I am still sitting on the floor crying, when I hear a slight knock on the door. I lift my head up, and quiet my crying. I don't say anything. It was probably someone leaning against the door. I lay my head back on my knees, but i don't continue crying. I don't want anyone to hear me. Then there is another, slightly louder knock on the door. Then comes the last voice I expect to hear.
"McKenzie? Are you okay?" says Justin, concern filling his voice.
I am speechless for a few seconds. Why would he be worried about ME?
"McKenzie? Are you okay? Can I come in?" he says again, turning the door handle slowly. The door begins to open first revealing his feet. Then I realise, I don't want him to see me like this!
"Go away!" I shout "Just leave me alone!". I feel the tears returning to my eyes.
"McKenzie, I just want to check on you. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." he says in a gentle tone. I say nothing back. He opens the door and slips inside, closing it behind him. He approaches me slowly.
"I told you to leave me alone" I say, but I don't want him to go, I want him to stay. I am too confused right now.
"I know, I heard you." He says as he sits beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him looking me over, observing almost every detail of my body. I squirm underneath his gaze. He notices that I am uncomfortable so he turns his gaze to the door. We sit in silence for a few minutes.
"Why are you here? You're popular, you shouldn't be with a person like me." I say, breaking the silence.
"I was worried about you. No-one should have to go through that on their birthday." he says, looking me directly in the eye. I look back at him, loosing myself in his deep blue eyes. They shine like diamonds in this dimly lit room. I realise that i have been staring at him for too long. But then again, he has been looking at me in the same way. I quickly compose myself and look back to the door.
"Well, I am grateful that you are worried about me, but I am fine." I say weakly, my voice failing on the last word. I sniff slightly, not making my argument and stronger.
"Well, as believable as you sound, I don't think you are fine." He says with the most adorable smirk. I look over at him and catch him looking at my lips. He sees me, and he knows he has been caught, because his cheeks turn a slight tinge of red. He looks away, clearing his throat.
"Do you want to go home?" he asks me, quietly. He is staring at the door now, as if his life depends on it.
"Yeah, I kinda do, but I can't for more than one reason" I say, also looking at the door.
"And they are..?" He says, prompting me.
"Okay, I need to get all my stuff out of my locker, and my books from the classroom, and I don't have a ride home, because I have to catch a bus home." I say quickly.
"Why don't you go and get your stuff?" He asks, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"I don't want anyone to see me like this, and I don't want to run into Sarah. I don't think I can ever face her again." I say resting my chin on my knees.
"Well, I can go get them for you, and I can give you a lift home. If you want." he says. Why would he do that for me? He has never spoken to me in my entire life. I have often dreamed of him just saying 'Hi' as he past me in the halls, but that has never happened.
"Why would you do that for me? You have never spoken to me before today. Before you even came into this room!" I say, expressing my queries.
"Well" He starts, pausing, as if thinking of a good lie to tell me "I want to get to know everyone in the grade before we graduate, and now seems like a good time to start." He says, massaging the back of his neck with his hand.
