33 Days To Live (Under Revision)

28

By the time Lucy and I made our way back to homeroom the teacher had just finished roll call and was making morning announcements. Announcements that were interrupted by our entrance of course.

"Mr. Alderman, Ms. Burke. How nice of you both to join us. I trust you have a good reason for being late," She said with her arms crossed over her chest.

"I'm sorry, we got carried away in the art room and lost track of time." Lucy apologized totally dumbfounding the teacher. I don't think she had been expecting Lucy to talk, neither did the class because some of them shared looks.

"Oh, well, I suppose I can excuse it this time but don't let it happen again," She said, looking at me for a long moment then turning away.

After that Lucy and I made our way to the back of the classroom but I didn't sit down until I smack one of the guys making vulgar hands gestures at us over the head. I knew someone in the class was going to take Lucy's explanation that way, that's just how they were. I couldn't understand why everyone had to sexualize everything, especially innocent things.

It always bother me, I just never said so.

"Anyways, as I was saying, we're having our superhero run for the local charities next Friday and we still need people to sign up. This is an annual thing the schools participate in every year and I'm sure you all know what it is by now but just in case you don't I'll explain it anyways."

She pushed her hair out of her face.

"Basically, its how it sounds, your going to either be put in a group of people or can make your own group of people and you need to dress up like superheroes and run laps on the track. For each lap each group does our sponsors donate five dollars. The group that raises the most money will win a fifty dollar gift card to Eatology and season passes to all school football games. The sign up sheets are in the hallways, cafeteria, and in the front office."

At that the teacher had my attention and I felt myself get excited. I had participated in the superhero run once with Luke and a couple of our nerdy friends freshmen year.

We all dressed up like Pokemon trainers and painted confetti eggs to look like Pokemon balls. We almost were kicked out for throwing them around but it was one of the most fun things I've ever done. So that was why I glanced at Lucy and made a quick decision to talk her into doing it with me. One of the treasures in life was letting go and not caring if you looked stupid. Doing stupid things for a good cause was a bigger bonus.

"Lucy, Lu, Lulu.." I whispered, reaching over to poke her side and Lucy squirmed away from my finger with a smile as she looked over at me.

"What Ben?" She whispered back and I glanced at the teacher to make sure she wasn't paying attention to us before turning back to Lucy.

"We should do the superhero run together, I bet I can talk everyone into doing it," I said as softly as I could and she rolled her eyes at me.

"I'm not going to do that Ben, I'll just donate to the charity," She said, turning away but I poked her again.

"Lu..Lucy...Lu...c'mon, don't be lazy. It'll be fun." I insisted. The stubborn girl though just shook her head.

"Shush Ben,"

was all she said about it and I huffed softly as I folded my arms over my chest like a pouty kid and looked away. When I did, I could feel her eyes on me and I think she was smiling but I wasn't going to look her way.

Since I was little, I've found that it was easy to make my friends and family give into something by throwing a silent temper tantrum.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm a big baby.

Soon the announcements came to end and we were allowed to talk amongst each other for the remainder of homeroom. That was when Lucy finally said something.

"Stop pouting Ben, I know that little game and I don't care if your crying bowling balls I won't give in." She warned but I could tell by the tone of her voice she was unsure.

"Why don't you want to do it?" I finally asked, looking over at her and she shrugged.

"Its just not my thing. I don't dress up in silly costumes and I can't run," She said and it was my turn to roll my eyes at her.

"That's all I ever hear from you Lucy. I can't, I won't, I don't are you signature catch phrases. Why don't you say I can or I will for once?" I asked, my tone soft. I didn't want my comment to come across harsh, because I wasn't saying it to be mean, I was saying it because it was true.

At that Lucy pursed her lips and looked away. For a long moment I feared she was going to yell at me, or get upset but instead she sighed heavily.

"Not everyone is as brave as you Ben. I can't do it, I want to but-" I cut her off.

"But what? What's the worst that can happen Lucy?" I challenged, turning in my desk so my entire body was facing her. She shrugged.

"What if they laugh?"

"Who cares?"

"I do."

I sighed heavily.

"I'm going to ask you three questions and I want you to answer them as honestly as possible," I said and Lucy nodded hesitantly.

"Do you want to do it?" I asked and Lucy nodded.

"Yes," She admitted.

"Will it make you feel happy afterwards or sad?"

"Happy most likely because I helped."

I nodded.

"If you don't do it will you feel bad?" She paused for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Yeah," She said softly.

"Then who cares if they laugh? If your happy, working towards a great cause and making a wonderful memory then so what if a couple of people laugh? Anyways, I doubt anyone is going to Lucy. They'll be enjoying the excitement to much." I shrugged before pulling out my phone. "But whatever, if you don't want to it I won't force you," I said.

After that Lucy was really quiet, seeming to ponder over what I had said. I just pretending to be doing something important on my phone.

For the remainder of homeroom we sat like that then when the bell rang everyone scrambled up and as the room cleared out Lucy grabbed my arm.

"Can I...can I sit with you and your friends at lunch today?" She asked meekly and I felt my heart skip a beat. I guess I wasn't going to be going into the girls bathroom today.

"Of course. You don't need to ask Lucy, any lunch table I'm at has a spot for you." I reassured, making a soft smile break out on her face.

"Okay, thank you Ben," She said before grabbing her book bag and walking towards the end of the room.

As she walked out I couldn't take my eyes away from her. I had been with and seen lots of beautiful girls in the past couple of years but Lucy was something else. When I looked at her, it was like a lot of things that I thought mattered didn't and somehow the things I couldn't understand made sense.

"You coming Ben?" She then called out from outside the door and I shook off my thoughts.

"Yeah I'm coming!" I called back before heading out into the hall.

I had to walk Lucy to first period before I did anything else.
_______________________________________________________________________
Hi guys! I always feel so satisfied updating a story two days in a row and I'm sure y'all love it just as much as I do xD I really can't believe June is almost over, it went by so fast I don't know where it went! Which is funny because I felt like time was to slow, idk I'm weird lol.

-Mari.