There was a chill in the morning air, the fog making condensation on the window that she traced images of flowers on while ignoring the buzzing of her teacher’s voice talking about the history of their so-called great country, which wasn’t at all the subject that she was supposed to be teaching. This was biology.

“August? Are you here with us?”

And here she goes, asking such a ridiculous question. “Only in spirit. Why do you ask?” she asked, turning to meet the teacher’s eyes. Snickering erupted from the students and made the woman glare in her direction.

“Can you tell me what the center of an atom is called?”

August didn’t answer, and her teacher smiled like she had won a contest. Was she serious? The topic of atoms had been forgotten three minutes into the class. It was now twenty-four minutes into US history.

“Okay, see what happens when—.”

“The Nucleus,” August began, “it’s the center of an atom. It is the core of the atom, which contains both protons and neutrons. There are electrons as well. The protons have a positive charge, the neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge… Is there anything else you wanted to ask me while you prattle on about U.S history in biology, Ms. Hall?” Her hazel-green eyes waited for her teachers’ rebuttal, but there was none.

The jaw of the teacher tightened, which told her all she wanted to and more.

“Okay, back to the lesson.”

She left August to her own devices and went back to teaching the class science. August silently returned her attention to tracing flowers on the window’s glass as the class proceeded.

~ ~ ~

Walking through the hallways of the teenage populace was like surfing waves of every emotion felt ever. Gossiping whispers buzzed by, flirty eyes stalked crushes, and smirks, grins, and smiles were exchanged like a text message. August had on a flower crown today that was made from sunflowers and accented with baby’s breath. She wore a yellow crop top with black fishnet stockings that showed on her midriff with a high-waisted distressed black denim skirt. Her nose ring was gold to match her thin, short gold earrings, which complemented her yellow Converse. She walked without a care for the glances that looked her way and the snickers that reached her ears. August hadn’t a single fück to give and she was not about to give in.

Claude’s blue eyes turned away from his twin, Blaine, as his gaze fell onto August Chandler walking down the hallway. Blaine’s words blurred to his brothers’ ears as he spoke. August was the only thing he was taking in.

“Hey, Claude, are you even listening?”

“Yeah…” he muttered, eyes following that sunflower crown through the throng of students.

Blaine arched a brow, then clicked his tongue. “Oh well, I just made out with a camel at the beach this morning, sounds freaking awesome, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah…”

Blaine scoffed and smacked the back of his brother’s head to get his attention back.

“Ouch, you what the hell?”

“You’re not even listening to me. I just told you I made out with a camel, and you were all like, yeah, like some doofus.” Blaine said, slamming his locker door.

“When the hell did you make out with an animal?” Claude asked, arching a brow.

“I didn’t, you jackass. I was trying to see if you were even taking me on—clearly that girl was all you could think of.”

“W—what? What girl?” he shuddered.

Blaine rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not an idiot, Claude, that girl, the one with the locks and the flowers in her hair.”

Claude tried to hide his embarrassment at being found out. He grabbed his brother’s jacket and pulled him close, then whispered to him. “Don’t tell anyone.”

He scoffed. “Like I would ever. Does she even know you exist? She seemed to be in her own world.”

Claude sighed and let his brother go. “No clue, we’ve never spoken before.” He slumped against his locker, watching her as she walked until she disappeared from view, then sighed.

“Well, the day is still young. Good luck.” He patted him on the back. “Come on, we can’t be late for class.”

Claude nodded and picked up his bag from the floor to follow his brother.

~ ~ ~

Claude walked into the classroom to which August looked up and caught his gaze. He paused behind his twin as he watched her look his way.

Blaine saw Claude gawking at the girl he liked and snapped infront of his eyes. “Claude, come sit down.”

He shook himself out of his trance and saw his brother waving at him. He glanced over at her, but she had looked away, gazing out the window.

A tiny smile curved August’s lips upwards as she thought of how deep his eyes were. She hummed to herself, then opened her sketchbook to the page she had begun in first period.

“Mr. Mason, please take your seat.” Mr. Shaw said as he walked into the classroom with his folder in hand. Claude obeyed and went to sit beside his brother. The class began, and the day proceeded as normal.

~ ~ ~