Distance

23

By now it was the week before everyone left for Christmas break; it was after school, the halls filled with people leaving for the day, and I had to ask Mr. Hoehn a question about something. Once I made it to the music hall without managing to get pushed very much by other people running through the halls, I saw someone familiar out of the corner of my eye.

Yep. Hayden. I mean, come on. Who else could it have been?

He was on his way out of the music hall, as I was on my way in. I took a few nervous glances up at him, but tried my best to not get caught. From my view, he was on the left side of the narrow walk-way, while I purposefully stuck to the right. I could feel my hands getting clammy and my heart pounding in my chest, threatening to burst out at any given moment. The next thing happened all within only a few seconds:

I fought to keep my eyes forward, staring down the white tiled floor that leads to Mr. Hoehn's office.

I was conscious of someone next to me, leaning against the outside instrument lockers that lined the wall.

Again, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hayden's hand up in the air, and a slight smirk on his face. Well, no, not necessarily a smirk. His usual no-teeth-smile-that-seems-like-he-hates-smiling-because-he-very-very-rarely-smiles-smile.

Me, being my stupid self, thought he was waving at someone else.

I had no idea what he was doing.

I was gone, way out of reach before I could even react.

At the end of the hall, I saw my friend, Hannah, who's a flute player. THANK GOD.

"HANNAH HANNAH HANNAH!!" I whispered, not being as quiet as I wished I was.

"Whaaat!?" She said, looking at me with both a mixture of shock and curiousity.

I made sure I whispered this time. "....I think Hayden just waved at me...But..I'm not sure. I think I was imagining it..."

"AWWE really?!" She beamed, her eyes lighting up. She always loved it when I told her about my encounters with this crazy boy....

"Yeah!! But...again, I don't know...I tend to imagine these things."

"Oh...well..still! That's cute!"

"Yeah! But hey, I gotta go ask Hoehn something. Talk to you later?!"

"Sure!! Bye Clary!"

When I was done, I rushed down to my usual spot to wait for my mom to pick me up. I didn't want to risk being late, so I ran as fast as I could; she hates it if I'm not out there as soon as she arrives.

I made it with a few seconds to spare! I leaned against the wall, out of breath, and stared at the Athletic news across the room. Suddenly, I felt a vibration from within my jeans pocket.

"1 new Message from: Best Person EVER:)"

AKA, Makayla.

It read:

 "Hey, I have a gymnastics meet tonight, would I be able to just hang at your place til then?"

I replied: "Uhh I'll have to ask. Just a sec!"--I called my mom, asked her, and she said that would be fine--"yeah that's fine!"

With that, she met me in my spot, and we waited for my mom together.

Once we were home, Makayla and I sat on the couch in my living room. She begged me to come with her to her gymnastics meet, but to be honest I really didn't want to. I had a lot of homework that night, and I knew I'd be bored the entire time.

But I ended up going anyways, because, what the hell, I'm a nice person.

At first it was okay. I sat off to the side on a metal folding chair, watching intently as she and the other gymnasts warmed up. I recognized a few of the other girls as people in my classes, but I didn't talk to them very much. I didn't have anyone to talk to. After about an hour, my friend Anyssia randomly showed up and sat next to me. This surprised me, since I'd've never thought to see her here. "Hey, sexy," she teased. I couldn't help but blush. Other bisexual girls calling me sexy was just...well...I don't know. Flattering. "Hey," I laughed, "What brings you here?"

"Ah, just checkin' it out. And...you know. I like boobs. There's lot of boobs. Hmm?" She smirked over at me.

"Ha, yeaaaah no kidding..." I said casually. I suppose I don't blame here for coming here just to check out the other girls. I mean, seriously. Tight leotards and girls and flips? Puh-lease.

"Which, speaking of, pull up your shirt!" She said. "You're such a tease...."

Oh god. I looked down, and sure enough, my boobs were like, half out of my shirt. "Ahhh...You're welcome." I rolled my eyes, pulling my shirt up from the chest.

We continued our rather guy-ish conversation for a while, but soon she had to leave.

And now I was alone again. And bored. Though only because I didn't actually find any of the gymnasts attractive...

I had my phone, and my mind. Which, that can be a deadly combination considering I still have Hayden's number.

Oh yeah. He waved at me. Or...at least I think he did.

I felt such an incredible urge to text him and ask, but what if he says he didnt? That'd be terribly humiliating! He'd think I'm crazy for sure.

 I gave in.

Me: Did you wave at me after school?

Him: yes

Me: Ahh sorry I didn't wave back! I didn't notice until the very last minute ):

Him: Oh haha whatever

Me: Okay haha

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.

He didn't have to.

Why did he?

And why was he smiling while he did it?

Why was he so sweet?