Only You

Chapter 38: The Way It Used To Be

"I felt so embarrassed standing there looking like a complete idiot." I tell Scarlett and Stella when we sit down on our usual seats.

The bell hasn't rung yet but I like being a little early just in case something happens. I love punctuality.

"I talked to him earlier and he seemed different." Scarlett says, "I could tell something was going on with him." She takes her phone out of her pocket and puts it in her backpack.

"Maybe he just has personal issues going on and needed to take them out." Stella says, trying to comfort me.

"Yeah, I do too but I don't go and make out with other people." I tell them. I wanted to convince myself that I wouldn't care about what he did, I would let it go and forget it but I can't do it. I've been thinking about it all weekend, and he isn't bold enough to pick up his phone and call me.

"I'm not going to talk to him, if he wants to clear things up he's the one that's going to look for me." I say. I need to stop frowning so much, I'll get wrinkles too young if I keep doing it.

"And how's James?" Stella asks, changing the topic. I need to calm down, today is going to be a good day. With a good attitude everything's going to be alright.

"He's good." I say, "He even talked with my mom while I was talking to Liam on the phone. My mom was in love with him." I explain.

"Oh." Stella says and gives a look to Scarlett.

"What?" I innocently ask them.

"Nothing." Stella answers. I look at her, waiting for the words to come out of her mouth, "Do you like James?"

"Of course, we've been friends for years." I say, "He's really nice."

"We don't mean it that way," Scarlett clarifies, "Do you like him as in do you want to go out with him?" She asks, moving her body forward, getting ready for my response.

"Uh-" I hesitate.

"You do!" Stella loudly says. "Oops." She covers her mouth when she notices half of the class already in.

"He's a friend." I insist. I like James just as a friend, nothing more. I moved on a long time ago and I don't plan on going back to that again. I have my feelings right where they're supposed to be. Kind of.

"Even if you don't, you could make Liam jealous. Don't you think?" Scarlett suggests.

"That's not a good idea. Liam wouldn't like that kind of game, besides I would never do that to him, it's not fair." I tell her. I wouldn't like Liam doing that to me, so I won't do that either.

Mr. Leo comes in with a big smile and with one hand on his big stomach. His belly must be ten times bigger than Mrs. Annabelle.

I hope she's doing well with the baby, it must be difficult to manage all her work and the future baby. I wonder why she never said anything about the father, I remember she always wanted us to call her Miss Anabelle and not Mrs. Anabelle, but she was already pregnant at that time so I don't know why she still wanted to be called Miss. Perhaps she isn't married and doesn't live with her boyfriend. I can't imagine what must be going on with her. I'll ask my dad if he knows anything, women with personal issues always spill all out to strangers.

"Good morning, students." Mr. Leo says and places his hands on his hips, "Are you ready to get some work done?" He asks and everyone just smiles. "Oh, I love this class. You're all so good and exciting." He says. I don't know if he's being sarcastic or he's just innocent, or maybe dumb, or both.

The rest of the class comes in and sit down. The bell rings seconds later but everyone's in already.

I see Jasmine passing next to me and I wave at her. We haven't talk since the other day at the bathroom. She must be going through something rough from what I could see, and I would like to help her. I should talk to her later today.