Classified.

Chapter 11 -I Know Who You Are-

Friday, November 16th, 1:30 p.m.

Shane

We were in A.P World History, the class after lunch. I made sure to sit right behind Skylar. I heard that we were going to be assigned partners for a project on Religion in the Middle East. Frankly, I didn't care what the project was about, I could easily blow through the project and get it done in an hour for the both of us. What I care about is having Skylar as my partner.

When I entered the room, Skylar had her head down, resting it on her crossed arms. I hadn't seen her for most of the day. I spent the whole lunch looking around for her, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Where were you?" I asked nonchalantly, quietly, so I wouldn't scare her. She either didn't hear me or she ignored my presence because she didn't move a muscle. "Skylar." I spoke a bit louder.

She slowly picked up her head, carefully, skeptically. Her eyes were wet and cheeks stained with tears. I stared into her eyes and knew exactly what it was without asking. "You did something that you now regret." I knew that expression. The fear in the glazed eyes, the restlessness in the quivering lips, the blank expression on the regretful face. I knew that look. After all, I've been wearing it for the past week.

She let her head fall and I knew I was right. I took my seat behind her and started talking. My words were quiet and distant but I knew she was listening, she had to. I had gained her attention. "At first I would guess that you're talking about yelling at Daniel for liking Valerie. However, first of all, you're not the type to do that, and second of all, you would still be angry right now. You would go through the regret faze 4 hours from now. So, I know it's not that."

"I would then guess that it's nothing to do with Daniel. Though, knowing that right now, he's everything to you -wrongfully so, might I add- I'm pretty sure he's the reason you're like this. Even though I know you've heard this a million times, I will say it again until you get it. He's not worth it. If he's making you like this, then why are you still holding on? I understand it's hard. I understand it might even be impossible, but you can at least try. That's the least you owe yourself."

She raised her head and turned her body towards me. "I know who you are Shane." she claimed softly. The bell rang, students took their seats and class began.

Friday, November 16th, 4:40 p.m.

Daniel

This is the day I've been waiting for, for the past three and a half years. My date with Valerie.

At first, we were going to meet right after school, outside of the auditorium. However, Valerie had something to do, so we just decided to meet at the movies instead. 

I pulled up to the movie theater, parked the car and  got out. I waited in the lobby of the theater for about 30 minutes before deciding to call Valerie. I took out my phone and scrolled down my contact list, to the very bottom. Shane... Skylar... Tyler... William. There was no Valerie in my phone? But, I'm positive I added her. Just to be safe, I check under "R" for Rodriguez. Still, nothing.

A cold arm slammed against my shoulder, making me jump. I leaped so far, l dropped my phone. 

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" came a familiar, sweet voice behind me. I quickly prayed that I didn't look like a hot mess and turned around. To my surprise, l turn to find, red-haired, freckled-faced lady. She was around 22 years-old. Not Valerie at all. 

"Oh, no, no, don't worry. It's fine!" I excused her and bent down to pick up my phone. I thanked God that it didn't crack and turned to stare at the doors again.

"How long have you been waiting?" she continued the conversation.

I turned to see her smiling a radiant, yet curious smile, "What made you come to the conclusion that I'm waiting?" I asked.

She chuckled at me as though my question was obscure, "You're staring intently from your phone to the doors. Anyone can see that you're getting impatient." I continued looking at her, and when she realized I was not going to respond, she persisted. "Who is it you're waiting on, a girlfriend; or a boyfriend?" she asked.

I turned back around to stare at the doors, yet again. Now, 45 minutes has passed, and sill no text, or phone call from Valerie. "Neither." I said coldly.

She placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me around. "Well, if you're not waiting on anyone important, would you care to go out for lunch? Or dinner at this time of day." she smiled hat radiant smile yet again. I was about to decline her offer when my phone buzzed in my hand. I looked at it to see who it was and saw "Valerie Rodriguez" written in bold white font across the screen. This made me pause for two reasons: First, I was excited that she called me.

Second, I could have sworn I didn't have her as a contact.

"Excuse me, I have to take this." I acknowledged the girl, and without waiting for a response, I turned away and slid the green answer button across the screen. I took that half-second that it took for my phone to reach my ear to decide what tone I wanted to answer in.

"You're late." I spoke coldly as my phone rested on my ear.

"Yes! I know! I am so sorry for being 'that girl'." he apologized. Her voice was distant. Not in tone or feeling, but audibly distant. It was as though she had me on speaker while she was in the car with her windows rolled down. "Listen, I can't make it today." she admitted.

I turned to face the red-haired girl that was patiently waiting about 10 feet behind me. "That's fine. I got another date anyways." I informed and hung up on her.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and walked towards her. "Where to?" I asked, walking past her and to the doors, assuming she would follow me.

She jogged a bit to catch up with me. "I know a place that's a bit away from the crowds. It's nice and quiet, classy, and cheap for the food quality. I'll drive." she pointed to her car, we got in and drove away.

                                                                                ~~~

She was not kidding when she said that this place was away from the crowds. It took us about an hour to get there. The place was called Sally's. It was an Italian restaurant.

When we entered, an aroma of pastas, pizzas and garlic filled my senses.

We sat down and ordered.

"So, you never told me your name." I opened the conversation.

She chuckled and sighed. "Names don't matter. All that matters is the moment."

I raised my eyebrow in confusion. "Then what will I call you by?" I asked.

"Hmm, I have an idea." she smirked. "Wha if we name each other? Like this, what do I look like my name could be?" she asked, resting her head in her palm, intrigued.

I thought for a second. "Ginger." I nodded.

She laughed a beautiful laugh, and shook her head. "Ginger? It's because I'm a red head isn't it?" she smirked.

"What gave it away?" I smiled back. "Now, what do I look like?"

"Well, with your logic, Emerald, because of your eyes. But that's not a great name, now, is it?"

"Emerald... Emerald." I thought it over, trying to find names that were similar to it. "What about, Emerson?"

She smiled. "Perfect."

                                                                                ~~~

We had an amazing time, we spent about an hour and a half in that restaurant, and by the time we left, it was already dark out. We walked back to her car, laughing about a ridiculous waiter we had. When we reached the car, I took her hand.

"I did have an amazing time with you, Ginger" I smiled.

She smiled back, "I did too," her smile turned into a smirk, "Daniel."

She swung something at me, and everything went black.