I decide it’s a better idea just to wait till the bell rings than to go to class late. I go back to the bathroom and listen to my Ipod. I can stop thinking about James. His hair, the way he talked about Sara like just some random person, every other guy would marvel at her name. But mostly I thought about how he pulled back when I touched him, like it hurt. Like the way I do when my sister grasps my arm. Claire knows what I do. We have a deal, if I keep quiet, so does she.
The bell rings for the end of 3rd hour. I need to tell Sara what I heard, but I’d rather not get a 1st degree lecture on skipping class, or have her asking what I did all hour. Sara’s book smart, but she’s so naive when it comes to real life. The rest of the day feels like a dream. When the last bell finally rings I practically run out the door, avoiding Sara of course.
“Hey you, wait up.” Too late she saw me. “Your not mad that I can’t go with you are you?” she asks
“No, I can go by myself,” I manage to utter.
“O than I better go. See you later.”
“Wait! Keith’s cheating on you.” I cry. Bad timing, everyone is looking at us.
“Who told you?” she can barely whisper “How did you find out?” She believes me. No. She already knew.
“A friend told me,” I say, “a friend of Keith’s. I’m sorry Sara.”
“You’re a liar Liz. You’re just mad I have someone who cares about me and you don’t!” She screams. It’s a low blow, especially for sweet little Sara.
“He obviously doesn’t give a dam about you or he wouldn’t be with James’s sister!” I couldn’t help it. She’s just putting on a show for her friend’s. She runs off crying. “Sara wait, I didn’t mean…” Too late, I screwed up yet again.
I don’t go strait home like I’m supposed to. Mom won’t be home for another two hours anyway. When I do finally get home Claire’s gone, I didn’t want to go with her anyway. My computer say’s I have two new e-mails. I read the first, from Keith.
What the hell did you tell Sara lie to for it’s not like your really friends any more so why should you care.
I don’t really know how to reply to that so it goes strait to the trash bin. The second is from an unknown address.
Its James I saw what happened with that one chick after school sorry I got you involved it was my fault
I have no idea how he got my e-mail but I reply this time.
I’m glad you said something someone had to and it wasn’t gonna be Keith it’s his fault
The reply came almost as soon as I hit the send button.
Don’t forget my slutty sister lol
I think that was the first time an actually laughed out loud at a message. There was something about James that I liked. I don’t know what, I only met him a few hours ago, but something made me know I could trust him. I get up to feed Bottle, our cat. Whenever he was a kitten he would stare and become fixated with the noises empty water bottles made when he’d chew on them. Now he just lies on the couch all day and dozes. It would be nice to be able to just sit around and nobody bother you no gossip, no math, no annoying teachers, just sleep eat and repeat.
I write a note for my mom that says I’m going to Sara’s, and that I‘ll be back in a few hours. I’m not of course; I’m going to see my old friend, in a manner of speaking. Cemeteries are depressing for obvious reasons, but it wouldn’t feel right if I just tried to forget Abby like Sara does. It’s a spot near the front, shaded by a small maple tree. I’m the only one here, other than Sara I doubt anyone else will come. Abby’s dad lives in New York, and her mom overdosed a few months back. Leaning against the trunk of the tree I think how lucky I am. Sure my parents hate each other and are to busy to notice that Claire and I even exist, but we do so were pretty lucky.
The sun is beginning to set as I start towards the house. But before I get there the way the sun reflects on the pond compels me to stop. I sit on the edge with my feet in the water, its bitter cold but relaxing. I lie on my back and gaze at the sky, the first stars are emerging into view. I still can’t watch them with the intensity Abby had, but I try to find their meaning anyway. As I lie there I realize just how small we are. Our whole planet is only a millionth of our sun, which isn’t even a whole fraction of the universe. While I contemplate our value in the galaxy I didn’t notice someone coming up behind me.
“Hey there girly,” the deep voice makes me jump. “Isn’t it a little late for you to be out here all by yourself?”
“I-I-I was just heading home,” I managed to stutter as I arose. He shook his head.
“You shouldn’t be out in the dark by yourself let me take you home,” he gave me a creepy smile that made me want to puke, “there’s a lot of creeps out after dark.”
“Liz!” A voice called from behind me. “Its time to get home.” James said now by my side, to the scum-man he added “Is there a problem here?”
“Not at all,” scum-man said smugly, “I was just telling girly here that it’s not safe out after dark. I better get going.”
“Come on.” James grabbed my hand and walked with me towards my house.
“Thanks for helping me out back there. How did you know where I was?” I didn’t mean to ask, but I did anyway.
“I didn’t,” he scowled as if he should have known “but you were lucky I was walking past.”
“I know, that guy was a total creep.” I realized he was still clutching my hand.
“What’s funny is that’s what Keith’s gonna be like in twenty years,” I laugh like it’s the funniest thing ever said. When we get to my house I thank him again and ask if he wants to come inside.
“Na, I have to get back, I wasn’t actually supposed to leave in the first place.” he replies halfheartedly. When he finally released his grip on my hand I ran inside and up the stairs to my room. I reach in my bag find my book, and read. I guess while I was in flashback mode our English teacher assigned us to read chapters 12-14. I waited a half hour before slipping out the door and into Claire’s room.
“Hey Lizzy?” She snickers, “What’s the matter your razor cut to deep.” I rolled my eyes, she says the same thing every time I need to talk to her. She’s high of course, on what God only knows”
“Never mind. But did mom notice I wasn’t here?’
“No the warden didn’t have time to make her rounds.” I hate when she does that, she never just answers the question. She sighed, “She had to work late, and you’re lucky I got here before first. School called, apparently you skipped math. Can’t blame ya. Mr. Lionel’s a total ass.”
“Thanks for covering,” I couldn’t have gotten any luckier.
“So who was that guy you were with,” She laughs, “Kinda cute. Mind if I steal him?” I just roll my eyes and try to leave, but she grabs me and jerks me back. “Wait, sorry. But seriously who was he?”
“Just a friend from school.” I can’t help but grin when I say it.
“Would he happen to be a friend of the boy variety?” she jokes.
“Not mine anyway.”
“To bad he’s totally your type. You know, all dark and depressing. You should like, ask him out.” she laughs, I don’t. I haven’t even thought about it believe it or not. I hardly know him, still I wouldn’t have a shot anyway. I finally escape when Claire passes out on the bed. I don’t know whose worse me or her, but I still think she’s the crazy one in the house. I glance up at the clock. Already 12:30!? I try to finish my English, but it’s not gonna happen. I threw the book on the floor and dozed off.
