Safe (Rewritten)

This Isn't Everything You Are

Feels like you've loved him more 

Than he loved you. 

You wish you never met. 

- Snow Patrol, This Isn't Everything You Are

"You know, you don't talk very much," Ella says, playing with the food on her tray. "I knew someone at my old school, Liz, and it was like she didn't have a voice. I swear, you silent people worry me."

I raise my eyebrow. Ella's been twirling the roll between her fingers for the past ten minutes, debating whether or not she should eat it.

She continues, "why weren't you here the other day? A few people told me that your were probably sick again." She sets the roll down and takes a long drink from her orange juice.

My gut twists. So, people have started to notice our possible friendship and they're not pleased. Why would I, the freak of freaks, possibly have a friend? Of course it'd be fun to sabotage it. Fucking good times, right?

"But you don't look like you've been sick," she shrugs her bony shoulders and finally takes a bite of her apple. Oh, poor innocent Ella. I don't know very much about her personal life, but some things are just obvious.

One, she has an eating disorder. She thinks she's being sneaky and that no one notices, but it's obvious to me. Two, she's this way because she feels the need to impress someone. From her rambling I've heard when she thought I was zoned out, I think it's her mom.

Wow, I should probably tell Meranda that her therapist powers have started to rub off.

The bell rings and I gather my things, having already dumped my lunch in the trash. Ella hurries away to her next class, which is art. I'm reading the latest text from my mom about checking my bandage when someone bumps their shoulder with mine. I look up and nearly faint when my eyes meet his.

"You know, we should talk more. We used to be close before I left," Eric stuffs his hands in his pockets and starts walking beside me.

I furrow my eyebrows. "No guitar thing today?"

He looks over at me, an amused and somewhat pleased glint in his eyes. "Nope. Mr. Allen got sick the other day, so we have to wait for him to come back." I nod and look away, hoping he'll get the point and leave me alone.

However, Eric Adams has either the thickest ego in the world or he's just stubborn, because he continues walking with me. "So, there were two ships. One had red paint, one had blue paint. They collided. At last report, the survivors were marooned."

I cock an eyebrow up at him.

"Four fonts walk into a bar. The barman says "Hey get out! We don't want your type in here!"." He makes little shooing motions with his hands and I can't help the tiny snort that escapes. "Did you hear that the Energizer Bunny was arrested for battery?"

We're almost to my locker by now, and I'm on the fence about whether I should feel uncomfortable or entertained. Before I can make up my mind, he goes at it again. "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

A giggle passes my lips and I quickly bite my tongue. He smirks at me and leans against the locker next to mine. "Aw, c'mon, Paige. I spent all night on Tumblr memorizing those just to impress you."

I purse my lips, continuing my silence as I trade my books out. Really, I should get an award for keeping my composure. The bad puns may be dorky and overdone, but they're coming from Eric. I don't know why it makes it different, but it does. Completely.

"Silent treatment? Seriously, you'll need a different game plan. I have a twin sister," he offers me one last grin before heading to his next class. Once I know he's gone, I duck into my locker to hide my smile.