Up, Up and Away

6 // skinny love

chapter 6: skinny love (boniver)

      Holly is freaking out. She gets distracted by Walt's eyes and trips on his crutches. The boy catches her and helps her up.

     "It's you," says Walt, sighing.

       This time, Holly can't bring herself to deny it anymore. She wants him to know that she is a good person too, besides being known as a girl who is a "player". She affirms it and he just continues to stare at her. Holly feels her chest getting too heavy in her rib cage once again.

      "Walter Jones," he says, fixing his glued-together glasses.

    He is awkward, but this is the first time in 8 years that he is speaking to her. She wants to smile but she simply can't. Her heart isn't healed enough to be happy. The way he looks at her makes Holly feel a bit special, but she pushes that feeling away. She knows guys like Walt; their hearts are vulnerable and easy to fall.

    She takes his hand in hers and shakes it hastily. "Holly Wood."

    "Isn't your name Holland?"

    "What difference does it make?" She retorts, tugging her school skirt down. She shortened her skirt two years ago and she feels exposed every time she wears it. (Then again, she takes a certain pleasure out of the feeling of cold air on her legs.)

    "The difference is that people won't make jokes every time you say your name like that. It's like Hollywood."

     "Do I look like I care?"

     He gulps, "no, you don't."

     They just stand there, looking at each other. His cute friend; Mario, is eyeing her up and down with desired eyes and she wants to poke his eyes out. Walt takes a deep breath and Holly knows what he is about to say.

     "Thank you for saving my life," he says as if he is ashamed.

     "Why do you let yourself get pushed around like that, then?" she answers fiercely.

      He shrugs. "It's been the same since kindergarten."

     "Then do something about it. I'm not going to protect you all the time."

      "Does this mean that we're friends?"

       In the 9th grade, Holly would have just snottily said "fuck no" and walked away, swaying her hips enough to make a straight woman look down and watch. Today, Holly is tempted to say "yes". She has experienced all sorts of bad boys and all they wanted from her was a girlfriend who wanted to do what they coveted. They forgot what she needed in sake of what they wanted. Holly has never truly had a good friend; aside from Hailee Flaherty, with whom she exchanged snarky comments in class. They both shared a mutual hate for snotty teachers and high-collared sweaters.

    But, Holly isn't exactly friend material. Growing up, she has never been able to be even close to normal. She lives in apartment that has more damaged walls than clean ones. Her aunt drinks more than she eats and pretends that she's helping Edward and Holly by doing so. Holly has more dark history than a bright one; she has more secrets than open pages. She can't risk getting another look of pity.

     "Don't get your hopes up, Walt. Superman isn't friends with the people he saves, now is he?"

       She walks away from him.