Apart

Holding Hands

January 15th
Emma
Was she really coming to San Francisco? In August!?! Or was she just trolling me? She wouldn't troll me about that... Right?
All these thoughts flashed through my mind. I came to the decision that Alice wasn't lying, and we would meet. I can't wait.
"Emma, are you going to leave?" My homeroom teacher, Mrs. Clark, asked.
I still had my hand over my heart like we do when we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. "O-Oh. Yeah." I picked up my stuff and hurried out, off to Spanish.
Ms. Costa pursed her lips. "Your almost late."
"Almost." I sighed, taking my seat in the front. I used to sit in the back, but got into too much trouble.
"As I was saying." She turned back to the class. Then she carried on our lesson from yesterday.
I drifted off, as usual, eyeing everything in the classroom. The posters, fish, dirty, scratched window, even some of the kids. Some guy poked me in the back with his pencil. Ms. Costa was handing out a packet. I sighed. This was going to be a long class. Then again, when isn't it?

***

I stepped into the cafeteria, new smells filling my nose. The school lunch, lung from home, the trash, which smelled horrid, the dirty streets.
I went to a empty table, and started unpacking my lunch. It was simple, something that didn't take to much money or effort. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, orange, and water bottle. Like I said, simple.
I'd started to peel my orange when I felt someone sit next to me. Strange. I looked up. It was Luke. I felt suddenly dizzy. My arms shook.
"Uh- hey." I stammered.
"Hi."
"Aren't you sitting with your guy friends?" I pointed to them.
"Nah. Not today."
"Well why sit with me?"
"Why not?" I smiled. His teeth were pearly white.
"Well, umm, I guess your welcome." I tried acting cool, and took a sip out of my water bottle.
"Not a lot to eat." He pointed out, biting into his hamburger.
"I-I'm not very hungry." I looked the other way.
"I'm gonna buy you something."
"No- no you don't have to."
"Yes, yes I do." He replied.
"Seriously."
"With all those hormones going crazy I think everyone in this school needs a lot of food."
I giggled. "I don't need it."
"What do you want?" Luke started walking off.
Then, in an attempt to stop him, I grabbed his hand. It was big, especially compared to mine. He turned around.
I could feel myself go red. "I-I umm... S-Sorry, I did-not mean t-to." I stammered.
"It's fine. Just fine." He winked.
"So, about that food?" I asked, cheeks still flushed crimson.
"Watcha want?" Luke asked.
"A fruit cup?"
"Fruit cup it is." He started walking away.
Then I realized that I'd been holding his hand. I only noticed when he let go.