in silence for few minutes.
“I’d like to see the weapon Alex. Will you show me?” Kate asked.
“You don’t know Kate? It was with you and it’s your property.” Alex restrained his smile. “We were glad to see
that weapon.”
“End the suspense.” I said.
“Jason. He is our great weapon to escape from huge animals.”,” Alex answered.
“Such a strong man he is. Am I right, Alex?” Annie’s praise of Jason made Kate’s eyes bright. I agreed Jason
should be lauded for his strong body.
“No.” Alex shook his head, and disagreed. “You are always wrong, Annie.”,” he taunted lightly, meeting her eyes
directly.
“Hey, you’re kidding me,” Jason said and frowned at him.
I enjoyed all of it; I didn’t have friends like them in my old school.
“Not at all, my dear friend. If any beast or huge animal came to attack us . . . “he paused for few seconds,
“...I’d put you first in front of it. It would select to taste a large quantity of prey, not the smaller ones.” ,” he added
deliberately. “And one more thing... if it took the animal a week to finish eating you completely, we could move slowly
from that place because of the long time we had.” ,” Alex finished in with a rush and took a deep breath.
Everybody frowned at him, which he appeared to see and smiled lightly on seeing us.
“Will you just stop this, Alex?” Kate asked angrily.
“Will Jason stop eating except three times a day?” Alex asked again smiling.
“Impossible, Why should I have to stop eating snacks?” Jason replied.
“You are right. Impossible. Why would I stop kidding?” Alex answered with a mocking smile.
“I’m going to kill you Alex.” Jason rushed at him furiously. Jason’s left hand clutched Alex’s throat.
“That’s was a good idea. Kill him.” Kate said louder.
Sarah stared at them without a smile, but I couldn’t restrain a smile though I laughed inside. Still, Jason didn’t take his hand from Alex’s throat.
“Yesterday I saw a ghost movie. The ghost resembled Kate. Did you see her face, Annie while she insisted Jason
to kill me?” Alex’s voice broke since he couldn’t speak very well with Jason’s hands pressing against his throat.
In a fraction of a second, Kate’s hand also hurried to kill Alex. Alex shouted vigorously and students around us,
swiveled their heads to stare us.
“Please stop this,” Annie murmured. She tried to separate them, and I helped.
“He’s alive now, because of you, Annie,” Kate shouted furiously.
“What? You are saying that Jason would kill me if Annie wasn’t here?” Alex wouldn’t stop his foolish taunting.
“Yes, I would,” Jason agreed, turning his head back to see if a professor was coming out, but no one did.
“Try,” Alex whispered, very low.
“It’s over; we should leave,” Sarah ordered.
“Yes we should obey Sarah; she is our leader.” Alex resumed his kidding. “Please, anyone, offer her a stick to
control us.” He paused. “One more thing. Sarah is the right person to control our school next to our strict profess . .
.” Annie covered his mouth with her hand.
“Are you coming with me?” Sarah asked me. “I can’t Alex,” Sarah laughed and wrapped her arm around me,
insisting I go with her. I figured it was the only way to stop Alex’s taunting.
“Oww!” Annie shouted.
We stopped walking, turned around to face Annie and Alex and saw Annie shaking her hand. “What happened,
Annie?” Sarah asked.
“He bit my-my fingers,” Annie stammered in surprise and pain.
“I know, he’s a . . . Kate trailed off, shook her head and grabbed Jason’s hand anxiously.
“Just go.” Alex shook his finger at Kate to taunt her.
She creased her forehead in fury and walked off.
I turned my head to see what Alex was doing and saw a loving scene there. Alex brushed her hand softly, and
apologized for his behavior. “I’m sorry, Annie.” He bowed his head, the picture of remorse. “I thought it wouldn’t
hurt you because I bit slowly,” Alex whispered.
“Okay, forget it.” Annie smiled. It was nice to see them like that.
