Hurt

Chapter 2

I sit in the back of the bus, my eyes closed thinking about the girl who Andy said was named Claire.

Claire. I love the way it sounds, the way it sounds, as clear as a drop of water when the 'c' and the 'l' roll off my tongue. It's a name fit for a princess, but it's so simple, yet elegant at the same time.

It's perfect.

A girl has never had this effect on me, and honestly, I am a little scared.

Actually I'm terrified.

I have no idea how to act around this girl. Normally all I have to do is just glance at a girl, and she'll be willing to do everything and anything for me.

But Claire is going to be different. You can just tell when a girl is easy and when she isn't. You can tell by the way they dress, their confidence level, their friends, the way they talk, act, walk, do their hair, their sense of humor, the way they act with guys, the way they handle hateful situations.

The more I think about Claire, the more I remember of her just around the hallways at lunch time or something.

Normally, she wonders the halls laughing and talking with her friends. You never hear much drama with that group of friends and right off the bat that lets you know that there aren't many guys. Drama stems from relationships.

She laughs very loudly and she smiles all the time. She swears occasionally, but never ever to be mean or demeaning.

She eats in public. This is a huge indicator of a girls confidence level. If a girl is self concious and insecure, you don't see her eating in front of people. Like, at all.

She wears minimal makeup, casual, but never frumpy clothing, and her hair is always nice. It's never greasy, but it always has something done with it. She doesn't look like she's trying too hard and it still looks like she cares.

From what I can tell, she's never dated. In fact I think that she's most likely a virgin. Guys don't flock to her, but you can hear her name pop up in conversation with guys. In fact she's a common topic of conversation among the jocks in my math and english and french classes. They talk about how fit she is, and how anyone who could get with her would be the ultimate man. People watch her as she walks by. Guys whisper about her all the time. Guys of all sorts. But she isn't popular, because she doesn't use any of this to her advantage. Because guys know that she isn't easy so they chicken out.

Because she's naturally good.

All the girls I've been with have smoked, drank, self harmed, starved themselves, and slept with more guys than the average prostitute. I know that Claire is none of these things.

So how can I win her over? Hooking up with her is a no go. Getting her drunk and THEN hooking up also won't work since she doesn't drink. Looking at her definately doesn't work. When we made eye contact today she raised an eyebrow at me and the side of her mouth sort of twisted up in a "I can see you looking at me," kind of smirk.

I have no game plan. How am I gonna do this?!

I realize the bus has stopped and everyone is looking at me. I look outside. It's my stop. How long have they been sitting here waiting for me to get off? I jump to my feet and head outside.

I walk home slowly trying to think of a way to get Claire. Maybe I should make her jealous. Maybe I should ignore her. Maybe I should get her flowers. Maybe I should ask her on a date. Maybe I should drop some hints. Maybe I should ask her to dance.

None of these seem to look like they would ever work. She's just not that kind of girl.

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. I know that I probably won't get her anyway, so I should just treat her like any other girl I'd ever hook up with. Play with her, and then drop her.