Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“... so to wrap up today’s lesson, can anyone explain to me the symbolism behind the color of the guest room our protagonist is staying in?”
Joe doodled in his notebook absent-mindedly, also avoided eye contact with the teacher. Not because he didn’t read the book. Joe did read the first five chapters of the novel during Spring Break. Actually, he read the first two chapters, and skimmed the rest. It was an alright book, but Joe didn’t understand why symbolism was so important. Okay, so the guy’s room had a red carpet and red curtains. What's the big deal? Maybe the sister-in-law wasn’t the best interior designer? Joe gave a small sigh. English wasn’t Joe’s strongest subject; it always focused on the strangest topics.
A few of the kids raised their hands. The teacher picked a girl with strawberry blonde hair and sat a few seats away from Joe.
“Miss…” The teacher picked up a clipboard containing the names of the students in the class. “Janowski, is it?”
“Yes, Mr. Smith.” said the strawberry blonde. “I'm Deborah Janowski; remember? I'm Debbie.”
“Okay, I just wanted to make sure I got your name right… you students weren't the only ones enjoying the Spring Break festivities,” He fixed his glasses before nervously clearing his throat, some snickers coming from the back of the classroom. “I’m getting off-track. Miss Janowski, can you please explain the color symbolism of the protagonist’s room in chapter two?”
Deborah began to explain what she knew about the color red and what the color symbolized, but Joe sighed and looked at the clock hanging at the front of the class. The fourth period was almost over, but Joe felt like it was taking forever for the class to end.
At least next period was lunch, but who knew freshman year was going to be tougher than he thought?
The bell rang, and the class was finally over. Joe packed up his things and made his way to his locker. He was still trying to get used to waking up early to go to school, doing homework for all of his classes, and navigating the high school building. After completing eighth grade, he, alongside Sam and Fred, chose to go to the same high school alongside new and old classmates from their old school.
Joe still saw his friends frequently, but not as much as he used to since they had their own responsibilities now that they were older. Luckily, all three shared the same lunch period and used that time to hang out. Joe fixed his locker, put a textbook away, placed his English novels aside, and took out a language textbook for his Latin class. It was lighter than his other book, so he decided to put it inside his bookbag instead of carrying it around.
“Joe!”
He turned around and smiled when he saw Sam and Fred. He hadn’t seen them during most of the summer, and it was great to see them again. Sam was accepted into a technology camp over in Boston and got to work with instructors from the best universities on the east coast. Fred signed up to be on the school’s football team and had spent most of his summer training, and Joe spent an entire summer with his Uncle Joe (with Anna too, much to his annoyance).
“Sam, Fred!” Joe high-fived Fred and tried to high-five Sam as well. Sam’s attention focused on a science magazine.
“You’re gonna keep Joe hanging, Sam?” said Fred, hoping he would look up and see Joe was trying to say hello to him.
“Wha - oh, sorry, Joe.” Sam put away his magazine and half-heartedly high-fived Joe back. “I didn’t mean to do that; I'm reading an article about the future of technology."
“No worries. It’s all right.” The crowded hallways were starting to dwindle as students hurried to class before the bell would ring. “I guess I took too long for you guys to wait for me in the cafeteria?”
“Nope, Sam was busy talking with one of the teachers in the science wing of the building, and I just happened to meet up with him because my locker is on the same floor,” said Fred. The trio started to make their way downstairs to the first floor. “We decided to see if you were at your locker before heading to the cafeteria.”
“Well, thank you for escorting me to le café…” Joe bowed to Sam and Fred, who chuckled at his sudden use of French pronunciation. “It’s nice to be strolling with my entourage, the bodyguard, and the geek.”
“Hey, why does Fred get to be the bodyguard, but I’m just a geek? Why not a diplomat or something cooler?” Sam protested.
“What kind of diplomat goes to science camp?” teased Fred, obviously making light of Joe’s error.
“Well, what kind of bodyguard goes to football camp?” asked Sam.
“Let’s save that question after we get our lunch,” Joe motioned to the entrance of the cafeteria. “I’m starving.”
--]
The trio settled down in their usual lunch spot. While Fred attacked his lunch (as he usually did), Sam ate with more restraint, still focused on his science magazine. Joe pulled out his deck of cards and started to work on one particularly challenging card trick. Over the summer, he finally managed to perfect the card trick (with a little bit of help from Anna), and he was ready to show his friends his newfound mastery over the cards.
“Okay, Fred, now pick a card,” he said, fanning out the deck towards him.
