The Hazardous Effect of Love

four

Charlie was disapointed to find that Leo wasn't at school the next day. He was home sick with a fever was what the short text that he sent her that morning read. She sent back her hopes in him feeling better because she geniunely wanted him to get better so she could see him again.

She missed his goofy smile and melodic laughter and his cheesy jokes. They made her day brighter compared to her darker thoughts.

After school, she began to walk her usual route home when a taller shadow stood next to her. Charlie looked to see one of the prettier and more popular girls with long skinny legs and a perfectly shaped face. "Shorty, you're finally walking alone. It's about time Leo realized that you aren't worth it." She tossed her shiny golden hair over her shoulder.

"Leo's sick today," she mumbled quietly and the girl gave her a deadly look.

"What was that?" Her tone was sharp and cruel, waiting for Charlie to stumble over words, which wouldn't be hard to wait for.

"Nothing," she sighed and her shoulders drooped and she held the journal closer.

"That's what I thought. Because that's what you are, gnome." Charlie felt a split second of silent anger and rage built up and she tried to lash out at the bully and show that she couldn't be pushed around.

She started out loud and strong until she wavered out at the end and lost all control of the situation. "My name is Charlie." When she got to 'Charlie', her voice faded to be just a whisper.

"Charlie? Isn't that like a boy's name?" She mocked her with a laugh and walked away whispering "pathetic" under her breath. Charlie couldn't argue there. She was acting like a pathetic loser.

She just wanted to see Leo and possibly hug him and hold his hand. His hand would never feel like Matt's, but she needed someone to latch onto and trust with her emotions. She sat on the curb and opened up the journal.

I met a girl today. Her name is Charlie and she was so bold. At first her name was off-putting, but it looks good on her. She looks cute from how small she is, but she's feisty and I have no doubts in her. I want to get to know her better.

His large and messy writing covered the page with more, but that was her favorite paragraph in the whole thing. It reminded her of who she was was before Matt.

She was reminded of his hard jaw and sparkling green eyes that were so beautiful you just wanted to get lost in them and his unkept blonde hair and wide shoulders.

Thinking of Leo's black hair and blue eyes, she did her best to forget the perfect memory of Matt.