I Want Him Back...

I Want Him Back... - Part 4

[Ack, I know it's taken FOREVER to upload. I'm sorry, really. The writer's block got worse, I honestly wish it hadn't. Enough of my moping anywho! Hope you like it! Comment or vote or SOMETHING or I'm going to start thinking I should be reading instead of writing ^_^ Thanks for reading so far and for the comments people HAVE put!]

"Hey, Belinda!"

Turning at her name was becoming automatic. Damn. If it became an automatic response she'd be turning when people were insulting her and she wouldn't be able to stop it getting to her. But it wasn't Emma or one of her cronies running to catch up with her this time. He did look familiar though, his red hair instantly recognisable. But what was his name, she thought, frustrated.

"How are you holding up, Bel?" the boy said, grey eyes grabbing her attention. "I heard you were staying at Keith's house. Is everything okay at yours?"

"Oh, hang on, you're...Keith's friend...Jake, right?"

"Jack," he said, grinning as he offered his hand. "I didn't know you knew Keith that well though. I mean, how come you're staying there?"

"It's not like I know them that well," Belinda started before she spotted Emma standing not-too-far away. Her eyes narrowed and she turned back to Jack with unusual anger. "It's just that they took me in because my mum collapsed. I'm planning on leaving soon though, just because it's a little awkward. So don't worry about it."

"Wait, what?" Jack looked genuinely confused, his eyebrows knitting together. "Look, I'm not trying to say you shouldn't be there. In fact, seeing as Keith's...gone AWOL, I think it's great that somebody's taking care of his little sister. I mean, she's only eight. Anyway, I'm sorry your mum isn't feeling great."

"Oh, it's not too bad..." Belinda lied, not wanting him to know just how much she needed someone to talk to. Nobody had bothered talking to her since the two boys had disappeared, isolating her from the rest of her classmates. "I mean, she's...sorry, I can't really talk about it," she mumbled.

"Hey, don't sweat it. Listen, I noticed you sit alone at lunch and...do you think I could come sit with you? I mean," he continued hastily, "I would just come sit but you've had so much bad luck, I thought I'd ask first."

"S-sure. Um, sorry for snapping at you. But I...anyway, I guess I'll see you at lunch."

Once Jack was gone, Belinda began worrying. She couldn't help it, her paranoia of anyone in the popular crowd taking her head by storm. Even though it was Jack, one of the nicest guys in their group, she couldn't help but think there was something wrong with this. Maybe she should stop being so cynical, stop suspecting people of everything...but it was all that kept her sane. God, I wish this hadn't happened, she thought to herself for maybe the hundredth time. Maybe if I had just ignored Andrew...maybe if I had just trusted Keith...maybe...maybe...maybe.

Abruptly Belinda's thoughts were cut off, leaving her momentarily lost. And then the other part of her - the confident part, the steady, unwavering and strong part of her - took over. There was no point in maybes. She was wallowing in self pity and she had the choice to mope around or try and fix it. And she had been wavering between the two options, sometimes the self pity so overwhelming that she couldn't concentrate on helping.

Smiling grimly to herself she walked to maths, head held high. She didn't even falter as she usually did at the daunting sight of two empty seats that had been full only a month ago. She refused to meet anyone's eyes, keeping a cool distance from everyone and everything. Even when she knew everybody was staring at her, she couldn't bring herself down. She wouldn't be weak, she wouldn't be timid and she refused to be intimidated. Even by the teacher, who looked at her with a mix of disapproval and pity.