Inside My Mind

Chapter Three: The look in your eyes

He looked at me. But this was the thing with Joe. He looked at me like no one else on earth did. When he looked at me i could see it in his eyes, there was something special. Something different to the way he looked at everyone else. He looked at me like the world was ending in a matter of seconds and all he wanted to do was gaze into my eyes. The thing that killed me was that fact that i never looked at him in this way, and couldn't imagine looking at him like that ever.

Its not that he was unattractive, no not it the slightest. It certainly wasn't because he lacked in personality because he was my best friend, i found everything about him sweet, funny and amazing. It was just, i wasn't sure i was capable of loving anything ever as much as... he loved me. I know that it sounds conceited, but there was no denying it. It was obvious. And i liked it. Knowing someone cared as much as he did made me feel good, less insecure about myself. I had many friends but none like Joe.

He gave me that look from the moment he walked in. I was sitting there on the the dusty steps, shivering from the gust of wind that blew in when he opened the door. It hit me like a slap in the face, causing my teeth to chatter violently. Then i saw the look, the look that caused his face to brighten the second he laid eyes on me. I suddenly felt all kinds of mixed feelings, i was uncomfortable, but at the same time flattered. A small smile creeped up on my lips. I blushed, still shaking like an earthquake.

'Joe?' I quietly stuttered, after moments had passed and not a word had been spoken.

He looked as though he had been woken from a trance. Once he noticed my shivering body his look of contempt quickly turned into a look of concern.

'Shit! Maya you must be freezing!' He exclaimed, immediately throwing off his coat and running over to wrap it round my shoulders.

'Really?' I replied through my quivering lips. 'I hadn't noticed.'

He smirked at my pathetic attempt at sarcasm, and this is why i enjoyed his company. Around him i felt like i could do no wrong.

'So what happened anyways? Why are you not in uniform and what was wrong earlier? What made you so desperate to see me know?' He bombarded me with all these questions, none of which i felt like answering. Instead i lazily leaned in and rested my head on his shoulder.

'Is it ok if i don't want to talk about it?' I said as i looked up at him, hoping to receive a little sympathy. 'I just want to get out of here.'

'What about school?'

'Fuck school.' I laughed. The funny part was I was dead serious.

He looked at me once more as if he knew i meant it, although i had made it come across as a joke. He took a minute, like he was thinking it over then replied with an 'okay'.

'Seriously?' I asked him with a hint of surprise in my voice because of howb quickly he was won over, i had expected him to try and argue me into coming to my senses.

'If its what you want.' The second those five words escaped his lips my face lit up. I squeezed him tightly as just a silent way of saying thank you.

'You can come to mine, my mum left an hour ago and wont be back till 5. She'll never know if i went to school or not. We can hide from everyone and you can tell me whats going on.' Everything he said was so reassuring, it sounded like perfection.

He then stood and pulled me up to my feet. I handed him back his coat but he refused to take it back.

'Are you kidding me?' He said as he pushed it back into my hands. 'You'll freeze to death out there!'

'But what about you?'

'Ill be fine.' He replied. Then he slid his arm around me and pulled me close, with a smirk he said, 'I'll use you for body warmth.'

I chuckled. As corny as it was, i appreciated it.