SHE IS RUNNING TOO FAST AGAIN. She always runs too fast. She knows it, and she is sure everyone else does too. But it doesn't matter because she is late. Again. Tardiness has become a constant factor in her life lately. She doesn't know if it is because the elevator in the apartment building broke down last week. Or, maybe, if it because the little old lady behind the desk in the lobby talks too much. Or maybe her frequent calls with the strange boy that she can't seem to cut loose. Whatever it is, it is causing a great deal of stress. So, she runs. It makes up for the lost time. Minutes seem to be slipping away from the day.
She shouldn't be running as fast as she is. So fast, her hair—the color of the sun—is slowly flopping out of the ponytail she tied it in this morning. She'll fall, and she knows it. If not by the clusters of the student body in the hallway, then by her own clumsy feet. She always falls. Mrs. Martinez, the woman who lives just below her, and her mom say so. She always falls. She runs into things. Like mail carriers. Pizza delivery boys. The security guard who doesn't actually do his job in the lobby. Neighbors. Students.
Of course, she falls. Right into someone. She braces herself for the fall that doesn't come. Arms steady her. She frowns. Of course, she apologizes. He just laughs, a coy smile on his lips. She straightens herself and her skirt.
“I'm so sorry,” she mumbles timidly. He laughs again, a hand grasping his neck.
“No, I'm sorry. I should've been paying attention,” he speaks. She frowns again. He must be new. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to speak to her. Let alone apologize.
“Sorry,” she says once more before turning to leave. Before she can, he snags her by the wrist.
“Cole.” The single word comes as an utter surprise. She freezes, confusion painting her delicate features.
“What?”
“My name. It's Cole.” She nods once. “So, I'm going to assume you don't understand how this whole friendship thing works.” Her head cocks to one side, the statement sounding oddly familiar. She wants to comment, but a head of jet black hair becomes visible and her eyes widen.
“I have to go,” she mutters to the boy, quickly speeding away. She doesn't miss the quick ‘of course you do’ that falls from his lips.
