never goodbye

Chapter 4

She sat across from me at lunch. She popped open her Pepsi and took a sip. Looking around she said " wow. Are all high schools really the same?"

"Pretty much. I guess."

"I've seen a lot of high schools. There all the same."

"How many times have you guys moved?" I asked 

"Four times so far this year. This is the fifth, which means this is my fifth high school." She said taking another sip of her soda

"That must be hard."

"It was at first but now I'm pretty used to and I try to make the best of it."

"Isn't hard making friends. Not knowing when your going to move again."

"No...I mean yes. Sometimes but it's ok."

Suddenly something occurred to me that I hadn't thought of before. I opened my mouth but then closed it.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Come on." She folded her arms on the table " I'm an open book. I don't believe hiding things is worth it."

I hesitated " it's just that you never mentioned your mom?"

Something in her eyes changed and I regretted ever asking.

"She died from cancer." She said as if it was a mere fact. 

"Oh. I'm sorry." 

" Why are you apologizing? You weren't even there. Besides I was little. I don't even remember her." She made a small smile " I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

I didn't know what to say for a moment. 

"It can be both." I finally said

She looked at me. 

"You know what Tom?"

"What?" 

"I bet I know more about you than you think."

I raised an eyebrow

"How?"

"I notice things. It's like a little trick of mines. For example, I know your a mama's boy." She smiled " am I right?" 

I felt a little embarrassed but I couldn't lie.

"You are correct but how did you guess."

"I can just tell. You're easy to talk to."

"Really. That's how you guessed?" I asked confused 

"Sometimes boys are are super hard to decipher. Especially when they have a dads. I guess they think they have to be super tough or whatever but I can tell your different."

"How?"

"I just can.you also get nervous a lot."

"Ok." I say "how can you tell that mind reader?"

"Easy." She gestured to my hand "you bite your nails a lot."

I looked down at my hands. She was right. Our peaceful conversation was interrupted when I saw Luke walking towards us. I groaned. 

"What's wrong?" Scarlett said as she turned around to see where I was looking.

"Hey girl." Luke said confidently.

"Um...the name is Scarlett." Scarlett said sounding a little annoyed.

"Whatever. Me and a couple of my friends are going out later if you wanna come."