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Chapter 18: Q for Quirkalicous

Today is the day. Today is the day that I, Bagel Marrow, am going to school. And boy am I nervous.

It's been a week after the "party" with Joby, a full week before the courage came and urged me to stop procrastinating, and I feel better than ever. I feel like I'm on top of the world, higher than I have ever been. But at school, will it remain that way? One can only hope so...

I was dressed in black skinny jeans with rips mid-thigh, and a green silky tank top that was fit at the waist and flared out in ripples, with creme-coloured lace being the entire back side. I slipped on a pair of my favorite pair of Vans- a laceless pair covered with sketchy red flowers-to complete the look, and topped it all off with a thin line of eyeliner. And yes, if you're wondering, an awkward girl like myself can own a nice wardrobe.

I was fidgeting on the living room couch watching the morning news, not having been able to eat breakfast from my crampy nerves, when my phone muffled rings vibrated my back pocket. New text message. I instantly whipped it out.

Joby: "You're going to school today right?"

Me: "Yes, why?"

Joby: "Do you want me to pick you up?"

Me: "Sure, see you soon:)"

Joby: "Ok, be there in 20;)"

I smiled and put away the phone, waiting by myself in silence for 20 minutes, puking nearly three times, while moms and dads snores filled the room. And then he came with that trashy white Honda of his, looking perfect and sexy and finally mine.

***

"Joby, I can't." I whined and pleaded in the passenger seat like a pathetic six year old wanting candy, but only worse.

Silence filled the air around us on the long way there. Neither of us didn't bother making conversation, because although he was superbly ecstatic to see me, it was rather too early in the morning to make small talk or he could sense how stressed I was feeling. A couple of minutes later we arrived at the high school with the parking lot full of gleaming tin-cans and people streaming everywhere. I shakily breathed out.

"I really really really can't do this."

"Hey, hey, hey," He says, reaching across the cup holders between us to cup my chin and turn my head towards his beautiful green eyes. "You're going to be fine, ok. Know why? Because I'll be there by your side the entire time. Got it?"

I nod.

"Good." He says, and leans his body to me while I levitate towards him and gently brushes his sweet, honey-tasting lips across mine. He pulls back first, while I only want more.

"Ready?" He asks.

"Ready... I think." I mumble. He laughs.

I open my car door and drag along my heavy book bag filled with my binders while my body sagged heavily with dread. I walk over to the other side of the car only to run straight into his arms. God, how comforting he was. They wrap around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him against me. He softly strokes my hair back and gently places windblown kisses on the top off head, making me melt into a puddle of near-satisfaction. If only we didn't have Hell looming straight behind us.

"It's going to be alright Gable, I won't let anything happen to you."

What could I do but nod? We stay there like that for a moment before slightly pulling apart, still in each other's arms.

"I love you Gable." He says, eyes filled with warmth and admiration, his lips still soft and sweet as they ever were, cracking slightly at the sides in a boyish kind of way.