When I am Done with You

                                                                      Chapter 2

'I have to go,' I said, while grabbing my backpack from under my desk.

'Where?' Tina looked at me, perplexed.

'Home,' I said and left the class room without giving her an option to question me further.

I used the shortcut to get back home, which my mother disapproved of, while letting the poison ivy that bordered the deserted trail pamper my naked leg. When my leg reddened and swollen that evening, mom noticed that and began her lecture. I didn't apply the calamine lotion to my legs as my mother instructed. Neither did I take the antiallergic tablet that she gave me after dinner. I ended up staying in my room for the next two weeks while my mom periodically reminded me of the need to listen to the parents and threatened to cut my screen time - which is only half an hour anyway after all those cutting over the months – if I take that shortcut again.

The next time I met Asher face to face was the first day I came back to the school after my medical leave. I was walking through the hallway, with my head down and hands in my pants pocket. Suddenly Tina brushed her shoulder against mine and gestured to me to look forward. Asher and Sarah were coming from the opposite direction, holding their hands together and chatting nonstop. They didn't have a care for the world, but for each other. At one point he laughed out loud, as if she is the funniest person to be around, and looked ahead, nodding his head, and met my eyes. His laugh abruptly halted, same as his nodding, and like two strangers, we crossed our paths.

The next few days were very terrible. Not only did I have to adapt to see Asher spending time with Sarah but also, I had to witness their inappropriate flirting. Sarah was beautiful and a great match to him, which infuriated me. I was also sad and upset. Adding to the pain, the mean girls in the classroom began to pass nasty comments on me while making sure Asher was around to witness those harassments. I had a feeling that he really enjoyed those moments.

'How desperate she was to catch his attention! She is not his type. She is nobody's type. Look at her. Who would want to make this ugly bitch their girlfriend.' they commented.

'Glad you all have a beautiful face, amazing figure and the most popular boy in the school as a boyfriend,' Tina retorted.

'It's okay. Don't reply to them. It only encourages them to talk more,' I scolded Tina.

'Sad thing is Asher never came forward to shut them up,' she said.

'It's okay. I don't want his help. I can handle myself,' I said, firmly. Tina was offended. She was trying to support me and I wasn't appreciative of her help, but ungrateful. Her face darkened.

'Listen. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. But the last thing I wanted is to hear his name and anything related to him. I am trying to forget everything. That is why I decided to go back home soon after school ends,' I said, averting my gaze.

'So, you are not waiting for me to finish my practice,' she asked, amused.

'No,' I said.

'Wow! Just wow!' she sighed and fell into an awkward silence.

Tina was hurt. I could see the pain on her gloomy face. She regularly practiced Volleyball after school and I waited for her every day in the stairs behind the large playground so that we could walk back home - which is only a few minutes walk from the school- together after her practice. We lived in the same street just a few houses apart. Sports were not my cup of tea, so I didn't want to join her, but was happy to wait for her. The problem was not sitting in the stairs by myself while waiting for Tina, but watching Jessica cheering for Asher who practised soccer on the other side of the ground. Yesterday when he scored a goal she screamed so loud that I clearly heard it, even though I was sitting far away. She then ran towards him to congratulate and hug him. He lifted her in his arms, cuddling her around her thigh, as if she is weightless, and spun around making sure I have a good view of them from a distance. While dropping her to the ground, rubbing her chest against him, he looked in my direction. Though I could not figure out what expression he had on his face, I was sure it was an expression filled with contempt and hate. I didn't want to witness any similar dramas; I knew there were more in their stock. Though painful, that was the reason I decided to break our years of tradition of going back home together after school.

When school finished on that day, Tina grabbed her backpack and left the classroom without telling me anything. I was sure Tina was crying, just like me. I walked away in the opposite direction with a heart filled with sorrow and regret. Tina's teary face was in my mind while I took each step, pulling me back. With each heavy step I realized that she is far more important than anyone else in my small world. I ran back a short distance only to see her coming back in my direction. We hugged each other and I apologized.

'I knew you would come back,' she said, weeping.

We walked to the playground, holding hands and promising never to hurt each other's feelings. As I reached my usual spot, Asher and Sophia were sitting only a few meters away, displaying their love by cuddling and kissing, as if they wanted to make sure I saw them.