Roses

Chapter 3

Have you ever wanted to rip somebody's head off? I do. Right now. That jerk over there. Matthew. He is touching her hair. I mean, if he was her best friend or her boyfriend, I wouldn't mind I guess. But right now, she is trying to stop him from touching her hair. And it seems like he is insisting. I sit near them — in case something happens — and I open my book. I hear Angela saying:

"Stop it, Matthew. I don't like when people touch my hair like this."

"But it's so beautiful, Rapunzel."

"Can you let me read?"

"Only if you go on a date with me."

Leave her alone, you dummy.

I refrain from standing up to give him a slap behind the head. I mean, I'm not the kind of jealous guy, but I can't stand it when he keeps annoying her when she said she doesn't like it. Fortunately for him but unfortunately for me, Angela stands up with a sigh and leaves. I don't know if it's my imagination, but I believe I hear her mumble "Espèce d'imbécile". I think it means "imbecile" in French. It's funny in a way, though. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. Angela would be Belle, Matthew would be that stupid Gaston guy and I would be... an extra I guess.

"Hey! Wait up!"

He follows her but she disappears in the girls bathroom. Then he turns his head around and sees me.

Darn it.

He smiles. But not a friendly smile. More like a here's-my-favorite-victim-let's-make-fun-of-him smile.

"Hey, LAMe."

"Shut up, Matthew."

He sits in front of me.

"Hey, I'm just trying to socialize. Calm down."

Don't rip his head off. You don't want to go in jail for the rest of your life, don't you?

"Yeah, sure" I reply.

He narrows his eyes.

"Was that sarcasm?"

"I guess, but maybe you're too idiotic to notice it."

He takes my book away.

"Umm... Interesting."

I clench my fists.

"Give it back to me, you piece of..."

He throws it in the trash can.

"Done. I gave it back to you. That's what you wanted, right?"

Yeah, sure. A classic. I'm a trash can.

People start gathering around us. As always. Some of them laugh. Girls giggle. I plunge my hand in the trash can to retrieve my book. Taking advantage of this, I also catch an old banana skin that I throw in the face of Matthew. Then, I look at him in the eyes. He seems mad. Really mad. It looks like he wants to punch me until I can't breath. Well, I can understand it. It's the first time that I humiliate him. But then, he looks behind me. I turn around. In the crowd, behind the others, stands Angela, holding her book against her chest. She gives me this worried look. Be careful, her eyes seem to say. I throw a last murderous glance at Matthew before I leave. Behind me, he yells:

"C'mon, don't be LAMe!"

People laugh. It's okay. I'm used to it.

***

Before going back home, I make a detour to the bookstore. I want to buy a new book and apply for a job there even if though my mom doesn't want to. Today, Angela stays at school a little longer. She told me not to wait for her. When I get out of the store, I hear the sound of her voice. I thought it was my imagination, but it's really her.

"Let go of me, you..."

It's coming from the little street beside the bookstore. I go here as fast as I can. There's a man in front her, trying to take her backpack.

"There are only books and school stuff in there!" she says.

"And also money! You know, you are pretty cute." he adds. "If you don't want to give me your money, then maybe you could..."

I don't know what he was going to say and I don't want to. Before he could finish his sentence, I punch him hard in the face.

"How dare you?" I say in a voice filled with anger and contempt.

He staggers back and holds his nose with one hand. He glances at me with a murderous look.

"You little..."

Angela kicks him between his legs — you know, that part in a man's anatomy.

"That's for trying to steal my backpack!"

She throws her fist at his face.

"And that's for everything else!"

He stands up and tries to reach her. I stand in front her. I was going to punch him again but then, she grabs my arm.

"Let's go, Liam" she whispers.

We run away, far from that old pervert.

After few minutes, feeling safer, we stop running. Angela couldn't keep running anyway. She seems to have difficulties to catch her breath.

"Not much of a sportive girl, huh?" I tease her.

She doesn't answer, but gives me a little sad smile. Then she looks away. I notice that she is shaking. Instinctively, I take off my jacket and put it on her shoulders.

"Thanks" she whispers.

She doesn't want to show it, but I feel that she is scared. Before she gets to the door of her house, I tell her: 

"You can keep my jacket if you want."

She smiles frankly — I think I am going to faint. She takes off the jacket and hands it to me.

"Thank you. For everything. But I can't take your jacket like that."

She laughs nervously.

"I mean... It's not like I am your girlfriend or anything... I mean..."

Maybe it's the lighting but it looks like she is blushing lightly. I think I am blushing too.

"It's okay. I'm glad you are not hurt. I mean, everybody would like an angel  like you..."

"Was that a pun with my name?"

I smile as an answer — I probably look like an idiot. She smiles back.

"Thanks again, Liam."

Liam...

I like the way she says my name. At least, she doesn't call me "LAMe". She opens the door of her house and gives me one last smile before closing it.

I just wanted to thank you, guys! I can't believe it! +39 followers in less than two weeks! Thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me. 

- Raven N.