The trip to the school campus was merely a thirty minutes drive. Dad parked the car right in front of the gate and then turned to face me.

“Have fun sweetie.” He wished while fetching a file from the back seat. 

“Return this file to Professor Adams on your way to class.” 

“What is it?” I said, scanning the papers inside the file.

“Oh, nothing. It's just the enrollment form of the inter-school speech competition. Since you aren't participating, we should return it.” Dad deadpanned.

I felt a pang of guilt surging inside me for declining their wish, and he seemed to notice it.

“Don't worry about it, dear. It's just a competition. You'll get better opportunities in your life and I hope that you will be prepared to dodge back when life throws a curve in your way by then.” 

His pep talks always soothe me. I didn't know if he magically knew about my weaknesses or if it was just a mere coincidence, but he always had the right thing to say at the right time. 

“I will, Dad,” I said with a genuine smile. At least I hope I do.

“Okay, off you go now. Have a good day sweetie.” He said when I got out of the car.

“You too dad.” I waved him goodbye as he left. I turned back and observed my school for a moment. 

Eastwood Public High School

Here goes nothing. I walked across the campus taking in the breathtaking scenery it was surrounded by. I came across a few unfamiliar faces, greeting and smiling at me. Apparently, being an A-grade student has its own unnecessary perks.

I walked up to my locker to get ready for my English class. Before I could turn around, a female voice, too chirpy for a Monday morning, called out to me. 

“Maya! How are you, babe? Oh… How much I missed you, it's been so long since I've last seen you!” Veronica chirped while walking towards me with two other girls besides her.

I observed her in surprise for a moment or two and cleared my throat before bringing up my dramatic tone.

“I know right! It's been so long! I know you missed me and guess what? I did too!” I said, almost fake pouting and making a puppy face.

I was very well aware of how much she missed me. I barely got one text from her in the past three months. And the last time she texted me, was to ask for my help in her assignment, or, must I say, copy my assignment. We never exchanged a single word other than for assignments and tests. 

One might wonder why she would bother sticking around and asking about my well-being when all she cared about was getting her work done, how so ever. Well, things were a little more complicated than that. She tried to maintain a healthy relationship with everyone in highschool, even with the nerds, surprisingly. She was one of those people who desperately tried to be in everyone's good books.

To put it simply, she needed someone who could help her do the assignments for her while I, for that matter, could have someone to pretend to talk to so I wouldn't come off as a loner. Trust me, high school pounces at such kinds. So, it was a ‘kill two birds with one stone’ setting.

I didn't blame her though. It wasn't just only with her. It was with almost everybody in the school. I wasn't the most sociable person out here. I had friends. Though not the kind of friends with whom I could go to parties, or have sleepovers. Just casual friends that I needed to talk, when I'm at school. I would say I got acquaintances.
 
Not that I was complaining. I liked it that way. 

“You know what? We should totally hang out today at the cafeteria. I heard the guys on the football team had a team makeover, and they look hot as fuck!” Veronica said, giggling joined by her two other minions

“I would love to! But I got some stuff to do in the library, so I'll have to pass.” I immediately added, quickly cooking up an excuse.

“Oh! That's a bummer. Don't worry. I'll fill you in with all the details. You can thank me later.” She winked at me.

“Aww, You're a lifesaver! Thank you!” I said, pitying myself from within. Anything to keep them off my back.

“I'll see you later okay. I have to contour my nose. Toodles.” Veronica said as she walked away to the washroom, followed by her minions.

“So much for a fun start,” I muttered to myself sarcastically.

I walked off to the staff's room to hand over the file to professor Adams before heading back to my class.

“May I come in sir?”

Professor looked up through his long lashes, his spectacles sliding down on the bridge of his nose. He was always reading books on the mechanism of the mind during his free time. How he loved reading those books and experimenting them on his students.

“Yes, come in. Good morning, Miss Matthews,” He greeted. 

“Good Morning, Sir.” I handed over the file to professor Adams. He stared at me for a few moments before speaking.

“So I take it that you backed off again, Miss Matthews.” 

Professor Adam was the only one who knew about my stage fright. His experiment of psychology on his students certainly caught me red-handed.

“That is indeed the case, Sir.”

“Of course, as I had expected. But I can't say I'm not a bit disappointed. I thought you were improving.” 

“I'm trying Mr. Adams.” I sighed,  “I've been trying to do it in front of a few people but I can't do it in front of hundreds of talented students. I would make a fool out of myself and tarnish the entire reputation of the school.” I grew anxious as I pictured the scenario in my head.

“You made a point there. But you see, you have to start somewhere. You would lose all your possibilities to do better in life if you keep holding onto your fears. You have to face it someday and overcome it. This is not an easy process. But you have to start somewhere.”

I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say. I knew he was right. Whatever he said just now, I had to do it all someday. But it was easier said than done.

