When I got up the next morning, I decided to walk to school. It took me an extra half hour, but it was better then spending ten minutes on the bus with Jeanette and her followers criticizing my every move. I wasn't in the mood for it. I needed some time alone.
"Bye Dad," I yelled as I was pulling on my jacket. "I'm leaving for school now."
"Bye honey, have fun," he yelled back, he was still upstairs.
I shut the door and started walking down the path to the sidewalk. I could have taken my skateboard, but I didn't really feel like it.
I started the long walk to school, lost in my own little world. I liked to imagine myself in a different life, since nothing ever really happened to me.
My head was down and my hands were in my pockets. I wasn't really paying attention to what was happening around me, which is probably the reason why I was caught completely off guard when a football landed right in front of me, narrowly missing my head. I was even more surprised when something – a person – crashed into me from the back. I fell hard and fast, hitting my face on the sidewalk.
The person who had hit me got up. I was still lying on the sidewalk.
"Oh my god, I didn't see you. Are you hurt?"
I slowly opened my eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking. Are you okay?"
It was a boy. He looked like he was about my age, maybe a bit older.
I sat up carefully. "Yeah, I think so."
"Here." He reached down and pulled me up.
"Thanks." I winced. "That's gonna leave a mark."
"I am so sorry; I wasn't watching where I was going. Me and my friend-" he glanced behind him and scowled, "my cowardly friend who ran away without seeing if you were okay, were playing catch with the football. I'm so sorry I ran into you."
I looked up at him and my breath caught in my throat. He had the most beautiful eyes. And he really did look sorry. I hadn't even gotten to school yet, but I was pretty sure that he had to be one of the hottest guys there.
I smiled a bit at him. "That-that's okay. I'm fine."
He looked really relieved. "That's good. That's really good." Then he grinned at me. "Hi, I'm Joey Parker."
I stared at his face for a few seconds, admiring how the smile just lit it up, before I remembered that I was supposed to be introducing myself. "M-Mary Santiago."
"Well, hello, Mary Santiago, nice to meet you. I suppose you're walking to school?"
I nodded.
"Would you," he hesitated, "mind if I walked with you?"
I shook my head. "No, not at all."
"Great." He grinned at me, and I grinned back. Then I winced a bit and put a hand to my cheek. I could already feel the bruise forming on my face.
Joey instantly became worried again. "Are you sure you're okay? Let me see."
He lifted his hand and gently brushed my cheek. It hurt a bit, but I barely noticed. His hand was so gentle, I wished that he didn't ever have to let it drop. Then I mentally gave myself a shake. Get a grip, Mary, I told myself sternly. You just met him, and I highly doubt he likes you. He's just being friendly after smashing you to the ground.
He bent down and started picking up my bag and all the things that had fallen out of it. By the time I reached to help him, he was already done.
He held my bag out to me. "Let my just go get my bag, okay?" he asked.
I nodded and took my bag from him.
He ran inside, and half a minute later, came back with a schoolbag slung over one shoulder.
We started walking. I wanted to say something, but what? I didn't want to say something stupid, but I couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't make me look like an idiot.
He glanced at me. "You know, you're really graceful, the way you move."
I looked at him, surprised by the randomness of what he had just said. "Umm… thank you?"
He laughed. "Sorry. It's just a habit I have. I was always told that I should say when I thought something was nice, because a lot of people don't say anything. Someone has to say it, so why not me?" He suddenly looked worried. "I didn't offend you, did I?"
"No, no, not at all. You just… caught me by surprise."
"Are you a dancer or something?"
I looked at him carefully, trying to figure out if he was really curious, or if he was going to laugh at me like every one else. "I- sort of," I said cautiously. "I like dancing, but it's just a hobby. I like it."
"Cool. I'll bet you're awesome!"
"Th-thanks." I wasn't used to getting so many compliments.
I looked at him. He seemed like a really nice guy, and he actually didn't seem to mind hanging around with me. I was busy staring at his face, which is probably why I didn't notice the huge gap in the sidewalk.
"Whaa-" Suddenly the pavement was rushing up to my face. The fact that I was falling didn't even register before a pair of strong arms caught me.
Then I was looking up at Joey Parker.
"You okay?" he breathed out.
"Yeah," I whispered back. I kept staring into his eyes, and he stared back. An eternity passed before he seemed to snap out of it. He gently stood me back on my feet.
"We should keep walking to school." He said awkwardly, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at the ground.
"Y-yeah." I ran my hand through my hair.
We both started walking again, but I didn't look at him this time. How embarrassing! I just met him five minutes ago, and I still managed to fall twice.
We got to school. He turned to me in the hall.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around Mary."
"Yeah, bye Joey. It-it was nice meeting you."
He smiled at me, then turned around and started walking away. He waved over his shoulder at me and said, "Don't kill yourself."
I waved back at him and waited until he was out of sight before I groaned and banged my head on a nearby locker.
Well, wasn't that fun, I thought to myself sarcastically. I totally humiliated myself. I sighed heavily and started walking to my locker, thinking I hope the rest of the day will be at least a little bit better. 'Cause if it isn't, I'm gonna die.
