Falling for him

{Chapter twenty two}

Defensiveness is usually someone silently screaming that they need you to value and respect them in disguise. When you look for deeper meanings behind someone's pain you can then begin to heal not only yourself, but others.

- Shannon L. Alder

• • •

I was sitting quietly in my psychology class, until Mason began questioning me. He had been trying to talk to me all week, of course I talked back but he still kept asking whether something was wrong.

"Come on Nancy, I've been working on this project with you all week and it's pretty obvious that something is bothering you. You've been really quiet ever since the party and you even left early that day, did something happen?" Mason tapped his fingers on the desk as he spoke to me.

"No, I'm fine. Just had a tiring week that's all." I tried reassuring him with a smile.

"Are you sure? I mean, did I do something wrong?"

"No you didn't, don't worry about me..I'm fine."

"Hmm okay. Anyways, the guys were asking if you'd like to hang out again sometime?"

"Oh yeah- that'd be cool." I nodded.

"Okay.. Oh and Jason told me to give you his number, I think he's interested in you."

I thought for a moment, I didn't want to lead anyone on but I wouldn't mind making a new friend. "Okay, he's cool but only as a friend."

"Ooh yes. In that case, here." He passed me a post stick note with a number messily scribbled along the bright paper.

"Cool, thanks."

"Anytime. Anyway, about that second date.."

"Mason, I like you." I interrupted. "But only as a friend and I don't think I'd ever be able to like you as anything more or less, I'm sorry."

The smile on his face dropped. "Oh okay, it's okay. I understand." He smiled again, but I could clearly tell that he was upset by what I had said. "Let's just complete this project now, shall we?" He changed the subject.

• • •

"Er watch where you're going, stupid bitch." Amanda, the slut screeched in my face. Like what's her problem? She just barged straight into me whist I was walking towards the cafeteria for lunch.

"Excuse me, but I'm pretty sure you walked into me, so shut the hell up. Goodbye fucktard." I glared at her then began walking.

"Did you just call me a fucktard? How childish." She caught up with me again, can't she just leave me alone? My day has been bad enough already, now this attention seeker seems to want to make my day worse.

"Yes I did, now leave me alone" I stared at her with no emotion showing on my face.

"Why? Can't handle this?" She asked with her irritating voice, many people in the hallway were watching us but who cares?

"Where's your off button?" I raised an eyebrow.

She gasped. "How dare you? Ugly bitch."