“Think about your dreams. The dreams for which you are working so hard.” He paused for a while, and continued, "Think about what you really want, and when you find one, give all of you to fulfill your dreams. And I know you have your dreams figured out, so act for it.” He said before taking off for his first class.

I was at a loss of words, Again. But now, for a completely different reason. Why do people keep thinking that I have all my life figured out? Do we know exactly what we want?

I wasn't even sure what my dreams were, let alone chase them. People look at our progress sheet, look at all of our grades, and then expect accordingly. I am expected to maintain a perfect GPA without sleazing in my studies and then take off to colleges like Harvard or Yale, when I didn't even know what I wanted to do in my life, let alone follow my dreams. I had these huge expectations from others that I had to live up to and in the process of pleasing everyone, I didn't even know what I wanted from my own life and not what others wanted. 

I couldn't focus on my classes. I was beyond frustrated. My head felt too fogged by this. I needed some air. I stepped out to take some fresh air. I stood in the corridor, leaned on a pillar watching the beautiful scenery in front of me.

Sometimes I really wished I could fade away with time just like that, and be reborn as fresh as a daisy.

The bell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. A classmate walked towards me, “Hey, we have a team meeting in ten minutes.” She informed me. 

“Sure, I'll be there. Inform the other teammates too.” I suggested.

“Sure. See you.” 

I watched her departing to other classes to inform other teammates. Dance Club, one of the few things in this high school that made me happy. It was one of the things that gave me peace from all the hustle. 
                                ~

I stepped inside the auditorium and waited for my teammates to arrive. We were a team of nine students; five boys and four girls. The boys stepped in after a while, chuckling and jumping upon one another. Those guys were inseparable since kindergarten. It was nice to watch them like that from afar. I sometimes wondered what it would feel like to experience it.

I guess I would never know.

We all climbed up on stage discussing how to take our team to the next level and win the inter-school dance competition. 

“Three, two, one and... go” the team chanted, and we danced our hearts out. The team spirit was phenomenal. We all shared an equal amount of love for dance. It was a coping mechanism for us to remain sane in this, sometimes too-much-to-handle, high school.

“Great job guys. I'll see you tomorrow.” Josh, the team leader cheered.

I packed my stuff and walked across the school premises.

While I mindlessly walked by, a guy ran onto me while being chased by his friend and accidentally threw his coke on my blazer. I took a step back reflexively.

“Shit! I'm so sorry I didn't see you coming.” The guy apologized sheepishly.

“That's okay. Today is not my day anyway.” I replied nonchalantly, scanning my blazer.

The guy looked at me, perplexed, unsure what to say next.

“I'm sorry again.” He said and took off.

What a great way to end my first day in high school, I thought to myself. Heaven forbid if I am going to survive the entire high school this year.
                                   ~

I walked out of the campus and started wandering on the streets. It was my favorite thing of the day. I wasn't an outgoing person, not even in the least, and spent all of my day inside my room. And hence, it was a good way to spend some time outside the house, so I wouldn't turn and feel like an absolute zombie. I roamed around the streets, trying to explore old antique shops that not many people knew of.

I stopped by a familiar store. There was an old lady who owns the shop. She was such a sweetheart and was always kind with her words. Call me weird, but I consider her a close friend.

“How are you this afternoon, Mrs. Evans?” I asked her with a smile.

“Oh, Maya! I'm good honey. How are you? You're still wandering around the streets?” She asked with a bright smile on her face.

Mrs. Evans was in her late 70s. Her gray hair shined bright in the sunshine. Her face wrinkled, but the lines on her face made her look sweet. She carried a faint smell of lavender perfume around her. I couldn't pinpoint what but something about her always made me feel at home.

“Yeah, I surely am. It's peaceful to roam around silent streets and also, I get to come and meet you. How's your grandchild?” 

“She's lovely. She just took admission in kindergarten this year, and she was not very happy to leave this morning.” She said, recollecting her thoughts with a smile.

“She'll get used to it. And I'm sure she'll make new friends there and would look forward to going to school every day.” I assured her while sending her a heart-filled smile.

“She will.” Mrs. Evans said. 

“I'll get going, Mrs. Evans. The school gives us tons of homework.” I huffed.

“Sure honey. Take care of yourself and keep visiting,” she said, a smile etched in her wrinkly yet beautiful face

“You too Mrs. Evans, I'll visit you soon,” I said walking out of the store.

Hey Guys, Thanks for reading. I'll be releasing 3-4 chapters a week. Do comment and tell me how did you like this chapter.
What do you think about Maya's unsociable nature? What do you think about what made her this way? Do comment.
I'll be releasing the next chapter soon.

Sneak peek: Someone is on his way to make an unforeseen entry into Maya's life. (^.^)
Stay tuned♡.