What I Regret Most

Chapter 3 (Saylor)

I heard a knock on the door and Ezra walked in holding a slip of paper to excuse me from the last two minutes of class. We left the room and headed to Chemistry.

"How was your class?"

"Fine, I guess."

"Good."

We walked in awkward silence for the next minute and a half until we arrived at what I assumed was the chem lab.

"Want to be lab partners?" He asked with a shy smile.

I couldn't deny that he was cute. And I wouldn't have to reintroduce myself but this wasn't part of the plan. But what choice did I have?

"Sure."

"Great. A few things about Mrs. Cole, she's super strict but probably the best teacher in the building. Just don't miss an assignment and you'll be fine."

"How do you know all of these teachers? I mean did you have them before and they just moved up with your grade or what?"

He laughed. "Oh, my mom works here. She's one of the secretaries."

"Oh, cool."

"Can I ask you a personal question?" he said. I mean I've known this guy for less than a day, how personal could it actually be?

"Depends on the question"

"Why did you move here?"

"Oh, that's kind of a long story. The short version is that my dad's fiance wanted to move so we did,"

There was no point in lying. Lucas probably already told him, and he was just making conversation while we waited for that stupid bell to ring.

"Where did you live before?"

"Maine."

"That's pretty far away. Do you have many friends back home?"

"I thought you said one question"

"Yes, but I know nothing about you."

"Ok, well how about a question for a question? Where are you from? You don't have an accent like most people here."

"Ok fine. I'm from Pennsylvania. Moved here freshman year." That makes sense.

"See, now it's fair. I did have friends, but we kind of lost touch. It's hard to stay in contact with someone who doesn't live near you."

It was surprisingly easy to talk to him.

"I get that, the same thing happened to me when I moved."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's whatever. So no friends, what about a special someone?"

" Again with the questions. I don't know anything about you?" Why did he want to know that?

"Saylor, it's a simple yes or no. I just want to get to know you."

"No, no boyfriend."

"That's surprising." Now I was confused.

"Why?"

"Well, I guess I just expected someone as pretty as you to have some guy waiting for you back in Maine."

"Listen, I appreciate the hidden compliment, but why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you asking all these questions, I mean is there a point?"

"No, I just wanted to get to know you." That's the opposite of what I wanted. I had to tell this guy I wasn't interested even if I was.

"Well, I don't suggest that. I'm not planning to make friends with anyone here. "

"Why?"

"That's none of your business."

"Sorry I just wanted to talk to you. I didn't mean to..." he trailed off.

The bell rang, ending our conversation.

We walked into the classroom, and again, I introduced myself to the teacher. I informed her that I already had a partner and went to sit by Ezra. He looked upset and I wasn't sure why. I mean I didn't know him at all, so he shouldn't look like I just told him someone died.

Ezra and I spent the rest of the morning only talking about which direction the next class was. When we got to lunch we went to separate tables. He went and sat next to a bunch of guys in football jerseys, Lucas was one of them. I decided to text him to come to sit with me at my table for a second. Only one other person was there and they were keeping to themself.

"Hey, Lucas. Come tell me how your day is going?" I texted, hoping he would start walking over.

Instead, three bubbles appeared. "Come over here and meet the guys." Absolutely not, I wasn't prepared to be friendly with Ezra again.

"No, I don't want to. Come here."

"Fine. You have 3 minutes, be over in a second." Just as I was reading the last text. Lucas came and sat across from me.

"How are you?" He said.

"Good I guess. What about you, is everyone being nice?"

"Ya, everyone is really great. I think I'm going to ask dad if some of the guys from the team can come over on Friday."

"Please don't. I don't want a bunch of egotistical maniacs at our house."

"Too bad it's not up to you. I'm going to ask Rachel next period."

"That's an awful idea."

"Why?"

"Rachel isn't your mother, don't give her false hope."

"Saylor, not everyone is out to get you. Dad didn't cheat on mom to personally hurt you, things just happen. I'm asking Rachel and that's the end of it." And before I could respond, he walked away. So I could have been a little nicer. But really why was he so ok with everything? How could he not realize what Rachel did?

I ate my lunch in silence. Eventually, the bell rang and Ezra was by my side. He just tapped me on the shoulder and started walking. He didn't say a word to me for the rest of the day.