Under the Bridge

chapter six- "don't think i actually like you as a person"

GRAPES ARE PROBABLY the worst fruit to ever exist. Besides the fact that grapes with seeds feel all gross and sandpaper-y on your tongue, they also lead to a potential choking hazard because often, seeded grapes are unlabeled. Even if they are seedless, they also happen to taste like sour ass. They're also perfect to be used as a projectile weapon. 

Don't believe me? 

Liam just threw a green grape at me and it hit me directly in the eye. It managed to go over my glasses and into my eye socket. Who knew he was such a baller? I'm kidding. I'm very angry right now. 

"What was that for?" I ask, the words leaving my lips quickly. They were louder than I'd ever spoken to him, and I sank back into my seat in shock and embarrassment. 

Liam laughs, the first time I'd ever heard it before in conversation with me. "You weren't listening to me." He says, gruffly. There's a bit of silence, and I want him to go on, but instead, he just blinks and meets my gaze. "I think you were busy thinking about James' dick."

My cheeks turned fire engine red. "No." I protest quietly, hands shaking under the table. 

He rolls his eyes and returned to his book. I'm confused. Really freaking confused. I don't know why he's acting semi-friendly with me, and I don't know why he's talking to me about this. 

"A word of advice. It's really fucking annoying that you two just stare at each other or something. Make a fucking move. Fuck gender roles, ask the guy out because from what I've seen, he's acting like a wimp." His voice is emotionless, he sounds generally irritated like usual now. He's the exact same person he always was, I guess he just figured he'd state his mind. 

I shrug and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, looking back down at the math problems in front of him. "How's number seven coming along?" I divert the conversation elsewhere, earning a sigh from Liam.

* * *

Hope is sitting across from me at the lunch table. She's biting into a vegetarian lettuce wrap while I'm devouring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As you can see, we're two very different people. Her floral dress lays loosely on her body, flowing with her every movement and contrasting against her dark skin. 

"Do you want to go to Crystal Canyon with me this Saturday?" Hope asks, looking up from her notes and meeting my eyes. 

Crystal Canyon is an amusement park about twenty minutes from the school. It's a popular place for teenagers to make out on top of Ferris wheels and kids to throw up on carousels. There's even a couple roller-coasters, but to be completely honest, I come up with every excuse imaginable to avoid going on them. 

Sorry, I stubbed my toe and I need to go to the hospital. 

There's less oxygen up there and I have lung issues. 

I have uncontrollable diarrhea and I don't want to risk it all coming out as I'm going down. 

Even though the coasters are scary, everything else is fun, and frankly, I love going. 

"Yeah, sure." I say, feeling a little smile come across my lips. I always feel like I can be myself around Hope, I'm not nervous around her like I am everybody else. It makes me feel like I actually matter. Best friends keep you tied to the ground and let you act like who you really are. 

"I'm gonna go ask Sophie about practice tonight since she's not answering her texts, I'll be back in a sec." Hope intervenes, tossing me a grin and leaving me sitting alone at the table while she hunted her friend from the volleyball team.