Dear Janet, You're Ugly

We Aren't Friends

Janet's POV

I ran back to class so fast I didn't even realize how much I had been sweating. My chest began to hurt as I tried catching my breath, I couldn't believe I ran into him! It had been so long since we had seen each other. It brought up alot of emotions I had buried deep inside me.

Plopping down in my seat, I secretly glanced around the chaotic classroom. No one had seen me talking to him so I'm all cleared. I thought deeply to myself about what I was supposed to do now. Should I ignore him as if we didn't have a past? Or do I give him a peace of my mind and let him know exactly how he made me feel?

Ultimately I was angry. I was angry because he had left without considering how I felt. He had been so excited and eager to leave, it pained me to think that our friendship wasn't enough to make him stay. I balled my fist until they became pale, right then and there I made my decision.

Erin Akio was no longer considered my friend. He hadn't been my friend for years now and just because we had a past didn't mean I still cared enough to call him my friend again. I was going to steer clear of him as best as I could, why should I give him the time of day when he didn't about me not once before leaving.

Break ended and lunch came around. I was lucky enough to not have seen him or the girl again he was with. She had been smiling when me and Erin had hugged and she hadn't said a word to me. Choosing not to dwell on it any longer I ate lunch at my usual table.

After lunch I thankfully had one more class left before it was soon time to leave. I had a shift to get to and Ms. Freckle was probably waiting on me. Grabbing my bag I headed out walking down the path towards the small cafe.

"Janet! Janet.. wait up"! A voice called ringing in my ears. I increased my speed not in the mood for conversation. That obviously didn't stop him at all from catching up to me in no time at all. You'd think with my tall frame I'd be able to getnaway faster.

Erin's chest puffed out as he tried catching his breath. "Crap you walk fast! I could barely keep up" he lightly chuckled running a hair through his dyed hair.

"I have to be somewhere so if you'll exc-" I tried dodging the other way but he easily gripped my arm. I could barely move as I angrily faced him.

"What's gotten into you? We haven't seen each other in years yet you act as if I'm some stranger". His brows furrowed, I could see the confusion shifting in his almond eyes. I got a good look at him for the first time, the way his pale skin seemd ro gleam against the warm sun. Slight freckles decorated around his nose, his lips puckered out in question they looked extra plump and pink.

His hand still held my arm not as tight. He gently rubbed circles against my arm, something he had always done since we were kids. But we weren't kids anymore, we had grown up and I wasn't the same wide eyed girl who had been confident around him.

Now I was the girl who hid behind the scenes. I was the beast in disguise that wanted nothing more  than to just escape. I wanted to be free and not look back but when I looked at him. It was as if he tried to cloud my thoughts, like he could suddenly change my mind. 

"I'm not the same girl you once knew Erin! If your looking for her you won't find her. She's been gone for a long time" my lips quivered slightly as I roughly pull out of his hold. He stood with a sudden frown appearing on his face.

"That's not what...  look I just want to talk. We are friends so I thou-" he suddenly trailed off.

"You thought what? That you could come back and everything would be fine? People change Erin". I gulped deeply looking at the tree behind him.  "And we aren't friends, we haven't been since you've left".

I knew it sounded harsh but I didn't expect his reaction. Hurt swarmed in his brown eyes and for a moment I regretted everything I had said. But if I wanted to have a peaceful year... I needed to be far away from him as possible.

"I see I was wrong then. I won't be bothering you anymore don't worry" he said coldly before leaving. I felt a part of my heart crack as his form got smaller and smaller until I could no longer see him.

This was what I wanted right? To be left alone like I've always been right? Did he know why I was angry... why a part of me resented him?

I continued down the path towards the cafe. Every step I took felt heavy, as if I had just gone through an intense workout. I entered the small cafe when the smell of fresh baked cookies wafted across my nose.

Ms. Freckle had opened her own shop years ago. Having a passion for baking, she had done pretty well for herself. I loved working here, the aerial earth toned vibes always helped me feel better.

I especially loved sitting in one of booths, with a book and one hand and a warm croissant in the other. Heading towards the back, I was greeted by Ms. Freckle who was busy rolling out a large ball of dough.

"Hey how was school"? She asked greeting me with a warm smile. Her blonde hair with gray streaks was tied back in a messy ponytail. The lines on her face signified how tired she was, and knowing her she must have been in the kitchen all day.

I grabbed my burgundy apron tying it to my lean frame. "It was okay" I shrugged cutting the conversation short. I never liked talking about how my day at school went, mostly because it wasn't always pleasant.

But Ms. Freckle didn't need to know that, I'd rather not worry her. I grabbed a piece of the dough and began helping her roll it out. We rolled the dough in silence until she instructed me to work the cashier.

After school hours were always the busiest. Mostly because kids from around the neighborhood would come here and hang out. I was thankful no one from my school hadn't shown up. It was a tiny cafe that if you weren't looking closely you'd miss it.

I had just finished ringing up a customer when I heard the bell on the door . "Hello welcome to Half Baked Cafe" I greeted until I noticed who it was.