different ▸ m.c.

three

Allie's POV

Finally it's the end of the day and the week. I sigh in relief as I shut my locker shut. This first week had gone by extremely slow.

I start walking down my normal path to get home. Michael is walking slightly in front of me. This is a repeated process every day. Sure, he's my lab partner but he doesn't say a word to me.

I've only made one friend so I guess another wouldn't hurt. I speed up my walking until I'm caught up with Michael.

"Hey." I smile at him.

He snaps his head up and looks at me, taking a slight step away from me.

"I'm not scary." I laugh.

"Um...hi." He says softly.

"Do you walk alone everyday?" I ask. He nods. "Well I'll start walking with you."

"You don't have to" He says quickly.

"But I don't have a lot of friends here here yet so I want to."

"But - " He starts.

"No buts. I'm walking with you."

Michael doesn't say anything for a solid minute so I decide to talk. "I know we're lab partners and all but I think we need a proper introduction. I'm Allie."

"Michael." He says simply.

It's like he doesn't want to make friends.

"How are you?" I ask the simple question.

"Fine." He says quickly. "Um...what about you?"

Maybe he just doesn't have people skills. "I'm alright I guess. Moving really sucks." I respond.

"Yea, probably." He says quietly.

"Have you been here you're whole life?" I ask.

Michael's takes in a sharp breath. "Um yea. Same house for my whole life."

I smiled at his response as it's the longest thing he's said to me.

We eventually reach our houses and I say goodbye to Michael and he gives me a small wave as he crosses the street.

I watch as he runs into his house and I see him appear in the upper window. He quickly shuts the dark curtains and once again there's a flash of white light.