I Probably Hate You

Thirteen

I was sitting on a bench, outside of school near the parking lot, when a cheery voice said, "Hey!"

I glanced up and shielded my eyes from the sun "hello"

Students were starting to file out of the gates and head to their cars and buses. My last period was a free period, so I'd decided to sit outside and catch up on my homework.

Rose smiled hesitantly "I just saw you sitting here, and I thought I'd stop and say hi... Mind if I sit down?"

I picked up the books I'd set beside me and slowly said "... No"

Rose sat.

It was silent at first. I watched her curly red hair blow all over from the wind.

"so how's life been for you?"

The question caught me off guard. I blinked. "it's been... you know... fine"

She looked at me, nodded, then smiled "yeah? That's good." she nodded again. "you know, I-" she bit her lip and burst out in one breath "IwasjustwonderinghowitfeelssittingatthesametableasWalkerPoundstone?"

"Pardon?"

"Walker Poundstone. Is he as amazing as he seems?"

I scoffed before I saw the serious look on her face. I swallowed "Umm... He's okay"

Her eyes shone brighter than they already were

"do you..." I swallowed again, feeling put off "like him?"

"like him?!? I adore him. But I'm more of a secret admirer."

I couldn't hold back a "why?"

Her face dropped slightly. "why? Is there something wrong?"

"No..no..it's just, why Walker? " I glanced at her expression and added " Umm...specifically?"

She gasped "Can't you tell how remarkable he is?! He's so passionate about what he believes in. last week he climbed the main building and announced he wasn't coming down until they raised all the janitors' salary by at least 30%"

My face scrunched in distaste." how...heroic"

She nodded fervidly.

"how are the others?" she asked, referring to Gaten's friends.

"They're..." fine? I seriously thought about my answer for a second. "Well, I can stand them, if that's what your asking"

A booming laugh was her response. Her red curls bounced as she laughed, her eyes gleaming.

"Rose?" a tenacious voice called.

Rose stood and waved "over here Jackie!"

Eleanor's other, more monotone friend, Jackie, came and stopped before her friend.

Her hair was in boxer braids and her eyes had bags underneath them. She spared me a brief glance before turning towards her friend and asking her when Rose's mom would get here to pick them up.