I couldn’t begin to guess why Sarah hated the idea so much, since the rest of us wanted to go. However, no one
else would plan a trip without Sarah. All our plans were spoiled by her. She said the trip might be fatal for us and she
was afraid what would happen if the trip ended badly. For a moment, I thought the reason she gave us was ridiculous.
Sarah has long golden curly hair with black eyes and she’s beautiful. She seemed very adamant. I don’t mean that
she was cruel-she was good and kind to me, but I like Sarah more than the others. Her dad was also a businessman,
and traveled a lot like my dad. They were wealthier than us, but humble. Sarah was their only daughter.
I had to leave when Rick arrived, and I said goodbye to all my new friends. Rick asked me about my first day in
school and I told him all about my new school and friends.
When we reached home after a fifteen minute drive, no one was there waiting for my arrival. I felt frustrated that
my mom hadn’t returned from the office yet and thought about my granny for a moment.
Rick left again as soon as he dropped me off and had been gone for three hours when my dad and mom got
home. They looked tired but asked me about school, which consoled me some.
At dinnertime, we’d just begun to eat when Rick walked in. Mom called to him to have dinner with us. “I already
had dinner with a friend,” he said and hurried off to his room.
The next day, when Rick was ready to drop me off at school, I asked him about Fredrick. I wanted to apologize
to Fredrick and tried to think of a way to ask Rick for his phone number. Finally, I’d decided to just ask.
“Did my behavior at the restaurant bother you?” I asked Rick, wanting to make sure that I brought it up first.
“No.” He paused. “Youʼre worried that you bothered me?” He shrugged with confusion.
“I almost refused to speak with Fredrick when you introduced him. I realized my error after Mom said that he
rescued Dad and I’d like to apologize. Can you give me his number?”
I felt surprised when Rick dialed Fredrick and shoved the phone toward me. I suddenly felt so frightened that
my hands shook. I didn’t think I could hold the phone, but I was wrong and I did it.
It was ringing. My heart waited for his caring, suave voice, but I hadn’t decided what I would say yet.
“Hey Rick.” His voice came over the line, expecting to talk to Rick.
“Hey, it’s Jesse. Rick is driving.” I spoke slowly, and I know I sounded as though there was something stuck in
my throat. It was hard for me to continue.
“What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect your call, Jesse.” He said.
“Are you fr-free this evening?” I stammered.
“Are you coming here?” he asked me without answering my question.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Stay at your home. I will come and pick you up.” That showed his eagerness.
“Okay.” I bit my lip to control my joy that could easily have been identified by Rick.
“Anything else?”
“No,” I replied. I couldn’t say the real reason for my call when he asked me, ‘Anything else?’ It was hard for me
to end the call. There was nothing I could say to him directly, but there were tons of things I could say to him in my
mind. I wanted to tell him how much I would like to talk with him. “Bye,” was all I could say aloud.
“Bye. I’ll be waiting for this evening,” he replied. The line disconnected and I handed the phone back to Rick.
“Relax Jesse,” he tried to console me. “He won’t take it seriously.” He paused. “I’ve known him for three years.
He is a good friend.” Rick seemed to be trying his best to cheer me.
“One more thing Jesse,” he continued seriously, . “You should be happy.” He said. His voice sounded as though
he had unbearable pain in his heart that he couldn’t express.
“I’d like to ask you something.” I said.
“What?” he asked me, curious.
“You are like a guest in our home. That frustrates me. Is there any problem between you and Dad?” My thoughts
exploded out of me and it was difficult for me to stop my questions and my doubts.
He didn’t answer for a minute, but looked at me then said. “He wants me to join them in the business, but I
don’t want to.” He frowned. “I want to make my own life, according to my tastes and that irritates Dad.” He added. .
“Forget it. You don’t have to worry about it.” He smiled.
He cleared up all the doubts I’d had for the past three days.
No comments:
Post a Comment