The bell rings for lunch and I get in line for Pizza. I'm not very hungry but I still get it. I'm nervous, you know? My best friend had kissed me and he's been avoiding me since. I sigh. Just the thought of it makes my stomach drops. I feel someone grab my waist. It makes me jump and turn around. I look up to chase and as he says "Hey Babe, What's wrong?" My heart beats a million miles a minute and I look down then back up "I'm okay." I turn back around to face the front of the line. I cross my arms and he still holds onto me. I look around, waiting to get my food.
There's a hooded figure standing in the corner of the lunch room and seems to be looking at me. he is wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and sneakers. I see his face. It has one scar from the left eye all the way across the nose to the right side of his jaw. He seems to be watching me. I get this weird burning sensation inside. Apparently I look like I'm about to faint because Chase holds onto me tighter and Ivan runs over with Gabby and Cindy. "Are you alright?" Ivan says. "What?..." I look at him. His eyes meet mine. I can see pain beyond his eyes "Yeah. Why?"
"You're pale, Babe." Chase says. "Yeah, You have no color what-so-ever" Gabby says. I look over to the corner and the strange man is not there. "I feel fine..." I lied. I don't feel good. I mean now that I'm regaining my color and the burning sensation is gone. That's weird. I look at Ivan and he seems upset. Ivan,Cindy,Gabby, and Chase gets me to the table. Chase leaves with his friends knowing that I'm okay.
I look at Ivan and he still looks worried even though he tries to hide it. I sigh and say "Ivan... Let's go somewhere..." He doesn't look up from his tray. He's still stuffing his face. After he swallows and says " And Go where?" I shrug and try to think of a place. I can't find my words also. We sit there in silence for a little while and then he finally looks up at me "Come with me." He gets up grabs his bag and his tray and walks toward the trash cans. I grab my bag and follow him.
We begin to walk off of school campus and to a park that's near it. I walk over to the swings and sit down. I look down at the snow and I begin to walk back and forth. He leans on the pole of the swings with his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets. It's awkward between us since he's kissed me. It feels different with him now. I look across the road to see two lovers walking with their arms linked together.
I begin to notice that Chase and I don't do that. He has to hold my waist. I watch the couple giggle and occasionally laugh. Chase hardly ever makes me laugh. I stop rocking and I can feel that Ivan follows my gaze. Then he looks at me "Naomi?" I blink a few times and I look down. I sigh and I get up. "Naomi, Are you okay?" He asks once more. I nod and I start walking around the park. It's not long until he's by my side.
There's a long pause until Ivan says something "Can I tell you something, Naomi?" I sigh waiting for a statement. "I care about you. I really do... But when I look at Chase,... I just want to hit him square in the face... I really want him to know that girls are not toys and that h-" I stop and turn to him. I interrupt him, "Do not say it... Please.." He stops with his mouth opens. He stands like that for a second then he closes his mouth. "I understand that you do not like him.... I've noticed that you are in love with me. I get it... But you do not have to be talking BS about my boyfriend... Especially Chase.." I say in a snappy tone not meaning too. "Chase it the happiest thing that has happened to me.... If you can't see that then oh well..."
He grabs my arm. My heart beats rapidly.I love the feeling but I pull it away. What's weird about it is that his hand is warm. I mean... It's in the middle of December, snowing and freezing cold and he's really warm. I want to hug him because I'm shivering... "Naomi..... Listen..." He says. I shake my head "No... I will not listen.. Just because you think he's a 'player' and just because you think he's not good for me, doesn't mean you need to tell me all this... I'm so sorry, Ivan... I really am... But I'm dating Chase and you can make us break up... okay?"I say backing up from him. "No but Izzy can..." He says.
I get confused. Izzy is my friend. We've known each other since... maybe eighth grade? "What do you mean Izzy can?" He sighs and plants his hands in his pockets and continues, "Do you know where he goes at lunch?" I think "Yeah, actually I do. He goes to hang out with his friends." He raises his eye brows "He wants you to think that... Do you know where Izzy goes?" I shake my head. He looks at me like he's waiting me to get what he's saying.
"So? Just because they are both missing doesn't matter" I say. He sighs in fustration and runs his hand through his black hair "Have you ever thought that everytime you try to do stuff together, he has stuff planned? He doesn't hold hands with you when Izzy is around... He doesn't buy you stuff. He doesn't get you flowers. He always leaves you alone." I start to realize all this. Maybe he isn't good for me.. I look around with tears stinging in my eyes. I see the hooded man again.
I start to burn up and Ivan's voice starts getting real low and it echos "Naomi... You....ay..?" is all I heard. My head gets light headed and the world around me starts spinning.. I begin to fall to my knees but I feel arms wrap around me "Naomi.." Ivans voice echos in my head. Everything goes blank.......
"I-Ivan....." I say in a low voice.
