I was standing there, in the hallway at school, looking down from the window at everyone in the yard. It was a dull, grey day with lots of clouds that looked like it would start raining any minute. This weather matched my mood. It was not my happiest day, nor my happiest week either. Recently, all I've been doing is school and work, school and work, school and work. It was an ongoing and never-ending cycle and all I could do is live through it until I finish high school. I was in my senior year. I had 6 months left before I graduated, since they shortened the school year for us.
Graduation seemed so close, yet so far. There was no other way to explain it. It seemed like the days were taking forever, but we were already in April. I could have sworn two days ago it was January. I still remember my last first day of school this year. Excited yet nervous for what my last year held for me. I really hoped that this year would be MY year.. I hoped that it would be better. And after what had happened last year, I had no excitement in my life, but I choose to not talk or even THINK about it. I'm better off ignoring it anyway. I felt so drained. My life right now was about as plain and as boring and as dull and dreary as a piece of white printing paper. I needed a ray of sunshine in the midst of all the clouds. I needed a distraction. I needed a miracle.
I was enjoying being alone. Submerging into my inner thoughts. Maybe it was the worst thing to do, but I didn't want to face anyone. No one at this school talked to me anymore. And the ones that did, well, they just pitied me. You could've said it was partially my fault, since I refused to talk to anyone for the longest time, but given what I had been through, I wasn't willing to talk to anyone about it. Not even my closest friends.
As I longingly thought of all the exciting things that I wished would happen, something - or rather, someone - catches my eye. A guy with dark hair walking past. James? No, it couldn't be. I must be hallucinating. I think I'm going crazy. I watch the guy as he walked across to the library. Even though I barely saw him, I was intrigued. If I didn't know any better I could've sworn that James was here again. But of course that was impossible. Although, all I wanted was to see James again. He was the best and worst thing that happened to me. Our story is not only a bittersweet one, it was a bittersweet story that ended in a tragedy.
I wanted to see who this mystery guy was. So, like anyone would do, I decided to follow him. Once I got to the library I looked around, searching for the dark hair I had seen. I sighed in disappointment, cursing at myself, wishing I would've just walked a bit faster and under my breath I muttered "I must've missed him," when all of a sudden he pops out from a hidden bookshelf. My eyes widen. 'Well, I was definitely not expecting that', I said to myself. Yes, out loud. I kind of have this habit of verbalising my thoughts. I can't control it. Luckily I don't think he heard me.
I see him walk across the room towards the printer. I gaze at him, squinting my eyes, trying to make out his features, as he tries to figure out how to use the printer. He had a skinny, lean figure and was very tall. Just like James. I sigh. He was wearing a cream coloured T-shirt with some black jeans and a hot leather jacket, paired with some black shoes.
Although he seemed like an average guy, there was something about him that just stood out and caught my attention. looking at him, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but for some reason I could not look away. It was James, but it wasn't. It was James before everything fell apart. Before my life turned upside down. I had to stop thinking about him unless I wanted to burst out in tears and embarrass myself in front of everyone.
I reprimanded myself silently in my head. It was like my eyes were glued to him and I couldn't peel them off of him. Weird, I know, but that had never happened before. I was never not able to look away. There was something different about this guy. I could sense it.
He was standing at the printer for a good five minutes now with nothing printed out. I realised that he had no idea how to operate it. I decided to go up to him to help him.
"Hey, do you need some help with that?" He looks at me, taken aback for a moment, looks me up and down as if trying to analyse me, before he replies.
"Uh- yeah, sure, please. I have no idea how to use this thing."
"Haha yeah, I figured," I say as I shoot him a half smirk. He had the most beautiful shade of sage green eyes and a deep sultry voice. He was a dead ringer for James. From his hair, to his figure, to his eyes, all I could see was James.
As I help him print out his documents, I could sense his eyes scanning my back.
"I'm Scarlett by the way."
"Uh- I'm Damien."
"Are you new here?"
"Uh- yeah, how'd you know," Damien joked.
He seemed nervous every time he spoke. I wondered if that was how he talked to everyone, or if he was nervous because of me.
"All done!"
"Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" He replied in an relieved tone.
"Nice meeting you"
"Nice to meet you too, Scarlett," he saluted me as he walked off.
'Well that was a pleasant encounter,' I thought to myself.
