It's Terribly Perfect.

2. It's Terribly Perfect: Relating.

My body is frozen in place as the gasps and whispers from my classmates fill the air around me, which suddenly feels suffocating. Mr. Pryz just gapes at me, signifying he also heard what Drew said. Calub looks shocked, mouth open, staring at the carpet. I grab my books and dash out the door, the teacher’s wavering voice calling after me. I keep going. Finally, I reach the girls’ bathroom at the other end of the school.

How did he know? I run the question through my head over and over again as I lock myself in one of the stalls. I sink down to the floor, pulling my knees up to my chin and wrapping my wobbly arms around them. I don’t care that my face is right next to where girls sit their bare asses down – I’m too numb. I’m shaking, freezing cold even though I’m sweating.

How does Drew know I was . . . the ‘R’ word? Luke wouldn’t have told him. Hell, if it were up to Luke, probably not even my mother would have found out. Arin wouldn’t tell anyone – I know her and when she says she’ll keep a secret, she means it. I have no clue as to how he could have acquired the facts.

Unless he’s the one who . . . . No. He can’t be. Drew isn’t that kind of guy.

My thoughts are interrupted as I hear someone jogging into the bathroom from the hallway, the sound bouncing off the tiled walls. I hug myself closer, not wanting anyone to confront me about what just happened. The truth will spread, and by tomorrow morning everyone will know.

Whoever had entered the bathroom taps against the stall door. I stay quiet and try to slow my breathing. It’s probably just another female student Mr. Pryz sent to check on me.

“Kasynne, c’mon, open up.” No, it’s not a girl from my class.

“Ryan?” I guess.

“Yeah, unlock the door.”

“Um, no.” I shuffle my feet nervously. “I’m peeing.”

“Kasynne I can see that you’re sitting on the floor.”

“So? I could still be peeing.”

“On the floor?” He stifles a laugh. I sigh in defeat, reaching up and unlatching the lock. He steps in, sliding down beside me. It remains quiet for a few moments as I awkwardly fiddle with my thumbs.

“Why are you in the girls’ bathroom?” I ask, finally breaking the silence.

“I could ask you the same,” he says indifferently.  “I came to check on you.”

“Did Mr. Pryz send you?”

“No, I came because I wanted to,” he shrugs.  

“Why? I’ll be nicknamed ‘The Freak Who Got Raped’ by tomorrow. Or are you here to start the taunting early?” I flinch when the ‘R’ word escapes my lips. Ryan notices, sending me an understanding look.

“No, Kasynne, I’m not,” he huffs out a breath. “I just . . . will you go somewhere with me?”

My body stiffens; the words making my head whirl and trigger my instinct to run away. Is he serious?

 He must’ve seen my body tense because he says, “I won’t touch you Kasynne. I just want you to talk to someone I know.” His dark brunette, almost black shaggy hair falls down just over his turquoise eyes in soft curls as he speaks.

“I barely know you. And after what happened, I’m not going anywhere with anyone I don’t know,” I reply stubbornly, shaking my head.

“Do I seem like the kind of person who would do something like that?” He looks into my eyes, and honest curiosity covers his face. He never did come off as a bad guy. He was the one you notice standing up for the underdog or the kid getting his nose smashed in. He was always helping someone. I shouldn’t, but something inside screams at me to trust him. I look away, taking a deep breath.