Not Worth It

Eight

I felt my breath catch in my throat as James did a once over on me. I stood up slowly and turned back to my table. "See you guys later," was all I could muster before following James out of the lunch room. 

He didn't say a word as I followed him down the various halls of the school. I had' been at the school for very long, but my surroundings looked familiar. Then I realized, he was taking me to the art room. Finally we arrived, but he still said nothing. Only after he took a seat next to an easel that displayed a half finished picture did he speak. 

"I need you to forget about me." He said simply. I felt a blush crawl onto my cheeks. Was it possible that he knew he hadn't left my mind since we met. 

"Why," was the only response that came to my mind. 

He simply shook his head in response. Refusing to look at me, his eyes were glued to the floor. I felt my eyes sting as I began to cry. I tried my best to blink back the tears. Why was he affecting me so much. I don't even know him. I can count on one hand the number of conversations we have had. The thought of losing him made me feel like I was losing a small piece of myself that I had just found. 

Suddenly he looks up and notices the tears in my eyes. He seems overcome with emotion, and when he speaks again his voice is thick. "It will be better this way." He says. "I have secrets, dangerous secrets. It would be entirely evil of me to drag you into my messed up world."

"I have been alone for a long time. I have been alone and hurting. I hurt myself and the people around me. I have no idea why you are affecting me like this, but when I saw you, I thought you would be the one to make me whole again. I know that it's crazy and we don't know each other, but please, you can't do this." 

He looks completely heartbroken, maybe even heartbroken enough to change his mind. Just when I think I have convinced him to not give up on me yet, his expressions hardens. He has already made up his mind. The full force of his stone cold gaze hits me, and I can no longer keep myself composed. Tears are streaming down my face as he moves closer to me. His eyes never leave mine and I notice his eyes begin to change. Just like they did last night. They take on a scary red hue. 

I refuse to be afraid this time. If this is who he is, then I can accept that. I gulp down my tears and match my gaze to his. Suddenly, my skin feels tingly. My whole body is covered in pinpricks. The closer James gets, the more the feeling intensifies. After what seems like an eternity, he speaks. 

"You need to go. You will continue on in your life as if our paths had never crossed." 

My skin is now on fire. I feel myself start to scream, but before any sound escapes my lips, it's gone. 

I gulp down air and take big heaving breaths. I look frantically around the room for any indication of what just happened. 

I am alone.