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I count how many are in each row, passing the small pile to the first person of each row. “Take one and pass it down, please,” I ask nicely.
    I receive nasty looks from several girls in the class.
    As if I asked for this.
    It seems I’ve also garnered a little attention from some of the male population. I pretend I don’t notice. This isn’t the time, or place, for flirting. I’ve already got enough attention directed at me.
    I finish and sit back down in my seat.
    “Thank you, Miss. Davis.” He says with a knowing smile.
    I’m dismissed, and he continues on to his first lecture of a class that now smells of trouble for me.
    I try to concentrate on the class, but my mind replays, over and over, the events of the last thirty minutes. My very epic first day of class.
    Shit! Not how I wanted my first day to go.
    This was supposed to go easier. I wasn’t supposed to make enemies with the girls now openly shooting daggers at me. I swear I can feel them. Of course, I’m no stranger to daggers.
    Fortunately, I’m finally able to focus my attention and get drawn into everything Professor Forrester says. He’s not boring; very animated, in fact, and seems to love the attention from the female members of the class. He’d be blind not to see it. Thankfully, time passes quickly and before I know it, class is over.
    As I gather up my belongings and head to the door I hear, “Miss Davis.” I stop, dead in my tracks, and turn slowly around. “I look forward to having you in my class.” He smirks.
    I turn back around and leave without responding. As I walk through the door, I hear, “Teacher’s pet.”
    I don’t turn or respond, I just keep walking, knowing I’m meeting Mac, and just need to get the hell out of dodge.
     

 
     

     
     
    I spot Mac already sitting at a table with two coffees in front of her.
    Oh thank you, Lord!
    “For you,” she exclaims, sliding one coffee cup my way.
    I give her a grateful smile, taking a sip, “Thank you.”
    “Are you okay, Ash? You seem a little off.”
    I’m normally great at hiding my emotions, but Mac seems read me like no one ever has.
    “Let’s just say, I made quite an impression in my first class.”
    “This I’ve got to hear,” she responds with a smile.
    I recap the events from class, leaving a couple of things out, like the wink and the way he looked me up and down. I’m not sure why I do. Maybe, deep down, I’m hoping it was just my imagination, or maybe it’s because I’m worried Mac will think it’s my fault. We are just getting to know each other, and I don’t want her thinking badly of me. I would hate for her to think I did something on purpose to garner inappropriate attention from Professor Forrester. But like I said, maybe I completely misread the encounter. Stranger things have happened.
    It doesn’t escape me that, once again, I care what Mac thinks of me. I want her to see the new me I’m trying so hard to be.
    Mac looks at me thoughtfully before saying, “You’re a hard girl for any guy not to notice. They would be crazy not to. Oh, and girls can be jealous bitches at the best of times, so who cares.”
    I’m not sure why, but her compliment means something to me. For the first time, I’m feeling a true friendship with a girl. Someone I can talk to and be myself with. Well, the new me, anyway.
    Mac tells me about her class and we chat for a few minutes. My phone buzzes and without looking, I know who it is.
Warden: Call me tonight. I want a report of how your first day of classes went. Remember, first impressions mean everything. Don’t be late.
    I’m dreading this phone call.
    “Crap, I’ve got to get to chemistry.” I rush.
    “Yeah, I should go, too. I’ll see you at home tonight.” Mac says.
    Home. For the first time in a long time, it feels like a home; a place I feel like going to.
    “See you later.” I wave my good-bye and head on over to my first class of chemistry—the class I’ve been dreading the most. It’s