Everything I Didn't Say

t e n

TEN

"HEY, IT'S YOU."

I jumped, hitting the top of my skull on the shelf above me. Cursing under my breath, I whirled around, rubbing my head. Behind me stood none other than the boy Jenna and I had ploughed down a couple of days ago.

"Um ... me?" I muttered in confusion, pointing to myself.

"Yeah, you're the girl who nearly knocked me out" the boy nodded, recognition spreading across his features.

Hurriedly, I focused my attention on my feet. I couldn't believe this was happening. It was barely even my second month of high school and already I was about to get beat up by this sophomore. "I don't know what you're talking about ..." I murmured, plotting my escape route in my mind. "I'm not that girl."

"Yes you are!" he came closer so I backed into the shelf behind me, almost knocking it over.

Why did I choose to come to the library at lunch? I was severely regretting my decision right now. What if I never even got out of here alive, what if this guy killed me in the stacks where nobody could see? Oh my god, I'd never get to say goodbye to my Mom or Jenna or-

"I know it was you" the boy was still saying. "I recognize the hair" he said, pointing at it.

Damn me and my stupid freshman tight bun that I wore consecutively every single day.

I laughed awkwardly. "Well, this has been fun but I gotta go meet someone so ..." I trailed off, attempting to sidestep around him.

But he stepped out in front of me, effectively blocking my path. I let out a gasp of air at how close we suddenly were and I realized just how tall he really was; probably just 5, 11. I gulped timidly at my small height.

"You're forgetting your book. Were you going to check it out?" he gestured behind me and I followed his gaze. Behind my legs was the book I'd been browsing through when the boy had scared me.

"Oh um ..." I leant down and plucked it up, turning it over in my hands.

"Costume design?" he asked, tilting his head to read the title. He looked back up, fixing his intense blue eyes back on me. "Are you into art?" he questioned, eyes brightening suddenly with apt interest.

"N-no, not really. More, acting, stuff like that" I corrected, fidgeting under his eyes. Something about the flicker in the sapphire irises, made me wonder aloud: "do you like art?"

He nodded immediately, a smile playing on the corners of his lips. "Yep, I love it."

"That's cool" I nodded awkwardly, not really knowing what to say or do.

"I'm sorry, totally forgot to introduce myself. I'm Jared Kennedy" he said, smile widening cheerfully.

"Isla West" I whispered shyly.

"Nice to meet you. Come on, I'll come with you while you check it out" he explained, tapping the book's cover. He headed off through the stacks without realizing I wasn't following. When he noticed my absence, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder in confusion. "You coming or not?"

I hesitated before hurrying after him.

I turned off the shower and stepped out, reaching for one of the fluffy towels and wrapping it tightly around my body. I had been hoping that the memory would be washed down the drain along with the rest of the water but it still clung to me, like a thin vapour of perspiration.