Hello. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for the first
chapter of this story feel free to speak your mind! E-mail me at
AlysonGrant@yahoo.com and I'll get back with you as soon as possible.
You can also say what you feel in form of a review for:
Unspoken Chemistry
by
Alyson Grant
Chapter One:
Lunchroom:
"I hate the way guys act all sweet one minute then act like total idiots the next." Raye said tossing her glossy black hair over her shoulder looking across the room to give the evil eye to her boyfriend Chad.
"Hmm" Lita said slyly with her dark brown eyes twinkling, "Is that trouble in paradise I sense?"
Raye frowned at her with her eyes narrowing slightly. "My private life is my business. Got that?"
"So is that a yes?" Lita asked mischicously.
"You are so impossible!" She said standing up quickly causing her hair to swing around her slim body and set across the room with a walk of determined intent.
Hair set in two parts, severely set high in a circular loop, then loose hair streaming down to a little more than mid back I walked into the lunchroom. Striding across the floor toward my regular table with my closest friends I paused to take the entire setting in. I saw with a small flash of anger this annoying boy I unfortunately know. Handsome, smart, popular, are three things about him I will very grudgingly admit but he is also the most arrogant person I've ever had the unpleasant chance to meet. He happened to look up and catch my gaze. He winked at me with a small grin. What's he trying to pull?
"Chad what the hell do you think your doing?"
"I was-"
"What, you didn't see me over there?" She demanded without even letting him finish his sentence. Her eyes were flashing with annoyance.
"Yes I-"
"What the hell happened to hello kisses and all that crap? What, you think you can just ignore me like I'm some kind of-"
Chad finally decided to take charge forcefully. He decided to cut her tirade short with a little act of love. "Hello Rei. So nice to see you." He exaggerated the words in a laughable way, "Now if you would just let me get a word in edgewise I might just be able to tell you that…"
He leaned in close to her with his eyes twinkling as he looked at her with a half eyes closed gaze which made him look really sexy.
"I"
He gently took one of her small hands and held it in one of his as he caressed her now blushing cheek.
"Love"
He leaned in closer so they were even closer then they had been before when they were having the mostly one sided confrontation.
"You."
I sat down at my usual seat but no one seemed to be paying attention. They were all laughing about something.
"What's going on?" I asked curiously because I just had to know what was happening.
Mina laughed a little. "Nothing much. Hey, have you seen Raye today?"
"Yeah I have" I nodded, "But not since our first period Science class."
"Okay, then check this out." She discreetly pointed across the room to where Raye and her boyfriend were having a major public display of affection.
Amy looked at me and then glanced at the scene the two of them made. Smiling a wry smile she said with a one eyebrow raised, "Not exactly shy today are they?"
"Give me a break! When have you ever known those two to be shy about their feelings for each other?" Lita said.
"Point well taken." Amy agreed.
I took one look at the two of them in a middle of a embrace and thought about how lucky people in love really are. Now that's the kind of scene that can make you feel totally pathetic to not have a boyfriend. They can be so sickening romantic sometimes, like now for example. Plus they have this really crazy relationship which is actually really funny to watch. First they act like they're fighting then the next minute it's as if they are in the privacy of some kind of hotel room. What they never seem to realize is that no, they are not in private and yes, they are in a public place and in the publics' eyes. Not that acting like that is a bad thing. If I were in love I'm sure I would act the same way. Maybe.
Meanwhile my friends and I decided to have a little fun at their expense by cheering and just whooping it up.
"Raye. Chad. Go somewhere with that." and when they kept on acting like they were about to reenact a love scene for most of the student body I chimed in with: "You know you hear me! Don't even try to act like you don't!"
But they were still locked in a tight embrace. Ignoring us took most of the fun out of it. Sheesh some people just don't know when to quit huh? Or at least know when to get a room? Maybe true love not only makes you crazy but stupid and deaf as well. Not that I've had the luxury of really knowing that for myself.
After the final bell :
"Serena. You wouldn't believe what just happened!"
I turned around as I felt a hand grip my arm and then saw my friends smiling face.
"Hey Amy!" I said "What happened." I really wondered what was up with her since she was so uncharacteristic at the moment. Her usual personality is subdued, quiet, and even serious. Not really hyper and extra excited as I could plainly see by her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
We started walking down the hall toward the exit together. The entire lobby was crowded because it was the end of the day.
"You remember that guy I was telling you about?" She was trying to calm down and act casual about it by calling him 'that guy' when I knew full and well she not only knew his name but probably almost every little quirk about him.
