Benefits - h.g

5

Danica

I anxiously packed my books in my locker as I watched people pass me. With looks. With whispers.

Word had gotten out that I beat the snot out of Jody Moreno a few days ago & people weren't happy. Some people were. Some people didn't even care. All I knew was. Everybody knew.

"Hey," I heard a voice soundly call behind me. I turned around to see Hayes, his black backpack slung lazily over his shoulder as he tried to make a smile but had difficulty.

"Hey," I greeted back uneasily.

"I'm sorry for Jody. She can get a little catty at times. You know singing prodigies," he said with a minute chuckle, trying to make eye contact with me but I didn't want to make eye contact with him. Once I looked into them, I was too enticed to look away.

"It's okay. I just think we shouldn't talk at school because then people will suspect," I paused as I tried to look for the correct word, "things."

"Seriously? Can't I just talk to you normally as a human being?" he questioned.

"Well people are staring us down like a bunch of outcasts," I chimed & looked around the people who passed us with their eyes basically bulging out their heads.

"Who cares about them," he shrugged.

"Jody does. Next thing she hears I'm talking to you & there's another fight on the bleachers," I shut my locker, "I don't need that drama in my life. I'm already dealing with Kyle," I groaned & tried to walk away. Hayes smoothly grabbed my wrist & caused me to halt.

"What's Kyle doing to you?" he asked, quite concerned.

My heart stopped. I gulped hard. "Nothing," I said with a smile & looked up at the clock, "you're gonna make me late," I tried to get out of his grip but I couldn't.

"What about, y'know, the party?" he asked with a shrug.

"That never happened. I didn't go to that party. I don't even know you. Stranger," the last word stung my mouth.

The bell rang & I quickly rushed to my next class.

I didn't want Hayes to be a stranger though. At least I didn't feel like I wanted him to be a stranger.