1. In the museum

Daniel is seventeen years old but he doesn’t feel like it. At least he is about to start high school coming September but that doesn’t make it any better as he’s going through a lot. There’s a lot he wishes he had done through the years. Perhaps the environment he’s in now can make him forget his troubles.

Everyone seems so concentrated on themselves and Daniel finds it strange, yeah for sure it is a museum with a lot of things people are all fascinated seeing but it doesn’t explain why for the first time, Shinel is not talking to Trice. Those two never lack something to tell each other, Daniel thinks to himself. Gilbert seems to be so attached to the old bones in the glass, that it seems the whole time, Daniel is talking to himself.

 While Glenn always has a woman around to be romantic to, but this time, the small blue rock he is holding has all his attention that Mary had to leave. Seems the stone has amazing properties, Daniel Whispers and smiles. Even the escorts and the tutors have other things they are paying attention to; The fact that Mr. Noboa can’t stop talking to the woman in the white gown puzzles him, it was unlikely that he talks with another woman for a long time other than his wife. Well maybe it’s because she’s the teacher replacing Mrs. Helen coming school resumption.

Dashing suits around with his friends in them, ladies dress in all sort of fashion, a lot of pretty faces. It isn’t everyday Daniel has this moment, so he is willing to enjoy it properly. He brought his small mirror along so he could see if his hair goes scattered with time, for sure the bright faces make him insecure. Not that he isn’t cute he would say but deep down, he isn’t confident enough.  Enjoying the distant as well as the close chit chats, it feels like he is listening to a symphony, not that this is another “August Rush” but it is quite a collective sound since every student has been warned to comport with their manner of speaking.

 Well the atmosphere goes a bit out of phase as the Mayor reveals to the students, they are not allowed to go to all parts of the museum, and the part restricted from them is locked, so they won’t be able to go in. Just like that, the urge sets in. This is not the urge to steal or kill or anything but the urge to see and quench, the urge of curiosity and this urge is climbing up Daniel’s gut.

Other students feel bad about not going in; Britney’s face is disappointed and some students as well. However, Daniel has been planning to go in there since he got in the museum. He’s heard cooler things about the restricted side. It comes as a bit of a shock he won’t be seeing it tonight.

He’s staring at the side, arranging his white shirt and thinking of it the whole time. What if there was another way in? Well it was only a thought; he wants to tell Gilbert about it but getting close to him, he is interrupted before he can say a word. Marion cuts in and starts flirting with Gilbert.

    “This museum sure looks like a nice place to be by your side, don’t you think Handsome?" She asks Gilbert as she smiles rubbing her finger on his chest.

Gilbert gives a smile and while talking to Marion, Daniel decides to walk away; of course he knows how Marion likes Gilbert a lot and doesn’t like interruption when she is with him.

   “Well, Gilbert is surely handsome”, Daniel says and smiles walking away.

Walking away, he sees Sarah from a distance, it appears she‘s having a nice time with her friends. They are looking at species of woods. He can see them touching the pieces of various species which he knows he can recognize without needing name tags, that’s if only he was close enough to see but he does not want to talk to Sarah. So, he stood at a distance looking at them.

The fact that Sarah was smiling made him smile.

Suddenly, he’s about to receive a tap on his shoulder which he blocks and with much awareness, he recognizes the perfume as he turns to see who it is.

   “Hey man chill, it’s me, you happen to be always on guard”.

   “And you Glenn always try to give me a surprise attack”. Daniel says smiling

Glenn raising his fist,”Come on... We both know this is less of an attack”

  “Ok fine”. Daniel agrees arranging his shirts.

  “Wow you are so dressed up or I guess it’s because I only get to see you in uniform”, Glenn checking his outfit as he looks at Daniel shoes.

  “Well just decided to put this on, this time”, Daniel responds looking straight at Sarah’s direction. It appears she’s playfully using one of the woods as a cane on Trice, this causes him to smile.

  “So what are you looking and smiling at?" Glenn asks as he tries to look the same direction. At this point, the staff is asking Sarah to stop playing with the wood as she gently keeps it back.

  “Uhm… nothing”

   “Really?”

  “Yeah” says Daniel as he diverts his eyes to a different direction from Sarah’s.

   “Anyways, I see Sarah over there with her friends” Glenn says pointing out.

   “Yeah I guess so…” says Daniel pretending he didn’t know they were there. “They happen to be studying the woods”. He says using his hand to fix his sight.

Glenn however with a big smile arranging his collar, says “Oh wow then my lucky day to give an impression”.

   "Oh yeah?"

   “Yeah I know you know a lot about woods, just give me some few hints and I’ll do the rest”. He says with his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

At this point, he takes Glenn’s hand off his shoulder, “Yeah, so you want another spider man remake or what?" Daniel asks.

   “What are you talking about buddy?", He asks putting back his hand on his shoulder, this time smiling less.

   “Well, where Peter tells Harry about Spiders and he gets to impress Mary J”.

This causes Glenn to laugh

   “Oh funny”

   “Yeah it is”. I mean, this is a different case my friend, I am dating Sarah, you know that except you mean to say you like her”. He says, this time looking at Daniel with a serious face.

At this point, Daniel stutters, “naa-no I- mean,w- why- would I?"

   “Hey relax”, Glenn says smiling as he taps Daniel’s chick. “I’m just messing with you but I think I could introduce you to the other ones, that’s after I impress them with your knowledge on woods”.

   “Naa I’m not interested...” Daniel responds taking his hand of his shoulders.

Glenn laughs and it’s loud that Sarah looks their direction. “We both know you have not an aorta of courage when it comes to facing Ladies. So what’s that excuse?”

   “Come on, you’re loud”, Daniel whispers

Sarah is gradually approaching their direction, Daniel is already uneasy. So he’s about leaving when Glenn stops him.

   “Where are you going? Won’t you talk to Sarah? She’s coming”.

  “Uhm I really have to ease myself will catch up later”.

He then leaves in a hurry while Glenn looks at him.