There was a chill in the morning air, the fog making condensation on the window where August traced flowers on the cool surface while ignoring the buzzing of her teacher’s voice. The woman was 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?” Ms. Hall asked.

“Only in spirit. Why do you ask?” the snickers of the students made the teacher 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 won a contest. “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?” August waited for her teachers’ rebuttal, but there was none.

The jaw of the Ms. Hall tightened at the defiance in August’s hazel-green eyes, which told her all she wanted to and then some. She clapped her hands. “Okay, back to the lesson.” She left August to her own devices and went back to teaching her class.

August silently went back 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 ever felt. Gossiping whispers, buzzed by, flirty eyes stalked, smirks, grins and smiles were exchanged like a text message. August had on a flower crown, today that was made from sunflowers and baby’s breath. She had worn a yellow crop top that exposed her midriff, and black fishnet stockings with a distressed black high-waisted denim skirt. Her nose ring was gold to match her small thin gold earrings which complimented her yellow converse. She walked without a care for the glances that looked her way and the snickers that reached her ears. She hadn’t a single fuck to give, and she was not about to give in.

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

“Hey, Claude, are you even listening?” Blaine scoffed, shaking his head as he slammed his locker shut.

“Yeah…”

“Oh, well, I just made out with a camel at the beach this morning, sounds freaking awesome doesn't it?”

“Yeah…”

Blaine clicked his tongue, and smacked the back of his brothers’ head to get his attention back.

“Ouch, you what the hell?”

Blaine glared at him. “You’re not even listening to me. I just told you I made out with a camel and you were all like, yeah…”

Claude’s brow rose. “Wait, huh? When the hell did you make out with an camel?”

“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 shuttered.

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

Claude tried to hide his embarrassment at being found out, suddenly grabbing his brother’s jacket and pulling him in to whisper. “Don’t tell anyone.”

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

He sighed, and let his brother go. “No clue, we’ve never spoken before.” Claude slumped against his locker and watched her as she walked until she disappeared down the hallways. He chewed the inside of his mouth, missing the sight of her.

“Well, the day is still young. Good luck.” Blaine patted him on his back. “Come on, we can’t be late for class.” Claude nodded and picked up his bag from the floor to follow after him.

Claude walked into the classroom to which August looked up, and caught his gaze. He paused after his twin entered as he watched her looking at him.

“Claude, come sit down.”

He shook himself out of his trance, to see his brother waving at him. Claude nodded frantically while rising towards his twin, lifting his head to gaze upon her once more, but she had looked away, and was gazing out the window.

A tiny smile curved August’s lips as she thought of how deep his blue 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.