Becoming Beautiful (Wattys2014)

| Chapter 29 |

Chapter 29

I never cared about Valentine's Day because I was never really lonely in terms of a relationship. I didn't really like anyone and I didn't long for a relationship, unlike most of my peers. Now that I pay attention, I see it- the uncomfortable stance of single people as couples hold each other, the way two friends glance at each other when a loving pair walks by, and even the groans when couples share a kiss before separating. I can't believe I was completely oblivious to this these past few years.

This year seems different. I guess, in a way, I want to be in a relationship. In art, it was obvious that Mr. Komodo would've rather been with his significant other because he had us painting hearts and flowers while he sat at his desk and texted. US History, American Literature, and Algebra 2 were no different.

 As I walked into the gymnasium, I groaned, remembering the coach telling us that he was going to be absent today because he was taking his wife on a romantic weekend getaway, not only for Valentine's Day, but for their upcoming anniversary as well. But his absence meant that a substitute would be taking his place, and students will definitely be skipping this class. I swore under my breath when I saw Ronnie. I assumed he'd be the first one to go straight out of the double doors in the front of the building.

Ronnie began approaching me and I sighed, remembering what Noah told me. But the idea of Ronnie liking me is completely insane. I can understand a bit of teasing, but full on disrespecting my late father? Now that's going too far. It's venturing into the realm of verbal assault if you ask me.

"Yes, Ronnie?" I asked, trying to sound polite.

"Where's your boyfriend?" he inquired, glancing behind me.

"He isn't my boyfriend. And he's obviously not here yet, so what do you want?" I muttered as I began walking towards the bleachers.

"So is he taking his pills?" he snorted.

"What's your problem?" I asked, turning around. Clutching the straps of my bag, I stared at him. "I don't even understand why you're so mean to me, but Noah? What has he done to you? What have I done to you? What has anyone done to you, Ronnie?"

He stared at me with an annoyed look on his face. "Aren't you guys supposed to be spending this class together? It is Valentine's Day, you know?" he retorted, blowing off my statement.

"He isn't my boyfriend," I told him, shaking my head. I'm pretty sure Noah would get uncomfortable at simply mentioning the words. "And don't disregard me like that."

"You sure act like he's your boyfriend," he rejoined, shrugging as he stared at me with a hard look on his face.

"I don't think it's any of your business how I act," I countered. He continued to stare at me and I raised my shoulders. I was anticipating an argument. "What?"

Catching me off guard, he took a swift step forward, eliminating the space between us. Before he could lean down and kiss me (or whatever he was planning to do), I let out a shriek and jumped back, falling over my own feet. I drew attention from the small group of students who actually bothered to come to class. I began crawling backwards away from Ronnie. He stared at me with an expression I couldn't quite read plastered on his face.

Once I was five feet away, I got up and ran towards the door. As I was about to open it, someone else did and I went charging into them. We both tumbled to the floor. "Oh gosh," I repeated as I fell onto the ground. I sat up and realized that the person who opened the door was Noah; like me, he was sitting up with a ticked off look on his face.

"Is there any reason why you tackled me like a football player?" he asked, standing up. Surprisingly, he extended his hand and helped me up.

"I-I, uh, Ronnie...to kiss me, tried, failure," I stuttered, looking around. I probably looked like an idiot. I definitely sounded like one.