Keep Me

-Two-

Lunch couldn't be any slower. After the awkward conversation between me and my long-term friends, I stayed quiet the rest of the time. Instead of joining in the conversations, I enjoyed my sandwich and finished my water bottle. 

Now, I had made it through another class- Chem, being my absolute least favorite- and now I'm sitting in my last class of the day. Which, isn't even a class. I'm an office aide so all I do is occasionally run passes to teachers and some other small projects that the administrators in the office need to be done. 

But of course, what was supposed to be the easiest class period of my life turns upside down as soon as a specific blue-eyed boy walks through the door. 

"Well look who it is, none other than my English buddy," He grinned, sliding his backpack off of his shoulder and taking the seat next to me. I sent him a small smile, wanting the conversation to end at that. But, unfortunately, Kyler Thomas was a social butterfly that loved to talk.

"So, I was thinking," He started, taking his Airpods out of his ear and placing them in their designated charging case, "if we're going to sit next to each other this whole semester in English, then we have to get to know each other. You're like, the only person I've never talked to here."

I raised my eyebrows. There's no way I'm the only person at this school that he hasn't talked to. Sure, we live in a small town, but it's not that small.

He caught onto my skepticism quickly, and let out a small chuckle, "Obviously, I'm kidding Princess. But still, you seem nice and who knows? Maybe we're soulmates," He grinned again and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Princess?" I questioned. I didn't really have nicknames, other than the shortened version of my name. I wasn't sure if I was okay with Kyler having a nickname for me.

He shrugged it off, "Yeah, you remind me of one. Like one of those princesses locked away their entire lives, no one really knows about them." I could tell he was trying to figure me out, but I wouldn't let it happen. No one knew my secrets, and no one would. Not right now, at least.

"Those princesses all got rescued by a prince. Are you saying I need to be rescued? Because I can assure you, I do not." Crossed my arms over my chest, challenging the nickname.

My accusation didn't even affect him. He was completely unphased by my slightly passive-aggressive challenge. "Did those words come out of my mouth? No? Then that's not what I meant. I think you'll find that I'm a really honest guy, Princess."

I sighed, aggravated that he wouldn't call me by my name. 

"So, what do you like to do for fun?" He asked, now tucking his phone away in his pocket. His full, undivided attention was on me now, and I didn't like it. It seemed like he was analyzing my every move.

"School," I said shortly, wanting this conversation to be over so I could continue watching Tik Tok in peace. Yes, I have Tik Tok just like every other normal teenager.

"Nope, school is not fun and I will not accept that as an answer. I want an authentic, honest answer. Just for this question, and then I'll stop. Pinky promise," He flashed a smile and held out his pinky.

I stared at him, blinking for a few moments before something came over me and I lifted my hand to complete the pinky promise. "I don't know, I really do only focus on school most of the time. But I like hanging out with my sister, and watching Netflix I guess." I sighed.

"Oh yeah? What's your favorite show?" I didn't even realize he lowkey went back on his promise.

"The Office. I swear I've watched it like, ten times all the way through now," I smiled as I thought about my favorite show. It was my comfort thing, I guess. I liked the unrealistic plot and jokes that came with it. It made me wish that I could be a part of something so normal and not normal at the same time one day.