Your Love

Bittersweet Encounter

There he was, walking down the hallway looking down at his feet. Avoiding eye contact until he arrives at the classroom. Picking the front seat, closest to the board. He takes his seat, trying to catch the least attention possible. No one really paid attention to him. But I did. There were moments where I caught a glimpse, a small glimpse peeking through my long black hair. I couldn't help but stare deeply. I needed to figure him out. Why was he so shy? He had it all. Amazing luscious black hair that looked like it was taken out of an 80s movie, pale skin and light blue eyes, tall with a fit figure and the nicest smile I had ever seen. He wasn't the captain of the football team or anything, but he did almost every sport possible. Cross country, track and field, Soccer, Basketball and even tried Tennis once. You would think he was popular but he always avoided those big groups. I knew because I always hoped I would run into him at a party, hoping we would get introduced and I could finally speak to him.

There I was, sitting in the back of the classroom, making smart remarks and pretentious jokes to catch his attention. Hoping he would turn around and see his smile.But as the first semester of my senior year comes to an end, I start to think that I'll only admire him from a distance.

Third quarter started and I was almost ready to graduate. Most of my friends had sent their college applications months ago and could hear back from their schools any moment. I applied to Colorado State in Denver but knew I wasn't getting in anyway. It's not like I tried. I had better things to do. During lunch, the college topic was almost unremovable. I was fed up and turned my thoughts to my favorite class, where I could see him. I didn't see him throughout winter break, so my curiosity flourished. I wonder if he changed in any way. Was his Christmas ok? I began to lose myself in thought until I heard the bell ring.

Badump! Was the sound my heart was making as I walked towards my favorite class. I usually get there before he does, but I was so lost in thought I was already late.

"Riley! Late on your first day back?" said Ms Morrison with a scowl.

I hid my face behind my hair and only let one eye peek out. " Yeah, sorry"

I took a panicked look towards him. It's the first time we've made eye contact. I stared, hoping for a smile, a grin, anything. It felt like hours went by. But his gaze was momentary. He looked back down at his book.

"Dude what the fuck happened to you? It's like you're not even here" asked my friend Nick.

"Yeah, I got distracted"

"Lay off the pot after lunch dude or you'll get caught"

Nick always looks out for me. If only he knew I wasn't stoned, just dazed by the thought of him.

"Everyone, please get into groups of four. I want you to brainstorm and write down what are the main topics to pay attention to when tyring to buy a new car. Remember to put yourself in a real life situation. What would you look for? Remember that price and luxury isn't everything." Mrs. Morrison never wasted any time.

Wait, group of four. Here 's my chance. Oh wait, we're too far away. It will look weird if I just walk up to him. Plus, the guys will get pissed if I break up the group. Fuck.

"When your team is done, please place your brainstorm sheet with everyone's names in the basket on my desk."

"So, Ms Morrison, meet anyone new over the break? Finally decided to change your last name?"

"That's none of your concern Riley"

"Come on, I'm just teasing"

" Instead of talking to me, you should focus on your assignment"

"It's already done. Here. And I didn't even have to get up"

" Why do you sit next to my desk again?"

" Because you love my company of course"

"Hey! I like your T-shit! Megadeth. They're sick!" Said a voice I couldn't believe.

"Thanks"

"Have you seen them live?"

"Yeah, when they came to Red Rocks a few months ago actually"

"That 's amazing! I've always wanted to go but my parents won't let me go to any concerts."

I tried to keep my cool. Just keep the conversation going. "You can do it Riley" I told myself.

"Are you like ten or something? Why do you even need your parent's permission" said my stupid friend Aaron.

He turned around and went back to his desk. That was the end of our conversation.

"What a poser! Saying he likes your shirt but doesn't even go to concerts. I bet he doesn't even know who Megadeth is."

"Why the fuck does it matter if he knows them or not" The words just spilled from my mouth. I was pissed. And my friends could tell.

I needed to relax or my friends could get suspicious. They would start to wonder why me, someone who doesn't give a shit about anything, would get upset over some joke to a person we don't even talk to. As I was about to speak, Nick interrupted " Yeah Aaron, it doesn't even fucking matter. Shane was just trying to make a friend in class and you had to be an ass about it."

Aaron shrugged it off and started talking about some gross video he saw on youtube. The bell went off and just like that my first day back from break ended. With a bittersweet encounter.