Emails: From You To Me

9

"Hey, you doing all right?"  It wasn't even a male's voice! 

Still taking the hand, my brain began to clear and I felt less dizzy. Until I regained my balance, she continued to hold my hand. I looked down at her, somewhat short and pretty cute behind her wide-rimmed glasses. But why does she look so familiar?

"I'm Lauren." She introduced herself, cheeks perking into a smile.

"I'm Henri." I introduced myself, it was almost like we weren't at school. Like time stopped just for us to have this conversation.

"I know." What? How does she know me? Before I could further question her, Matthew stepped in taking my other hand.

"Looks like a huge dorky family, aren't I right?" He chuckled, it seemed like she perked up even more while he was around. Who could blame her?

"S-so so, um L-Lauren how do- do you um know me?" I let go of both of their hands.

"Matthew. He told me." And they suddenly got very close to each other, what were they? I watched their movements closely.

"Oh yeah, Lauren. Friend of my dad's, known her all my life." So she probably likes him? I could tell through the way she watched him and how her voice changed. Wait, why am I observing so quickly? I'll look creepy!

"Oh, going to class! See you later Mattie." She hugged him and walked off... must be nice.

Wait, must be nice? Am I insane?  Matthew is a boy and Lauren is a girl! This is very natural, and what am I watching them for?

While continuing to fret, the p.a. system turned on and Matthew dragged me along down the hallway. I couldn't even focus on what the principal was saying. I felt eyes burn at me as I worried about how the world saw me. I was sure I only a ghost, I could easily disappear.

"Find anything out yet?" He asked, and it snapped me out of my daze. We were back in the classroom, we first began speaking at.

"Oh. Oh yeah, the t-shirts are being delivered to my house sometime between tomorrow and Wednesday. The detail we gave made it simple for them to just copy." I told him.

"Is that so? Ugh, I'm so sleepy... what's with the aquatics too?" He questioned but I was confused, aquatics?

"A-Anyway w-we should head to class." I stuttered thinking about what my teacher would say finding out I was late.

"Or you could stay here with me, we could finish the presentation part of the project." Matthew was constantly skipping! I wonder how his records look?

"Presentation!" The word I dreaded after communication.

"Don't worry, I'll do the talking and you just look pretty. Don't want Commissioner Cold Feet to get well, cold feet!" And with that joke he began laughing loudly.

An alarmed security guard looked at the door as Matthew stopped himself and hushed me. He told me to follow as we crawled towards the old desk in the background. Lucky for us, as soon as we made it the security guard looked in briefly and left.

"I'm not gonna be here tomorrow, so let's get all we can done." He whispered with a wide grin.

"Yeah." I whispered back.

As we did the poster outline, time flew by us so quickly I hadn't realized we nearly skipped lunch. Alarmed by the time, I called my mother who didn't answer. She was probably busy at work anyway, even if she took the day off from one job she has another and attends classes.

Wanting to make sure I was right, I checked at home and no one was there. Exactly as I thought, so even if I did stay home she'd leave me alone. As if I was never wanted or necessary, the same way dad left us knowing I was going to exist.

While contemplating everything, I didn't even realize Wednesday morning came until the t-shirt shipping arrived at the door. Opening the box, I seen the arrangement of t-shirts. It was amazing and so quick, especially since the field trip was tomorrow.

"Oh my god, the field trip is tomorrow!" I panicked. I've never been to an amusement park before, let alone ride a thrilling ride. I've been on a park's carousel and that was it.

Opening my computer I fretted, Matthew I can't do this. Roller coasters? Won't the kids get scared, maybe we can take them to an aquarium or something?

It didn't take long for his anticipated reply.

What are you talking about? And if that was a joke, super funny. I already made arrangements too, so we have to leave it. But really aquarium? Also, did the t-shirts arrive? I want to drop the kid's off, so bring mines to school?

Yeah joke, haha. Got you didn't I? I'll bring yours, but want me to bring all of them? So you can drop them off on your way to class?

Oh. Makes sense. Sounds like a plan, I'll grab mines that way too. I'll be by my car. See you.

Yeah see you.

I failed! Still, it didn't make sense to get children's hopes up and then crush them too. I just have to be strong, how bad could a coaster be? Taking the box, but leaving my t-shirt on the couch, I walked to school.

"Henri! Over here!" Matthew walked up to me, and taking the box led me to his car.

"Today's my last class. I'm stoked." Something seemed off about him, he seemed perkier. His breath was a little bad too, but you'd never notice it if you weren't in his face.

"Sounds fun?" I'd offer him water or a mint, but it could be he's not a morning person?

"Matthew! What in the world is wrong with you?!" Lauren came running up to him. "Sorry Henri." She winked at me before dragging him off.

She winked at me? Matthew's door's were still unlocked too, maybe I should lock them?  I didn't want to be weird, but manually I locked each of his doors, you could never be too careful.

After that, I didn't see Matthew all day. But surprisingly, without him I was questioned about him and why I hung out with him. I wasn't social, so it made me nervous and I ignored all of their questions. It made me nervous to the point where I avoided people all day, and went home early.

"Henri? Are you home?" My mom called out as I opened the door.

"Yeah, I'm home." Wait, what was she doing home?

"Okay! I'll be home for a little while, want something to eat?" She asked, and now that I think about it, I haven't had much of an appetite.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just going to my room!" I said back as I ran up my stairs. I was exhausted suddenly, so I laid on my bed until I fell asleep.

It felt good to sleep like this, no worries and no reality.