ALONE

-FOUR-

In the morning she tried to decide wether or not to wear his shirt. in the end, she needed sleeves so she picked a black and white knit sweater that hid her arms and bony ribs.

At school, Mea tried her best to focus in class, but there was something about those eyes of his. She couldnt seem to shake their darkness. But something about them werent dark at all. Deciding against the thought of wondering any further into the depths of her mind, she picked up her pencil and edited her social essay. When she was almost done, she reread it. Mea hated it all. She'd just rewrite it all over the weekend

Siging she slid down the cool metal of the locker door. Earbuds in, Mea reviewed her week. Sky ditched her for new friends, and Rey had been out of town. It wasnt so bad, reading by herself every day. But deep down she wanted a friend that would totally and completely accept her. Pulling her book out, Mea randomly flipped it open to a page. It was her favorite story 'Between' and she knew it cover to cover. As her eyes began to skim the black letters, she felt sombodys shoulder bump hers. Quickly finishing the page and sliding ber bookmark in, she pulled out the music from one ear and looked into a pair of distinct dark eyes.

'What in the hell is he sitting here for.' Mea thought trying to hide the fresh blush that painted her pale skin. His deep voice didnt falter, and his sarcasm was almost cute. "Im hurt you havent worn my shirt."

Mea avoided his eyes trying to create an excuse, "I-I would have its just I... Just couldn't. Ill wear it Monday I swear." Avoiding the truth and his eyes she looked at her hands.

"No, Im kidding, whats your name again? Im bad with names." He grinned at her nervousness.

She couldnt fathom why he was talking to her. He was probably dared to talk to her yesterday and today. Maybe even paid. "Mea. Yours?" She was satisfied with her curt answer. But he sure wasnt.

Laughing a little, he cleared his throat. "I really like that name. I'm Ian. I hope you dont mind me asking but uh..." wow he almost seems nervouse. "Uh after your shift would you wanna do something?"

Mea's shock must have been written on her face because his eyes smiled ever so more and his grin was cracking into a smile. God those eyes. "Im off at seven today, I think. That okay?"

Nodding, he smiled fully. "Perfect. So whatchya reading?" Startled she explained the story, hoping she hadent bored him to much.

Ian did seem genuinly interseted. Mea was even more pleased with his answer. "I love reading. My favorite is Steven Kings story about going back to stop the John F. Kennedy shooting."

Mea had read that book. But she was still skeptical on whether he was paid to talj to her or not. She felt confident enough to ask. "So why are you of all people talkin to me? I just dont get it. Were you paid?"

Ian was quite for a moment and seemed hurt she'd asked the question. "I saw you the very first day, and I knew I wanted to talk to you. I noticed you a few more times, and everytime you were nose deep in a new book. I wanted to talk to you but im cronically shy of pretty girls." He grabbed his neck and looked away then back at her waiting for an answer.

Mea was shocked. Butterflies seemed to be engaulghing her stomach because it almost hurt how truly happy she was. Biting down a smile, she nodded. "Alright. So after school?"

"After school." Ian agreed and stalked off to his next class.

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