The Diary of Janet Harper : Chapter 1-

April 12th, 2006



  The first time I saw you, my legs felt like they were made of jelly. I felt tense, scared, and nervous that you were going to come talk to me. I never felt like you noticed me before, since we'd only had 2 classes together over the 4 years that I've known about you and we only exchanged awkward glances every now-and-then when you walk through the halls. I stared at your glorious features; your ivory colored skin, your brightening smile, the auburn hair that would briefly reveal the shimmering blue eyes of yours. Ahh, yes, you, Matthew Rogers, were the dream boat of Allenview High school. Of course, they're were other guys in our small town of Allenview, but you were the only one I had my eye on. But, why would the hunk of the high school even bother giving me a sideways glance, let alone ask me out???

 

  I'm not the best looking, but I'm not the ugliest either; I'm around 5'8, with long jet black hair, bangs that shield my bright green eyes, and I'm as pale as the fresh winter the snow. Well, as fresh as the snow gets around here in Maine. I've had guys ask me out, all through my 16 years of being alive, but my heart always felt like it longed for something better than the proposals it's always been offered, someone like you. But there are always drawbacks...



  As seen in every teen movie, you have a girlfriend. But, surprisingly, she wasn't the head cheerleader or the most popular girl in school, which was something I liked about you : You got to know someone before you called them your 'friend'. You weren't someone that would hang with the jocks because it looked good, you hung out with your friends, and I mean 'real friends'. Anyway, your girlfriend was actually a friend of mine. Lisa Winters. Blonde haired, blue-eyed Lisa Winters. As tan as you can get in Maine and as short as a 17 year old can get is what Lisa looked like. We've hung out together before a few times, but usually with groups of kids from schools.



    We'd just got our new schedules for the beginning of the school year and everyone was rushing and gushing to their friends about the classes they got and the teachers they hated. Going over mine, it appeared to be alright, considering I had no idea who any of the teachers were:



                1st Period: Raphael- Honors Art

                2nd Period: Corbin- Algebra

                3rd Period: Winchester- Composition

                4th Period: Mako- Advanced Reading

                            Lunch

                5th Period: Polly- Science

                6th Period: Turner- Free Session



  What was I suppose to expect for a 11th grade schedule, all honor classes? I knew I would be put in Honors Art, especially since the art teacher has had a weird thing for me since I was in his class last year. Mr. Raphael I would say is in his mid 20's, dark brown hair and brown eyes behind those weird glasses you would see girls wear for fashion. He's not unattractive, but drops too many hints and way too easily. We had that class together, you and I, Matthew, but you were on the other side of the room. Mr. Raphael always offered me help, gave me glances and blushed after, and would always compliment my art work.



    As soon as I snapped out of my flashback day dream, my best friend, Kimmy Reynolds, rushes up to me, energetic as always. Her blue eyes bugged out of her head and her curly blonde hair was frizzy as ever. She wore a black pencil skirt and a white blouse, stained. But her outfit looked like something from a GAP magazine compared to my run-down style; leather combat boots, black skinny jeans an my favorite The Walking Dead shirt. Average.

    "Guess what, guess what, guess what!!!"

    "Your dad is finally buying you a car?" I answer sarcastically.

    "Pssssh, I wish! No, I heard through Jenna that Tim told Carra that Lisa and Matthew broke up!! Now you have a chance!!" she squealed.

I told Kimmy everything, as she did with me. We've known each other since the third grade. I did have other friends, but Kimmy and I just had that kind of connection.

    "Anyway, what does your schedule look like? Do you have Raphael the Creeper?" she asked jokingly.

    "As always, 1st period. Lemme see." I replied.

We swapped papers and I notice we had 3 classes together, which I was happy about. As soon as I got my paper back, the bell rang.

    " Gotta go, my first class is downstairs, text me later!" she hollered as she was swept away in a wave of students. Not answering her, I continued to my first class, up to the third floor and first door on the left, when I walked in to see my creeper crushing teacher talking to my crush. Please be in my class, please be in my class...



    "Ms. Harper, welcome. You know Mr. Rogers, yes? He'll be your new art partner!" said Mr. Raphael. Matthew gave me a quick glance before turning and walking to go look at a painting of an apple.

    "That's umm... That's cool, " I swallow hard. "So when's our first project?"