Running from the Sunrise ||#Wattys2017

Chapter Twelve

*skip to lunch....

I was walking down the hallway on the way to the cafeteria thinking to myself. Nothing that great happened in first and second period. We took a test in AP Biology, I think I failed but maybe I got lucky and passed. Ever since the accident my grades began to slip, before it I was on the track to graduating the top of my class and getting an academic scholarship. My whole life was amazing, I was smart and a straight A student, I had many extracurricular activities. I could play the guitar, piano, and I have been in chorus since 6th grade. I also played many sports such as track, volleyball, I was a cheerleader but I snapped at Brittany so she kicked me off of the team although I was really good. So I did gymnastics for a while. But after I woke from the accident and was told I was an orphan, I shut down and quit everything, no more sports, no music and my grades began to slip. I went from straight A's to Cs and Ds. I hated myself for it because I knew it is not what they would have wanted. I just can't help it I don't want to try anymore because the grief from their death has ruined me. I walked through the doors. I looked around and was shocked at what I saw going on.

Alec was running towards one of the people on the football team with a scowl on his face. He looked like he was about to punch him, people around the cafeteria were circling them yelling. "Fight, fight, fight." They all chanted. I heard a shout it sounded like Alec. "She is fine. You don't have to insult people like that." He snapped at the other boy. I wondered what had caused him to break because Alec never acted this way. "Awww, poor, poor Alec he's in love with the orphan girl. Does she even know?" The boy said in a sarcastic tone. I was shocked at what I heard Alec in love with me and breaking down and fighting someone because they insulted me. I refused to let myself believe thst. At that Alec punched the guy in the face, then again. He had the guy pinned to the ground, the other guy didn't even get a chance to fight back because Alec wouldn't stop punching him. By the time time I made my way to my usual lunch spot where Becca and Olive were waiting for me, both of their faces pale, as if they had just seen a ghost. They looked as shocked as I imagined I did. "Guys is Alec alright. What was that even about?" I asked looking at the girls for comfort, which netheir of their faces provided. The school officers had already taken Aec and the other boy to the office, I'm surprised he hadn't been knocked out. "We don't know. Alec was in line waiting to get his food and then it just happened..." Rebecca started who was interrupted by Olive "I'm pretty sure Alec is fine, at least compared to the other guy. Whatever it was it had to do with you." "Yeah I heard the part where Brian said that Alec was in love with you." Rebecca said. So Brian must be the other guys name. "Yeah guys I don't believe that. Alec was probably just taking up for me and that guy was just saying that to get to Alec." I muttered to them only loud enough for them to hear. "I don't know... He might love you Sky. When are you gonna stop trying to avoid the truth." Olive mumbled back at us. "Yeah Sky. You can't deny it you guys have seemed really close lately." Rebecca glanced at me."Guys it is not like that I have known him since 3rd grade. We are going to be close whether you want to believe me or not." I said glancing back at them. "Yeah, but if you were just friends do you really think he would risk getting kicked off the football team for you over a comment someone said to him." They asked, it was a rhetorical question. "He might get kicked off the football team?!?!?!" I shouted at them as a sort of rhetorical question. I couldn't believe he would risk that for me. And he punched first so if the other guy had hit him it would've been self defense. Suddenly my anxiety kicked in, I was worried about my friend I knew how broken he would be if he lost football. I was the only person who knew but that was the only thing Alec looked forward to. He had told me before that he dreaded going home after school, which is why he loved football so much.

I suddenly felt the urge to get back home because I could sense the anger in this room that Alec had felt it was very intense. I just needed to go home. It happened in a flash I ran out of the cafeteria and out of the school. I kept running I wouldn't stop. I forgot how much I loved running, I ran all the way home. I quickly unlocked my door and ran up the stairs into my room. I locked the door although I don't know why I was the only one here.

I remembered Ryan in that moment for some reason. I leaned over to my nightstand and pulled out the folded piece of paper and began to read it.

Sky,

I know this might be odd because I just met you but I feel this great urge to get to know you. It's like a pulse, as soon as you climbed in my brothers truck I felt that I had known you for years even though I didn't know your name. When I looked into your eyes I could see the brokenness in your eyes, no matter how hard you tried to hide it. I could see in you what I saw in me, it's like the last spark that remains when you put out a fire. That's what you and I are like our brokenness is the one spark that remains after putting out a fire. I believe if we got to know each other we could heal and ignite the flames that once burned so brightly inside of us. I know you might be a little freaked out by this letter, but I need to know you.

                                Sincerely, Ryan

P.S. so we can get in touch if you decide I'm not a freak and you do want to get to know me. My phone number is below. (406) 541-6921

His letter didn't bother because what he describes feeling is exactly what I felt. I needed to talk to someone so I decided to call him.

*******************
Important: not a real phone number.