Simple Glances

Chapter Three: Uh Oh, Spaghettios

I just realized how much having a date to the stupid winter dance terrifies me. I also just realized I don't even wanna go to the dance. When I say that i don't want to, I actually do want to go to the dance, although the other side of me says, 'Heck no'.
A vision of about 500 people dancing and jumping with bright flashy lights appears in my mind. Oh God, no. I have to tell Jessi that I don't want a date and can't go to the dance. She would ask why, I would tell her, and then she would think I'm a self absorbed idiot. Hmm, maybe I could give her another excuse like I did when i was texting her- no no. I shouldn't lie to Jessi, even though I want to BADLY. I'm currently sitting in my bed thinking about all this. I want to pull the covers over my head and sleep, so I don't have to see jessi. or go to school. That sounds like a great plan, but my parents would never, ever just let me stay home from school. I sighed and got out of my cozy bed.

My mom pulled up to the parking lot at my high school. I got out of the car, and waved bye to my mom, who was in a hurry to get to work. My mom was a journalist, never wanting to be a tad late for work.

"Bye sweetie. Have a good day at school!" My mom grinned at me, and quickly backed out of the parking lot. I sure hope my mom is right about having a good day. I forced a smile and tossed the hood that was on my sweatshirt on my head. "New York November weather doesn't play around, huh?" I jumped at the familiar voice, which was a guy's.

"Nathan, where are you?" I felt the annoyance creep through my voice. I pulled my hood closer around my face and looked around for him.

"did I scare you?" He came right around a truck beside me.

"Yeah, don't do that again.." I grumbled at him.

"Hey, drop the attitude," He pulled the other strap of his backpack on his shoulder. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare ya."

Nathan Boyd is my other best friend. Jessi was already friends with him when she and I met in 7th grade. He's a guy that puts up with your problems. I never could understand why he hangs out with me and Jessi, but I love him for it. His wavy black hair hangs over his sea blue colored eyes. He's a tall guy with a skinny body, making him an easy target to be fought with. Jessi is always standing up for him, one thing that I love about her. she was there for me when i locked myself in the bathroom whenever I tripped on my shoelace at lunch in the 8th grade. I couldn't even laugh at myself at that time. A few people snickered or gave me the thumbs up, but they had a huge grin on their faces. Hopefully, I can chuckle at myself when I fall like an idiot someday.

"Have you seen Jessi yet?" I asked nathan, turning to him.

"Nope. I've only seen you so far. I did see Ryan though." Nathan strokes his chin thoughtfully.

At the thought of the name Ryan, I choke back any sound of disgust.

"You hate him too?"

"Wha-? No! Why do you think that?" My cheeks flush and my palms began to sweat.

"For one, you're staring him down all the time. second you said nothing when i mentioned Ryan. and  by the look on your face..." He peered at me. "You know that I'm telling the truth?"

"Ugh, you're too good at reading my mind." My shoulders slump.  

"It's a gift, Sarah. A wonderful gift." I shivered as the cool air blew tiny snowflakes on my face. Nathan wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Is that better?"

I nodded, and we trudged through the wind into the school.

The second we both walked in the doors, Jessi's purple hair was flopping around as she was trying to run through the bustle of people walking through the hallway.

"SARAH! NATHAN!" Jessi wrapped me and Nathan in a huge hug.

"Oh wow. Nice to see you too, jess." Nathan smooths down his jacket.

"Sarah, we need to talk about dates for the dance. I have a few guys in mind." Jessi grabbed my arm and jerked me towards her.

"Jessi, i, uh, don't think this is a good time to dis-"

"Sarah, c'mon. Everything is going to be okay. Just stop worrying and lis-"

"I can't just stop worrying, Jessi.." I feel a twinge of anger fill up inside of me. How could she even tell me to not worry? She doesn't live in my brain.

"Uh oh, spaghettios. I better get out of here." Nathan says, waving at us and quickly escapes from our brewing fight. Man, I don't want Nathan to leave me here with Jessi and her stupid plans. I wave at nathan and he then disappeared through the large crowd of people.

"please, i don't want to talk about this right now," i say through gritted teeth, wondering if these words were actually coming out of my mouth. I never speak up to Jessi about things like this. My vision starts to blur, because of the people pushing and bumping me in the back.  I suddenly felt like a load of bricks were dumped onto my chest.  My breathing sped up, and sweat dripped down my forehead.  Jessi looked me in the eyes, and I could tell she realized I was on the brink of a panic attack.  "Oh, oh no.  C'mon Sarah, you need to sit down."  I flopped down on the floor, feeling eyes on me.  I feel like they were all saying, "Sarah Matthews.  Always looking for attention."  I shut my eyes tight, and inhaled and exhaled slowly.  

"Sarah, are you okay?"  Jessie's voice brought me back to reality.  I opened my eyes, and saw her looking down at me, with a look of terror.  Oh, crap.  

"I'm fine, Jess."  I struggled to get on my feet.  I shut out the thoughts of how stupid I probably looked getting up on my knees, still frazzled by what had just happened.  I let go of Jessi's sweaty hand, and snatched my backpack up off the floor.  

"Do you need to go to the nurse or something?"  I know that she's trying to help, but I felt so annoyed with her for some reason.  

"No, I'm okay." I huffed, speeding past all the kids, trying to get to my dang locker.  

The day isn't even close to being over, and I feel like a complete idiot.