That One Girl

Chapter 3

***Finally, I book I'm good at updating LOL

Just so you all know, the flashbacks Cole and Seliel have happen in chronological order. Seliel's flashback last chapter happened before Cole's flashback this chapter, and Seliel's flashback this chapter happens after Cole's this chapter...you get the point.

Also, I finally invested in a pair of earbuds to wear in the library LOL I can now select music for each chapter and get the cues just right.***

***(Cole's POV)***

***Music Cue***

Seliel won't talk to me about her past, and that pretty much answers every question I have.

After following Nya and Jay back to the monastery, Sel asked me to drop her off at a street on the poor side of town. And now...we're just driving in silence.

I clear my throat. "You know, I didn't want to say anything, but...it really does look like you've lost some weight since our last encounter. You sure you don't want me to buy you anything to eat?"

"I'm fine," she says quietly. The words are cold, hard.

"Okay. Um...how was school today?"

"It was all right, I guess. I'm not a big fan of structured education, though."

I smile. "Now that, I can agree with you on. I hate school."

"It's not that I hate school, per say. It's just...I feel like all my teachers treat each student the same way, and I just don't learn like other people."

"I get that." I shake my head. "I prefer to be moving around when I learn things, or at least to not have to listen to extended lectures."

Seliel smirks. "I do better with visuals."

I steal a glance at her. "What aren't you telling me? Don't think I don't see that gleam in your eye."

"I'm an average-grade student," she says nonchalantly, "so it's not commonly known, but I have a photographic memory."

"Wait – like, you take pictures in your mind?"

"Exactly. I can remember almost any image in my mind for a few weeks after I see it."

"Wow," I laugh. "That's...incredible! I always knew you were smart. As for me...I'm a little below average." I smile, running a hand through my locks.

"Don't say that," she chides me. "You're plenty smart, just in different ways."

"Thanks, Sel." I slow my dad's car. "Um...did I get your street wrong?"

"Uh, no. This...is where I asked you to drop me off."

"You could at least let me drive you up to your house, you know."

"I'll be fine." She pats my arm. "Thanks."

"No, Sel...wait." I unbuckle myself. "I'll walk with you."

She narrows her eyes. "No, Cole. My home is in horrible shape, to be honest."

"I don't judge." I mean, the condition of one's house really isn't anything to judge by. I know Seliel and her dad don't have much.

I'm really concerned as to why she's not talking to me about her father.

"Cole..." She huffs out a breath. "Fine. It's two blocks away."

"You were going to walk two blocks? In the dark?" I frown.

"I'm used to taking care of myself, Cole." She crosses her arms. "I don't need you to step in and save the day."

"I don't want to save the day, Sel. I'm just...a little worried about you, is all. There's always safety in numbers." I pull back onto the street and begin the real drive to her house.