Mute (M.C.)

t e n

I stayed home for a day knowing that I could not miss much of school or else I would be on my mom's radar. I blamed it on feeling a little ill and mom never questioned it. I received a text from Leslie not even an hour later after the incident. I stayed quiet all the way home with Harry drilling if I was all right.
I opened the message from Leslie, Michael. I don't honestly know what happened but text me back.

To Leslie:
I'm sorry I did that. I swear I will stay out of your way from now on.

From Leslie:
Can you quit acting so dramatic. I am over it. Just don't do it again. Btw, I've gotten a few people messaging me about the project and we, sir, have 5 out of 5 stars.

I re-read the beginning and my heart pinched sending a shock wave through my body. I wasn't expecting her to fall for me. But she could have at least acknowledge the fact that I did kiss her. Saying that she was over it made me feel like I had no impact on moving forward with my life. Not that I was obsessed with Leslie.

From Michael:
I'm glad to know that we have 5 out of 5 stars.

I exited the messages and went to bed. I felt defeated because the girl I liked didn't like me or think anything of the kiss.

.

Next Morning.

Harry picked me up for school handing me a bag of doughnut holes to eat on the way to school. As soon as the hellish building came into view my stomach became unsteady. I didn't want to face Leslie or see her for that matter. I just wished my stupid mind hadn't fumbled into kiss mode.
"Just so you know everyone is talking about that art piece and think it is brilliant." Harry says as he parks the car in his usual spot. "I think it is depressing and both of you need help."
Shut up. I sign and bundle up the bag into my backpack. I step out and walk to the large swinging doors to enter the cafeteria taking my seat at a vacant table. I kept my head down and grabbed my make up work from yesterday finishing up some problems and sentences.
I was mid way into work when a body sat next to me and I could smell a very feminine scent. I tensed up and stopped working as soon as the boice spoke. "I heard through the grape vine that you kissed Leslie. Which is so gross because that pig doesn't even look attractive in anyway." Mari said loudly. I looked up at her and frowned at her choice of words."You went from me to that-"
I held up my hand to stop her. Mari was always a girl to pop in and out dictating parts of my life. She was also a jealous type and dumped me because she couldn't make me talk or be a break through. I did love her. She would always tease Leslie about her size and I would listen to her ramble for about 10 minutes before she moved on to another girl.  Leslie would always be a subject i would be sensitive about and to hear what she was saying was just upsetting me.
"I think he picked well." I dropped my hand and looked behind me to see Leslie. She had her hair curled loosely and wore her large frame glasses that hung lowly on her button nose. She wore a large USMC green shirt above a pair of black tights with black flat shoes.
"I think you should go on somewhere, Les." Mari smarted off and tapped my hand. "Don't embarrass yourself with her."
I wrote on a small corner of my paper and ripped it off handing it to Mari. Her jaw dropped and sealed shut before turning red and walking off. Her seat is replaced by Leslie and she has a faint smile playing on her lips. "What did you tell her?"
I shrugged and let out a breath before resuming my work.
"Hey, Michael," Leslie spoke up and cleared her throat. "About the other day..."
I shook my head and started to pack up my things.
"I wanted to see if it is possible to hang out after school?" She placed a hand above mine stopping me from my attempt to escape. "You are a good person and I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. So... what do you say? Today after school?"
The bell rings loudly and she removes her hand standing up looking around for her friends. I grab her hand and she looks down at me. I nod my head agreeing to the date but not a date. Leslie smiles and squeezes my hand.