Different

Chapter. 4

               *BZZZZZT!* I practically screamed as I flailed my arms in response to the alarming sound. "Oh.... it's my phone.." I said aloud to myself with a sigh as I picked it up. I had been napping so was not expecting a loud buzz to wake me. My phone continued to buzz as I stared wearily at the bright screen, squinting to try and make out the number on it. I whispered to myself "7....8...2.. Oh! It's Nolan!" I frantically tapped the screen, answering the call. "Hello?!" I yelled into the phone, slightly worried for the response. "Kal! Hey!" He replied. I sighed in relief; he sounds okay! "Don't "hey" me! I thought you were hurt! I've been worried sick about you!" I snapped. "Kali, calm down. I'm fine. I beat the crap out of Carter!" He said that last part in an overly excited tone. I giggled in response to how happy he was. "Thank God! That jerk completely deserved what you gave him." I replied."yeah, and I only left with a black eye and bloody nose." He said in a softer tone as if he was trying his best for me not to hear it. But I did. "You got a black eye?!" I asked frantically. "Yeah, but it's not that bad. Gotta go. Talk to you later!" He said, suddenly hanging up on me. I gasped as I looked down at my phone. He just... hung up on me?! I thought to myself. Then my emotions got the best of me.. as usual. I started to cry and the thoughts started going through my head. "I'm hideous!" "He probably hates me and thinks I'm disgusting just like everyone else." "He's probably been faking his kindness to me this whole time as some kind of sick joke." Suddenly my mothers voice from downstairs broke my thoughts.. thank God. "Kali! There's someone here to see you! It's a young gentlemen!" I blushed hard. What "young gentlemen" would be asking for me? I thought to myself. I got up my courage and headed down the stairs. There, sitting on my living room couch, drinking cocoa, was Nolan Jenkins! I stood there frozen as my face turned beet red. I did not look presentable! My hair was up in a very, very messy bun; and not the cute kind. For clothes I had on baggy grey jogger pants and a too tight black tank top. Once he noticed my presence, Nolan looked up and with hot cocoa in hand and smiled innocently at me. I smiled back almost automatically, my face still a shade of deep red. My mom cleared her throat and said, "Kalila, have a seat! I'll bring you some cocoa."Alright, thanks Mom." I said in response, as I sat down on the love seat across the way from Nolan. He just sat there staring at me. In an almost... "interrogating" way! I threw my arms up and said, "what?!" He laughed and took another sip of his cocoa. After a moment he said, "you know Kal, I don't bite." As he said this, he motioned his hand toward the spot next to him on the sofa.
                I took a deep breath and took a seat next to him... as far away from him as possible, I might add. Of course, I wanted to be as close
to him as possible but... I'd never let him know that. He rolled his eyes after noticing my still bright red face. After finally getting over my embarrassment, I spoke up to break the silence. I said, "Why are you at my house anyway?" Man that was rude... Stupid, Kali! Stupid! I thought, mentally smacking myself. Nolan smirked and pretended to look offended; I ignored him as he did his little act to guilt me. Suddenly, my mom came in with my hot cocoa and handed it to me. "Thanks mom." I said, as she headed into the other room. Nolan suddenly spoke up and said, "To tell you the truth Kali, I came here to ask you something. You know about the up-coming prom right?" My eyes got wide and my heart started beating faster than the speed of light. He continued saying, "Would you... wanna... go with me?" I think at that moment, my heart stopped. Completely. I thought I died and was at the gates of heaven! "I'll take those teary eyes and that big smile as a yes?" He said. Oh God! I was crying?! Seriously?! I hate my emotions! And someone like me should not be slipping automatic smiles! "Um.. yea..ye..yes. Yes!" I eventually managed to stutter out. I was acting shy as heck as usual, but on the inside I was freaking out! In my mind I was panicked. The dance is this weekend! Oh god what do I do?! It's Thursday! Then it hit me. "Am I even aloud to go?" I asked Nolan. "What do you mean? Why couldn't you?" He asked, looking confused. "I left the school. I literally quit, so how am I going to get into a school dance for a school I don't go to?" I asked, panicked. "Look, Kal. I still go to that crap school, so I can get you in! Not everyone has a girlfriend from the same school they go to! "Oh okay. Thank God." I said, relieved. "Alright, I gotta go but I'll pick you up Saturday night at 7?" He asked. "Yep, sounds good." I replied, smiling shamelessly. I was too excited to care about my crappy appearance now! As he was walking out the door, Nolan turned around and yelled back, "Oh yeah! The theme for the dance is 80's!" I instantly got even happier. I love the 80's! My family always jokes around saying I was born in the wrong time! That I should have been born in the 80's. I'd have to agree with them. My mom peeked her head around the corner and said, "I heard everything! We need to get you a dress asap! We'll go tomorrow. we can also get your nails and hair done if you want!" She was so excited and I was too. "I can't wait, Mom!" I said, grinning up at her. "You have such a beautiful smile, darling." She said in the most gentle tone I'd ever heard. I blushed and hugged her. "Love you mama." I said. "I love you so much my sweet girl.." she replied, almost in tears. She pulled herself together almost instantly and said, "Tomorrow. You, me, and mother daughter time!" I laughed and then went up to my room. I can't wait for this dance!