"Hey Leyla! Wait up!"
I turned around to look for whoever was calling my name.
"Oh, hey Ray!"
He caught up to me, out of breath.
I smirked. "How long have you been running?"
Since I saw you turn around the corner of out street."
Ray and I have been friends since we were in diapers.
We lived across the street from each other and would walk to school together...however today, not so much.
"Running late, huh?"
He laughed. "Just a little."
"Right."
As we headed towards the school I could see out other two friends, Mikey and Frank. They were waiting for us by the entrance. Our other friends, Gerard and Bob were already done with high school. Gerard went to a local art school and Bob didn't go to college.
"Hey guys." I gave them a warm smile.
"Sup." Frank said.
"Hey." Mikey replied.
I looked up at the huge stone clock that was on the tower of our school.
"I need to get to class. I'll see you guys later."
"Okay! We'll meet in the courtyard for lunch!" Ray reminded me.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I tried to pay attention in my classes, but I found myself frustrated, thinking about Ray. So I gave up.
These past few years, I had grown very close to Ray.
It wasn't until ast year that I reallystarted falling for him.
I felt as if the bell was never going to ring and this dreadful excuse of a class period wouldl never end.
Fortunately, it did. All of the students grabbed their stuff and shuffled into the hallways.
I grabbed my bag and exited the small cllassroom, and made my way towards the courtyard.
I found Frank, Mikey, and Ray seated in a stone picnic table across the yard.
"Hey, how was class?" Ray asked me.
"Horrible. Most boring lecture ever."
"It's okay, it's over now." He gave a cheesy grin.
I laughed. "Yeah."
A short dark haired girl came up to us and took the open seat by Frank.
"Hey Natalie." Frank smiled and gave her a sweet kiss.
She blushed as he pulled away. "Hi Frank."
Mikey and Ray were takling about guitars so I watched Frank and Natalie.
They seemed so great together.
How Frank's eyes would light up every time he saw her, and how she seemed so bright and gleaming when he would kiss or hug her. I wanted a rellationship like that and needless to say, I was jealous.
A hand was waving in my face as I zoned back into reality.
"Huh?"
"I asked if you were hungry? You're not eating." Ray gave me a concerned look.
"Oh, right. Yeah, umm..I had a big breakfast." I said.
"Okay well, I gotta run. Huge test in english." Ray grabbed his bag and got up. "Adios."
I turned to Frank and Natalie. "I'm gonna head off too okay?"
"Yeah sure, see ya later!" Frank called.
"Bye."
-----------------------------------
I was struck by a gust of wind as I walked down my driveway.
"Leyla!"
Ray was coming out of his house. "Where were you after school?" It's cold out, you should have caught a ride with Frank like I did."
"It's okay. I'm not cold."
"I don't believe you." He took off his jacket and draped it over my arms, as he guided me into his house.
"Hello Leyla, honey." Ray's mother greeted me with a hug.
"Hi Mrs. Toro." I smilled.
"Mom, can she stay for dinner?"
"Why of course."
"Oh no, I really wouldn't want to impose. And I have tons of homework." I said.
"Yeah, yeah. That's always your excuse." Ray smiled at me and I couldn't help but grin back.
"Let's go."
I followed him upstairs and into his room.
He put an Iron Maiden cd in and we both started head banging. I laughed as I watched him. He started laughing also.
There was a warm smile on his face as he took a step closer to me. He brushed my dark brown hair out of my face.
I just stared up at him, my heart going a million miles a minute.
He bent down and softly kissed me.
At first I was shocked, but after realizing what was happening, I relaxed.
He pulled away and I stared into his brown eyes.
"Leyla, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have.."
"No Ray, it's okay. I'm glad you did." I smiled.
He wrapped his arm around me and held me close to him.
"I've loved you for a long time Leyla." He said quietly.
"I've loved you too Ray.. a lot actually." I looked up at him and he was smiling. He leaned down and kissed me again.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Of course." I hugged him.
