In One Moment

Chapter Two

December 12, 1972
12:30 PM

The school bells rang for Lunch and the crowd of students came walking down the hallways to the cafeteria. I was thinking something as I grabbed my tray to get into the line..Maybe I will be surprised during lunch with a happy birthday song. But then I realized how that was so not practical to happen.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Marley, happy birthday to you"! I hear these words. I hear the voice they're coming from. I see everyone in line turn my way and Alpine bumps his shoulder into mine. I start to blush in embarrassment. What sucks is that when I blush, everyone can see it.
I look in Alpines eyes and he chuckles.
"Was it bad"?
He asked me with a smile.
"Oh no not at all"!
I say with sarcasm and laugh. I grab my chicken fried steak from the lunch lady, which didn't seem too enthused with us. I scooted down the line and barely could say anything to Alpine. He was so handsome, so nice and it almost seemed like it was all for a show. Possibly fake, so of course, like I always do, I keep my guard up with this. I cannot be naive.

I walk over to an empty seat, away from everyone like always. I exclude myself from situations where there are tons of people, although I always feel like I'm in the center of attention, but not the good kind. Alpine sat next to me, but scooted extremely close, almost as to where it was uncomfortable.
I slide over an inch, trying to hint to him that he was too close.
"Oh was I too close? I shouldn't have. I'm sorry".
He looks at his food on the table, almost seeming down for the situation. This brought a red flag up. Maybe bad for him or me. Maybe he's having a bad day? Maybe not happy with himself? Or is he playing around to make me feel some kind of sympathy for him? I didn't know.
I ignored the attitude he had and I ate half of the food on my plate. Maybe he just needed quietness.
One-Thirty came around and that is when it's time to throw away our trash and go back to our classes. As I stood up from my seat, Alpine grabbed my wrist and I felt an instant pull.
"Marley"!
This took me by surprise.
"Yes"?
I sigh and let him speak.
"I have fallen for you"
This didn't make any sense. We barely have spoken. I walked off and threw my tray of food away. I walked through the back doors and shut them. This was weird. I had to leave and try and ignore this. All the sudden, I am pushed against the wall of the hallway that nobody else is in. My back aches in pain and I realize who pushed me into the brick wall. Alpine places his hand on my neck and slowly wraps his fingers around.
"Please Marley, I love you".
I push his stomach and he doesn't move one bit. This moment I realized I can't get away.
"ALPINE! MARLEY! STOP IT NOW AND GET TO CLASS"!
Alpine let's go of my neck and I take a gasp of air and run away, going to my Science class, leaving the principle and Alpine behind.