"Yeah I do. How could I forget? You've been going on and on about him practically nonstop for weeks!" I just felt the need to set her straight about this little fact lest she forgot all of a sudden.
She turned slightly red at my statement and said in a prim and proper voice "I'll pretend like I didn't hear that."
"Now why would you do that? It's only the truth." I gave her a grin and batted my eyelashes innocently just to make her laugh.
"Your version anyway." Ami said giggling, "Which makes me seem totally obsessive. And I was not going on and on about him for weeks!"
"Okay, Okay. I'm sorry. My mistake." Whatever you want to believe Ami. Whatever you want to believe.
"What happened today? Tell me before we get even more sidetracked!" I gave her a playful push.
" He asked me out!"
"All right!" It's about time because those two have been making me sick on a daily basis from the way they act. Looking at each other when the other's not, acting all flirtatious in the halls are two examples of how they basically let it all be known in an obvious sort of way that makes then seem like high school freshmen. It's about time one of them asked the other out. My only question is what took them so long?
"Where too?"
"Ryan's party next week Saturday." Then she said anxciously. "You and everyone else is going right?"
"Um yeah." I looked at her like she was crazy. "It's Ryan's party remember? His parties are always one of the best. Who in their right mind would miss it?"
"Right of course. That was a stupid question to ask but I'm just a little flustered right now. I just can't believe he asked me out!" Ami said running her fingers through her short hair.
"Believe it! Please, the signs were there all along. You two have been acting love struck for ages." I said. "The only thing I want to know is what took him so long because this whole thing was about to start getting ridiculous."
"Wait a second!" Amy said grabbing my arm, "There he is!"
"Where?" I asked looking around until I saw him. "Oh I see him. So go over there and talk to him!" Why does he have to be talking to that jerk? I frowned slightly when I saw Greg talking to a boy I didn't exactly hold in high esteem.
" He's talking to Darien right now." Amy said suddenly looking nervous.
She felt so shy about talking to the boy she liked that she was looking for every excuse to avoid talking to him. How refreshing.
"What's your point?" I asked rolling my eyes, "Darien isn't anybody." I knew the real reason she didn't want to go over there was because she was still shy around the guy she liked. She was looking for any and every excuse to get out of talking to him. That truly boggles the mind.
"Now I know your going crazy." Amy said "Darien isn't anybody? Oh please. Just because you don't like him doesn't detract from the fact that he is one of the most popular boys in this school."
"Whatever. What are we then? Chopped liver?" I muttered, "All hail to the almighty Darien.." I said sarcastically.
"Don't be mean." Amy admonished me.
"I'm not being mean. It's just that everyone act's like he's this total enigma and that's not true." I protested against her words.
"I guess I see your point." Amy said doubtfully giving me a look at the corner of her eye. "Just do me a favor? Don't get so worked up about him."
I sighed and flashed her a smile to show her I wasn't upset or worked up. "Look are you going over there to talk to him or not?"
"Yeah. I'm going. I'll meet you and everybody else at the mall later as planned though."
"Okay. See you there." I gave her a little wave and smile before continuing to walk down the steps that led to the main entrance of school.
Later that afternoon some of my friends and I went to the mall. There we saw some people we knew from school and we all started to hang out at the mall in a group. Chad and Raye, Mina and Andrew, Lita and Ken, and now the soon to be newest couple Amy and Greg were just some of the people there. The only thing that could ruin the outing was Darien showing up. And as luck would have it, the fates hate me and he did walk into the pizzeria where we were ordering a large pie of pizza. Now Darien is seen as the nice guy by everyone but me so no one really understands my plight.
When you see a girl you know, you automatically would call her by her name if you knew her right?
Well, Darien really doesn't have any intelligence at all because he constantly calls me out of my name.
Plus he has the nerve to do it in this friendly, oh-so-casual sort of way as if we were old buddies! Which we are not. Don't me wrong on that.
"Hey Meatball Head!" He said smirking a little. Obviously he was just waiting for my usual reaction. Sorry sweetheart I'm not really in the mood to be quite so predictable today. Then again when am I ever this so called predictable?
"Darien if your going to call me Meatball Head…"I trailed off to run my fingers down his chest.
Standing tall I wrapped my arms around him lightly and felt his not so surprisingly rock hard muscles that couldn't be disguised by his shirt. Nice. Did I dare? Yes, after a slight hesitation I then blew a little hot air into his ear and whispered in a way I would to a lover "What do you suggest I call you?"
I threw him off track in that moment and I knew it. Hell, that's the way I planned it. He expected me to act the way I usually do and instead I acted just a little differently. Don't mess with me Darien because I will mess with you right back.
