smoke I gracy I ✔️

*2*

He had chestnut brown hair and deep brown eyes. You know, the ones you could easily get lost in. Confusion crossed my face. Who was he? And why was he here? Is he here to make fun of me? Man, that's some dedication.

"Are you okay?" the guy asked me with genuine concern.

"Uh. Yea." I answered looking down at my lap, embarrassed at my red face. Was he really worried? Or was this just pity? For some reason, I felt more comfortable with him. He extended his hand towards me. I looked at him and back to his still stretched out the hand. I carefully grabbed it and the guy pulled me up into a standing position. I brushed off my clothes and looked back at him.

"Um... thank you. " I say.

"Your welcome." replies the mysterious but generous man.

I scratch my neck nervously as we both walk back to the school. I sure did run a long way.

"I'm Zach. But my friends call me Graser."

I nodded at him. "I'm Stacy. Stacy Hinojosa. People call me.....Stacy." I introduce.

Zach laughs at my blunt humor. I just stand there awkwardly.

The weather seems to get colder. I shove my hands in my jean pockets. Why didn't I wear a sweater? Then I notice Zach is staring at me. I stared back.

"Uh...Here." Zach says while taking off his leather jacket. I see what's coming and I put both of my hands in front of me.

"N-no. I-I don't need it. Really." I can feel myself blushing.

Zach nodded and put his leather jacket back on.

I rub my arm and I feel goosebumps. I shiver,

"Are you sure you don't want my jacket?" asked Zach, yet again.

I shake my head. He doesn't seem to be convinced. For the rest of the walk back to the school, he had kept offered me his jacket. Each time, I declined. I even tried to coax him that I didn't need it. But I ended up wearing his jacket anyway.

When we get back to the classroom, I start to shuffle my feet and squirm around in my spot. Zach pushes me into the room and I stumble inside again. Zach comes in after me. I take off my jacket and hand it back to him. Well, more like throw it back. Anyway, I looked back at the teacher. She was lecturing everyone why they shouldn't bully kids and make fun of them. Suddenly, the bell rang and all the students grabbed their belongings and rushed out of the door. Some even falling. I look around the room for my stuff and it is nowhere to be seen. I panicked. Where could it be?

"Stacy!!!"

I turned around to see Bee at the other side of the classroom. She was scurrying down the aisle towards me. One hand had my books. But no backpack.

"Bee," I answer. She gives me my books and I hold them against my chest. "Where is my backpack?" I ask her.

"Oh. That." Bee responds. "I placed it in your locker."

I feel relief wash over me. I place my hand on my heart.

"Thank you so much Bee." I thank her.

She replies with a no problem. I'm starting to like this place.