Two years ago

Yes, Ms. Brown," I couldn't bring myself to say so easily.

“Your class is 10 F. The class leader is called Ms. Liebhold. Unfortunately, I can't leave here at the moment, because I'm alone and waiting for an important call. But I'm sure you will find your own class. It's also very easy. You have to go upstairs next to our office, to the first floor and left to the very back. On the wall, next to the classrooms, are the classes and the cables on them. If I am not mistaken, it should be the third or second door from the back on the right, ”she explained to me with illuminated hand movements.

"OK. Thank you. I'll find it, ”I replied and politely said goodbye.

I followed their instructions and immediately found my new class at the penultimate door. I paused for a moment in front of the locked door. He took another deep breath and finally knocked haphazardly and entered.

"Um, good morning ... I'm Preston o´Connor. I ... I'm probably new to your class," I stuttered to the teacher. Everyone looked at me and it became very quiet in the room. Everyone stared at me and I got unusually hot.

"Oh yes, exactly the newcomer from America. Right, I forgot that you have your first day of school today. My name is Frau Liebhold, your class teacher. Well, then briefly introduce yourself to the class, who you are and who you are where are you from, "said the brunette woman and leaned against the window next to the desk.

"Um ... Hi ... My name is Preston o´Connor. I am fifteen years old and attended Pringston High School in Philadelphia and I think I belong in your class now. Is that enough?" I said unsettled and looked, again and again, seeking help from the class leader.

However, I didn't get a lot of support to break the embarrassing silence, because Frau Liebhold was obviously more concerned with her manicure. She stood calmly, thinking of being in another world, leaning against the window and filing her nails.

"Are you a Scientology believer?"

"Are you single?"

"Are you a fan of the Yankees?"

"Is the south really full of racists?"

"Do you have a gun license?"

Dozens of questions suddenly pattered on me and everyone burst out laughing when the question came up whether I had had such a small face in America.

Fortunately, before I could answer anything, Frau Liebhold stopped this question and called me in the third row, in an empty seat by the window.

I felt like I was in the wrong film and wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, because the murmurs and piercing, sharp looks from my classmates were almost unbearable. Not to mention the teacher's apparent mental absence. She pounded us something on the wall and asked us to copy it. Then we should answer the questions on the board with the help of our books. Great, only I didn't even have any. Could the day get any worse for me?

"Hi Preston, right? I'm Betti and my neighbor at the bank is called Laura. And how do you like school here? Is it really that different from America? ", One of the girls, sitting in front of me, turned around and spoke to me.

"Um ... well ... I can't say much yet, but the first impression is quite different. Is your teacher always that way? ”I replied shortly.

"Hihi ... Yes, mostly. You don't have any books yet, do we want to do the tasks together? ", Betti continued to giggle, and Laura suddenly interrupted her:" Hello? Of course we do the tasks together, what a stupid question Betti! Because I have absolutely no idea what it says there. In addition, Preston needs the timetable later and if you want we can show you the school afterwards. "

"Yes. Thank you, ”I said, a little uncertain as the two grinned broadly at me like a honey cake.

The girls briefly whispered something to each other and promptly turned to me with their documents. Both spread out in front of me and while we were doing these weird tasks, Laura kept touching me, by the hand. I was not at all well and each time flinched back a little in shock.

What was wrong with me? Damn it, I thought to myself. Otherwise I didn't fall on my mouth and was so shy with the girls. But instead of uttering a cool saying, I just stayed silent.

"What's happening? You look kind of tired? ”Laura finally asked me when she noticed that I was stretching my neck.

“Laura, leave him alone. He's probably still jet lagged. After all, he only arrived yesterday ”, Betti defended me immediately.

“It's okay, girls. You don't have to get into your hair now because of me. That would only ruin your hairstyles ”, I slipped out with a slight grin, amused.

"OK. Do you think my hair is really nice? I only went to the hairdresser's yesterday. By the way, you have mega awesome blue eyes, if I may put it that way. They really shine. Do you have that from your mother or your father? "Laura enthused a little, who also stared at me non-stop. I felt like I was in the zoo. Where everyone stood around the tiger cage and eyed them.

"Laura!", Betti uttered indignantly and gently peeled her off the side.

"What is it? You also said that his eyes are so cool, light blue and, by the way, you think he is really hot, ”Laura uttered with impressive gestures, meekly.

"Girls please! What's wrong with you? I know I'm hot, but you don't have to argue now. I got the color of my eyes from my mum, by the way. And yes, the hairstyle suits you. Looks nice, ”I passed on casually. Gradually my nervousness subsided. But the looks from the boys in my class were strange. So derogatory.

"Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you like it, "said Laura, flushed.

"You're welcome, honey," I grinned at her.

"What's that scar on your cheek?" Laura asked me suddenly.

“Um ... nothing special. As a child I once fell in a thorn bush, ”I quickly invented and immediately regretted having found such a bad white lie.

"How did that happen?" She hacked.

“Don't you bother Laura. Tell me, do you have a girlfriend? ", Betti wanted to know curiously.

"No, I haven't," I said truthfully and tried to distract the two of you from yours truly. Because what I asked about myself was really uncomfortable. I've hated that since ... well ... since then ... I tried to focus the conversation more on these tasks.

At some point the bell rang releasingly for the break. The rustling with the two of them had been really exhausting, as I had to find out. I told them before Laura could rake in me that I had to go to the toilet to actually get some distance.

Locked in the nearest bathroom, my heart pounded, I finally wondered why I was so tense. I didn't burn anything else in my old life. Was it due to the flashing memories that paralyzed me or was I just too tired? I just didn't understand myself. As a reflex I hit the wall with my fist and immediately felt the pain that came through my hand. Now pull yourself together, I warned myself and briefly practiced my good mood on my reflection in the mirror. My thoughts circled, only around the endless question: "How long can I take it all?" My fake smile disappeared when my gaze caught on the sunken cheeks and the thick rims of the eyes. After a few breathing exercises, I finally got a grip on myself and went outside.

When I arrived at the break area, I looked around in amazement because it was gigantic. All the students suddenly spread out like a sack of fleas in all directions in the schoolyard. I silently decided to look for a quiet place to smoke.

"There's the new guy from America," I heard, out of nowhere, talking about a small group of girls.

"He has such hot bright blue eyes. Have you already seen that?" I recognized Laura, among them, immediately.

“Oh, it looks really cute. "Does he have a girlfriend?" Whispered one as I walked past them.

"No he did `nt. Hey Preston, don't you want to keep us company? ”Laura suddenly called my name.

I grinned to myself and decided without further ado to change my plan and blew up the not bad looking girls group. I tried not to show anything and wanted to test again whether I was still uptight, towards other people. Finally, I finally have to make the jump for myself, because it was two years ago.