The Weird Girl And The New Boy

Distant

Slam!

My head snapped to my left. Down the hall there was a couple people stopped, but most stared as they passed. It was the end of the day, everyone just wanted to get home.

I grabbed my backpack and headed that direction toward the door. I figured someone just slammed their locker too hard. I turned my head as I passed and immediately stopped.

Hayley had Bexley pinned to her locker.

"Hey!" I shouted. Hayley looked at me, rolled her eyes, then turned back to Bexley.

"Thade, it's fine. Just go home," Bexley said with pleading eyes.

"No! Hayley what's your problem with her anyway? Is it just because she's different? Because that's really pathetic."

"Actually it is because she's different. I don't like her weirdness around me. I'm simply defending myself," Hayley laughed. I wanted to slap that smirk off of her face. "Besides, who wants a killer in their school?" I could physically see the impact that had on Bexley.

"You and I both know that she is not a killer," I spat through gritted teeth.

"Thade. Just leave, please," Bexley pleaded.

"Not without you." I approached her and Hayley stepped in front of me. "I've never hit anyone that hadn't hit me first, but there is a first time for everything," I threatened. She pursed her lips, like she was debating whether or not I meant it. I guess she decided I was serious, because she got out of the way. I grabbed Bexley's hand and walked her out of the building.

"Thade, calm down. It really isn't that big of deal," she said to me.

"Not that big of a deal? She shoved you against your locker! She called you a killer! She treated you like trash she needed to clean up!" We were stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, half way to her truck. She was watching her feet fidget.

"She's done worse," she muttered.

"She has?" My voice softened. "Bexley, what has she done to you," I moved my hand to her chin to make her look at me.

"Nothing. It's fine," she shrugged and headed towards her truck. She was about to cry. I still had yet to master the art of seeing when it came to her. However it was this time that it started to become clearer.

"Bexley! It obviously isn't nothing!" I shouted to her, before I started to catch up.

"It really is though," she said as she opened her truck door.

"You think you deserve it, don't you." I shook my head. I couldn't believe that she would have thought something like that.

"If you want a ride, you better get in," she told me from the drivers side of the cab.

"Fine," I mumbled, making my way around the front.

*****

"Do you want to come in?" I asked, when we got to my house.

"Sure," she said, hesitantly.

"Good, Willow's been asking when you were going to come over."

She smiled at that. Bexley loved kids, especially my sister.

"She has? That's so cute."

"Yeah. I just hope she doesn't steal you from me for too long."

"I'm not going to make any promises," she said with a laugh.

*****

"How have you been, Bex?" My mom asked her as we set up the the table for dinner.

"Pretty good. How about you guys?" She questioned as she looked between my mother and father.

"Not as good as when you're here, but still pretty alright," my dad said, making her smile.

"We really have missed you, Bexley," my mom said with complete honesty.

Bexley made a small smile, "I've missed you guys too. I guess I've just been busy with school work."

We all nodded in understanding.

*****

"Thade?" My dad called for me before I could make my way upstairs to my bed for the night.

"Yeah?" I asked as I walked into the living room.

"Is Bexley okay?" He asked in concern.

"As far as I know she's fine."

"She just seems a little distant is all."

"That's just kind of how Bexley is," I replied.

"Yeah, I guess so. Just make sure she knows she's welcome here."

"I'm pretty sure she already does, but I will."

I went to bed. Tomorrow was Bexley's slam.