The Stranger

Chapter 3.

Diiiiiinnng! I released a sigh of relief as my school day was finally complete. I slumped over to the left side of my desk and started to stuff my school books and other necessities into my bookbag. The students overwhelmed Mr. Knight's voice as he attempted to remind us that we have a quiz next week.

I heard a bunch of students murmuring saying "Are you going to Laney's party this weekend?" followed with a response of "Hell yeah! Laney throws the best parties. One time I was so wasted, I-." His voice trailed off into the mist as he and his pals entered the hallways. I shook my head in disapproval.

Laney throws the best parties. Laney is so popular! Laney is the hottest girl in the school. Laney this and Laney that. We get it people! Laney is cool. As for Dazie? I'm not. I rolled my eyes and unknowingly uttered the words "I'm cool too." "Yeah, you are." My eyes widened as I sat upward to the sound of your voice.

I placed both palms of my hands on the desk and sat as straight as I possibly could. "Whoa, are you okay? I was just agreeing with you." I swallowed hard, trying to gather my words. "Yeah, I was, yanno." I started to move my hands in the air, making random shapes. He opened his mouth slightly and nodded his head trying to follow along with my idiocy. "I'm cool." I ended up saying finally. He chuckled lightly, "I know. We agreed on this." I quickly changed the subject. "What are you doing in Mr. Knight's class? Your class is next door."

Creating snapping noises with my right hand, I tried to remember the class he was in. "Ms. Locke." I lowered my head, remembering flashbacks of my past. "Yes, Ms. Locke." "And hopefully, Ms. Locke doesn't transfer you to my classroom. We have enough students as is." Mr. Knight said intruding our conversation. "Uh, no. Well, actually yes." replied Oscar. "She told me to ask if I can be transferred over to this class." Oscar's gaze met mine as he whispered "I guess, I'm too cool for school."

He let out the most angelic laugh, as I blushed a bright red at the sound of it. "Definitely." I replied biting my lower lip. Mr. Knight began to pack his bags and tossed his sweater around his neck, "I'll let you know on Monday if I actually have enough room for you. As of right now, I have to pick up my daughter from day care." "No problem, sir." Oscar said. "Right.. now can you both exit my room so I can lock the door?" "Yes, sir." We responded in agreement.

We both left his room and started to walk in sync towards the front of the school. We didn't say much, but our silence spoke volumes. I wanted to spark a conversation, but I didn't know how to. I haven't spoken to another male, besides my dad and Alex; until he finally broke the ice. "So, are you going to Laney's party this weekend?" I responded quickly and flatly, "No." "That was a fast decision. Why not? I heard she throws the best parties." "Word travels fast, I see." We started to trot down the stairs together. "Do you have something against her? And please excuse me, if I am asking too many questions. I know you don't kno–"No, it's fine, Oscar. I don't mind the questions. Me and Laney aren't friends. We haven't been for quite some time, and I rather not discuss it at this time." He didn't respond, he only nodded his head in approval. "I understand. Let me get that for you."

He opened the front door of the school for me. The breeze of the wind, swept my hair in different directions and I found myself trying to straighten it out. "Well, if you don't want to attend a party, would you rather hang with me?" My heart began to beat a thousand miles per hour. My palms became filled with sweat. How can one become so sweaty so quickly? I licked my lips trying to hydrate them. "I.."

I couldn't find the words. Speak you bafoon! Dazie, SPEAK! "Daze!" My thought process was cut short by the sound of Alex's voice. I swiftly turned around to see him walking towards me; his gaze traveled from me to Oscar, from Oscsr to me, rapidly as he approached us. "Yes, Ale?" I tried to play it as cool as possible. He sized Oscar up and down and finally said "Do you want a ride home today?" "Yes!" I responded eagarly to be released from Oscar's presence.

Alex pushed his eyebrows together and walked away. What I respected most about Alex, is he understood when to give me my space, but in this moment, I definitely didn't want to be alone with Oscar and make a complete fool out of myself. I had to face the music. I turned around to face Oscar. I sucked in a breath of air and said "I have to get going." "I see." "Well, I guess, I'll see you around?" "Yeah."

I could tell he was desperate to speak to me, but my nerves got the best of me and I wanted to be far, far, away from this disater I've created. As I started to speed walk away, I felt a arm on my shoulder. I want this to be him.

I turned around, and to my surprise, it was you. Your caramel complexion, glistened within the sun rays. Your curls drooped over your forehead slightly. You stared into my eyes, as you handed me a folded paper note. "Here." I didn't respond to your words. I obeyed your movements and grabbed the paper and stuffed it into my pocket. You walked away. Turning around for what felt like the 50th time, I walked to Alex's car and entered the passenger seat. "What is that all about? You two are extremely weird." I didn't respond. I don't think I could have responded to anyone at this point in time.

I looked out the window and watched you walk away onto the sidewalk. I found myself in a daze again. Traveling far away from the present time. We finally arrived at Alex's house. "I have to use the restroom." I said as we entered his room. "Go ahead. I'll try and find a good movie or tv show on Netflix for us to watch." I nearly skipped to the restroom, dying to know what was within this folden note. I struggled opening it at first, until finally... You wrote:

(718) 213-0125
O.