"Hush. Don't answer that right now." I said and as a spur of moment thing I kissed him on the cheek. Hmm softer than I expected. And his reaction? Hey I expected it and couldn't have planned it better. "Bye Darien." I traced a soft line along the side of his face with my fingers.
With that final slightly teasing remark and smile I walked right past him like nothing happened but just before walking out the door I turned around to where he was still standing, looked him up and down suggestively and gave him a wink.
I had walked just a few feet away and was just outside Macy's entrance when my cell phone rang.
"By now you should be near Macy's. That's a safe distance. Nice performance back there. I just have to give you your props for that. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"Raye hi!" I know this girl so well that she doesn't even feel the need to address herself when calling me.
"Hey girl. What the hell was that?"
"What was what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You and Darien! What else would I be talking about?"
"Oh you mean besides the little lunch incident?"
"Don't even go there."
"Then lets not even go there about Darien and I."
"Come on! Wait a second… Darien and I? Since when are you two even in that context?"
" Since never." I paused thoughtfully. "Since now. A lady never kisses and tells."
"Serena! Don't give me that!"
"Okay, okay. I was just flirting with him a little. That's all."
"You two would look very cute together. You know that right?"
"Hold up." I stopped dead in my tracks. "Please don't go there." I really don't want to throw up anytime soon."
"Whatever Serena. So tell me this. What was the point of that little scene you two just had?"
"Just putting a little flavor in the old routine."
"You are truly a piece of work."
"Takes one to know one dear. Hey, save me a slice of that pizza?"
She laughed and said "Sure. Only Darien and his fine self could get you to leave a meal."
"Hey you know I had to make a good exit."
"Uh huh. You sure did that. Girl you had him standing there in shock. It was as if he couldn't believe what just happened. You are going to have him so whipped and around your finger if you work this right."
"I know! Darien just annoys me so much that I just felt the sudden need to torture him." I smiled a special smile with that statement .
"Are you going to do this tomorrow too?"
"I wasn't planning to. It was mostly a spur of moment thing." I replied , "Do you think I should?"
"Yeah! I want to have a good laugh again. Besides this will be one step closer to the two of you finally going out."
"Raye I have no interest whatsoever in Darien. You know that!"
"Do I? You two sure don't act like it. Teasing is only flirtation for the two of you. I know that, you know that, he probably knows that, the whole world knows that even if you try to act like you don't."
"I really can't believe your audacity sometimes." I rolled my eyes and resumed walking. "Raye as much
fun as this has been I've got to get going. Talk to you later! Ciao!"
and with that I strode out the doors of the Mall and started walking toward the parking lot to drive home.
As I drove home I couldn't help thinking about what Raye had said. What if she was right? Damn she really would be one to rub it in my face if she were too. I couldn't possibly feel anything for Darien than resentment at his very existence on the planet. He just rubs me the wrong way…intentionally. He makes it a mission in life to make mine as uncomfortable as possible. So my reaction is to annoy him as well. So basically our whole relationship is annoying each other. Sometimes it's affection and harmless flirtation that we share but usually it's just the tiniest slice of pure hate and competivness that I feel for him. Which really makes it all the more interesting and ironic considering that I used to think he was cute. Not that he's stopped being cute, it's just that given his attitude I don't really see it as relevant anymore. Usually, anyway.
We met when I was fourteen years old and in a heinous mood because of a less then spectacular test grade. I was so upset that I threw it high in the air and then it hit him. Rather then be a gentleman and give me my paper that I obviously didn't want, he looked at it and teased me about my bad grade. I wish I could say that I never saw him again but alas it wasn't so.
During that year we met numerous times. Most were by literally running into each other. He would make rude remarks about almost everything about me and seemed to relish my reactions which were very predictable. He always caught me when I was my most vulnerable or upset and somehow almost always brought the worst out of me. Words seemed to slice into me, the way a sharp knife would because they were just that cruel, intentionally or not.
Some people may have thought that I was too sensitive and probably still do. Maybe I was and possibly still am but that's no excuse for treating someone you can't even call a friend in such a way. I didn't find him funny then and I sure as hell don't find him humorous now. Except now there's a little difference. It's called retaliation and full out flirtation. I make no apologies for being the kind of person that I am because that was how I was brought up to be.
When I was younger I used to allow people to walk all over me. Now that I'm older I've changed a lot and don't have the time or the patience to deal with that anymore. And as I become a older image of myself as I am today I realize that this change is for the better because it's made me a much stronger person on the inside. When I realize how much the times have changed for me I stop and think that it's almost ironic in a way. The world, it appears, is just filled with all the ironical elements of life.
