When Two Worlds Collide [boyxboy]

Ch. 11: Phoebe the Flirt

*James' P.O.V.*

*2:40pm*

The release bell goes off and people are flying out of the classroom. I try my best to blend in with the crowd, as usual. As usual, it doesn't work.

"Yoo-hoo! James!" I hear my living nightmare shout in a singsong voice. I cringe. Then I do something I don't usually do; I scan the crowd before I check to make sure Derek won't be witnessing the scene about to unfold. I figure if I'm going to aim to capture his heart after high school, I'd better not take the chance of him misunderstanding.

Then I tense up and turn around.

"Yes, Phoebe?" I say with no emotion.

"Awwww you know what I'm going to ask... Why won't you give me, or anyone else, a chance to date you? I know those horomones are in there somewhere!" she chimes. I feel sick to my stomach, like I always do when she pulls this gig. She'll try to convince me I should be dating, and make a big scene about it.

"Phoebe, I've lost count of how many times we've been over this; I'm not going to date until I'm out of high school. It's too much drama. You're a perfect example, too! You make such a big scene in the middle of a school hallway that people stare like you're an alien! Ugh! Just leave me alone!" I shout, then start to storm off.

But then I notice the last person I wanted to see, standing at his locker, jaw dropped and a disappointed look hidden in the back of his eyes. Great, now he probably thinks he'll never have a chance with me...

"Whatcha starin' at a guy for, James? You know I'm much more pleasant on the eyes than some loner like him... Unless you're a fag. Heheheh..." I hear Phoebe's words like a strike to the face. She dares talk about Derek like that AND use such derogitory slang in the same sentence?!? I whirl around on my heel to face her. She has a wicked grin on her face, one that I'm about to beat off with my fists.

"You. Do. NOT. Talk. About. My. Friends. Like. That!" I shout, emphasizing each word and raising my fist to swing.

Suddenly I feel an hand around my wrist, gently pulling down to try to stop me.

"Don't try to interfere, Be-" I say, but I look over to see not Beth's face, but Derek's, with a look of desparation in it.

"Practice what you preach, friend... Don't make a scene. I've heard worse. Walk with me." he pleads quietly. I lower my hand and nod. I glare daggers at Phoebe one last time, then turn around and walk off with Derek next to me.

We walk out of the school without saying a word. At last Derek breaks the silence.

"Thanks for standing up for me... But seriously, try not to let yourself get so worked up again. There's no promise that I can be there every time to calm you down. Speaking of, why did you stop once you saw it was me? It sounded like you were going to brush me off if I had been who you thought I was... And it's not like I'm so important to you that you'll do anything for me..." he trails off. His hair is hanging down into his face, so I can't tell what he feels like through that. I smile to myself at the irony of his logic. I'd give anything for him, but he can't know that...

"I dunno, I guess since you were the one she was dissing on, I figured if you don't mind then I shouldn't start a fight over it. If you had been anyone else though, that slut wouldve had her foot shoved up her over-fucked cunt. No one talks about my friends like that, or uses such derogitory bullshit as 'fag.'" I say the last word as though it's poison. Why people are so judgemental, I'll never know. He starts laughing, which catches me off guard, both because it's extremely cute and I don't know what's so funny.

"Wha?" I whine, sounding like someone who just woke up. This just makes him laugh harder for about four minutes. Then he catches his breath to tell me what he's so amused by.

"It was just too funny the way you described that girl... 'slut with an over-fucked cunt?!?' you're so vulgar!" he exclaims, giggling at the end.

"Well the way she's always flirting with everyone, it wouldn't surprise me if she has every STD known to man!" I chuckle.

"Hey, my Aunt is here to pick me up..." he says, pausing at the end. I can tell he's hesitating, debating whether to say what he's wanting to say.

"you know, if you have something else to say, go ahead and say it. I don't bite..." I say in an encouraging voice. He nods and continues.

"If you wanna... You know... Message me on facebook?" He says, suddenly blushing. He backs away like he just committed murder, then turns around and runs to the car that is supposedly his Aunt's.

"Dammit James, you're making him nervous..." I mutter to myself, heading to yet another solemn bus ride home in which my thoughts revolve entirely around Derek.

Why have I been so glum lately? I'm usually perky and happy, right?