Crossing paths

A crime

"I haven't done anything!" I demanded.

"Are you serious? Look what you did!" He said, his voice raising. He was pointing at the print of a hand, that still remained on his face.

"Yeah, and why did I do it? Because you were at fault!" I said but-

"Stop it, both of you!" Mrs Jenkins banged her hands on the desk, making it clatter. We pissed her off successfully.

"You're both at fault! Get it? Wilson, you did something super unnecessary, that's no way to apologise to a girl. And Emerson, you went a bit way too far, by slapping him, but it's understandable, because it was reflexively." She explained. She was right about everything. Mrs Jenkins was really good at what she does. She knew right away.

"So just get it over with and make up." She added.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Jenkins, but I can't agree with that." He said coldly. "I'm not making up with her." He added. Bruh, he's saying this as if- But I was too angry to keep quiet about it.

"Let's get this straight." I said as I got up.

"I'm not dying to befriend you either. Actually, it's quite the opposite. You know what, I'll never come to like you! I'll always hate you and that won't ever change." I was trembling out of anger.

"I'm sorry Mrs Jenkins, but I'll excuse myself now." I turned to her.

I reached the door and closed it behind me.

I was standing outside, in front of the door. I tried my best to calm myself down, by taking deep breaths.

Oh my god. Calm down, Evelyn. You nailed it, though. You said what it had to be said. Good job, Evelyn. You got that fuck in his right place.

When I was just about to leave, a voice spoke behind me.

"It's forbidden to go to the upper levels of the library, you know?" It was him. How did he know?

"What do you mean?" I said, my back facing him. I didn't turn to look at him.

"I'll take you to the upper shelves with me." He said.

Huh? What was he on about? I'm sure it's one of his tricks. Why do I even bother?- Wait! Wait, wait, wait. I've got an idea!

"What? And why would I go with you?" I turned to him. I arched an eyebrow at him.

He was a bit far, so I took one step closer to him, unconsciously.

"Well, maybe because you can only see them with me." He shrugged.

He took one or two more steps closer to me. I didn't realise, I had to tilt my head back, so I could face him. He was that close to me now. I admit, it caught me off guard. That guy was testing my limits.

"Are you that important?" I tried to make fun of him.

"Yeah, I guess." He took it as a praise and smiled.

This guy is so full of himself! He gave me one of those cheesy, fake smiles, he gave everyone. Ugh, I couldn't even look at him. Disgusting. Keep it up, Evelyn! It's all for the plan. I should act up a bit more. If I agreed right away, it would have been too suspicious.

"Really though, what do you mean by that? Are you for real?" I tried to say it excitedly. As I was saying it, I got on my tip toes, so I could be nearer his face. Let's tease him a bit.

"I'm always for real." He said. He moved a fraction more. It was enough to make the space between us dangerous.

His face was dangerously close to mine. His nose, his lips. I could feel his heavy breaths on my lips and skin. I remained eye contact ever since.

"Let's go. Follow me." His lips moved. They were so close, I swear, I felt them brushing mine.

Gross, gross, gross, gross. I'll forever hate myself for this. But it's worth the sacrifice.

I pulled away. Hah, he was a hard one to crack. Oh, how I wanted to punch that face of his. He started walking. While I was behind him, catching up to him, I was wiping my mouth aggressively with my sleeve.

He turned to check on me. I rushed to him.

We walked together, next to each other down the corridor. He was trying to keep up with my pace. I realised, just now, how this may look, from away to others. Only our steps were heard. It was so quiet. I surprisingly caught his heavy breaths as well.

"I've always wanted to see the upper levels." He cracked the silence.

What is this guy trying to do? What did he have in mind? Is it all a trap? Does he think I'm that foolish? What's on his mind right now?

All those questions occurred to me, as I was looking at his face.

"Me too." I mumbled quietly.

"I know." He said sheepishly.

"How?" I scoffed.

"I saw you in the library this morning." He answered.

"Wait, really? I didn't see you anywhere." I said, a little suspicious of him.

"Yeah, because I was up." He said with a smile.

"Up? Do you mean-?" I said.

"That's right. You know, the book that fell. It was mine." He said happily. He's a good actor. Let's not forget about that.

"Guess which level I was on?" He came closer to my ear and whispered in it."

"No idea." I shrugged, trying my best to play along.

"On the fourth." He whispered again. "That's why now, I'm going to take you too. So you must keep it a secret." His head low, as he was whispering in my ear. I felt ticklish.

"You promise, you'll keep it a secret, right? Or else we'll be in big, big trouble." He said. I feel like he's taking this a bit way too far.

He spread his hand and extended his pinky. "It's a pinky promise." He said, locking eyes with me. What's going on?

"Hey, that's too childish. It's fine." I said, as I pushed his hand.

He laughed. "See? It's so much better when we get along."

"Here we are." He said excitedly, yet half- whispering it.

"Let's go, Emerson." He turned to me and went in.

"Tell me. What are you on to, Wilson?" I asked at the end. Guess, I couldn't keep it in. I was curious.

"Sharing one of my biggest secrets with you, Emerson."
He said, his head a little tilted to the side, with a goofy smile on face. Was he trying to look charming or something? Because it just looked ugly. I hate him, so much, whatever his name is. That shithead.

He headed to the stairs. I started wobbling a bit.

"Are we doing this for real?" I asked when I finally saw him on the first level.

I made sure he turned to me.

"W-wait for me." I said, as I wobbled once again. It made me stagger.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked suddenly.

I couldn't answer him, as my eyes were slowly closing a bit.

"Hey, Emerson-" He tried to call out for me.

"I-i'm not feeling well." I said, turned and ran.

I ran with all my strength in me. I ran for my life. I was running so fast, as if a monster was chasing me. That wasn't far from the truth though. I got it. I've done my plan perfectly. It came out perfectly. All I had left was to run far from school. Run, Evelyn, run! Run like your life depends on it! Which is kind of true.

This would be the end of you, Ethan Wilson, you'll see.