You can also say what you feel in form of a review for:
Unspoken Chemistry
by
Alyson Grant
Chapter One:
Lunchroom:
"I hate the way guys act all sweet one minute then act like total idiots the next." Raye said tossing her glossy black hair over her shoulder looking across the room to give the evil eye to her boyfriend Chad.
"Hmm" Lita said slyly with her dark brown eyes twinkling, "Is that trouble in paradise I sense?"
Raye frowned at her with her eyes narrowing slightly. "My private life is my business. Got that?"
"So is that a yes?" Lita asked mischicously.
"You are so impossible!" She said standing up quickly causing her hair to swing around her slim body and set across the room with a walk of determined intent.
Hair set in two parts, severely set high in a circular loop, then loose hair streaming down to a little more than mid back I walked into the lunchroom. Striding across the floor toward my regular table with my closest friends I paused to take the entire setting in. I saw with a small flash of anger this annoying boy I unfortunately know. Handsome, smart, popular, are three things about him I will very grudgingly admit but he is also the most arrogant person I've ever had the unpleasant chance to meet. He happened to look up and catch my gaze. He winked at me with a small grin. What's he trying to pull?
"Chad what the hell do you think your doing?"
"I was-"
"What, you didn't see me over there?" She demanded without even letting him finish his sentence. Her eyes were flashing with annoyance.
"Yes I-"
"What the hell happened to hello kisses and all that crap? What, you think you can just ignore me like I'm some kind of-"
Chad finally decided to take charge forcefully. He decided to cut her tirade short with a little act of love. "Hello Rei. So nice to see you." He exaggerated the words in a laughable way, "Now if you would just let me get a word in edgewise I might just be able to tell you that…"
He leaned in close to her with his eyes twinkling as he looked at her with a half eyes closed gaze which made him look really sexy.
"I"
He gently took one of her small hands and held it in one of his as he caressed her now blushing cheek.
"Love"
He leaned in closer so they were even closer then they had been before when they were having the mostly one sided confrontation.
"You."
I sat down at my usual seat but no one seemed to be paying attention. They were all laughing about something.
"What's going on?" I asked curiously because I just had to know what was happening.
Mina laughed a little. "Nothing much. Hey, have you seen Raye today?"
"Yeah I have" I nodded, "But not since our first period Science class."
"Okay, then check this out." She discreetly pointed across the room to where Raye and her boyfriend were having a major public display of affection.
Amy looked at me and then glanced at the scene the two of them made. Smiling a wry smile she said with a one eyebrow raised, "Not exactly shy today are they?"
"Give me a break! When have you ever known those two to be shy about their feelings for each other?" Lita said.
"Point well taken." Amy agreed.
I took one look at the two of them in a middle of a embrace and thought about how lucky people in love really are. Now that's the kind of scene that can make you feel totally pathetic to not have a boyfriend. They can be so sickening romantic sometimes, like now for example. Plus they have this really crazy relationship which is actually really funny to watch. First they act like they're fighting then the next minute it's as if they are in the privacy of some kind of hotel room. What they never seem to realize is that no, they are not in private and yes, they are in a public place and in the publics' eyes. Not that acting like that is a bad thing. If I were in love I'm sure I would act the same way. Maybe.
Meanwhile my friends and I decided to have a little fun at their expense by cheering and just whooping it up.
"Raye. Chad. Go somewhere with that." and when they kept on acting like they were about to reenact a love scene for most of the student body I chimed in with: "You know you hear me! Don't even try to act like you don't!"
But they were still locked in a tight embrace. Ignoring us took most of the fun out of it. Sheesh some people just don't know when to quit huh? Or at least know when to get a room? Maybe true love not only makes you crazy but stupid and deaf as well. Not that I've had the luxury of really knowing that for myself.
After the final bell :
"Serena. You wouldn't believe what just happened!"
I turned around as I felt a hand grip my arm and then saw my friends smiling face.
"Hey Amy!" I said "What happened." I really wondered what was up with her since she was so uncharacteristic at the moment. Her usual personality is subdued, quiet, and even serious. Not really hyper and extra excited as I could plainly see by her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
We started walking down the hall toward the exit together. The entire lobby was crowded because it was the end of the day.
"You remember that guy I was telling you about?" She was trying to calm down and act casual about it by calling him 'that guy' when I knew full and well she not only knew his name but probably almost every little quirk about him.
"Yeah I do. How could I forget? You've been going on and on about him practically nonstop for weeks!" I just felt the need to set her straight about this little fact lest she forgot all of a sudden.
