Emails

Chapter 12

Liv.

I remember putting my phone on silent.

I remember walking through the front doors of the school.

I remember dragging my feet against the dirty tile.

I don't remember taking a left around the school's trophy corner.

I don't remember going past crowds with my eyes tracing the floor.

Whispers piling in my ears.

Gossip piling like dirty laundry.

I remember slowing down.

Kids shoving past me in the crowds.

They grin. They giggle. They laugh. Cast me side glances. Laugh again as if I'm a funny joke.

"-heard a shark bit her in the arm-"

"-went swimming with a friend and was paraded by a boat of piranhas-"

"-why is she back? She looks horrible-"

"-so sad. I heard traumatizing things-"

Yes, I am now Shark Girl, Piranha Partisan, and Horrible Sight.

Very funny.

Don't forget the pity party.

I walk faster.

Get to my locker.

Shove my things inside.

Close it.

Turn my head and nearly crash into someone.

"Sorry-" I say to the floor.

It is a much better listener than a human ear.

I look up.

Nearly topple over.

He grins. Eyes squinting. He says he can see, but I doubt it.

"Hey. I didn't think I'd see you like this."

The grin gets wider.

So bright.

Cole stops smiling so much when he sees my face.

"Jesus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you so much." He apologizes.

I wave him off. "No-it's okay. Just surprised to see you."

We both speak at the same time.

"-I have class soon, so can we talk later?-"

"-what time do you want to work on the volunteer thing?-"

We both stop when we realize we're talking at the same time.

He blushes.

I look back at the floor.

He rubs the back of his neck. "O-okay. We'll talk later." He begins to scuffle away.

"Wait," I say.

He looks back, expectant.

"Let's meet up Thursday night. The park next to the school."

He nods. "Do you want to catch up for lunch too or something?" He flushes like a tomato.

I smile. Shake my head.

Walk away.