Chasing a Broken Butterfly

Chapter 3:

I finally make it through my last class of the day and am anxious to just get home when I realize that Kylie and her crew are once again gathered at the front entrance of the school. Which, unfortunately is also located conveniently next to the student parking lot.

I stop in my tracks and frantically look around for Mikey in hopes that he'll walk with me through them. Just my luck that he wouldn't be here when I'd need him. I start thinking that maybe I could fake a heatstroke and then have to be escorted home, but just replaying the scenario in my head seems ridiculous. I realize that I just have to be the bigger person here and walk through the crowd.

I take a deep breath and before I know it, I feel my feet doing the work before my brain can command them to do so.

Just when I think I'm going unnoticed, I see the new kid Nathan amongst them, laughing along with whatever sick joke someone must've made, and I feel my eyes go wide. Why is he here? How does he know them? My mind starts whirling with questions. I guess it took my mind longer to process everything, because then he makes eye contact with me. I feel the air kick out of me as I realize that Kylie is standing right beside him.

Of course, I should've known that she'd want to dig her claws into the new kid, especially if the new kid is incredibly good looking. I need to stop calling him that, he has an actual name. A cute name, really.

Ok...did I really just think that? I must be losing it...

Kylie turns her head to see what Nathan is staring at, and when it lands on me, her eyes start dancing with delight. Sort of how a lion's eye would look right before it attacks its prey.

I turn around and keep walking towards Mikey's car. I hear some shouting behind me, but unfortunately I can't make out what's being said. Or I guess you can say luckily, because I'd rather not hear what vulgar things they might have been shouting at me.

I finally spot Mikey's black compact car and I feel relief flood over me when I see him behind the wheel. I don't know what I would've done if he wasn't there. I didn't want to wait outside of the car, and possibly make myself an easy target to Kylie.

I open the passenger door and climb in just as Mikey yells, "What the hell took you so long? You're usually out of the door and at my car within seconds of school being let out! I even texted you and you didn't respond!"

"Someone's in a chirpy mood this afternoon," I reply sarcastically.

He sighs and starts rambling apologies and blaming it on his mom for constantly being on his case this week because of what he did to the neighbor's yard a couple of nights ago.

Apparently he was tired of the Van Heusens for continually bragging about their beautiful rose bushes that lined their front windows and how Mikey's mom needs to seriously consider hiring a gardener if they ever wanted to have a decent looking garden. That was the last straw for him, so at night when everyone was sound asleep, Mikey went and got a pair of pliers and tore off all the beautiful white roses off every single damn bush.

I still scold him for doing such a stupid thing, but I can't help but also admire his bravery for doing it, because even though it was wrong, it was his twisted way of standing up for his mother. That alone is an admirable quality. But I would never advise anyone to do what he did...it's probably healthier to just talk out your feelings.

"At least consider coming over tonight, because if you're not there, then the whole meeting will be pointless." He tells me as he pulls up to my house.

"Why? So you can make fun of me and explain why you're the better candidate for him as a friend? No thank you."

"It's as if you read my thoughts!" He laughs mockingly. "But, no, seriously, consider it okay? Who knows what will happen?"

"Ok fine, I'll go" I sigh in defeat.

"I always win." He says smugly.

I roll my eyes and slam the door in his face. As soon as his car rolls away, my brain starts overloading itself with a new set of burning questions.

What should I wear? Does it even matter? Will Nathan pass on whatever happens to Kylie? Will he like me?

I enter my house and make my way into the kitchen before I start yelling for my mom. When I'm greeted with silence, I clamber up the stairs into my room and drop my school bag on the floor next to my bed before I head into the shower. A nice hot shower is a must in order to relax my nerves about tonight and to wash away any other childlike questions I may have.