Stuck in the Middle

Wanted: Friend

(*Caleb's POV*)

When I walked into class today, I knew something was up. Jade and Mariah are usually talking, but when I sat down in my seat, I could feel the tension between them. It was so strong, it made me feel uncomfortable.

As class went on, I kept glancing at Mariah and Jade. Jade was texting furiously on her phone and Mariah was writing super fast in her journal.

The bell rang for class to finish and I saw Jade fly off her chair and out the door, Mariah just sat there giving Jade a dirty look as she rushed away. She looked back down and began to gather her books, she took longer than she usually does and when I walked out of class, I didn't see Tyler waiting for her like he usually does. Something is NOT right.

I finally saw Mariah walk out of class, I caught up to her and began walking next to her, she pretended not to notice me.

"So..." I said, trying to make conversation.

"So what!" She yelled, whipping her head towards me.

I didn't say anything, just kept walking with her. She stopped at the tables outside of the cafeteria where I saw Jade and Tyler sitting together, they were engrossed in a conversation.

I looked towards Mariah and saw the pain in her eyes.

"Come on" I told her, as I led her to a secluded corner in the back of the school.

We were both silent for what seemed like forever.

"Wanna talk about it?" I asked her, breaking the silence.

She stared at me with her dark brown eyes, that's the first time I noticed how beautiful they were. Her eyelashes were long, making her eyes look big and round and... beautiful.

She shook her head and looked away, but I could see that a tear fell down her face.

"Ok, then I guess I'll be going." I told her as I grabbed my backpack and began to get up.

"Wait." I heard her whisper.

She turned to me with tear stained eyes.

"You're all I have right now." She said, turning to me.

I sat back down and patted the floor next to me, telling her to come closer.

She got up and hesitantly sat next to me. I put my arm around her and pulled her closer, I heard her suck in a breath. I smirked to myself, It's all part of the game.

"What's wrong Mariah?" I asked her, rubbing her arm with my hand.

"It's a long story."

"I'll listen."

She slowed down her breathing and began to speak.

"Tyler and I went to the mall on Saturday, we bumped into Jade and this... girl. It was really weird because they were holding hands. When I asked her about it she said she was her cousin?" She said in confusion."Her and Tyler have been distancing themselves from me ever since..." She trailed off.

"Wait is Jade..." I asked her, not finishing.

"I don't know" She answered, shrugging her shoulders. "I just really need someone right now Caleb." She looked me in the eyes.

The bell rang, breaking our eye contact, she sighed and so did I, I didn't want to go back to class.

"Come on" I said getting up and holding my hand out to her. She looked at my hand and got up by herself.

"Where are we going?" She asked me as I led her to the parking lot.

"To talk." I assured her, opening my car door to let her in.

She slid in, unsure of what she was doing.

"Why are you being nice to me?" She asked, her voice was ice.

"Because I know you need someone, I'll be that someone." I said.

She threw her arms around me and began to sob in my shoulder

"Thank you Caleb." I heard her say.

I wrapped my arms around her awkwardly and patted her back, comforting her. After a few minutes she let go. We just sat there for awhile. My eyes wandered around her. It amazed me how I go to school with this girl, but I don't really know who she is. I was about to open my mouth and ask her some things, try to get to know her, that's how you play the game, but before I could, she looked out my window and ducked down, trying to hide.

I heard a tap on my door and opened it. Crap. It was the Vice Principal.

"Let's go" He said, motioning me out of the car.

"You too missy" He called to Mariah.

We walked together to his office, as we did I saw Tyler walking in the hallway, Mariah didn't notice him but I did. I saw him looking at us and I put my hand on Mariah's back, leaning into her.

"Everything is gonna be ok." I whispered into her ear.

She smiled at me and nodded.

I looked back at Tyler who gave me a death stare. I just smirked at him. Mariah is has me right now, and he knows it.