Tori is an intelligent, kind, beautiful and capable young woman who prioritizes meeting and upholding the expectations of her loved ones even if it means sacrificing her own needs and wants. As her father experiences a health emergency, Tori's life...
The following day Liv and I entered our high school and began our usual march to our lockers. Liv was commenting on one of the Cassidy twin's outfits and how it could not have possibly looked worse. I was quickly exchanging textbooks and notebooks from my locker while also laughing in response to the vivid and graphic portrayal of the outfit when Liv's demeanor changed suddenly which made me look at her. One of the many great things about having a friend since childhood is being able to communicate without words. Her eyes widened but not with excitement, rather warning. I nodded in understanding also not saying a word as I assumed this meant that Shane was walking in our direction. All was confirmed when an arm roughly landed around my shoulders. "Hey, T," Shane began. "I'm so sorry about the dance. I'm going to have to make it up to you this weekend." My lips pressed together and I said trying to reduce any level of excitement about the potential of going out with him and said, "uh... sure, I guess that'd be fine." Shane's eyebrows creased with quick confusion to be replaced with another football player play tackling him offering a much appreciated distraction from any further conversation. "Ahhhh... We'll talk more later, T!" Shane's voice trailed off as he continued was trying to give a fellow footballer payback for having embarrassed him in front of me.
Our first period class came and went with not concerns, and finally, it was time for second period. My stomach burst with butterflies upon hearing the bell ring. Liv and I smiled at each other and began making our way to my mother's classroom. When my eyes met Wyatt's a fire began an intense burn within my chest making my heart race with excitement. The corners of his mouth began to reciprocate elated feelings towards encountering one another.
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Character: Wyatt Daniels (Generated w/ ChatGPT)
He was sitting at my mother's desk looking at his computer. One hand was guiding the mouse while his other arm was resting on the desk. He was appearing to bit his thumb nail with concentration. His lips were full and a gorgeous healthy pink. I had noticed them before, but now, I was trying to memorize every facet of their being. It appeared that whatever previously had his attention on the computer must have been completed, and our gaze reunified. His eyes appeared playfully dangerous and my mind replayed our brief but intense encounter Friday night.
He then proceeded to lecture on the lesson, and I was relieved to have uninterrupted time to take in his appearance without guilt or fear of getting caught. He was wearing a pair of fitted khaki pants that were straight-legged. His muscular legs were apparent even in thick fabric. He was wearing a dark heather grey v-neck sweater showing the slightest bit of the top of his chest, but it was enough to help my imagination fill in the blanks. He was wearing a very smooth and polished belt along with matching loafers. His deltoid and bicep muscles were anything but shy and aligned with my memory of how easily he was able to pick me up and set me on the counter Friday night. His hair was a dark, rich chocolate brown and must have been cut recently. Still the top of his head displayed the longest hair and was gracefully slicked back, as your eyes trailed down his head, his hair slowly transformed into a fade. His expression was one of conviction as he was discussing the lesson and emphasizing the important take-aways of the day. Finally he discussed the homework assignment and I realized that I had neglected to take notes the entire period. The bell rang and I began trying to organize my belongings. "Miss Simmons," I heard Wyatt call out. "Umm, yes?" I replied not even recognizing my own voice as it was deeper than normal. "You take a course at the college, correct?" He asked even though he already knew the answer. "Umm. Yes. Yes, I do," I choked out. "Your mother was saying that there was a lesson plan that she forgot to provide me but that it is actually at your house. I was hoping," He continued. "That before you college class, you are able to return home and grab that for me, and maybe I could pick that up from you somewhere on campus this afternoon?" I smiled and nodded, "Yes, I can do that." "Awesome, so, let's say 3:00pm near the Philosophy Building?" He asked waiting on my reply. "I'll be there!" I said with a smile that I was trying to minimize to not raise flags for other students. "Good," he said with a smile.
...
It was 2:45pm, and I was sitting on a short wall outside of the Philosophy building waiting on Wyatt, but, it wasn't until 4:00pm that I realized he wasn't coming. A tear escaped and began to make its way down my cheek. I quickly wiped the tear from my face hoping that if I did so; then, maybe it being both the tear and the encounter, never happened. I grabbed my book bag and jumped off the short wall to begin my trek back to my car. I could not begin to even guess the amount of times that I checked my phone while waiting for Wyatt. My chest burned with embarrassment and hurt. I asked myself how I could be so stupid to think that he would be interested in me because he did not even care enough to send me a text or some sort of explanation. He had been someone that I had been so vulnerable with, felt genuine and intense feelings for, only to be rejected when I actually wanted a relationship or at least something with him.
My anger fueled my walk back to my car, and I got there is record time. My Hail Mary was hoping that he had left a note on my car like he had once, but again, one more let down. No note from Wyatt. I slung my backpack into my car and slammed the door. I rested my forehead on the steering wheel and let out an honest and painful cry. I was able to sum up my short experience on earth so far as my parents seeming to place priority of themselves over me, unable to quantify the amount of times that people had let me down, and the sharp and painful epiphany that Disney romances and Hallmark films were just that. Something to watch for entertainment, but otherwise, just another fantasy. Maybe, Shane is the best that I'm going to get. I said with resignation and disappointment. At least it would not be a relationship that I would have to hide and lie about. I nodded with agreement of that truth. I wiped my face of tears, turned on my car, and drove home.
