Would It Be Okay If I Took Your Breath Away? [Kevin Skaff]

Chapter 2

I still couldn't believe two months had passed in this now slightly familiar Ocala. It's also been two months since that day we spent with Kevin and the boys. I had most part fallen into a regular routine. I had the routes to each class planned out perfectly. I also learned to avoid getting my books and myself knocked to the ground.

Dawn and I left each other to our last periods. Almost Friday, and I'm just going to relax this weekend. I'm just about ready to blow up this school and all the monstrous people in it.

I truthfully didn't feel like going to last period. Before I even knew it, I was sitting in my car. Where does someone go when you're skipping school? Before I started the car, I just sat staring at everything, just thinking. I knew that when I had those chances to get a thought in my day, that wasn't about chemistry or some Shakespearean play, one thing was always on my mind. One person at least. Kevin.

I often wondered about the boy with the intriguing blue eyes. I marveled simply about those eyes, they were so unforgettable. Other times I began to think about him so much I had to ask myself if I'd just made him and that day up. The only reason I doubt his existence is because I'd only seen him once in two months. Was he even real? Deep down I really hoped he was.

After that thought session about Kevin, I was completely unfocused. I truly don't know how I even got home. I dropped my bag in the entry, right by the first step of the staircase, and placed my keys in the tacky ashtray that read, "it's always sunny in the sunshine state." That statement contradicts my life. I sighed and made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I realized how thirsty I was when the water disappeared down my throat.

No matter how hard I try I couldn't stop thinking about him. What if I did see him again? I had played it out before, quite pathetically actually, over and over in my head, and it always playing out the same.

He'd come strolling up with that cute one hand rubbing his neck, other hand in his pocket, and he'd perfectly look into my eyes. "Hi," he'd say in his perfect voice that played over in my head. I would mostly stutter and trip over my words to try to force something out. If I did say anything is was mostly nonsense and then I'd just freeze, caught in those seas of translucent blue.

I sighed at myself, seeming a little pathetic. Maybe some fresh air will do me some good. I slipped into some shorts and a black sweater as I grabbed my keys to head out the door. As I locked the door after me, I started to head towards the school. I stuck my headphones into my ear and started jogging. As I looked around, I heard my name being called. I ignored it until I heard it clearly. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I heard heavy footfalls coming closer to me. So I stopped, I was too scared to do anything else. Then the voice came around to the front of me. When he caqme into view, I almost had a heart attack. It was Kevin.

"Hey Charlotte." Kevin grinned widely. "Oh, um, h-hi Kevin." Not bad, at least I managed to spit some words out. "How have you been?" He asked as I noticed the other guys behind him. "I've been pretty good. How have you been?" Wow, I expected myself to be slurring my words at this point. "I've been pretty fine, just chillin'. I was starting to get sad that I couldn't pick up your books anymore." He winked at me- God he was adorable. I didn't know what to say, so I just giggled, keeping my hands in the pocket of my sweater.

"So, you want to hang out with the guys and me for awhile?" I couldn't resist really. I felt drawn to being near him, especially since I haven't seen him in so long. However, I feel like I wouldn't talk much. "I'd love to, but, I really do have to get going Kevin, I'm sorry." I bit my lip as a look of defeat crossed his face. "Well that's alright. Maybe another time." I nodded my head and smiled up at him.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later?" He asked putting his hands in his pockets. This is all a bit awkward, and he looked a bit uncomfortable, which I wouldn't blame him. "Yeah." I told him, turning around back the way I came. I just wanted to get away from that failure of a social experience as fast as I could.

"Charlotte!" I turned back around to face Kevin. "Um, can I..." His voice was shaky as he looked down to his feet. "Yeah?" I urged him to continue. He flickered his eyes back and forth from my face to his feet. "I was wondering if I could call you." I could instantly feel the blood rush to my cheeks. "Oh, yeah of course." That instantly put a smile across his face. He opened his hand and grabbed a pen that was shoved into his pocket. I wrote my number on the palm of his hand as a smile was still stuck on his face. "Well, I'll talk to you soon then?" "Yeah totally!" He said smiling at the few digits on his palm. "See ya." He flashed a smile down at me before turning back to his group. "Hey guys..." He ran off towards his friends leaving me giggling to myself.

As I approached my front door, I saw a package on the front mat. I didn't order anything nor was I expecting a package from anyone. I checked who the package was from as I entered my house. It was from my father, who was stuck at his own house. It was an early birthday present, that his assistant probably picked up for him. My father was on house arrest once again this year. He had been in several robberies this past month and he's broken the law many times before.

I think I've been so caught up with life, I hadn't realized that my birthday was in three days. Maybe I've been too unfocused lately. That means that eighteen boring years of my life had been gone already. I always wondered how my life would be around this time.

The next morning was pretty dull. "Shouldn't you be paying attention Ms. Rose?" I looked up from my notebook. "I'm sorry." The rest of that period I had to pay attention to my teacher. He was watching me lately since I've been a little unfocused. At lunch, it was just like every other day, nothing too special. I didn't pay much attention to anything really that day. Today was odd though. Kevin wasn't there when I looked at his table. It's possible he could be sick. "Dawn I'm going to walk around the halls." I told her. "I'll come with you." So, we just decided to walk around classrooms, and we just talked for a little while. As we were talking, we heard a familiar voice down the hall. I took a peak from around the corner. Kevin was sitting there with the head cheerleader. Dawn had told me that was his ex-girlfriend.

"Kevin, I want you back. I know it's been almost two years since I've talked to you and made that horrible mistake, but I really want you back." 'That's a lie.' I thought to myself. "Claire, no. I don't want you back. I already have a girlfriend." I gasped and hid behind the corner. I heard footsteps coming closer, so Dawn and I ran to the nearest bathroom. "He has a girlfriend?! Wha- How?! I... UGH!" I sat on the floor and put my hands to my face. Why didn't I see that coming? "Don't worry, maybe he was lying?" A few tears fell down my face. "Why would he lie? I just... I feel stupid for crying." I picked myself up off the bathroom floor as we walked out of there.

As we turned a different corner, I crashed into someone. "I'm sorr-" I looked up to see Kevin. "Oh hey guys!" I sniffled and wiped another tear coming down my face. "Charlotte, why are you crying?" I shook my head and started walking away. "Charlotte... Dawn can you find the guys please? I'd like to talk to her alone please." Dawn left me to face Kevin. "Don't worry about it Kevin. I'm perfectly fine." I started to walk away when he grabbed my shoulder to turn me around. He looked straight into my eyes. "You're not fine. What's wrong?"

The bell rang as the halls were suddenly filled with students. I found my way to my last class, sneaking away from Kevin. I was so glad I could get away from him. I just wanted to leave.

School was over, finally, and I tried to get home as fast as possible. I just sent a text to Dawn to get to my house because I had already left school. I practically ran home so Kevin wouldn't find me. Finally, I got home and threw myself onto my couch. After an hour of still being by myself, I had received a text message from Dawn.

Dawn: Hey, I can't make it today, sorry. I'm hanging with Neil.

By the time I took a shower, I realized it was already 10:30. Maybe tomorrow won't be as crummy as today was. Before I turned out all the lights in my room, my phone vibrated. I had gotten a message from an unfamiliar number.

'Charlotte, you may be asleep, but it's Kevin. I wanted to say if you ever need anything, any help at all, you can talk to me. Maybe, Dawn and you could have lunch with us tomorrow. Goodnight Charlotte.'

Maybe Kevin cared about me. Maybe he didn't have a girlfriend. Guess I'll find out tomorrow at lunch. He's not such a bad guy after all.