Stalking Charlie

A Knight In Muddy Sneakers

Alex Stone

Where are you? -N

I ignored my brother's texts, and calls. I hugged my knees to my chest, hiding between bookshelves.

Alessandra. Talk to me.

A pair of feet rushed past me, and I ignored it. No one will see me here. This secluded nook inside the library had always been my spot whenever I want some quiet time here at school, even before I met Charlie.

Before she transfered here, I was basically non existent. I was too plain and too boring. If Nick wasn't my brother, I bet no one would even remember my name when we graduate.

But since Charlie came, I turned to be this girl everyone gossips about. I was the rebel's girlfriend. It was actually alright, until bitches like Natasha Duncan started to pick on me.

We know each other since grade school, and they know how sensitive I am. They used to laugh at me and Nick, because we would go to school wearing the same shirt, or matching outfits. That time Nick had been quick in defending me.

But now..

I sniffed as I remembered Natasha's sneering face. I shouldn't have been affected, it wasn't true. But the fact that my brother let it happen, hurts too much.

"Alex.."

I gasped as I saw a pair of muddy sneakers in front of me. I looked up to see Kenneth's pale blue eyes looking down at me.

"K-Kenneth."

He squatted, lifting my chin up gently with his hand. His expression went stony when he saw tear tracks on my face.

"He's fucking stupid." he muttered angrily, almost to himself. "I told him to stay away from that bitch. Your brother's dumb."

Kenneth dug a handkerchief out of his pocket, and wiped at my tears. I just sat there stunned, wondering if I was imagining this.

"Charlie should have snatched her bald. Fucking witch."

I frowned, not sure about what Kenneth is talking about.

"Sorry. Was I too rough?" he asked me, dabbing at my cheek more gently.

"N-no." I stammered. I can't help but stare at him. He smiled ruefully at me.

"You shouldn't take Natasha's word seriously. Whatever you are, it doesn't make you any less of a person than she is." Kenneth murmured. "You're awesome."

I smiled at him shyly, hugging my knees tighter than ever. Did he really followed me to say that? Is he really smiling at me right now, chasing all my hurt away?

Does this boy know that I'm hopelessly in love with him? Since grade school when I-

"Wanna kiss me again?" Kenneth smiled arrogantly at me.

Damn it. I gulped. He still remember that? I closed my eyes, embarrassed, wishing this smiling face of my love is just a figment of my highly active imagination.

Back at grade school, Nick had always been my protector. But he's not always around to defend me from bullies. I distinctly remember how Kenneth defended me before.

How I kissed him because I thought he was my knight in shining armor with his mop of curly hair and boyish smile.

"It's alright. You can still kiss me." he whispered mischievously at my ear.

I buried my face on my knees, my face probably as red as a tomato. I heard his laugh, and I felt his hands combing my hair away from my face, urging me to look at him.