Standing Alone

Ch. 1 - Coffee Shop

I would consider myself to have trust issues. Maybe it's from my divorced parents. Maybe it's because whenever I get close to someone they leave me. Or maybe it's something  else entirely. But all I know is that that's why I'm walking down this hallway alone.

I'd say we're about few weeks into school and I have about two people I talk to. Don't get me wrong, I'm not antisocial. I wish I had more friends, people I could trust. This year I am determined to to better. My emotions and memories are finally being able to be controlled. This year is the year to make friends, find love, have fun.

The problem; I'm not doing so hot.

I walk towards my next class, and through the main hall of juniors' and seniors' lockers where the buzz of people socializing is too loud to hear over your own thoughts. It's too crowded and lets just say it's where freshman go to die. Most know to avoid it but I feel bad for those who don't. So glad my days of that are well over.

My next class is upstairs, AP Calc, gag. Soon enough I step into my class and take my seat next to a senior whose name I don't really know. But what I do know is he is a fine looking fellow.

The bell rings and the teacher walks in. And my daydreaming commences...

The next thing that breaks my trance and gets me back into reality is the hot guy asking if I have last nights homework because the teacher is about to check it. I take a few seconds to process what he said and muster out the words, "yeah just a sec."

I rummage though my bag and pull out the paper with last nights homework. It's about two thirds done and the bottom is wrinkled. I quickly hand it over to him.

He doesn't say anything as he furiously writes my answers onto his paper. A couple of rushed minutes later he hands it back to me.

"Thanks," he muttered. I nod in reply.

I figured he was done talking to me but he opens his mouth again.

"Your name is Brooklyn right? A junior?"

"Yup that's me . And what's your name again? Sorry."

"Damon" That's unique.

"Oh okay cool." This is why I have no friends, I can't carry out a simple conversation.

He makes a half smile and turns his attention away from me. Damnit. I blew my chance to actually talk to him. I silently sigh to myself and look up at the clock. 50 minutes left.

I continue to stare off into space until I notice other people writing what's on the board. I repeat this process until the 50 minutes, which I might add feel a lot longer than 50 minutes, are finally over. I collect my stuff and begin to walk out the door. Just my luck, as Damon walks beside me while I'm not paying attention causing me to run into him. Idiot.

He dropped his notebook and looks pretty annoyed. Heat rushes to my cheeks and I muster some sort of apology. I bend down to grab the notebook and hand it to him. He gives me some sort of a half smile. I scurry away before I do anything else stupid.

I walk through more hallways to arrive at my locker. After unlocking it, I dump my unneeded crap in it. Time for lunch.

I'm not in the mood to go find one of my (sort of) friends to sit with so I decide to treat myself. I grab my skateboard out of my locker and walk towards the door of the building. No one is at the doors to stop me so once I'm outside I hop on my board and start to skate down the street.

The cool autumn air hits my body. A slight breeze blows some of my brown hair out of my face. As I ride I zip up my jacket a bit and breath in the fall air.

I'm headed for the nearby coffee shop. It's a couple of blocks away and as I ride I contemplate whether or not I should go back to school after lunch. On one hand, I am already off campus but then again it's pretty lame to ditch school by yourself. I decide to just get my coffee and figure it out after.

Once I arrive at the shop, there are three or four people in line. The air smells like coffee and hazelnuts. My favorite smells. I breath in deep, absorbing the scent. I kick up my skateboard into my hand, hold it at my side and step into the line.

It's finally my turn and I order an iced coffee and a muffin. I set my stuff at one of the tables until they call my name. It takes longer than expected for them to finally call out, "Brooklyn?"

I walk up and grab my coffee to take it to my table. My name is spelled wrong on the cup. Who spells their name "Brookelin" instead of 'Brooklyn'? I roll my eyes and take a sip. Pretty good.

Out of the corner of my eye I see someone walk towards me. I look up to see a man I've never seen before walking towards me. He's probably just walking to someone behind me. I go back to my coffee.

"Excuse me?" says a low voice above me. I look up to see the man; scraggly beard and dressed in dark clothes. Honestly, he looks kind of creepy. My stomach does a small flip. I realize I haven't said anything.

"Hello?" he says, annoyed.  What could he want? 

"Yeah?" I say, I'm a bit nervous.

"Is this yours?" he holds up my open wallet.  I take it out of his hand.

"Yeah thanks."

He mumbles something and walks away.  I feel relieved when he leaves the shop. Why did that scare me so much?  I take a quick look inside to see why it's open. A few dollars are missing. Sigh. I shake my head and go back to my muffin.

A few minutes later my muffin is gone and and I'm left sipping on the coffee. I take a glance at my phone to see the time. Ten minutes until my next class. Go back or not?

Not.

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Kayleigh xoxo