[ nora ]
I sit there quietly. My hands rest in my lap and my eyes are fixed straight forward. It is better to keep to yourself, I've learned.
Mr. Murphy walks in, carrying a piece of paper.
"I have the list of partners for your projects here." He waves the paper in the air as he leans against his desk.
I'm not exactly sure what to hope for. I have no friends and I barely know any of the people here yet. My greatest desire, though, is that I'm not stuck with Derek. Just the thought of him makes me want to vomit.
"Okay, so Sierra and Ned will be together. Also, Tina and Janet. Tiffany and Derek."
A flood of relief washes over me. I don't have to work with Derek.
"Cole and Nora, you two will be together."
He continues on through the list as if it's no big deal.
It is a big deal. I cannot do this project with Cole.
I don't know what it is about him that makes me so distracted. He appears as if he's just your average boring jock, but if he has the ability to turn my head, there just has to be something special inside of him.
"Dude, you got stuck with the loser." I can hear Derek's voice from the back of the room. It makes me cringe.
My body seems to move before my brain can think. My head turns around, my eyes locking with Cole's.
I catch him nod before he stares at my face. His eyes wrinkle around the corners and there's a hint of sadness in them.
Oh no.
I whip my head back around.
He saw it. He saw the bruise.
Mr. Murphy, during all of my inner conflict, continues to talk over all of the whispers passed about the assigned partners.
He just keeps talking and talking and talking until the bell rings.
I take it as my opportunity to flee to the restroom, where I plan on throwing up all of my breakfast. The whole aura of the room makes my head spin, all of the ridiculous conversations and actions slowly tearing apart my senses.
It's all just so pointless.
"Nora!" I turn around to see Cole racing through the halls after me. "Wait up!"
"What do you want?" I can't seem to help the bitterness. It just pours out of me like confetti coming from a surprise that nobody really wanted.
He scratches his head. "I just wanted to see if you want to work on the project after school."
I feel so stupid. I really should stop acting like a jerk.
"Oh, sorry."
I stare at the ground, suddenly very conscious of the large dark mark on my cheek.
He shrugs. "So, want to meet at my house later?"
He's probably asked that question hundreds of times.
"Yeah, sure."
He begins to walk away, but I feel a sudden urge to make things right. Besides, I'll have to be stuck with him for a week so I might as well try to make it more pleasant.
"Wait." He stops.
"I'm really sorry about yesterday when I yelled at you. I shouldn't of done that."
YOU ARE READING
Breathe
Teen Fictionin which a boy forgets how to breathe every time he sees her face. [ extended summary inside ] for all of these causes: #freeyourbody #bodypositivity #nomorebullying #stopbodyshaming #projectcharacter #helpfightcliches #weareteenqueens #breakstereo...