The first time we saw each other, he was sitting with his pen and physics book, headphones on and uniform neat with his collar over his blouse. He ordered a decaf, looking content as he poured sugar into his cup.
I didn't watch him for long. The realisation I was getting distracted from my own studying had kicked in after a second. Even throughout the afternoon though, in the back of my head, behind all the formulas and theories, he was there.
When we met eyes, I had both my maths and physics book on my head and I probably looked entertained by my own stupid acts. A girl gets bored when reading a paragraph that goes for two pages. When I notice he's looking my way, I instantly take the books off and sheepishly look away. He laughs as he shakes his head.
The cafe was basically my school's studying centre that was busy almost everyday except for the weekends, where then the people from colleges around the area take over.
"You know, he wasn't laughing at you." Someone whispers into my ear. I stiffen as I recognize the voice. Piper Jennings. Her tone is taunting. Sounds like someone whose existence is a curse to her parents. "He was laughing at me because I had fallen out of my seat. Not everything is about you. You're such an attention seeker, you know?" Piper snickers walking off, flipping her hair.
At first I wanted stand up, call her back and slap her, adding "Says you" at the end. In my head I did that, but back in reality where I'm mature, I did nothing because everyone here thinks I'm a good role model. I deserve that title considering how tolerant I've been of Piper's stupidity over the years.
"Piper, could you just mind your own business for at least one day? Every day for 10 years I have had to deal with your bullcrap." I keep my tone steady and light. She gives a small grimace, the look the fox gives its predator before it pounces.
"Hey, everyone, did you know that Olivia only stopped sleeping with a teddy bear until last month?" Piper points at me, looking around the cafe, as if anyone cared. It caught only a few people's attention, probably people not around from here, since she's proclaimed more ridiculous things about me so the regulars got used to it.
Scoffing at how no one ever pays attention to her anymore, she walks herself out. I hear everyone inside their head sigh with relief.
I'm pretty good at hiding at how I really feel. From the look on my face, people must've thought I was upset by Piper, but really I just sympathetic for her.
She has major self esteem issues.
YOU ARE READING
Hide What You Feel
Short StoryAlthough it was only the cafe that connected them, they understood each other better than anyone else did. Every single day was its own story. A story that was told through eyes and rumors. Hiding what they felt was easier than hiding bruises and s...
