Last Man Standing

Chapter Four: Love and Disaster

      I couldn't stop thinking about her. I should be sleeping..I knew that. I rolled over to check my clock, a dull light with '1:30 AM' glaring at me gave me even more assurance I should be asleep. I let out a loud sigh as I fell back onto my back, a creak came from Mom's bed and I listened but no more sound came. 'Must've rolled over in her sleep' I mused. I had my hands under my head as I stared at the ceiling, if I could think hard enough I could almost see her again, like a projection onto my ceiling.
      'Levi you're actually crazy' My conscience told me, I shook it off. There must be a reason why I felt so strongly for her in such a short time. Maybe it was fate? Maybe her and I were destined to meet and fall in love. 'You're not Romeo and Juliet here' Stupid voice of reason. It was right though, I wasn't Romeo, and Maybelline was certainly no Juliet. She was something though, something extraordinary. The more I thought of her the more my crush seemed to grow. 'Stop thinking and sleep. You'll have fallen deeply in love with her come morning at this rate and you haven't even said hello yet'. Again. Another good point made by my voice of reason. I did think on this, I really hadn't said hello. We simply shared a few seconds of eye contact and that was all she knew me by.
      I felt the smile before I gained the idea. I would say hello to Maybelline. I would be a gentleman and I would be friendly. I rolled over onto my side, the smile never fading as I fell asleep.

      Morning came too soon. The alarm was too loud and my arm was too slow. 'What you get for daydreaming all night' Sometimes I really did hate that voice of reason. Remembering my plan motivated me to get out of bed. I ran a shower and grabbed my best smelling body wash, my shaving supplies, and I even stole my mother's shampoo. I figured even strawberry would be better than my sour colour-treatment shampoo.
      After cleaning I picked out my best outfit possible. Blue beanie, black leather vest, white shirt and black pants. I even made sure my eyeliner wasn't too heavy so she could see my eyes better.
      "Well, aren't we a little extra handsome this morning." My mother commented as I entered the kitchen. I took a seat and she gave me my breakfast, oatmeal this morning with sliced up bananas on top. I ate silently, acting as if I hadn't heard her comment. "Come on you I'm your mother, no hiding nothing from me. What's with the extra good looks today?" I glanced up at her, "Not that you're not already handsome everyday." She added, kissing the top of my head.
      "It's no one Mom. Just a new girl in school.." Her eyes lit up when I mentioned a girl. I had never gone to her about liking a girl before...hell I hadn't even decently liked a girl before. I've had my share of drunk make outs and a fling of something here and there but nothing serious.
      I swallowed my mouthful of oatmeal and sighed, knowing I had to spill now. So that was how I spent my morning, eating oatmeal and talking about the new girl between mouthfuls as I waited for the bus.

      Unfortunately, I didn't have biology today, I knew there was a chance she could be in other classes but I made up my mind to try talking to her at lunch. Before my friends stole me away and before Amy Mallard got her claws into Maybelline and stole my opportunity to talk to her.
      The day dragged on, or at least felt like it did. I could hardly pay attention in my morning classes because I was too busy rehearsing what I would say to Maybelline when I saw her.
      Finally the lunch bell rang and I could set my plan into action. Finding her wasn't too difficult, just follow the line up of lockers until you did. I pressed against the wall for a moment to not be seen as I looked at her, she was even more beautiful today than yesterday. She had her hair up in a ponytail, so I could see the hoop earrings she had on. A white blouse atop a pair of white jeans, they even had a white belt. To finish it all were a pair of white heels. I felt my heart jump to my throat and suddenly I couldn't breathe.
      I lost my nerve. I was the Cowardly Lion. I cursed myself as I walked right past her, catching a side glimpse of her as I hurried on to the cafeteria.
     
      Taking my place at the table I could see the boys were all in a conversation, a conversation I didn't really listen to. I was too busy beating myself up over choking out last minute. Not even Taco Tuesday could lighten me up. Suddenly I saw a five dollar bill being pushed to my face, blinking stupidly I looked up and saw Marcus waving it in my face. He gave me an odd look and laughed, "I said, can you go get me a muffin?" Now the others were looking at me. "You okay man? You're out of it today." Marcus added and I shook him off, "I'm alright. Just couldn't sleep."  A mischievous glint shine in Marcus' eye and I grabbed his money before he could say anything.
      Getting up from my seat quickly to avoid torment I stepped out..only to knock into Maybelline. It all seemed to move in slow motion, my body hitting hers, her heels slipping, my arms reaching out to try and grab her, her falling on her ass on the floor and chocolate milk spilling all over her clothes.
      "May!" Amy shrieked, rushing over to help her. I reached out a hand to pull her up but Amy pushed me away, "Haven't you done enough you jerk!" This made Joshua get to his feet along with the other three.
      "It was an accident Amy. So why don't you retract your horns and calm down." Amy looked as stricken as if someone had just slapped her. "Calm down? This douche just pushed my friend! I will not calm down!"
      "I didn't push her. It was an accident I swear!" I looked to Maybelline to see if she believed me but she was too focused on the milk all over her to notice. I looked up to the eyes looking at me, Maybelline stained with chocolate, my friends battling it out with Amy and her group. Tucking my hands in my pockets I turned around and left.
      I left the cafeteria. I left the school. I got on a bus, and I just went home. It was only at the moment I made it home that I locked myself in my room, and actually cried.

      I was quiet during supper. Mom hadn't yet asked me why the school called her to tell her I skipped out my last two classes. That either meant she was actually mad at me, or not ready to hear my sad story of the day. I voted the latter. She never got angry with me, but she certainly didn't like sad stories ever since her own hard time. My potatoes seemed dry, but that was probably because I was too depressed to really enjoy them.
      With a clatter of her fork in her plate my mom wiped her mouth clean and turned to me, not saying a word but her eyes asking the question. I told her everything. My plan, how I chickened out, and everything that happened during lunch. She nodded, taking it all in then gathered the plates.
      "I guess tomorrow will have to be better." I looked at the back of her head like she had suddenly grown a face there. She turned round and met my gaze with a stern look. "You have to apologize to her for ruining her clothes, and for running off with her to deal with the mess. No son of mine is going to be rude to a young lady and think he's gonna get out of it by running off." The last words stung a bit but I got her message. Dad had run off on her in her time of need, just as I had done to Maybelline. Granted Maybelline only dealt with spilled milk where mom dealt with a dead daughter but to my mom, it all seemed equal to her.
      I got up and went to her, hugging her for a second. "I'll do that first thing tomorrow." She patted my hands, and then I was sent off to bed.