N. Hanson's Point of View
I tapped the pencil's eraser lightly against my paper, not being able to focus any longer. At least not long enough to finish this damned homework. My mind is too preoccupied thinking about what had just happened between Bryce and I.
I felt Bryce grabbed my hand, causing me to turn around, I think I maybe tripped over my feet, since I'm such a klutz. Causing me to fall onto Bryce, making him fall backwards as well. I caught myself and was hovering over him. Internally scolding myself and having a heart attack at the same time. "I'm sorry. I didn't think I'd knock you over." Bryce said with a chuckle, probably wanting me to be far far away from him at this point. But hell, it wasn't my fault. It was an accident.
I nervously laughed, "It's-uh- it's okay." At first I was frozen, I couldn't move. It was like my heart was moving to quickly that it stopped every other function in my body. However, I stood up and brushed myself off, "Okay.. I'm- I'm gonna finish my- uh- homework." I stuttered, walking back to my desk and sitting down. I think Bryce may have said something else but I couldn't hear him. Not over the sound of my heart pounding against my chest.
My cheeks burned up, turning a bright red. I didn't even need a mirror to know it. I pressed my hand against my cheek to find it was warm. Holy hell, I'm flustered.
I slightly panic. It's okay, just keep your head down and hopefully he won't notice. You've already embarrassed yourself enough. Minutes have passed since that happened and I'm still freaking out, and now we sit in silence.
I let myself calm down, giving myself time to turn to my natural skin color. I take a deep breathe and speak, "So- uhm- are you going to do football this year?" I ask Bryce.
It's silent for a second but he soon replies, "I don't know. I mean- It's okay and all but I'm not sure I actually enjoy it, you know? I feel like I'm doing it more for my Dad than I am myself. And it seems like a stupid waste of time."
I turned around, my eyes meeting Bryce's, I shook my head at him, "Come on, don't say that. That's so negative Bryce." Bryce shrugged a little, "Hate to break it to you, but I'm a negative person Naomi."
I raised a brow at him suspiciously but quickly shook it off, instead it was replaced with a sweet smile, "Extracurricular activities look good on college applications." I informed him.
Bryce sighed, "I'm fifteen. We're fifteen. Sophomores in High School. I still have time. And I'm not worried about my application right now. And I'm not worried about stupid football." I turned my chair around so I was now facing him.
"If you think football is so stupid, why do you do it? To impress people? To please your Dad?" I questioned him. If it were anyone else, I would've shut up. But it's Bryce, and he takes criticism well, for the most part. Plus, he's always bitchin' about how people lie too much and that he always wants me to be 100% honest with him.
Bryce thought for a moment, his eyes drifting away from mine but quickly coming back, "I can tell you I'm definitely not doing it for me."
"Then don't do it! Don't think you need to do something because it's what society says is right. Or because other people are forcing you or are wanting you to do it. If this isn't something you want to do Bryce, then don't. Simple." I stated sternly, "Your life is yours and nobody else's."
Bryce's face lit up, "Yeah, you're right." He nodded, chuckling a little, "How is a fifteen year old so wise? I mean, Jesus, you're the same age as me and all the rest of these kids in our grade but you are so much more mature."
I shrugged a little, "We all have different circumstances, we're all raised different and we all grow up to he different people. It's only reasonable we don't think the same."
"Fucking hell, you're like Shakespeare or some shit." He chuckled. Bryce took a deep breathe, "Hey, if people are so different.. how do we end up together? You know? Like dating or friendships?"
I shrugged once more, "Well, not to be cliche but opposites attract. And people do have things in common. Or maybe, it's just because they want it to be like that. We do make our own choices. I'm not sure, I'm no genius."
"You are in my book."
