Maybe

Chapter 7: Book One

"They're usually bitches, just to warn you," Kayla sympathized. She was shorter than anyone else in the room, but Kayla's personality was huge. Her blonde hair hung down her back in a ponytail, today, her glasses framing her hazel eyes.

"Do they always wear that much makeup?" Bayla gestured to the clique of girls who looked like they were after pictures on a makeover magazine- sports edition.

"They look like clowns." I agree, I know all of them.

"This is all we do? Kickball?" Bayla wondered aloud, watching Mr. Allson set up the bases.

"Sadly." Julie frowns, though she's the most athletic of us all, aside from Kayla. She always wears her gym clothes.

We stick together, and fend off any stray athletes who wonder over to meet Bayla. We inform them that she's already been claimed, by crossing our arms, and laughing once they leave.

The second the bell rings, everyone runs for the door like their life depends on it. I take the lead, and run on through the halls, panting and laughing by the time I get to the locker room. Bayla is right behind me, then Kayla, and Julie, then Savannah. We all laugh hysterically, like we've all been best friends for years.

We split up into our pairs, splitting off to go to our next class. For me, and Bayla, it's history next.

"I have arrived! I bring company!" I declare, holding Bayla's hand in the air as we walk into Mr. Williams's classroom. Justin's head pops up, and I have all of the eyes in the class on the hand I'm raising into the air.

"This is Bayla!" I have Mr. Williams's attention, and he walks over.

"Hi, Bayla. Welcome to history. We've shut the door so you can't run out." He laughs, and she laughs too.

"Everyone's going to say their name when its their turn." he points to the first desk.

"Ellie!" calls out my friend, who loves to discuss books with me.

He looks at my seat, because I'm next, then at me, and nods.

"Ally!" I silently warn Bayla about her, the spoiled little white girl stereotype who is just so.. Terribly perfect.

"Daniel!"

"Justin!"

"Anajiah!"

"Caleb!"

On and on, and I'm sure Bayla won't be able to remember them all.

Once the last name is said, he sits her at a desk right next to me.

It feels good to have her there, like a new cost of paint over our cracked shell of a school.

As Bayla and I walked to the library, my study hall, I passed by Jordan at his locker. His eyes grazed us as we passed. A feeling of warmth spread from where his eyes hit the back of my head.

I checked myself and Bayla in, and we set our books on a table.

"Oh! Hello!" A librarian, Mrs. Johnson, greeted me as I passed. We were friends; I came here every single day, until she wanted to make it my study hall. I had read every decent book in the library, and had to special order any book if I wanted to read it. She allowed me to exceed my checkout limit, and I loved seeing her.

She walked over, her glasses highlighting her brown eyes, and her short, dark red hair wrapped around her head. She was fairly old- I'd guess early 60s.

"Who is this?" she beamed.

"Bayla Stark. New," I explained. I ran over to several book shelves, pulling 14 books from their spots, and setting them in front of Bayla's wide eyes.

"I'll leave you two to scour the library. Call me if you need any help," she added to Bayla.

I spread them out, and lit up, seeing the look on her face.

"I love Dystopia, and Paranormal Romance, and Historical Fiction, and.." She looked like she was in paradise, as I held out a copy of one of my favorite books to her; Divergent, by Veronica Roth.

"It'll rip your heart out, but you'll love it. " I warned, piling up dozens of book in front of her. She checked out as many as she could, and we both sat down to read.

"How is it?" I had to ask. She was reading one of my suggestions, and when you read a book next to me, you spill.

"Shh! I'm reading here," She whisper-yelled. "Trying to concentrate!"

I could tell she liked it. I was the same way when I read it.

I pulled out my phone and texted my mom, asking if Bayla could come over.

All day, I found Bayla sitting next to me. She couldn't put down her book, and that made me laugh- I was always like that when I read. I could take out two books in a weekend, given the time. It was hard to watch others read, for me, though. It annoyed me how slow they were, it'd be refreshing to have someone who could keep up with me.

As she was on her way out, I blocked her, "Hey! Do you want to come over so we can do the homework together? It's gonna be hard to catch up," I offered, and she looked grateful.

"Sure! I've got to tell my mom first, or she'll kill me," Bayla pulled out her phone, and texted her mom, fingers moving at lightning speed, until she looked up, and nodded.

"Cool. I have to take the bus, though. My house is too far away to walk, on a day like this."

"Its fine, I don't mind." she assured me, following me out.

We found an empty seat on the bus, and Michaela sat with her other friends.

She pulled out her iPod, exactly when I did. We smiled. I put in my headphones, but lowered the volume so if she said anything, I'd hear.

While I saw Jordan walk in, he caught my eyes, and held them. I couldn't look away, as a flash of the park bench we were at last night passes over my eyes.

"Dude, Nolan, walk." A boy behind him tried to push him forward. It didn't work, but he walked. And I stared after him.

Bayla raised he eyebrows suggestively. I pushed her playfully, but she fell over, pushing her bag into the isle. She laughed as she hauled it back onto the seat. I laughed too, I couldn't stop.

"Stop!" she smiled, as I finished giggling.

The bus did its rounds, and I stood when I saw we were on my block. She did too.