Lovestruck (EDITING)

57: Lunch Break

I walk out of Spanish having absorbed zero information during the class. My mind was and still is focused elsewhere. All I can seem to think about after running into Jayden is the bags under his eyes and exhaustion in his voice. He couldn't possibly be as hurt as I am. I force myself to remember why I'm mad at him despite how badly I just want to hold him and tell him all is forgiven. I realise that the sooner I disconnect my ideas of childhood innocence from Jayden, the better. He's not that Jayden anymore. He's a stranger to me now, and it's time for me to forget it all.

I do what my list tells me to do and keep my head down in PE, literally. I even take four hits to the head with volleyballs. The bell rings and my team members sigh in disappointment at me when our opponents are announced as the winners. I'm definitely going to be the last picked for teams for at least the next few weeks. I find it hard to care, though, as I head towards the locker room, still staring at the ground to avoid possible encounters.

"Hey, Skye! Wait!" A deep voice calls after me and I freeze. Landon?

I glance behind me hesitantly to see, to my surprise - and relief - the tall, dark-haired boy jogging over to me. Tyler.

"You were terrible today. What was that?" There's laughter in his voice as he catches up to me so we can walk beside each other.

"There's the encouragement I needed. Thanks Tyler." I act insulted, but really couldn't care less about volleyball right now.

"Really though. Are you alright?" He slows down beside me and grabs hold of my arm, forcing me to tense up.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Can't I just suck at sports?" I pull away from him and keep walking.

I think I've lost him for a moment before I hear his footsteps speed up behind me and he's next to me again.

"I know you can do better than that. I'm not dumb. I just want you to know I'm here if you ever want to... like, talk or whatever." There's something very off about his proposal, but I know Tyler has good intentions.

"Yeah, thanks Tyler. I think I'll be fine, though." I wave back to him as I push the door open to the girls' locker room, thankful to end the conversation.

I silently congratulate myself for surviving half of my day from hell already as I change back into my jeans and tank top from this morning. It hits me, though, that the hardest parts are yet to come. Bring on lunch break.

***

4. Find a new person to sit with at lunch.

I look up from my phone at the busy cafeteria, dreading the next thirty minutes of my life. I've suddenly lost my appetite. The lunch line is especially long today, with burritos on the menu, and I contemplate just eating alone in the bathroom to avoid the dreaded search for a table. That is until I accidently lock eyes with the dark haired cheerleader standing a few feet ahead of me in the line. Maya's face lights up when she sees me and she instantly waves me over to her. I'd rather not join her in her group of cliquey cheerleaders and jocks, but when they all turn to stare at me I can't exactly make a run for it.