Breaking The China Doll

Harry sat on top of his student desk, feet rooted to the chair, laughing at the comment his friend Kurt had made. The English teacher delayed in her opening lesson, interrupted by another faculty member as she was asked to step outside. The mutterings among the students remained somewhat tamed, knowing the teacher wasn't too far, still the noise didn't hinder the subtle sound of timid footsteps entering the room.

His neck twisted as he followed the fair-skinned girl to her seat. Slowly she made her way past the teacher's desk to the corner seat in the last column. Shifting to sit correctly in his chair, Harry had the perfect view as he stared straight ahead. No one noticed her entrance or that she was unfamiliar, but he did and by the looks of it, she remained quiet on purpose. His eyes narrowed in on her, from her silky black hair down to her white turtleneck sweater and jeans. It didn't matter how many times his friend had nudged him, Harry simply couldn't tear away.

Nell closed her eyes, attempting to drown out the noise and keep herself from crying. Close to hyperventilating, homesick, her life had taken a drastic turn. While some things seemed like a dream come true, America hadn't necessarily embraced her yet. Everyone spoke English not Mandarin, and even though her mother taught her the language, the transition would require some time.

Arms wrapped around her half empty back pack, Nell could sense she was being watched. Not knowing if by the whole class, still the thought of locking eyes with anyone at this moment would cause her to shut down. Everything was all so different here, going from nothing but hard labor to a place where freedom was taken for granted and laziness far too abused.

Mrs. Beachler reentered the classroom and silence spread at her first words. She instructed the students to turn in their text books to the final page discussed while she retrieved a spare copy to place atop of Nell's desk. Her delicate hands flicked through the pages slowly, not knowing exactly where to go, but soon she was too busy marveling over the English print.

Harry bit his nails and slouched back in the chair, eyes glued to the new girl as he wondered what her name was and when he should approach her. Coming off too strong could scare her, but it had been so long since he'd felt this anxious to talk to a girl. Harry had grown used to the easy servings of his girl mates, but something warned him she would not be an easy catch.

"Already eye-balling the new girl huh?" Kurt teased.

Looking back at his friend, he flashed a smile and boomeranged his brows. Harry and Kurt knew almost everything about each other, best mates since freshman year, including Harry's weakness for a beautiful Asian face. Nothing the teacher had said during class could have disrupted his focal point, even if she was naked.

The bell rang and Nell had taken out her schedule to locate the next classroom. Waiting for the class to empty out, she swallowed hard and exited. Harry was only a few feet behind her, quickly analyzing her short height and petite figure. Irritation crept in as he hadn't made eye contact yet, he believed the minute they'd exchange glances he'd win her over with his smile.

Nell quickly walked out of everyone's way, staying close to the wall while she tried to make sense of her class program. Her hair covered her face as she looked down, making it even more difficult for Harry to see her. Students passed by abruptly, knocking the paper from her hand and there he saw his chance.

"Here you go," he said in the smoothest tone he could muster.

Nell froze, caught off guard by this sudden interaction. She dared look up, pressing her small hands on her stomach to remain relaxed, not expecting such a tall figure above her. Her eyes widened like a white owl's, very quiet and alert. She looked down at the paper he was handing her and took it cautiously.

He thought she was stunning, a quiet beauty with frightened dark brown eyes. Her skin was bleached of all color except for the rose flush sweeping across her cheeks. Harry leaned back to not scare her any further but wanted to at least know her name.

"I haven't seen you around before, I'm Harry," he smiled politely. He saw no response and grew discouraged at the little progress. "Do you need help in finding your next class?"

Nell's knees grew shaky, knowing she could use a point in the right direction. With the same hesitation she handed her schedule back to him, studying his next actions. Harry's eyes widened at her non-verbal response, taking the sheet and immediately seeing the time and classroom number. He carefully memorized the rest of her program and glanced at her name on the top of the page before returning it.

"Nell is it? Looks like your next class is just down at the end of the hallway. Math with Mr. Dotson," Harry hadn't stopped smiling, hoping that she would eventually smile back.

Her face was far too paralyzed to attempt a smile as wide as his. She bowed her head subtly and slowly walked away. Her heart still raced, the humidity accumulated around the collar of her turtleneck was unexpected and unnecessary. Once Nell took her seat and faced more daunting stares, she forced her gaze upon the desk.

The memory of his light eyes stained her mind. His friendliness wasn't asked but offered and for that she needed to commend him, eventually. Meanwhile Harry couldn't erase the image of the China doll that roamed around his school. There had to be another opportunity to talk to her today, he thought, then maybe she would see he was a nice guy.

When lunch time came around, Harry casually searched the school grounds. Between him and Kurt, they tried all possible locations until she was spotted sitting alone on the bleachers facing the school's track feild. She looked busy, writing in a note book and occasionally looking up as students sprinted by. With one deep breath, Harry bravely walked over and opted to sit a foot away from her before saying anything.

Nell scribbled her thoughts away in her native language, making it impossible for anyone else to read. Her mother recommended her to journal her experience, from coming to this foreign country and adapting to its culture. She thought it loud and savagely beautiful, thankful to no longer carry the burdens she once did in Shandong.

The swift footsteps were heard on the track again, catching her attention until she looked to her left.

He sat and posed no threat. Looking down at his phone, Harry text his friend that he would try again. Startled the moment he realized she was already looking at him, he nervously put his phone in his jacket pocket and cleared his throat. His eyes fell on her notebook, impressed by the elegant lettering, though not intending for her to close it.

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to read it . . .obviously. So how do you like Camden Hills?" he asked very friendly but still no word from her. "You'll grow to like it. I actually moved here when I started the ninth grade. I was born in London, in case you should happen to catch the weird accent. But I'm sure you've already had enough American accents for one day. I mean you do understand English, right?"

She fought back the urge to smile. He had no clue that she was fully bilingual and liked it that way. Being mute held little expectations of communicating personal things. Yet since he had made another effort to talk to her, she thought it was time to repay him adequately.

Harry was losing hope again and fast. It was going to take persistence and patience to get her to feel comfortable enough to talk to him. For a couple of seconds, he wondered if it was even worth it. He could go find another girl to flirt with that would play along but once he glanced back at her gentle features, the growl of a hungry wolf consumed him.

"Okay, well I ought to get back before lunch period is over. I hope I haven't pestered you too much. I just wanted you to feel welcomed even if you can't understand a word that I've said."

Harry stood up and climbed over the remaining bleachers but before he could leave, he spun around one last time. He opened his mouth, wanting to invite her to his eighteenth birthday in two days, yet doubt got the best of him. He lowered his hands into his jacket pockets and gave her a flat smile. Before he could spin back around he noticed something that raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Nell was looking down at him with a bashful half-smile.

"That's enough. . .for now," he said to himself.

Notes

Hello readers!
Don't mind me, I'm just patiently dying over here, anticipating your thoughts and comments on this new story. Obviously it will take a few chapters to pick up the pace, for Nell to open up and the back story to develop, which is quite unique I promise you.

Harry is quite nice, as I usually portray him, but I'm hoping to add a twist to his personality. I hope you stick around to find out :)



xoxo