Hunted

Chapter 4

Wednesday, September 20th

Today I didn't get much of a chance to talk to Levi. Apparently he had some basketball game to go to, so he left school early.

What a shame.

Kat met Cat today. She had to borrow one of my nicer-looking skirts because she was going on a date with Josh (internal squeal because they're so cute sometimes even though they do make everything so dramatically over-complicated); and the moment she stepped in the door, a grey fur ball flew straight at her.

When I told her Cat's name later, she laughed and said, "You're so creative, Luce. So very creative."

(Glare.)

(Glare.)

(An extra glare, so extra that the word "extra" was put out of fashion.)

I feel like Kat and I haven't been hanging out as often now that she's dating Josh - but I suppose it's only natural that she sets some time aside for her boyfriend. Josh isn't a bad guy, except for the fact that he's hopelessly oblivious to feelings.

(Cough, the whole Primrose incident, cough.)

Coach said that since Pamela is graduating this year, I'll probably get to be captain next year. A lot of girls on the soccer team are also going to universities far away, which is sad because we are like a family together. A few years fly by as fast as they come.

Wait; now I'm starting to sound like a sentimental, emotional and lonely girl who doesn't understand that everyone has to leave at some point. It comes in their job description: Everyone is bound to go, whether it's moving, breaking-up, or even dying. Nothing is forever; no one is forever.

Kat says I have a much too negative view of life. She also says that the glass is half empty for me. I disagree; everyone says that the glass is half full for that so that they'll seem "optimistic", but I feel like it's more 50% liquid, and 50% air. When I said that in my grade four class, even my teacher insisted that I had to choose between half full and half empty. Now, I quote this from Wikipedia: "Perception is unique to every individual and is simply one's interpretation of reality." See, no one has to pick an exact answer, because there isn't an exact way for everyone to interpret reality. Here's the bibliography in MLA format for further references:

"Is the glass half empty or half full?" Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 July 2017. Web. 20 Sept.

Ms. Rochelle would be so proud of me if only she didn't hate me so much (Mrs. Rochelle, actually. Place emphasize on the Mrs.). You know what was worse? I got 100% in her English class that year. One more reason for her - and all the other kids in her class - to hate me.

I suppose that you've noticed it by now that I'm too smart sometimes for my own good. (And too confident, too, but don't mind me.)

I'm just so lovable.

You should definitely note the sarcasm there.

(Who do I keep addressing the "you" to, anyways? There's no one else here except for my notebook, which, as you can probably tell, is an inanimate object.)

Thursday, September 21st

Was going to ask Levi out when I found him hugging an unfamiliar girl in a way that could not be misinterpreted. Great.

Also there were flowers. Roses, lots and lots of the red ones. And confetti, with a banner that said "Will you be my date for prom?"

Yeah. The ship has sunk before it even sailed. Sunk like the Titanic - no, at least that sailed before hitting the iceberg. This ship just crashed right into the lighthouse before even sailing into the open sea.

I'm going to go wallow in peace now. It's time to find out if I still have that box of chocolate ice cream at the bottom of the fridge. And that it's not expired.

Later

Sadly, the chocolate was expired. But I found another box of espresso flake instead, the kind that you usually find in fancy gelato shops at fancy shopping malls with fancy moms. Thanks a lot for investing in that gelato shop in NYC by the way, Mom; I really appreciate it, especially since you decided you could try to bribe me with something I already have the money to buy. Namely, ice cream.

At least I know what your favorite ice cream flavor is, unlike a certain someone (cough, Dad, cough; wheeze really hard, like you usually do when you're trying to make a point but you choked, halfway through).

I'm such a happy ray of sunshine today, aren't I?

All I wish I could see now is him. No one else. Just him.

Friday, September 22nd

True to my wish, he did show up in my dream. Sometimes - like now - I wished that they weren't dreams, even as much as they are; I have everything to gain and nothing to lose in them. They must be dreams, because nothing like them will ever happen in my real life.

If you set your hopes low, you can never be disappointed.

Saturday, September 23rd

Last night, he told me his name. We were in my room - a new change of scenery, which I appreciated - and he was holding my hand, as usual. This time I was talking about school with him, and he seems to really understand me, seems to understand everything, anything - I can tell him anything. I told him about Kat, and how everywhere she goes Josh does as well, and their making-out is getting a bit disgusting - and Levi, and his girlfriend, Penelope, whom I have seemed to notice before till now- and my parents, and how they should just divorce each other and me, too, just to get it all over with. He takes everything in and he listens, listens like no one else ever does - quietly, beautifully, a fire burning in his eyes, an intensity in his gaze that gives me goosebumps. He holds me, takes me in, makes me feel so safe that I'm afraid it's all going to disappear into nothingness.

And it did. Now all I have is his name. His name.

Xavier.