Chapter 2

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Lunch was usually uneventful. They sat down, they ate, they drank, they complained about teachers or homework, they gossiped about makeup and break ups, they did what most people did. Then they went for a walk with 10 minutes to spare. As Lara and Elise walked past the hall Elise stopped in her tracks to peek through the windows. Lara stopped a few steps.

Elise had this look, you see, and this look scared Lara. Despite being single, Elise saw opportunity in everything, especially when it come to Lara and a boy. Elise wasn't single because people didn't like her- despite peoples first impressions of her being shy she proved them wrong along with having an undying loyalty to her friends

"No." Lara said firmly when she realized what had caught Elise's eye, or rather who. Dark skin, black hoodie and jeans, now without his sun glasses. Charles. Lara's short encounter from the hall that morning. He was too old for her. He looked 20? Maybe more. No, Lara couldn't- could she? No, not a chance. That's not who she is. Unlike Elise, although they without a doubt are best friends, Lara can be considered shy. 

"Its perfect." Her greenish blue eyes sparkled with happiness of the situation she had created in her own mind that no doubt ended with Lara's happy ever after with an older boy. 

"Not perfect!" Lara protested. she was not nor ever would she flirt with a guy far beyond her league. She knew when she was swinging above her weight, Elise just couldn't admit defeat.

"Why not? He likes you."

"We spoke for less than a minute."

"Well maybe not yet but he will. Just go in there strike up a conversation, ask him to hold your hand for Christ sake." Elise was one of those old romantics with a strong belief in love at first sight. She had been asked out in the past but never agreed to anyone's offer. She was beautiful in every sense of the word. Long blond hair that travelled all the way down to her hips, rather petite standing at 5 foot 3 inches and big enough personality to fill a football stadium along with her big heart. "Just...flap." 

Her brows pulled towards the middle of her forehead. Elise looked very confident in what she was saying, Lara however seemed to be left behind. She had no comprehension of what that even meant or had to do with anything in her life. Ever. "I don't know what that even means!" She whispered loudly as her frustration grew and self control began to drain. 

"You know, flap, see if you can fly. No harm in trying right?" Lara stopped for a second. It was insane. Shes not got a fear of needles, just a storng dislike. Theres more boys than just charles, it would be silly to do all that for a boy. Although. the blood is going to the hospital. She could save a life or contribute to saving a life.  Thats not selfish. Why resist such an opportunity? and if it so happens that charles does grow to like her that just a perk to being a good kind hearted giving human being. Maybe Elise is right. Just...flap.

She took an uneven breath as she grabbed onto the handle and pulled open the door walking to the chair next to charles and taking a seat. 

"Some ones eager." He smiled a dashing smile. LAra resisted her urge to back out or ask him to get it over. He went over the routine stuff, asking if shed eaten and so on, as she nervously lay back on the reclining chair attempting to get comfortable to no avail. "Sometimes its easier if you look away. It helps take your mind off it." Charles told her. Lara gave a shaky nod and looked in the opposite direction just waiting for him to get it over with. And waiting.... Some more waiting. She sat wondering if it had already happened when she felt a small prick in her arm but she felt very little pain. "That wasn't so bad." He smiled wider. 'Does he like me now?' Lara thought to herself. 'Or maybe he just likes smiling.' she rolled her eyes. This was irrational. So what shed done a good thing, she had to have been crazy if she thought  Elise had gotten it right on with this piece of relationship advice. Maybe she was crazy in general. She scolded herself for being so silly. 

"I have to apologize for earlier. I feel ridiculous having asked you." 

"No, i was happy to help." She gave a twitching weak smile. Its damn near impossible to flirt when there's a needle in your arm. 

Some miraculous how gave her the ability to make pleasant enough small talk that was until things took a very different turn for her. A ringing filled the entire school which made Lara nearly jump out of her skin. The fire alarm. Now! Why? Why couldn't someone wait two more minutes when the needle was out of her arm to burn the school down? 

"Its okay."Charles told her as he carefully removed the needle from her arm and put a small bandage over the spot where the hole in her skin was. Lara smiled gracefully as she shakily raised the plastic cup of water to her mouth and took a much needed drink. "Just take it easy."

"Do you need help finding your way out?"Lara offered. She could see Elise in the corner of her eye with her thumbs up and smiling like shed escaped a mental hospital.

"Ill manage." With a silent goodbye they parted ways. Charles collected his backpack from the ground near his chair and made his way out the opposite door as Lara. Elise was waiting at the door for Lara ignoring one of the teachers calls to exit the building. 

"So is he taking you out after school?" Elise asked wiggling her eye brows. Lara groaned. Don't remind her about after school. She had detention. Maybe shell be able to get some sleep there..... that would be nice.

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UNEDITED

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