The Boy Next Door

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Evan thought he'd offended me? Great. Now my personality was making people jump to conclusions. To everyone at school (and for the most part at church) people thought I was just the strange shy girl.

I guess if you get me alone I'm more likely to talk to you, but I'm not comfortable talking in big group settings unless I really know the person I'm talking to.

Besides, he's Bri's girlfriend. I need to be careful now, more so than before. I couldn't let myself like him; it would just get me in trouble. Brianna would hate me.

When I got up to my room, my phone began ringing. Unknown number. Answering it, I was confused to hear Evan's voice. "How'd you get my phone number?"

"I've had it for a while. Brianna gave it to me."

"Okay, so why are you calling me?" I balanced the phone between my shoulder and ear as I shoved the glass and blinds on my window up.

"We both have Biology, I wondered if you might be able to help me work through some of the questions I don't understand that are on the homework."

I saw him in his room then, casually dropping his backpack on the ground, and grabbed a stray bobby pin to toss at his window.

He hung up and came over to his window. "Hi." He smiled.

As I pulled up a chair, I rolled my eyes and set my backpack on the floor beside me. "I was just talking to you."

"Yes, you were. So, Bio?"

"Sure. You do realize that we have more than one class together though, right?"

"Yeah. You answered in class today."

"Mr. Robinson gave you the idea of having me tutor you, is that it?"

"Eh, kinda sorta."

For hours we sat in our windows and just studied. Close to the end I began to pull back, close up, try to get out, because I felt like I was beginning to like him, and I couldn't do that. Not to Brianna.

"So that means that this is--" I was cut off by ringing from his phone.

"It's Brianna."

Nodding, I slid my window closed as I waved bye to him. He waved back as he answered.

The next day, Brianna didn't show up to school.

Or the next.

The week blew by without a sign of my only friend. Evan and I didn't talk much, so I didn't ask him what was wrong.

Sunday at church she wasn't there either.

I tried calling, texting, going to her house, but she wouldn't see or talk to me.

Monday I found out what was wrong.

I found my target standing by his locker, talking to a guy I'd never gotten the name of.

"Uh, hi?" I hadn't ever approached Evan, and especially not at school, so he was surprised to see me. We'd been doing our homework together all week though, it wasn't like it was a total surprise I was talking to him. We also rode back to my house in his car; it kept me from having to sit in the noisy bus with a bunch of people I didn't know and didn't want to talk to.

My eyes darted over to the other boy. "You may like to leave now." Hearing my over-the-top sweet tone, his eyes widened.

"Yes I may." Briskly, he left then Evan with me. Good choice.

"Evan, may I ask how and when you broke Brianna's heart?" I hissed, barely holding back from punching him square in the jaw. Bri had been so angry and hurt that she'd been forced to stay home, lest she kill Evan or break down every time she saw him. She'd loved him. She thought he loved her.

"Um..."

"Evan Walker, you look me in the eye. When. Did. You. Break. Her. Heart."

"On a date." He answered briefly.

"What day was it?" My voice began getting louder, drawing more attention, but at the moment I didn't care.

"Monday."

"IT WAS YOUR ANNIVERSARY!" I screamed, making my face turn red. I'd never used my vocal chords like this. "One year together! And you decide that that is the right time to break up with her? Have you even noticed her absence?" I didn't take notice, but a crowd had formed.

When he hesitated to answer, I slapped him so hard my wrist felt like it was broken.

"I hope you're happy with what you've caused." I spun on my heel and walked off, the crowd parting for me. I looped my arm through Brianna's.

She was better now, but she told me that she had spent most of the week reading their old text messages and crying. I abhorred anyone who would make my friend feel so bad that she had to stay home from school and church.