“Uh, not this again,” Fred complained, his mouth full of food. “Okay, I picked one. Now what?”
“Now, put it back into the deck and watch me work my magic.” Joe smiled.
“I thought you grew out of card tricks,” Sam sniggered while nibbling his meal.
Joe made a face at Sam while Fred put back his card, and Joe reshuffled the deck. “Well, that’s where you’re wrong, Sam! While you two were off in summer camp, I finally managed to master the cards!”
“Now with a few magic words, watch as I, Joe the Magnificent will… whoa!” a group of girls walked past Joe's table and he suddenly lost control of the deck of cards. Cards flew everywhere as students around the trio turned around to see why it was raining cards. Laughs erupted from the lunchroom, and Joe quickly scampered to collect his cards.
“Nice one, you managed to use your magic to make them fly everywhere at a ten-foot radius,” Sam said to Joe.
“Here, I’ll help you out,” Fred wiped his hands with a napkin and went to help Joe pick up the rest of the cards.
“Um, excuse me…”
The soft, melodious voice almost caught Joe off guard. But he turned around and saw a girl he had never seen before. She was with the group of girls who passed by their table. He wasn’t too familiar with them, but realized he laid eyes on her moments before he lost concentration. While her friends walked ahead, she stayed behind.
“I think this is your card.” She said, and pulled out the queen of Hearts card from her skirt pocket. "I don't know how it got in my skirt pocket."
Joe noticed how graceful and beautiful she was. Almost like magic, she handed him the card between her fingers, and he lost his composure.
“Uh, th-th-thank you.” he stammered, finally able to form words. The girl waved goodbye and went back to join her group of friends.
"Ugh, what a loser." One of the girls said as they walked off.
Fred joined Joe, and the two made their way back to where Sam was sitting.
“What was that all about?” Fred asked him as soon as she was out of earshot.
“I... don’t know...” Joe said absentmindedly, his eyes following the girl who gave him the card.
Fred caught Joe staring at the girl and groaned. “Oh, man, you can’t be serious!”
Sam peeked from his homework to see what was going on. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing is going on with me. Joe, on the other hand,” Fred sat down and pulled Joe to sit down as well. He seemed to be in a daze. “One of the popular girls handed him one of the cards he dropped, and now his head's in the clouds.”
“Which one?”
“Beauty mark under the left eye and she has a French accent.”
Sam turned to look where the girls were sitting, and he also caught a glimpse of the girl. She was sitting in the best strategic location of the cafeteria, reserved only for the most popular students. He looked a little alarmed and then leaned in close to Fred's ear.
“Wait, Joe’s into Jacqueline?” Sam whispered to Fred.
“Is that her name?” Joe asked dreamily. Fred and Sam looked at Joe, then at each other, and burst out laughing.
“Joe, I hate to break it to you. But I’m pretty sure Jacqueline is way out of your league.” Fred laughed. “It’s going to take more than pulling a rabbit out of a top hat to get her interest.”
“I have a class with her, and I'm also her tutor.” Sam put away his magazine and rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Yeah, she's nice to you, but I should warn you she's fickle. Best to stay away from her in case you want to get your heart crushed.”
“Have you ever tried to talk to her outside of school?” Joe asked Sam, oblivious to what his friend said. Before Sam could say another word, Fred butted in.
“Take it from me, Joe," said Fred. "She hangs out with those girls for a reason; she's an absolute, stuck-up snob."
That last comment did it. Angrily, Joe stood up and walked over to where Jacqueline was sitting. She was engaged in a lively conversation, but everyone stopped and turned to look at the stranger who approached their table. He could feel everyone sizing him up and judging him. Everyone already knew Joe was the "magic guy." While some people liked his magic tricks, the cool kids have already demonstrated they were a tough crowd to win over. Whatever. Joe wasn't here for them. He was here for Jacqueline.
“Jacqueline?” He said, standing behind her. She turned around and stood up, facing Joe.
“Yes?” she asked.
Joe hadn’t realized how beautiful she looked up close. Her complex was a smooth, light bronze, and her long dark wavy hair cascaded past her shoulders. Her eyes were just as dark, full, and fringed with thick, dark eyelashes. Below her left eye was a beauty mark, and her full dewy lips curved into a small slight smile. His train of thought derailed, so entranced by Jacqueline's attractiveness. He lost his nerve.
“Hi.” He said weakly.
“Hi,” Jacqueline said sweetly as everyone around them started to laugh at Joe.