Emails: From You To Me

2

After hanging my head over the toilet for at least an hour, I washed myself up. How could I still be like this? What was the point of holding my breath like this? After taking a shower I logged onto my computer, and seen an out of place notification. Curiously, I clicked it and it opened from the sender: Matthew Grayson.

"Who?" I questioned myself and found myself reading the message.

Hey, you seemed a bit off. You okay dude? Well anyway thanks for accepting my partnership, you have no idea how long I've been running from those teachers. Sorry bout that too, didn't mean to drag you in. Anyway, looks fun to work with you. In your free period and study hall placement, we have a room to work in. Meet me there?

Under the message was the number for the unused sophomore English classroom, what on Earth? My stomach churned thinking about it, a senior project... with a stranger?! I couldn't, I had to bail on him somehow. Running back to the toilet, I thought of ways to avoid these interactions as much as possible.

Every single attempt I thought of failed, I had no right to refuse at this point. Did I?

Walking in the school I lurked around nervously, even through lunch. I couldn't bring myself to see Laura and eat lunch. I slowly walked in the English room and looked around. He wasn't here.

"You're here early, didn't expect to see you." There he was, the claimed Matthew Grayson.

"M-me? Early? No, it's normal," Why me? "W-what are you doing here?" The stuttering was getting better I guess.

"So let's get down to business." He took out a notebook and pencil case full of colors.

"You're so serious," I watched him as he pushed back his hair, tying a bandana around. "Wow."

"I know," He chuckled. "I look like the slacker. But for this I have the coolest idea."

"Okay."

I listened in to what he wanted to do. The project was going to involve a children's group from the local orphanage, to expose them to the more fun side. He really thought this through, most seniors stuck doing this plant something or take care of an animal and report it. Matthew was different.

"I like it, it's sounds great!" I looked over the plans and my amusement was abruptly stopped by the ringing of the bell.

Letting his hair out, "Thanks. Looks like you're on board." He put away the materials in a hurry. "Don't say a word to anyone else though." I nodded.

Who else did I have to tell?

I walked outside first, I wish I ate lunch. I'm so hungry... my stomach rumbled loudly through the crowd walking past. Groaning, I felt a shove from behind and fell to my knees.

"What? Didn't get your daily dose of guys?" It was Richard again, his arm was wrapped a girl.

"You tell him Richie." She snickered, what a waste for someone who looked so nice. I knew her too, Stephanie Hillford, we used to talk before her money got to her.

"Thanks Steph." He seemed scarier as his lips curled into a big smirk. Matthew walked up and stared them down.

"Lay off Richie,"Matthew mocked her voice. "It doesn't even make any sense." He helped me up and we left without saying anything else.

"Does that guy bully you? He really needs a life." Matthew led me to his car once again, I felt something crawl up my throat. I couldn't handle this.

"I-I'm fine." I lied, I hated the way he talked down to me. I hated how my pain was never noticed, how it felt to want to disappear.

"Dude. Are you crying?" Matthew's face went blank watching my expression. Soon enough, jamming me in his car was the perfect solution as we began to drive off.

"You shouldn't let anyone do that to you, from all I know you're Mr. Good Guy." He said and I sniffed. What a pathetic freak I was, maybe he thought that too. He didn't have to say it for me to know.

"Here. H-here." He drove past my street, it actually seemed like when I spoke up he sped up.

"How about a detour? To get to know each other better?" He suggested with a grin. "We can pick up some food on the way too."

Oh my god.

"Yeah, I heard it. I'm sure the entire world heard your stomach cry." He heard me!

 I didn't know whether or not to be embarrassed or cry, my first impression was starting off as the worst impression. What was wrong with me?

We stopped at a fast food drive-thru before we continued to drive back to my house, but I stopped him a while before we made it to my street. There was one question that lingered in my mind-

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I blurted out and waited anxiously for the reply. When there was none, I demanded for the car to stop and got out.

"Henri? Are you gonna be okay?" He asked after I left the car, I felt dizzy.

"I-it's fine. Just go, just go!" I couldn't focus with someone like him around, no one is ever so nice. No one ever helps me up when I feel sick. No one ever tried to talk to me first, even when I couldn't say anything back.

"Get back safe. In this neighborhood, it's dangerous to be a guy too! Are you sure you don't need a ride?"

"I'm okay! Just go home!" I walked off from the car, he followed for a few minutes before speeding down a different road. I arrived home moments later.

"Hi mom. Hi Laura." I seen them talking in the living room.

"Oh honey. Did you walk somewhere? You know you had classes."

"Classes?"

"For your problems."

"Oh yeah, class. Sorry mom. I'll go next time." I walked upstairs to my room.

I forgot. Even a minute of being average made me forget that wasn't how everyone seen me. Not even my own mother. Most conversations we have, have something to do with her complaining about me needing help or friends. No one else talked to me besides that.