Socially Awkward

Chapter 17:

Ten minutes go by and I pass a bus stop outside of Lincoln Community College.

"Excuse me." A large, aged man sitting at the bench waves over to me.

I ignore him.

He gets up from the bench and follows me. "Hey wait. What's your name?"

I walk faster.

"Hey! Where are ya going sweetheart?"

My speed walk turns into a run which then turns into a sprint toward the college doors.

Everyone is staring me down like I'm some psychotic runaway, but I don't care.

I don't hear the man that was following me anymore, but I can't stop running, at least until I bump into someone.

The student's papers fly everywhere in every direction.

"I'm so sorry...there was a man... he was...here let me help you." I say between breaths.

I crouch down and help pick up the fallen papers when suddenly, the student and I look up at the same time.

"Ryan?"

"Luna? Small world isn't it." He chuckles.

My attempted laugh sounds weak and actually quite sad.

"Are you okay?" He asks me.

I shake my head, "This man at the bus stop was trying to talk to me and I just kept running and I sound like a crazy paranoid little girl don't I?"

He laughs, "Not at all and don't mind him. He's just some homeless guy looking for a friend."

I raise an eyebrow at him.

"In a totally creepy way." He adds.

I crack a smile.

"What are you doing here anyway?" He asks me.

"It's a long story." I sigh.

"Do you need a ride home?"

"Shouldn't you be in class?" I remind him.

"Shouldn't you?" He teases me.

"I'm skipping." I tell him.

"Ooh, rebellious. I like it." I can't help but blush. "So does that mean you're still coming with me to the party tonight or are you going to be grounded for" He looks left and right and adds in a hushed tone, "Skipping."

I almost forgot I promised to go to a party with him...again. This time he brings it up, I actually feel reluctant to go.

"Are you sure you want to drag a fifteen year old to a college party?" I ask him.

"Well, when are you turning sixteen?" He asks.

"A couple months." I answer.

"Okay so think of it this way. You're practically sixteen now which means you're actually turning seventeen which is basically eighteen."

I'm not sure if he's joking or not, but I laugh anyway. "Nice math skills."

"I try." He chuckles.

Ryan glances at his watch and worry takes over his face, "I've got to go, but I'll pick you up around eight."

I nod my head in agreement and he surprises me by hugging me goodbye. For once, I don't feel uncomfortable and within seconds I hug him back.

He pulls away and heads back into the large building.

I aimlessly walk around, thinking about what I'm going to do next. I've managed to kill about two hours by walking in and out of stores, staring at people and their busy lives, and sitting down every so often to day dream about a life I wish I had.

When I realize how bored I've gotten, I decide to turn my phone back on.

It is flooded with at least thirty calls from Brynn, Camille, my mother, and my father.

Out of the four, I call my mother, mostly because I want to know she's alright.

She answers on the first ring and immediately cuts to a lecture that I tune out completely.

When she's finished I end up having a mental break down and cry to her over the phone.

"I need you. I need to know that I can go home and see you cooking or cleaning or watching TV or something. I want to know that after a tough day you'll be there to offer help that I always seem to decline. Mom, I'm sorry for giving everyone a heart attack I just-I just want you back home because I can't do this."

"Where are you?" She questions.

"Open your door." I tell her.

I'm not sure when or how I got here, but my legs brought me to the right place.

My mother opens her door and welcomes me inside.

We stare at each other in silence until my lip quivers. Tears follow soon after and I fall into my mother's arms.

She rubs my back soothingly and tries to get me to calm down, but I can't.

She's always told me to stop saying I can't all the time, but why should I lie to myself and believe I actually can?