Meant to Be

Chapter Three

The next day was pretty much normal, with no excitement. That is, no excitement until my fourth period study hall.

I was studying for the history test I was to have later that day when a yearbook staff member walked in. She talked quietly to the teacher, showed her something, and then turned to the class.

"Hi, everyone. Could I have all the sophmores raise their hands? We need some for a group picture for the yearbook," she explained.

I, along with about ten other kids, raised my hand. The girl looked right past me, and picked everyone but me. As she led them out of the room, I sighed. To anyone else, it might seem like she didn't choose them on purpose, but I was used to it. People didn't really notice me. I wasn't the smartest, the funniest, or the most popular. I was just me, Rylee, also known as the quiet girl at the back of the class, or even better known as: "Who?"

This had happened several times over the years; I was ignored, unnoticed, not chosen. Each time, I was disappointed. All I wanted was someone to notice me. A friend to listen to me, to choose me as their partner, to tell me their secrets and keep mine. Was that too much to ask?

                                                                                 * * *

The rest of study hall was typical. The sophmores returned, we worked quietly for another fifteen minutes, and then the bell rang. I put away my history notes and hurried to get to my locker. I was walking so fast, I didn't notice someone come out of a classroom and I crashed right into them.

I looked at the person as he helped me pick up my books and realized it was my new neighbor. "Sorry," I muttered, hoping to avoid him

He smiled at me. "Sorry, that was my fault. I'm such a klutz," he laughs.

I laughed, too, surprising myself.

"Hi. I'm Collin. I'm new. I haven't really figured out the art of not crashing into people," he explained.

"I'm Rylee, and I haven't either," I said with a smile.

"Maybe if we both look out for each other, we won't crash into anyone. Can I walk you to lunch? Well, actually, can you walk me to lunch? I have no idea where the cafeteria is," Collin suggests. He smiles sheepishly.

"Yeah, sure. Can we stop at my locker?" I asked.

Collin agreed, and I got my books an lunch out of my locker, Collin talking the whole time. I occasionally said a few words, but I was too confused to say much. Collin was new, but I felt like I had met him before. He acted like we had been friends for years. And I wasn't as quiet around him. He was just so... familiar.

We entered the lunch room. Immediately, someone yelled for Collin to join them.

"Well, see you later, I hope," he said.

"Yeah, see you later," I replied.

I felt a sharp pain of longing as he walked away.