Romantic Short Stories

hold me

I clutched my Science book against me as I grabbed the rest of my stuff out of my locker, about to wipe tears from my face. I shut my locker and started my walk down to my friend, Christina's, locker.

I was having the worst day. I forgot my gym clothes, so I probably got a zero, a forgot my English homework, and I just lost my Civics project so I have to redo it all. I honestly felt like crap and just wanted to leave right now.

When I got down to her locker, which almost got me ran over, I greeted her with a simple hello. I stayed quiet, fearing that if I said any more I'd burst into tears.

Christina started talking about the Civics project and saying everything that annoyed her about it. I just nodded and still stayed quiet. While she was talking, my crush, Asher, -who was also Christina's locker neighbor-came up to his locker and started getting his stuff out. I didn't really notice because I was too busy trying not to cry.

I guess she finally noticed because she asked me, "Are you okay?" I just started bawling, not holding back any tears. This week has just been horrible. I've been exhausted all week, I've literally taken naps everyday after school just to get energy to do my homework.

"You can tell me," she offered support. I wiped my tears and tried to catch my breath. I could feel people staring at me and I felt so embarrassed.

"I-I just," I tried, but I couldn't manage to make out a single word. I tried to get my breathing and my heart rate back to a normal, steady speed, but my body wouldn't have it.

"I got to go to Cooking, do you wanna tell me while we walk?" I was about to nod and say yes, but Asher cut her off.

"No, you go to class. I have a place you can cry and nobody will bother you." I nodded and tried to make a smile at him. Christina raised her eyebrows, but didn't protest. I guess she knew I would probably be in heaven if I let him take me there.

I waited there for him to get done, not saying a word. I felt kind of awkward, but at the same time curious. I wondered what exactly he meant. But I was also worried because of my classes and I have to show up with a note from a teacher saying I was with them. I wanted to leave, but I knew my Science teacher would just send me to the office anyways with the horrible guidance counselor, so I went along with it.

I was so embarrassed and humiliated to be crying in front of Asher. He was my crush, he's not supposed to see me like this. I felt so vulnerable.

When he was done, he turned around to face me. The hallway was almost empty. "Mrs. Refash showed me this when she caught me crying sometimes." He grabbed my arm gently and guided me towards the music room. It's down a small hallway that leads to the side of the building. It was set up like every music room, tons of music sheets sprawled out everywhere, multiple types of instruments, and enough seats that could fill an auditorium.

I was mentally questioning what he said before with Mrs. Refash catching him cry. Was he depressed or was it just a few times?

When we came in, the teacher was sitting at her desk concentrating on her work, probably something to do with the chorus and band concerts coming up in a few weeks. She snapped her head up at the sound of our shoes tapping on the hard floor. Her face was a first a frown, then quickly turned into a grin when she saw Asher.

"Hey, Asher," she greeted him like they're old friends.

"Can we use the back room?" He asks, trying to get this done quickly and moving to the side so she could see my obviously red eyes so she wouldn't ask any questions.

"Sure, " she says with uncertainty. Asher is a good person and she knows he wouldn't try anything, but there's always that doubt.

After he heard that, we snaked around the seats to a door on the other side of the room, which I didn't even know was there. He took me into this room full of instruments and shelves of supplies like pencils and paper.