Different

39

   It had been a great winter break. So of course it had to end. It was the first day back to school since break started and I was ready. Billy had to go home because his dad was on his case about where he had been. I had gotten dressed and ready. I wore my new jacket, a dark green shirt, and a pair of jeans. I looked at myself in the mirror. I moved my cross and rose to make them align perfectly. I looked myself up and down again and smiled. I went to the living room and heard a honk. I pulled on my snow boots and dashed outside. I got to the car and hoped in the back seat.
    "Hey Jonathan, Nancy. Thanks for the ride." I said closing the door. Billy was in trouble with his dad so he couldn't pick me up. I turned to move over and saw Mike sitting next to me.
       "Hey Mike! How are you?" I asked giving him a side hug. He smiled.
  "I'm good. You look really pretty today." He said slightly blushing. I heard Nancy giggle. I ruffled Mikes hair.
      "Thanks Mike you look handsome as always." I winked at him.
We pulled up to the school and started piling out. As I went to grab my bag Mike quickly beat me to it.
"We're early, ill hold your bag." He smiled and blushed slightly. I giggled.
We all were outside of the car and mike had my bag. I looked over to the middle school and saw a group of three boys waving Mike over. I stole a glance at mike who was shaking his head no and trying to sneakily point to me. I looked down and laughed slightly.
"Ya know you can go with your friends. I'll be able to survive for a while." I said nudging him playfully. He looked from his friends to me back to his friends.
"I like you a little more." He said.
"Here," I said taking my bag from him, " you go have fun with your friends. I'll see you when we ride home." I said smiling at him. He smiled softly.
"Go ahead. You were already very sweet." I said pushing him softly.
He looked at me and then to his friends for a second. I bent slightly to him thanking him and kissed his cheek. He touched his face slightly. He smiled widely. He made his way to his friends slowly at first then ran. I watched him get to them and he was obviously talking to them about me. I shook my head and pulled out a cigarette. I looked around the parking lot as Nancy and Jonathan talked. I hadn't seen Billy yet. I scanned the parking lot for his car but couldn't find it. I turned back to our conversation.
——-
I hadn't seen Billy yet and it was now lunch. I was hoping to see him there. I made my way to the cafeteria. I bounced along and heard my name being called. My heart fluttered hoping it was Billy. I turned to find Steve dashing down the hall. He had a huge grin on.
"Hey Dani!" Steve said leaning down to kiss me. I quickly turned my head.
"Stevie, listen. I need to talk to you about-" I started.
Steve had tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and was now cupping my cheek. He looked into my eyes. I didn't want to kiss him.
  "Steve, no I-" I said pushing his hand away. He put it right back.
    He started to lean in and I defensively put my hands up slightly. I put one on his chest to lightly push him off. The other hand reached up to his hand that was on my face and I started to pull it off. Loud boot thumps thundered down the hallway.