Lost In Stereo -Jack Barakat

Chapter 2- Outbreak Of Heartache

I finally made a start on my maths work after Mr Stone shot me a glare. I hate how teachers notice everything. I also hate the amount of noise that students feel the need to make whilst they’re trying to do work. I turn the page of my maths textbook and start those questions; which are luckily the last ones that I have to do.

“You like blink 182?” A voice says, Jack I think his name was. That’s right; I have badges of all my favourite bands on my bag.

I nod my head.

“You don’t talk much do you?” He asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t really see the need to, there’s no one to talk to.”

“You could talk to me you know, you have a great taste in music.” He smiles a little.

“Thanks, and so do you by the looks of it.”

We stop talking so we can finish our maths questions before the bell rings for the first break of the day.

“Okay everyone,” Mr Stone says over the talking, “You can start packing up now. Imogen and Jack I’d like to stay here when the bell rings.”

Umm what? I didn’t think that us talking, for not even 5 minutes, would result in being kept in class. I mean the whole class was talking louder than the two of us put together.

I put my textbook and my writing book into my bag with everything else and stare blankly at my desk. I look over at Jack who’s doing the same thing, but of course the rest of the class is talking. I wait impatiently for the bell to ring so I can hurry up and find out what’s going on. I look out the window that I was staring at earlier and it’s not raining anymore. The weather is funny here.

The bell rings and the rest of the class runs for the door, someone falls over but within 45 seconds everyone’s out of the class room and it’s completely silent. Jack and I stand up from our chairs and push them in without making a sound and then walk up to the front of the class where the teacher is standing.

“First of all Imogen I’d just like to let you know that if you feel like you’re falling behind because you’re starting in the middle of the second term let me know and I’ll give you easier work.” I thought he was actually a mean teacher but he probably will be towards the end of the year.

“Okay thanks, I shouldn’t fall behind because I’m pretty good at math but if I do I’ll let you know.” I give him a fake smile and then look over at Jack who’s standing there awkwardly. I didn’t realize how lanky he was until now.

Mr Stone turns to face both of us. “Jack I think that it would be nice if you showed Imogen around, you probably have a lot of the same classes together and she’s new so make her feel welcome.” The teacher says. Ugh enough with this.

“Uh yep sure.” Jack says.

“Okay, have a good day you two.” Mr Stone finally dismisses us.

Once we’re out the door I take that opportunity to tell Jack that he doesn’t need to watch over me. “You don’t have to look after me all day, I’m sure that I’ll find everything.”

“Are you sure?” Jack asks.

I just nod my head. “Thanks anyway.”

“Okay, just let me know if you need anything.” He gives me a weak smile and then walks off to what I’m assuming is the cafeteria.

I walk there and see that everyone has their own tables, the jocks sit with the other jocks, and the nerds sit with the nerds. I go and get some chips out of the vending machine, hoping that they’ll get me though my next two classes. I go and sit down at an empty table and take out my phone. Still nothing. I should just stop hoping for the impossible. I put my phone away and get out my timetable; double music in T5. Well that should be pretty easy. I feel eyes on me and look out of the corner of my eye to see Jack looking at me. His gaze shifts, I’m guessing that he saw me. I go back to my packet of chips, that I don’t even like but I have to eat something so it might as well be this.

Jack’s Point Of View

“Are you going to stop looking at that girl anytime soon?” Alex nudges me.

“What?” I ask, snapping out of my thoughts.

“You’ve been staring at that girl for the past 10 minutes.” Alex laughs.

“Shut up, you’ve got a girlfriend.” I grunt, looking at Lisa.

“That doesn’t mean shit. Do you even know her?”

“Yeah, her name’s Imogen, she likes blink and she’s in my maths class.” I say, probably with the biggest smile on my face. “My maths teacher asked me to make sure that she got to her classes okay but she told me that she didn’t want any help. She doesn’t talk much.

“Jack has a crush.” Alex chants over and over again, causing my cheeks to turn a faint pink colour.

“’Bout time.” Rian smirks from the other side of the table.

“Shut up.” I mutter.

I stare at my untouched sandwich and eat it within a few bites.

“Calm down there Jack.” Zack laughs.

“What do you have next?” Alex asks me.

“Double music, you?”

“The same thing.” He replies. “You should ask her to sit with us.”

“What?” I say to Alex.

“You heard me, get up and ask her to sit with us.” Alex nudges my arm once again, making it hurt even more due to the previous nudge.

“If you think it’s a good idea then sure.” I reply with a straight face, but I’m really happy on the inside.

I get up out of my chair and walk over to Imogen, who’s sitting by herself.