Chapter 2 - Walk This Way
“She told me to walk this way, talk this way.”
- Walk This Way, Aerosmith
“Wow, I feel so free!” called Amethyst in joy. He spun and twirled in the air.
“Show off!” laughed the crane beside him. “You're doing pretty good for your first time, I have to admit.”
“It just feels so natural to me.” replied Amethyst. “Like this was meant to be.”
“I'm reminded of an old crane saying. 'The Two-legs are waiting to be free. Come, let us fly and fill them with jealousy.'”
“I've been jealous of you, that's for sure. Now, my wildest dreams have come true!”
“It's time to wake up, Amethyst.” said the crane.
“Huh?” he replied.
“Come on, you've got to get ready for school.” said the crane.
Amethyst opened his eyes. His mom stood at the entrance of his room. She was already dressed for her first day at her new place of work. She was to be the new assistant supervisor at a textile plant in Calcutta. She smiled at him as he awoke.
“Mom! You just woke me from the best dream I ever had!” said Amethyst with an annoyed whine.
“Sorry, honey, but you need time to get ready and to eat breakfast. And besides, today is the first day of school. You don't want to be late, do you? Hurry up and get dressed and cleaned up. I've got breakfast ready for you.” she said. She disappeared from his doorway and headed into the kitchen. Grudgingly, Amethyst got up from his bed and went about his morning tasks. He threw off yesterday's clothes, which we somewhat sweaty. Amethyst didn't mind that. It's warm in India, you can't really avoid sweating, he thought to himself. He left his bedroom and entered the bathroom down the hall. He washed his face first, and then stuck his head in the shower and washed his long hair. He grabbed a towel and dried it as best as he could. He pulled a comb through it and made sure it looked good.
He returned to his bedroom and put on a tie-dye t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. He smoothed out the material of his shirt and smiled to himself. I'll bet they don't see someone in tie-dye very often. He left his bedroom and headed for the kitchen. The smell of bacon and eggs met him halfway there. He sat down at the table, opposite his mom. She sat there reading a local newspaper. He said a prayer first, and then dug into his bacon and eggs.
“Are you excited, Amethyst?” his mom asked, looking over the newspaper at him.
“Mmhmm. I'm always happy to meet new people.” replied Amethyst. “And I hope the teachers are nice too.”
“Excellent. I'm excited about my first day as assistant supervisor. I've never been a supervisor before, so I hope I'll be able to do my job correctly.”
“I have no doubt in you, mom. You'll do fine.” said Amethyst, stuffing a piece of bacon into his mouth.
“Why thank you, Amethyst. That's kind of you to say so.”
“No prob.” he replied, finishing off his bacon. He turned his attention to the eggs and stabbed them with his fork.
* * *
A short while later...
“Bye, honey! Have a good day!” called his mom as she drove away.
“Bye mom!” he called back. He turned to face the new school. Wow, it certainly is big and fancy for a high school, he thought. He walked up the numerous steps at the front of the school and pulled the door open.
Stepping inside, he was awed. The floors appeared to be made of marble. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the main hallway. Many students were getting books and papers from their lockers. Some students hurried here and there to their classes. Others stood in small groups, chatting. He walked slowly into the school, gazing at the richness of it. He saw a sign that said “Main Office”. He walked towards the office. Several secretaries were busy with administrative tasks. He walked up to the desk and waited patiently. One of them saw him and looked up.
“Hello, there.” she said with a warm smile. “How may I help you?”
“Hi, I'm new here. My name is Amethyst Crane. I'm here for my schedule.” he replied.
“Okay, hold on one second.” The secretary turned to a file folder on her desk. She flipped through it. She looked under 'C', and found his schedule. She handed to him. “Here you go, Amethyst.”
“Thank you, ma'am.” he said politely, taking the schedule. He left the office and returned to the main hallway. He looked down at his schedule and saw that his first class was in Room 408. 4th Floor. He looked around for a minute, and spied the stairwell. He ran up the three flights to the 4th floor. He had to get to class quickly, because school was about to start. He ran down the hallway and found Room 408. He stepped inside.
