The Shadow Named Me

As I was walking to my next class Daniel stepped in front of me saying,"Hey! I was wondering if you wanted to do something with me this weekend."

I smiled and walked around him, but I quickly refrained from answering as I felt her creep up behind me.

She latched her arm around my waist, and she whispered into my ear,"Don't pretend like he might actually like you. We all know he is just going to play a prank and humiliate you."

My smile faded, and he grabbed my arms lightly.

His expression softened,"What did I say? I'm sorry."

"No. You didn't ..."

She placed her hand on my shoulder as she said,"Just walk away like the loser you are before you make yourself look even more stupid."

I turned around and practically ran to my class, and as I melted into my seat Fiona scurried to the seat next to mine. She waited for me to tell her what happened, and I looked down in shame.

"What's your problem? What did you say to Daniel?"

By her expression she already knew that I choked.

"I'm a loser. He would never really like me."

Her laugh was so cruel. Her short, dark purple hair flowed to the front of her face as she looked at the ground shaking her head. I wished I could be as beautiful as her.

Finally she looked up and explained,"Willow, when are you going to accept that you are awesome? I swear. If I could be half as cool as you I would break down in tears, but why won't you let anyone see?"

I slid down further in my chair as she came back to remind me why I never did.

She sat on the ground next to me imitating Fiona's laugh, and then she appeared next to my ear whispering,"She is only pitying you. Don't believe her. You are NOT awesome. Who would like someone that listens to rock music and ENJOYS reading and writing? You are so boring."

Fiona continued waiting for an answer, but I just nodded my head.

Later on, as I sat in the lunch room with Fiona and her friends Daniel came and sat next to me.

I just stared at how beautiful he was with his light green eyes. I imagined looking into them right before I would kiss his perfect lips.

He said in a deeper voice than usual,"Come on, Willow. I think you are gorgeous, but I want to get to know what's in here."

He poked me lightly on my chest, and my heart sped up in response.

It said,"Go! Go! Go," and I blushed.

She appeared behind Daniel, and flashed to his side. She grabbed his face, and kissed him as hard as she could.

Then she whispered,"You will never do that. You're a chicken."

Daniel searched my face, and I began choking on my words,"I .. I can't."

He put his hand on my leg saying,"Let's go for a walk."

The girls at the table started wooing and chanting quietly for me to go, and I was about to say no when Fiona pushed me onto him.

He grabbed my hand, and we walked outside. He wouldn't let go of my hand, and she followed three steps behind me. He looked down at me as he smiled and squeezed my hand.

"I asked Fiona about you, and she told me that you liked rock bands.."

"Yeah," I laughed nervously.

"I love rock music. I think The Killers are coming to town. You want to go see them?"

My eyes lit up, and I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"Are you serious?!"

He laughed, and I felt myself literally melt.

"Yeah. You like them?"

I hit his arm playfully, and I squeezed his hand tighter as I said,"Yes!"

He chuckled a little as he said,"Cool."

She tripped behind me, and I heard her face hit the ground. I laughed as I pulled myself closer to Daniel.