And I Fell

3 - The Note

Erin -
You don't make sense. Just when I think I have you figured out, you surprise me. I wonder what you think of me and if you have me figured out in your mind. I bet whatever you're thinking is wrong. I'm not perfect like you are.

After dinner, I read over the note for the millionth time that evening. I kept trying to discern whether or not it was Ash's handwriting I was looking at. I never was able to figure that out. So I came to the conclusion that it would be best for me if I just left the note alone.

When I returned to school the next day, I stopped by my locker immediately. I didn't make eye contact with anyone. I didn't even look for Jake in the hallways like I usually did each morning before homeroom. I grabbed a book from my locker and placed it inside of my yellow backpack. That morning, I was wearing blue denim jeans, an oversized cream sweater, and my favorite pair of white converse. Planning my outfit the night before helped to relax me. After last night, I could certainly take all the relaxation I could get.

I shut the door to my locker and heard someone say "Boo!" which caused me to jump.

"Zeke!" I exclaimed. I placed my right hand over my chest and tried to catch my breath. "You scared me!"

"My oh my, what do we have here?" he asked, opening my locker back up. He picked up my sketch book and flipped through it. Then he met my eyes and pointed at the drawings. "You drew all these? By yourself?"

I quickly took the book from his hands so he wouldn't ruin it. "Yes." I answered. "And yes. So don't mess them up. Those took a lot of time." I carefully placed the sketch book inside of my backpack instead of my locker so he wouldn't take it again.

"I've seen some of the stuff you've drawn in art but... Wow, Erin." he smiled. "Didn't know you were that good."

I nervously tucked my hair behind my ear. It wasn't often that I received a compliment like that. Zeke wasn't the type of person to dole out compliments either.

Zeke folded his hands together. "Can you draw me? Please?"

I laughed and put on my best professional tone. "Sorry, I don't take requests at this time." I started to head to homeroom when he grabbed my arm.

"By the way, did we get any homework yesterday in English? I kind of-"

"Fell asleep?" I finished for him. "Yeah, we did." I watched him start to open his mouth again. "And no, you can't borrow it before homeroom.

A frown formed on Zeke's face. "I hate you, Hughes."

I grinned and kept walking. "Hate you too!"

***

I managed to avoid Ash pretty well throughout the day. I chose to sit alone at lunch and watched as she somehow managed to secure a spot at Valerie's table. I could tell she was watching me from afar to see how I would react, but I didn't give her the satisfaction. I didn't mind sitting alone for one day. I wasn't going to just let her walk all over me yet again.

After lunch, it was time for English class. I went the opposite way from Ash and didn't have to see her pass me in the halls. I celebrated what felt like a tiny victory once I made it to my seat in the back row. I had successfully avoided Ash for yet another period. Which meant I just had to sit through that boring class with my new teacher.