Just Kiss Me Already

Chapter 2 - Toby

I got ready for school. It had been two days since I'd gone and I trembled just slightly with fear. I let my hair fall down in its natural brown waves and put on a white, lacy shirt, jeans with the sparkly pockets and white flats. I also put on a little eyeliner and mascara.

So I had couple bruises, big deal? Nah.. Just kidding. The purple and blue stained my left cheek and neck. Inside I was horrified at what people would say. Nonetheless, I wouldn't let her do this to me again. No way.

Confident and ready, I walked downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. I saw that my mom had made me lunch for school before she left and on the table sat a note for me. It read, "Hope school goes well, baby! Love you lots and lots! I know I know you are too old for notes like this, but you will just have to live with it. See you in two days.
-Mom"

I frowned as I ate breakfast, already missing her, and grabbed my backpack. It was a beautiful 60 degrees out today and sunny, perfect in my opinion. Since school was only three blocks away, I walked. It takes me about five minutes and then I am walking through the doors of hell.

I took a deep breath and walked to my first class, math.
"Good morning, class. We are going to begin." She called not even a second after the bell rang. "But before we begin, I'd like to introduce you to Tobias."

"It's just Toby." Replied a boy in the seat in front of me.

"Oh, my apologies. Moving on. Today class...." Holy crap. This kid is freaking gorgeous. He turned around to grab something from his bag and I think I nearly fainted. He has brown hair you'd love to run your fingers through and deep green eyes and lovely.. 'Focus, Caitlyn.' I thought to myself.

I didn't focus. I could smell his perfectly applied cologne, and it sent butterflies through my stomach. He wasn't totally muscled out like all the idiot jocks and I liked that. The sunkissed skin all the way to his perfect height and the most beautiful smile. When he spoke though.. I think I just about lost it.

He turned around to ask me my name when we had a bit of free time. "Hey, I'm Toby! Just thought I'd might as well make a few friends today." He grinned and held out his hand.

"Caitlyn." The words came out reserved, yet polite and I managed a graceful smile as I shook his warm, soft hand. I could feel my cheeks burn red when he stared at me just slightly longer than he should have.

The whole class all I could think about was him. 'Toby.. What a lovely name'. I thought.

"Okay class, you have three minutes until the bell rings." Everybody packed up their notebooks and waited.

Callie obviously noticed Toby because she came over and introduced herself.

"Hey, Toby. I'm Callie." Beaming a smile and batting her eyes, she attempted to gain another admirer.

"Oh.. hey." He replied dully and then immediately turned to face me and brightened his expression. "Hi, I'm Toby. What's your name?" He winked at me to play along.

I laughed a little and then answered, "I'm Caitlyn. Nice to meet you Toby." Callie looked at me with complete disgust and stomped away as the bell rang.

I was walking towards my locker to get my textbook when Toby came up beside me. "So, Caitlyn, is Callie the nice girl? Or you?" he said sarcastically.

"Haha, good one." I said. We stopped by my locker and he continued to linger. "Are you in my next class?"

"I'm not sure.. I just had a question for you."

"And I think I'll have an answer." I smiled encouragingly. He was about Callie's height, maybe a little taller.. His green eyes continue to be totally stunning.

"Are you busy this weekend? I was just wondering because I'm supposed to make 'friends' since we just moved here and you seem so nice. It would just be maybe... like lunch or a movie or whatever ..?"

"Yeah, I'd like that a lot. Here how about I give you my number and then you can call or text me, okay?"

"I'll text you when and where." He smiled sweetly. "See you, Caitlyn." He waved as he walked off to his next class.

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I got home that night and flopped down on the couch exhausted. I let out a big sigh.

Third period I had, had to run into the girls bathroom to avoid Callie and when I came out I saw Toby and knew he knew. Yeah, I am afraid of her. Wouldn't anybody be?

I was so tired and frustrated I passed out on the couch.

_____

I woke up and saw that I had already missed three hours of school and decided against going. The lady in the office is extremely, unecessarily, and exceptionally rude if you don't have a "valid" excuse. Ugh.

I walked from the living room down the hallway to the bathroom. I pulled down a towel and my soap. A shower sounded absolutely ideal. After an hour long shower I got dressed and made myself breakfast. Bacon, butter toast, and two frozen waffles.

The home phone rang and I ran to pick it up. I noticed it was mom.

"Hey, mom."

"Hey." Anxiety through and through. "Are you feeling okay? Your school called and I said you never came in. Do you need me to come home, baby?"

"No, mom." I laughed a little. "I just woke up a few hours late because I was really tired. I promise I'm fine." I smiled even though she couldn't see me.

"Okay." She sighed in relief, but there was still a trace of worry in her voice. She was silent a moment and then very apologetically came back again. "Well, on the topic of me coming home.. I have to stay until Monday.."

"Not again, mom! Please." I begged. I wasn't sure how long I could last without her here to pick me back up. She was my one and only friend and I needed her.

"I'm sorry but I have to finish this assignment and that's how long it will take. I miss you.." She said pained.

"Miss you too. I'm going to watch a movie, love you." I sounded like a kicked puppy. Disappointment was such an awful feeling.

"Love you too, Cate. Hang in there, hon." Click.

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