Falling For You (#wattys2016)

Chapt 3 Finding Corey

Just before lunch ended I walked into the hallway, which was almost completely empty because it was such a nice day out. The building smelled like old feet and gym lockers as I hurried around in search of Corey. The typical smell of a high school.

"Corey"! I called loudly through the hallways. The hallways were long and twisty which made it close to impossible to find anyone. I didn't see him anywhere. For a few minutes I just walked around, keeping my eyes out in hope to find Corey. I checked the office, but nobody was there. I checked everywhere, including the cafeteria, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Just as I was about to give up on looking, I heard a bang on the door of the boys washroom before Corey stepped out. As he exited the washroom he kept a blank stare on his shoes. Slowly, he walked over to me and raised his head so I could see his face. His eyebrows were furrowed and he didn't look like he was in a great mood. Maybe Mina had been right...maybe it was his time of the month.

"Were you seriously in that washroom the whole time?...are you okay"? I asked cautiously.

"I'm fine, I just needed to think" he replied combing his fingers through his medium length dark brown hair,"I've got a lot to think about" he trailed off.

"What do you have to think about Corey"? I asked slowly, "you have great friends, a great family...you're smart and you get good grades. What could possibly be wrong?"

He stared at me for a second before looking in the other direction. "I can't believe I'm actually considering telling you this" he laughed unsurely.

"You can trust me" I reassured him.

Cory hummed, "Okay, so-" He started. Suddenly the school bell rang which signaled that lunch was ending.

People walked all directions into the school, filling the hallways and bringing the smell of cafeteria food with them. A orange hairs boy walked past me, nearly spilling his Pepsi on me. "Hey!" I shrieked.

The boy looked at me and shrugged, "sorry I guess"

I rolled my eyes and turned back towards Corey, who had just been cut off mid sentence from the bell. He stopped and let his mouth hang open slightly for a second before closing it completely.

"Corey, you can tell me later" I yelled over to him.

"Maybe this wasn't a very good idea" He shouted back.

I stared at him for a few seconds before he walked away after sending me a quick, and slightly awkward wave. He was gripping the straps of his backpack tightly in his hands as I watched disappear into the sea of people. After a moment, I found myself pushing through the crowd, trying to catch up to Corey. As I elbowed my way through a group of cheerleaders one of them grabbed my arm and dug her long purple painted finger nails into my skin.
"Ow!" I yelped.

"Dude, you gotta say excuse me" she said rolling her eyes and loosening her grip.

"Oh I'm so sorry" I replied sarcastically, as I pulled my arm back and began to, once again make my way through the crowds.

Corey was just in front of me when I reached out and tried to get his attention, but something got in the way. Instead of poking Corey's shoulder, I poked the toned stomach that belonged to my dreaded ex, David Harley. David stood in front of me with a large smirk on his face. His cheeks were flushed and shiny from playing basket ball out in the hot weather, and his hair was greasy and a complete mess.

"Hey Zoe" he said. Casually he bit his bottom lip, taking a step closer to me and leaving an uncomfortable amount of space between us. I could feel his breath on my face and it reeked of mint chewing gum. I loved the smell of mint but as the scent left his mouth and traveled into my nose I found myself feeling nothing more than nauseated and disgusted.