Escaping Reality

Chapter 3

  Jess's POV

  I didn't realize I was on the ground, until a shaky hand helped me up. I looked up to see who the hand belonged to, and I was surprised to see a guy around my age.

  "A-are you okay?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

  I nodded my head, and he smiled.

  "I'm Caleb, by the way," he said, and awkwardly stuffed his hands in his pockets.

  "I'm Jess." I said, and checked my phone. "Crap, I'm late again," I muttered.

  "At least you're not late on the first day," he mumbled.

  I looked up at him, and a small smile crept onto his lips.

  I smiled back, and started walking to school. Looking behind me, I said, "What? So you're gonna be late to second hour, too?"

  He was right by my side in an instant.

  "So, what do you have second hour?" I asked him.

  "Uh, Algebra." he said, looking at his schedule.

  "Aww, I have History." I whined. He suddenly looked disappointed. "But don't worry, you'll make friends," I said. "If not, you can find me in the library." I whispered, and walked off to the library.

  I looked back, and he was staring at me, his mouth wide open. I smiled, and continued my short walk to the library.

  "Jess!" a familiar voice yelled, and the old librarian shushed him.

   "Oliver!!" I screamed back, and hugged him. "Where have you been?" I asked him, and he faked a smile.

  "Oh, you know.." he trailed off.

"No, I don't know!!" I urged him.

  "Fine, my step-dad made us go to Iceland." he made a sour face.

  "What's wrong with Iceland?" I asked, obviously confused.

"It was boring. The best thing we did was go to a carnival. And I fell off the ferris wheel! Luckily it was only two feet off the ground, but.." he said, and I couldn't help but laugh.

  "Stop laughing! It's not funny!" he playfully smacked my arm.

  "It is funny." I said, still laughing.

  "Whatever." he said, looking for books.

  "What book are you looking for?" I asked him.

  "Divergent. Again." he said.

  "Wow. That's like me with The Fault In Our Stars." I said, and he held up the book he was looking for.

  He sat down on the floor, and started reading.

  "Jess?" a voice said, making me flinch. I turned around to find Caleb, who's cheeks were stained with tears, and his eyes were red and puffy from crying.

  "Caleb! What's wrong?" I asked, and he started crying again.

  "It's- it's okay." I said, hugging him, then sitting him down in a chair. "Now, tell me everything."