You Have Player Written All Over You[Editing]

(3)Same Boat? I'm Jumping Ship.

3- We’re On The Same Boat? I’m Jumping Ship.

I left school property and rounded the corner. I found a bare street and found a comfortable alley to go in. It was narrow and smelled like shit, but there was a spot on the wall that was clean and sturdy, perfect to lean on.

 I put my back against it and propped foot against the wall. A player? Really? He’s the first person in months that my heart fluttered for, and he has to be a player? I sighed and pushed myself off the wall. I'm in an odd mood for some ice cream. I had scooped out the whole town last weekend, so I knew where the local McDonalds, mall, and ice cream shop was. As I was walking into an ice cream corner shop, my phone vibrated. When I glanced at the caller ID, I saw it was Iris.

 Confused, I answered it. "Hello?" I asked, knowing since I answered, she'd know I blew off school.

"Libby?" asked a husky voice. It was shaky, and tear choked. Uh oh. She hasn't cried since dad left us.

"What's up, Iris?" I asked quietly, fading out at "Iris". I knew it would just maker her cry harder.

"Cody.. dumped me.. I don't.. why. B-bastard."

I rolled my eyes. Every guy that dumps her is a bastard. "I'm sure you'll find someone better." I recited. This was the phrase most popular in Iris and my conversations.

"I hope so." Iris replied, her voice already getting clearer. I rolled my eyes again. The definition of Iris is skin-deep relationships. Ever since dad.

 I fingered one of the little roses on the bracelet my dad gave me. It was sterling silver, with small delicate roses beaded through. Each individual rose had cobalt blue and magenta on it, the colors fading into it. Under the roses, they had a different word on it. I looked down and absently turned the rose over. It said "Loyalty". I smirked. How convenient. That rose is dedicated to Iris.

My fingers moved to the one next to it, the one I rub the most. I felt the familiar contours of the rose, the paint fading and the delicate features worn down from my constant smoothing. I memorized every ridge, every surface of it. I traced the word lightly with my finger, already knowing what it said. The word I needed the most. "Strength".

  "..just dumped me in the car on the way to our date. I mean, how rude is that? At least wait until AFTER the food!" Iris was saying.

I jerked back to my right mind. "Yeah, how dare he." I said, trying to recollect what she was saying.

Right. Cody. Dumped. "Libby, I'll give you a massage when you get home. That'll be nice, won't it?" Iris suddenly said, her tone brightening.

My shoulders sagged as fear coursed through me. "Sure Iris." I said weakly.

 I didn't even bother to say goodbye before I slid my phone shut. This was beginning to be a problem. She was starting to do it more often, and it didn't give me time to heal. I walked out of the store a little dazed and very scared.

 "Libby!" I heard someone shout.

I spun around, shocked. I pulled my hood up, which I didn't realize was down until now, and polished my face of any expression except an indifferent, blank one. My heart beated faster as I turned around, my mind already being able to recognize that voice anywhere and everywhere.

"Why did you follow me?" I asked Russell, trying to sound menacing, but curiosity won over.

 Russell shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to see what was wrong. You looked devastated like Fawn told you the worst news ever." He said it sincerely enough, but stalkers master that sincere look.