Chapter 2: The Dress
I have always been that nerd kinda looking type of girl. I didnt look ugly, yet I didnt look pretty-- I was that person that everyone would see past the hallway and forget after 2 seconds. In short, I look so plain.
Even with my glasses that is usually clouded and I wipe 100x a day, and my long black shiny hair that I maintain-- I look normal. Since I was that typical Amerasian girl that looks like a librarian in an early age, people usually stay away from me.
My mom told me that I could use some lens if I want but the thought of putting some foreign object in my eyes freaks me out. I tried it once and I cried for an hour because my eyes were pretty sensitive, you see.
Sure, some of you might guess that I should have a group that I belong to-- like the nerds. But after a while I hang out with them and when they notice I am pretty stupid when it comes to studying, then they will turn their back at me in a heartbeat.
I cant do Math, I am average at science subjects-- the only thing im good at is English Literature because I always loved to read and its my favorite thing in the world. Maybe, I should really consider being a future librarian in my case.
After my classes finished, I went home early and didnt tell to my mom and dad about what happened. All I can think is when will we move next? My mom and dad's job is always moving to other cities they are assigned to, and I didnt expect that they will be moving in these small city called, Spring Green-- even the name sounds stupid. I never had a lot of friends when we moved here in American because of how students usually made fun of my name, and thats okay because the longest time we stay in a place is 1 yr. I bet, 6 months and my parents will be transferred again.
Everytime I transfer to a new school, I would always pray and wish that people would just ignore my existence or even have a single friend instead. As an only child, all my life i have been a lonely and my books were only the things that kept me being sane.
Earlier I almost thought that I had a shot since my teacher ignored my introduction, but no-- that stupid son of a devil just needed to give me small attention for everyone to know that hey, this girl looks like a geek but it isnt, which is pretty sad in my case. All I wanted is a peaceful life in highschool and he just tore my dreams apart. TSK, ill be leaving this city anyways. Maybe I should just be patient about it and survive until I transfer again to a new school.
I also noticed that the kid was also pretty popular, he looks more like a student who doesnt really care about his subjects and fool with girls. Since, he's pretty cute-- that jet black hair and menacing eyes, he even look like a mini- Damon version from Vampire diaries, but his skin was a bit darker compared to my super pale skin. Maybe he’s Mexican? oh but his face doesnt even give justice to his mean atittude. I never cared about a person's physical part especially if the person is just pure demonic inside.
It was already morning when my mom woke me up, good thing its the weekend so I have the time to refresh myself and forget the horrible things that happened to me. Mom invited me to do a small shopping since we havent had a lot of stock in our apartment, and I also wanted to go and buy stuff for my sketchpad.
Yes, I do sketch. I am not that talented to begin with, I do it everytime my anxiety radar goes on. I do it as a coping mechanism when I am having a panic attack. After the commotion has died out in my introduction yesterday, my notes were filled of random sketches for the whole day because my anxiety usually acts longer than the situation. I felt calm when i heard the bell rang which means that classes was finished. Sketching, was my stress reliever.
"Math! You should wear your new dress! The one I bought from Italy? You havent even tried wearing it! And since you’re school has a uniform— you will never have a chance to show it off. C’mere baby.” I DONT want to, I wanted to tell that to my mom. But, I felt bad since she bought it months ago and I haven’t even considered wearing it even once.
I didn’t complain and I changed in my closet room. It wasn’t that bad, but after looking at the mirror— it doesn’t seem to fit with me. I mean I look plain, and this dress just screams I am a pretty girl and I’m not. it also has these frilly decorations and it’s just not my taste. It has this cute pink shades and big ribbon at the back that screams, “I’m a girly girl! look at me!” I decided to take it off but then I remembered my mom’s pleading eyes,
Okay. I mean, it’s just the market district— I’m just gonna go shopping and I don’t even know anyone here. Whatever, I’m just gonna wear it today and put in the trash the next day.
“Are you done?” my mom entered my room,
“Yeah, just gonna get my glasse—
“Oh my gosh you look so good, Math! I know that buying this dress is a good decision, oh how my daughter looks so pretty!” Yeah, I think the only person in the world who thinks I’m pretty was my mom and dad. Good parents.
“Yeah yeah yeah— let’s just go to the car, mom.” I said as I roll my eyes, I don’t like hearing compliments from my mother so.
“Okay! Okay! But can you let me have a single picture !? Please!?” my mom said giving me those puppy eyes that she always do to make me do something that I don’t even want to do,
“OKAY FINE.” I muttered,
——-
We finished buying stuff, and I loved my new coloring pencils— it’s so vibrant. I ignored people who gave me these weird stares while shopping because I’m too preoccupied with my new pencils that I forgot, I look like some retired Asian Barbie. After we finished, we headed in the car and packed some of the groceries that mom and dad bought.
“Baby, do you want to head to the bookstore to get new books? I remembered last week that you wanted to buy that new book from your favorite book series?” My mom asked while packing the cans of tuna at the back of our car,
“No, mom. Besides the bookstore in that mall sells magazine only so..” and give a chance to people to stare at me more? No, I will not.
“No, I mean there’s a bookshop in the next street that my friend Ana owns, it’s larger than the mall and they have great books there. I’d like to check it out, you can come if you want.” mom said,
Well, that sounds nice. A little bookshop wouldn’t hurt, plus there are lesser people on boutique shops than the mall.
“Okay, I’m going.” I said as I put my earbuds on and listened to some Japanese music,
“Dad, I’ll just visit Ana my friend— remember in college? Me and Math would drop by for a short time.”
“Yeah sure, it would be nice to have a small reunion with you two. And she would meet Math for the first time.” dad said, “Ana has always wanted to meet you but your mom and I never had chance to visit her, it’s a good thing that she lived in this city, you can always stop by in her shop after school, if you like.” said dad, my dad always encourages me to do some social stuff because he kinda worries how her child never developed relationships other than staying at the home.
“Yeah dad, sure that’s cool.” I said, maybe it’s a good idea after all. I mean, I can read books there as much as I like.
My dad started the car and headed to the small shop. At first, the shop looks pretty cute to me since it’s so small and they also have this small cafe shop beside it, I already loved it.
“Mom, I’m just gonna go and pick some of the woods works we ordered online. Just text me if you guys are finished, so I can come and pick you up.” dad said, and he left us there.
We entered the shop and I was shocked at how it was so big inside, it totally looked smaller in the outside. I was so happy that there’s just one customer there which is an old lady checking on the magazines for furniture. The shop smells like old books and I am loving the ambience already,
“Math, check the left side of the corner. The fantasy books are over there I think..” she said while pointing at the big sign YA FANTASY, “I’m gonna go look for Ana in the back and ask some of the staff. Okay?” She said, she didn’t even waited for my reply and ran along.
I picked up some good books and went for the counter, I was so happy that I found this shop. My excitement where so overwhelming that I didn’t noticed that I was smiling like a kid. I put the books in the counter and got my wallet, ready to pay—