Escaping Our Names

Pride of the Unknown

Ada wanted to become an actress. It was her dream to be on the silver screen, wrapped in gold. Growing up she was in every single musical and drama club in the town. Her parents were also always right there in crowd, ready to congratulate her and shower in compliments and flowers. Ada was want you could call, spoiled. She got whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it. Her father was a high end dentist, and her mother was a lawyer. They were mega rich. Ada was the kind of popular girl, the one that everyone but the losers knew. She knew how to make sure to keep her record clean of rumors and gossip. Ada was very smart.

Lila has been hanging out with Ada for about two weeks now. Larken hasn't been to school and Lila hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving. He did of course send a few texts since then, letting her know what's been going on, but he has been trying to get settled in with his new job and living situation. They made a date for that Saturday at the coffee shop. He want to show her everything. Lila had been very understanding with him, and had her focus back on other things. Ada introduced Lila to her group of friends the day after they met. Lila thought they were all very nice. They greeted her and acted like she was one of them. Everyday they ate lunch together on the steps of the stage. They even invited her to go places with them.
"This Friday, my house," said Div. Div was George's girlfriend and Darin's younger sister and they all knew Ada since birth.
"Lila, you should go," Chesed said. Lila bit her cuticles in thought.
"Maybe."
"It'll be loads of fun," Ada said, and bumped shoulders with her in a friendly way.
"Okay, fine. I'll go."
"I'll pick you up," Darin smiled at her. Lila looked down and blushed involuntarily. Darin had this way of making Lila blush all the time and she didn't like it. When she looked back up, he was still staring at her while chewing on his lip.

"So, in Bio today," Div said, "I was talking with that nerdy freshman, and he actually taught me something." Darin's attention went from Lila to his sibling. He let out a whoop.

"Damn! Really?" Ada and George laughed at his comment and Div slapped George on the arm.

"Oh shut up!" she said. "Anyway, before I was rudely interrupted, I was going to say, after I thanked him for clearing up my question, he tried to grab my tit!" Darin let out a snort.

"Now that's not surprising, you've got huge ass bonkers."

Lila, by this time, had pulled out her phone and was reading a book. She was in it so intensely, she didn't realize the bell had rung and the group had left, all except for one.

"Hey beautiful." Lila jumped at the sudden voice and hot breath tickling her ear. Darin was behind her and she was suddenly concousious of her hoodie rising up showing her lower back as she was slouching. His big hand rested on her skin and she shot up. He laughed deep in his chest and bent over to pick up her things. She mumbled a thank you as she slid on her bag and took her books. Darin was tall and muscular, with nice dark hair. Lila admitted to herself that he was very attractive.
"Where's your next class? I'll walk you," he said, slipping his hands into his jean pockets. She began walking as a way of answering and he followed her. Lila noticed he didn't have a bag or any books.
"You don't have a bag?" she asked.
"Don't need one. I have football practice for the rest of the day."
"Oh."

They continued walking for awhile in silence. There weren't many people because there was only two minutes left of passing period, due to Lila's reading session. Darin cleared his throat.
"So, you like to read?" She looked at him and nodded.
"That's, uh, cool." He cleared his throat again.
"Yup," she said, and looked back at her feet. Soon they were at the door of Lila's class and she turned to look at him as the late bell rang.

"Thanks...for walking me," she mumbled. He rocked back and forth of his feet.
"Anytime." Lila sucked in her bottom lip and nodded before turning to open the door.