In the beginning, I didn't notice her. She was just that normal girl; the shy one who never spoke in class, the chubby one, the one with glasses and braces, the short kid. Didn't bother me, and I was never involved with her in any way. She had her life, I had mine, end of story.
When she started to come home the same way as me, it was cool. Lots of school kids lived around my area, she probably just lived round the corner. We never spoke on our journies; after all, what was the point of an unecessary awkward conversation?
Then she started magically walking past my front door every morning when I left the house. Every morning. I'd wave it off airily. Strange coincidences. We woke up at the same time.
When we took the same bus, she'd never sit besides me. I think we both made sure of that, me because I saw enough of her anyway, her because I guess she felt embarassed. She always chose the seat behind me if possible. When I turned around, she'd lower her gaze, her face steaming hot.
I was not worried, a bit disconcerted perhaps. I was used to girls having a thing for me. I just laughed it off with my mates. No big deal. She was just like everyone else. That girl with a thing for those boys.
I never encouraged her in any way. Made sure of that. I didn't want to put false hope, that was just mean. I couldn't tell her to go away, because I knew that WE would never happen. I just endured her funny ways, following me home after school, staring at me whenever possible.
***
Soon enough, I guess it was inevitable that she spoke to me. In the canteen, too public for me to ignore her without catcalls and mean remarks.
'Can I sit here?'
'Sure.' I lowered my gaze onto my plate, and concentrated on my food, ignoring the stupid remarks and whistles coming from my mates. She sat down graciouscly, sub consiously mirroring my every move. With a frown, I carried on eating, perhaps a little faster than before.
'My name's Hannah.'
'I know.' For crying out loud, we had only been in the same for the last 5 years. I should probably have responded, but felt too disturbed at her desperate attempts at conversation.
'Thanks for letting me sit here.' She mumbled into her cup of water and smiled hopefully in my direction. I nodded in acknowledgment. I felt bad at my crude responses, but felt this was the only way to make her back off.
'I'm done eating.' I said abruptly. She hastily scraped back her chair and stood up, food tray in hand. 'Me too.' She flashed her teeth at me, just before I disappeared behind the doors.
***
That night, she walked me to my door. I waved her off, maybe a little impatiently.
'You know, I know how to walk home on my own,' I said irritably. She blushed pink and stumbled on her words.
'I wasn't... like, walking you home or anything. I, I, er, well I live a few roads away.' Then she ran away before she could catch my reaction. Strange girl.
In the morning, I peeked out of the curtains. The road seemed empty. About to let myself relax, I caught a glimpse of black hair behind a tree. With a groan, I set off for another day.
***
'You know, there's no need to hide in the shrubs. I know you're there.'
She looked embarassed, almost apologetic. 'I hope you're fine with it.'
Actually, no.
I grunted an inaudible response, before speeding to school, the strange girl at my tails
