Different

Chapter 3.

               It was almost the weekend and all I could do was stare. Stare at my ceiling and think of Nolan and how I would never see him again. "Sure he's a jerk, but he's the least awful out of those 3!" I said aloud to myself softly. "Kali!" I heard my mom yell loudly from downstairs. "What?!" I groaned back. I waited for a response and then came back with another audible "WHAT?!" No response. I sighed; I hate when mom's do this! I rolled my eyes and headed down the stairs to see my mom waiting right at the bottom for me. With a big smile my mom said, "Go to the park." I was confused. "Um... for any particular reason?" I asked her. "You need some fresh air, Kal." Was all she said as she was pushing me out the door. I grabbed my maroon beanie and tan leather jacket and put on my boots. They were brown and tall and personally I think they looked cute with my maroon leggings. "Go!" My mom said smiling and pushing me out." "Alright mom! I'm out!" I said, slightly smiling and laughing. The park was a large piece of land with a small playground and picnic area a few blocks from my house. It was rather charming for our little town. I got to the park and got a text from a number I didn't know; it read "go to the picnic area and sit on a bench." I was confused and a little scared. "I've heard too many stories of people being murdered this way.." I thought to myself.  I got another text while I was sitting on the bench that said "close your eyes." I was pretty scared but intrigued as well, so I closed them. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and let me tell you, that scared the crap out of me!!!! I threw my fist back full force but it was grabbed by a strong grip before I could hit anything. I screamed and started to flail my arms. I was stopped by another grip and a male voice that said "For the love of God, Kalila, stop!" I turned around to see the gorgeous face and messy blonde hair of Nolan; of course I'd never tell him I felt that way. "So you just gonna ignore my texts and my presence?" He said, smirking down at me. I shoved him away. "What the heck, Nolan?! So that was you texting me like a creep?" I snapped at him, slightly annoyed. "How'd you even get my number?!" I asked in a slight panic. "Chill out, Kali. Your mom put me up to this." He said. I blushed and went silent. "So that's why she wanted me to go outside." I thought to myself.
                 "She said that you couldn't stop thinking about me after leaving school." He said. I started to tear up out of embarrassment and said, "sh... she told you?" He laughed and sat down in front of me and said, "No. but now I know my suspicions were true." He laughed, but my face got beet red; and I hate to admit it, but I cried. I just put my head down and cried onto the picnic table like a complete dork. I just prayed that Nolan would leave. I was relieved and a bit sad when I heard his footsteps. Suddenly I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my neck. I practically froze. He let go and I turned around to see Nolan.. still there. I quickly wiped away my tears and hugged him. Hard. Being a teenage girl, I'm an emotional wreck almost 24/7; and I love hugs, despite being anti social. He hugged me back. He let go after 10 seconds or so and said, "You good now? Quit your blubbering." I laughed and accidentally let a smile slip out. He stepped back, acting and looking dumbfounded." I sat back down and crossed my arms as I glared up at him. "Aww where'd it go?" He said. I rolled my eyes and said, "Where did what go?" "That beautiful smile!" He responded. I blushed. He sat down next to me and punched me on the shoulder and said, "You know I love ya, Kal." I know he meant as a friend, but I still blushed and started twiddling with my hair; I do that when I'm nervous. We heard a car pull into the driveway outside the picnic area and I looked up. Out of the car stepped, Carter. Luckily, Danny was no where to be found. Carter lit a cigarette and shoved it into his mouth as he put the lighter in the pocket of his leather jacket. "What does he think he's a greaser from the 50's or something?" I said, rolling my eyes. Nolan laughed but then went serious. Carter started to walk towards the picnic grounds where we were sitting and Nolan just told me to stay put. He stood up and looked over at Carter who was now stomping on the cigarette he had thrown on the ground. Carter looked over at Nolan and a disgusting smile crossed his face. I cringed, remembering what had happened at school the past week. Carter started to walk towards us but then paused when he saw me there. The thing that sucks about Carter, is he's gorgeous.. No, I don't like him. In fact, I despise him and cringe every time he takes a breath, but he is attractive and there's no denying it. Another disgusting smirk crossed his face as he started walking faster. I was ready to run any second, but was reassured when Nolan looked back with kind eyes that seemed to tell me, "It's okay."
Nolan and I were both ready for Carter to approach him, but he didn't; instead, he walked right past Nolan and sat down right next to and way too close to me. I tried to scoot away but as soon as I moved, Carter put his arm around me and pulled me right up against him. I blushed instantly and not from embarrassment, but because I felt violated! "Nolan!" I screamed, looking at him with pleading eyes. He seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in and yelled at Carter to let go of me. "Dude, what's your problem?! Let her go or I'll kill you!!" He said. For a split second, I didn't feel Carters disgusting body against mine. "Did he just say, I'll kill you?! He would kill someone to protect me?" I thought to myself. Why do you care so much about this freak anyway?" Carter said, looking at me and cringing then looking back at Nolan. Just then, Nolan practically tackled Carter to the ground, instantly making him let go of me. "Kal, leave!" He yelled to me, looking worried. I took the opportunity and ran home as fast as I could. I ran directly up to my room and laid on my bed crying, and worried for hours.