I Don't Like You [[Short Story/COMPLETED]]

Tone Deaf

The late bell rang for second period. Emily waited at the rear end of the parking lot, hand to her mouth and biting a nail nervously. Justin hadn't shown up yet, maybe he was too upset? It's not like Emily knew what she was going to say when she saw him anyway. 'Sorry' Or 'I didn't mean to hurt you' weren't exactly true statements. At the moment, she didn't even know what she was feeling. Guilt, worry, nervousness, or confusion? At least her friend's wouldn't see her talking with him from here in any case.

Any preparation in her mind fell apart when Justin did show up, already ready to hide in that gigantic hoodie. He still looked a little depressed but he was clearly pleased Emily wanted to talk to him. But what the hell was she supposed to say?

They looked at each other for a brief moment, but quickly looked away when it got awkward. She really should have prepared something.

"Um. I didn't think you'd show up," was the first thing that popped into Emily's head and say to start the conversation. Luckily, Justin didn't leave her hanging.

"Me either...i-it's just, you've never wanted to talk to me alone before."

"Don't think I like you or anything, but I was worried about, you know, you. I didn't think you'd be so upset about what I said..." Emily lied. Of course the things she texted him were intended to hurt him, there was no point in lying like she didn't want to see him hurt.

Or she didn't until now.

"I-It's fine, I know you don't like me. I never thought you'd actually see those drawings anyway...but you really hate them?" Justin sounded sad, giving Emily his defeated puppy look. It was kind of adorable.

Emily rolled her eyes and sighed. She hated admitting she was wrong, but she'd be a damn liar if she said she hated those drawings. "No. I don't hate them. I actually think they're amazing, all of them not just the ones of me. You're really good at art you know?" Dammit, she couldn't hold it in.

Anything that resembled sadness was rushed right off of Justin's face, in fact he looked as happy as ever. A big grin took over and those two small dimples popped up. Why was it making Emily want to smile too? "You really think so! You like my art Emily?"

She rolled her eyes again. "Mhm, I do. Are you happy now?"

Justin effectively laughed then, and it was the cutest or dorkiest thing she had ever heard, a loud noticeable snort coming out at the end. Then he just looked embarrassed.

Emily couldn't help smiling and letting a small giggle come out. "Did you just snort?"

Justin got awkward all over again and retreated to scratching the back of his neck, a smile still on his face. Emily full out laughed then.

"You're so lame," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him. "But I guess I'll have to let you help on the project since you can draw better than me." What the hell was she doing?

Justin straightened up then. "Really?"

"Ya, whatever. Just don't think I like you," Emily added. "Now let's get to class.. we're already late."

...

For some reason, Emily was feeling a lot better by the end of the day. It had to do with talking to Justin but she didn't want to admit it. She blamed it on today being Friday and the awesome party she was going to with her friends tomorrow. They each agreed it was going to be tons of fun and they would attract all of the guys when they went skinny-dipping. Emily elected to not telling her friends about the conversation between her and Justin at the parking lot. After this silly art project they shouldn't talk with each other anymore anyway.