BESIDE YOU

Chapter 7

HAYDON

After our first date, I and Laura went out again. This time we just went to a café. She was nice and it was comforting to talk to her, but something was missing. I knew that I'd have to stop going out with her soon.

The weekend went by so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to catch up with all the work I had.

Monday morning I wake up somehow and pull myself to school. I stop by my locker to pick something up. As I shut the door, somebody slaps on my shoulder.

I turn to see a group of football jocks grinning at me.

"Yo Haydon! What's up bro" Brandon, the group leader says

"Nothing really", I mumble

I am beginning to walk off but he pulls me by my shirt.

"Wait, dude. Let's talk", he says.

His eyes glint in a nasty manner and I don't like it.

"What?", I ask

"Haydon Flynn. Known for his good looks and great character. Best friends with the dead-

"Shut up", I cut him off angrily

'Oops! Looks like I hit a nerve, doesn't it?"

I am more than annoyed now.

"Who would have thought that he would land "the Laura Hamilton"?. I mean congrats bro", he laughs again.

"I haven't landed anyone. We are just friends", I say.

Why am I even explaining? I think.

"As if any guy can be just friends with Laura. Oh, wait! You are not gay, are you", he snickers

"Just leave me alone guys", I say

"It's okay bro. Now that you have the cake, make sure that you eat it", he winks before leaving.

The whole group of junkies follows him after thumping on my back.

I stand there feeling defeated. I hated that they spoke of Laura like a thing, as though she was trash. Sure I didn't like her that way but she was a nice person.

I hate school.

I shake my head and walk over to Laura's locker. Sure enough, she was there talking to some friends.

I gently tap on her shoulder. Her face blooms into a smile as soon as she sees me.

"Laura, we gotta talk", I say eyeing meaningfully at her friends.

"Oh okay"

She turns back to her friends

"I'll catch up with you guys later", she tells them.

I start talking as soon as her friends leave.

" Laura, I seriously don't think this is going to work", I gesture to the distance between us.

"Why are you saying that"? she looks pretty calm.

"Because all we have done is go for two dates and people are already talking shit about us", I say...

"So?"

I am baffled. This must have been very clear in my face because she laughs a little.

"Haydon, people always talk shit. That doesn't mean that you have to listen or respond to it", she says calmly

" So you don't care? "