CONCUPISCENT

1.1

Tessa

I'm running, my heart hammering against my chest. My feet pounding against the ground. My breath coming out in puffs as I struggle to catch it. The feeling of someone chasing me becomes imminent as I near the end of a cliff overlooking the rocky sea beneath. I hear the voice of someone behind me but it's muffled by the sound of the waves. I take one step closer towards the edge and jump off, hurtling towards the rocks below.

I awake from my dream, the sweat trickling down my forehead. My breathing ragged and uneven. I've had that dream for as long as I can remember. Looking at the clock, I realize its 6 in the morning and decide to get out of bed and get ready for school.

I walk slowly towards my bathroom and get in the shower, glad to rid myself of that dream I just had. After showering I get out and walk towards my closet to pick an outfit out for today. Once my underwear is on, I opt for a pair of dark skinny jeans and a long sleeved navy blue shirt.

I apply a small amount of concealer under my eyes and run a brush through my hair before I exit my bedroom and go downstairs for breakfast.

"Morning," I say as I enter the kitchen, nodding towards my mom and dad. They murmur their responses to me as I get a granola bar out of the pantry and head towards the door, picking up my backpack knowing my parents won't notice if I leave.

Once I get outside, I get into my car and back out of the driveway heading towards school.

To be completely honest I wish I could skip school today, even if it is the first day of school. I'm not particularly happy to be the invisible one at Lockwood High. The one with no friends, the person that everyone avoids. Lockwood High is probably the most stereotypical highschool you could find. There are the jocks and cheerleaders that make up the popular crowd. The sluts, the goths, the emos, the freaks, the geeks and those who are not even recognized like me.

I get to school in 10 minutes, and find a parking spot close to the entrance. I get out, picking up my bag and lock my car, heading towards the doors of the school.

Once I enter, everything is as it always is. Every person is either in a group or at their lockers. The sluts as usual are practically throwing themselves at the jocks and the cheerleaders gossiping about everything that happened over the summer.

I keep my head down and walk towards my locker, feeling really grateful it's at the end of the hallway secluded from everyone else.

I get there and put my bag into my locker taking my English book out for my first period class. The bell is about to ring so I walk briskly towards the room and enter it taking a seat at the window so I can look outside and imagine myself there either sketching or taking photographs.

Once the bell rings, everyone enters the classroom and takes a seat, the teacher, Mr. Wilks entering after them. He then sets down his things and starts talking about what we will be doing this year as I open my book and start doodling on the page.

When Mr.Wilks starts mentioning a project I snap my attention away from my drawing and start listening to him.

"This project will be done in pairs and will be worth fifty percent of your grade. It will be done on the book To Kill A Mocking Bird and will be due on the 20th of September. This project will include writing a detailed essay on five themes in the book, giving examples of course and also a description of what happens in the book itself. I will be pairing each of you up and for the rest of the class you will discuss your project with your partner,"

I can't believe this, of all things why did it have to be a project done in pairs. This will definitely not end well, I just hope I don't get Diana Rhodes who happens to be the most annoying, slutty and stupid girl in this class not to mention she would probably dump all the work on me.

As Mr. Wilks starts listing out the pairs with some people high fiving for getting each other I cross my fingers and pray I don't get someone stupid.

I hear Mr.Wilks say Tessa Blake and I look up preparing myself for whatever he is about to say. But, what happens next shocks me. He says the name I was least expecting him to say. Pairing me with the most popular guy and also  player of our school.

Cole Banks