Something Used

Real Life

NOVEMBER

"I'm not taking you if you aren't out within the next five minutes!" I yelled from the front door, hoping that Jeremy got the message that he needed to hurry up. I got in my car and blasted the heat. It was getting colder and colder as the days passed by and I wasn't enjoying it the slightest bit. Winter was hell, but colder. I was positive that Jeremy wasn't going to come out. I was also positive that if I didn't leave within the next three minutes, I was going to be late for school. I convinced myself that he deserved it and put my car in reverse. I backed out of the driveway and couldn't help but smile. Oops.
I got out of my car as soon as I got to school and hurried on inside. My car was at the far end of the parking lot thanks to Jeremy and I might just be counted late. Fuck. I was panting when I got to advisory and rushed to my seat. I'm kind of hoping the teacher just won't notice. I watched as she marked off the two twins that sat in front of me, and I watched her mouth as she pronounced the names on her clipboard while marking them absent. I'm clear. As soon as the bell rings, I stride to first period happily. I pop out my English essay due over Gatsby and tossed it in the bin as soon as I got there.

"Elena, I thought you were supposed to be down at the office." Mrs. Leiker came up to me as if I was accused of something.

I gave her a weird look. "Uh.. no. No one said anything to me. I guess I can go now?" For what though.

"Yeah. Just take a pass and get it signed when they let you go." She muttered and handed it to me right away. That was quick. It's like she knew I was gonna respond to her that way. Or she was just dying to get me out of her classroom. Either way, I took it. I looked down at it as if there was an explanation on it but it was just blank. Maybe she did count me late and I just didn't catch it. Fuck. I sighed and walked out because getting a detention the week of exams was inevitable. She was especially bitter towards Jeremy right now. Frea—
Suddenly I feel someone yank me to the side and my whole body just throws itself. I let out a quick shriek in the moment of surprise and thankfully gain my balance back. What the hell?!? I quickly raised my hand to cover my arm because it was throbbing. That was so harsh and it hurt. I looked up in complete rage and see a familiar face.

"I waited a whole hour, waiting for you to show up. Why weren't you here before school started?" He demanded instantly.

"Jeremy was holding me up.. I have to drive him to school now. Jesus that hurt." I rubbed my arm and sighed.

"You need to be here when I tell you to be here. Got it?" No apologies. No nothing. I felt a moment of despair from his words but couldn't connect it to anything. I really didn't have a reason.

"I'll try.."

"No you need to." He interrupted.

"Okay.." I whispered. Mostly to myself. Despair.

"Meet me after school. Now isn't a good time." He then grabbed the paper out of my hand and pulled out a pen. He scribbled something on it but I was too distracted to notice. "Get to class." That's all he said before he walked out of the room and towards the opposite direction of where I came from. I watched him walk away and furrowed my eyebrows. Why don't I know him?

---------------------------------------

"We're gonna go grab some food after school. Come!" Caroline whispered to me towards the last couple of minutes of the period.

"Uh.. I can't I already made plans." I said a little nervously. I couldn't believe myself at the same time. I was making this guy a priority.

"With who?" She looked almost offended that I had rejected her.

"My mom. We're getting last minute Christmas shopping out of the way." Jesus.

"Okay. Another time then." She pouted, letting me know how disappointed she was. ha. You and me both. As soon as the bell rang, I waved at her with a smile and turned to walk out the door. I didn't even bother asking him where I was supposed to meet him. I had no idea where I was headed so I just waited at my locker for some sort of sign I guess. Nothing came and neither did he. I could go home. That made me happy. I quickly pulled out the keys from my bag and headed out. I made it all the way to my car and threw my bag in the backseat. Right before I got in, I noticed a slip underneath my wipers. I grabbed it and unfolded it just to find a few simple words written across it.

-BACK OF THE SCHOOL-

I ended up locking my car back up again and going just where the note told me to. There was no one there so  I sat down on the little driveway, waiting for him. It didn't take too long for him to realize and soon he approached me.

"Christmas shopping?" There was a sort of smile on his face.

"How do you know about that?" I got up from the cement and looked at him oddly. Was he listening to my conversation with Care? What all else did he hear?

"I keep tabs." He said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Is there something on me?!" A bug? I was angry. What a creep. He can't just stalk me and think it's okay? It was sick. I was angry at myself too. Why was I even here?

"Calm down. I was just checking up on you." He said and stepped closer to me.

It was as if my body knew more than my mind because I automatically stepped back. My heels hit the cement and I fell back on it. "Why?" Courage was clearly stronger than my vulnerability because I would've never asked.

"Get up." His face contorted from sympathy to anger the second I stepped away from him.

I avoided repeating what I asked and chose to push it out of my mind and just forget about it. He wasn't going to answer anyway. With a sigh of defeat, I got to my feet and stood in front of him with my head down. I don't even want to look at him. At the end I'll forget about all this anyway.

——————————

I got home about a hour and half after school was let out and dropped my stuff by the door. I was famished and drained. I made my way into the kitchen and chose to ignore the death glare Jeremy gave me while passing. I didn't have much patience so I decided to just heat up some macaroni and cheese. I could've gone out to lunch with Caroline and Bonnie. I wouldn't be eating by myself if I had made a different choice. I was disappointed in myself because I'm just now realizing the lengths I'm willing to go for someone who doesn't even appreciate it. I hate thinking about him because I never have any answers. I get pissed with the lack of explanations I have. Not from him but from myself as well. I don't know why I do it. The microwave timer went off and I pulled out my 'food.' I guess it will just have to do.