Almost all of the desks were full. Everyone looked up at him as he entered the room. He stood out because he was the only white person in the room. He noticed there was a desk free at the front of the room. Figures, he thought, no one wants to sit at the front if they can help it. He sat down in the desk, and he could feel all eyes on him. First days are always like this. And I've had so many of them. Amethyst was used to being the new kid, seeing as his parents had moved so many times. He was beginning to feel like a rambling man, never staying in one place for long. Although Amethyst had told his mom that he was excited, it was a lie. Instead, he was more nervous than anything. His mom and dad just mistook it for excitement.
A minute later, the teacher walked into the classroom. She was not too tall, as some Indian women are. She had long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. She appeared to be in her early 30's. All of the male students in the class, including Amethyst, followed her with their eyes. She was very attractive, and any teenage boy would pay close attention to her. Or at least to her beauty, not necessarily her lessons.
She stood behind her desk, getting her lesson plan ready for the day. She looked up and spied Amethyst sitting at the front desk. She turned to her class list and noted that a new name was on it. She quietly turned back to her materials, and then she began to write the title of today's lesson on the blackboard: The Red Badge of Courage. Amethyst almost laughed. Amethyst Crane studying Stephen Crane. This must be English class, he thought. His thoughts were interrupted by the bell. Class had begun.
“Good morning class.” said the teacher.
“Good morning, Ms. Grewal.” the class said in unison.
“As you may have noticed, we have a new student today.” she motioned for him to come to the front of the class. Amethyst stood up and stood beside her. He noticed the light perfume she had on. It thrilled him. Just great, we're hot for teacher now, aren't we, he said to himself. “Everyone, this is Amethyst Crane. Amethyst, tell us about yourself.” she said to him.
“Oh, boy. Where to begin? I'm 18, as I guess most of you are too, being in the same grade. I've just moved here from Greece. My parent's last name is Morrison, mine is Crane. I'm adopted. When they adopted me, they decided that Crane was a better last name for me than Morrison. I'd have to say I'd agree. My favourite animals are birds and foxes. I like to write poetry...” he heard a few snickers from the back of the class, but Ms. Grewal shot them a glance and they were quiet. “and I play the keyboard. I listen to 60's and 70's music. Most people don't listen to what I listen to.” he said with a laugh. “And I guess that's good for now.”
“Thank you, Amethyst.” said Ms. Grewal. “You may return to your seat.” Amethyst sat back down in his desk. He chanced a glance behind him. Some of the guys snickered at him. Several girls smiled flirtatiously at him. He turned back to the teacher. She began her lesson on The Red Badge of Courage. A few students snickered when they heard “Crane”. Amethyst didn't notice. He was too busy staring at Ms. Grewal. This is certainly not going to be a productive class for me, he thought as he gazed at her.
* * *
Lunchtime...
Amethyst stood in line in the cafeteria, a tray in hand. Today was Tandoori Chicken. Amethyst loved Indian food, and he was eager to have some. His stomach grumbled impatiently. Be still, stomach, we shall soon have sustenance. A few minute later, he got his Tandoori Chicken, and he left the counter with his tray.
The cafeteria was bustling with Indian students. He wandered from table to table, looking for a place to sit. There weren't many spaces. As he walked by one table, he heard a female voice.
“You can sit here, if you want.” said the voice. Amethyst turned to see who had said it. It was a Caucasian girl with long, brown hair. Amethyst smiled. He was glad to see another white person. Although he had nothing against other races, it made him feel more at home to see at least one person who was similar to him. He sat down beside her.
“Hi, my name's Amethyst Crane.” he said. “What's yours?”
“My name is Rainflower Patterson. You can just call me Rainy if you want.” she replied with a smile.
“It's nice to meet you Rainflower. I tell you, I am so glad to see someone like me.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling. I've been here a whole year already.” she said. “I take it this is your first day?”
“Mmhmm.” he said. He pulled out his timetable and showed it to Rainflower. “Are you in any of my afternoon classes?” he asked.
“Yes, I'm in both of those classes.” she said. “Let's sit together, then. We can get to know each other in Physics and Biology.” Amethyst suppressed a grin when he heard 'Biology'. Down boy, down! Don't let your hormones do the talking.
“Excellent.” he replied. “This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Rainflower swatted him playfully.
“Play it again, Sam.” she said, grinning back at him. |
Submission Name: Story of Amethyst, Ch. 2