She turned slightly red at my statement and said in a prim and proper voice "I'll pretend like I didn't hear that."
"Now why would you do that? It's only the truth." I gave her a grin and batted my eyelashes innocently just to make her laugh.
"Your version anyway." Ami said giggling, "Which makes me seem totally obsessive. And I was not going on and on about him for weeks!"
"Okay, Okay. I'm sorry. My mistake." Whatever you want to believe Ami. Whatever you want to believe.
"What happened today? Tell me before we get even more sidetracked!" I gave her a playful push.
" He asked me out!"
"All right!" It's about time because those two have been making me sick on a daily basis from the way they act. Looking at each other when the other's not, acting all flirtatious in the halls are two examples of how they basically let it all be known in an obvious sort of way that makes then seem like high school freshmen. It's about time one of them asked the other out. My only question is what took them so long?
"Where too?"
"Ryan's party next week Saturday." Then she said anxciously. "You and everyone else is going right?"
"Um yeah." I looked at her like she was crazy. "It's Ryan's party remember? His parties are always one of the best. Who in their right mind would miss it?"
"Right of course. That was a stupid question to ask but I'm just a little flustered right now. I just can't believe he asked me out!" Ami said running her fingers through her short hair.
"Believe it! Please, the signs were there all along. You two have been acting love struck for ages." I said. "The only thing I want to know is what took him so long because this whole thing was about to start getting ridiculous."
"Wait a second!" Amy said grabbing my arm, "There he is!"
"Where?" I asked looking around until I saw him. "Oh I see him. So go over there and talk to him!" Why does he have to be talking to that jerk? I frowned slightly when I saw Greg talking to a boy I didn't exactly hold in high esteem.
" He's talking to Darien right now." Amy said suddenly looking nervous.
She felt so shy about talking to the boy she liked that she was looking for every excuse to avoid talking to him. How refreshing.
"What's your point?" I asked rolling my eyes, "Darien isn't anybody." I knew the real reason she didn't want to go over there was because she was still shy around the guy she liked. She was looking for any and every excuse to get out of talking to him. That truly boggles the mind.
"Now I know your going crazy." Amy said "Darien isn't anybody? Oh please. Just because you don't like him doesn't detract from the fact that he is one of the most popular boys in this school."
"Whatever. What are we then? Chopped liver?" I muttered, "All hail to the almighty Darien.." I said sarcastically.
"Don't be mean." Amy admonished me.
"I'm not being mean. It's just that everyone act's like he's this total enigma and that's not true." I protested against her words.
"I guess I see your point." Amy said doubtfully giving me a look at the corner of her eye. "Just do me a favor? Don't get so worked up about him."
I sighed and flashed her a smile to show her I wasn't upset or worked up. "Look are you going over there to talk to him or not?"
"Yeah. I'm going. I'll meet you and everybody else at the mall later as planned though."
"Okay. See you there." I gave her a little wave and smile before continuing to walk down the steps that led to the main entrance of school.
Later that afternoon some of my friends and I went to the mall. There we saw some people we knew from school and we all started to hang out at the mall in a group. Chad and Raye, Mina and Andrew, Lita and Ken, and now the soon to be newest couple Amy and Greg were just some of the people there. The only thing that could ruin the outing was Darien showing up. And as luck would have it, the fates hate me and he did walk into the pizzeria where we were ordering a large pie of pizza. Now Darien is seen as the nice guy by everyone but me so no one really understands my plight.
When you see a girl you know, you automatically would call her by her name if you knew her right?
Well, Darien really doesn't have any intelligence at all because he constantly calls me out of my name.
Plus he has the nerve to do it in this friendly, oh-so-casual sort of way as if we were old buddies! Which we are not. Don't me wrong on that.
"Hey Meatball Head!" He said smirking a little. Obviously he was just waiting for my usual reaction. Sorry sweetheart I'm not really in the mood to be quite so predictable today. Then again when am I ever this so called predictable?
"Darien if your going to call me Meatball Head…"I trailed off to run my fingers down his chest.
Standing tall I wrapped my arms around him lightly and felt his not so surprisingly rock hard muscles that couldn't be disguised by his shirt. Nice. Did I dare? Yes, after a slight hesitation I then blew a little hot air into his ear and whispered in a way I would to a lover "What do you suggest I call you?"
I threw him off track in that moment and I knew it. Hell, that's the way I planned it. He expected me to act the way I usually do and instead I acted just a little differently. Don't mess with me Darien because I will mess with you right back.
"Hush. Don't answer that right now." I said and as a spur of moment thing I kissed him on the cheek. Hmm softer than I expected. And his reaction? Hey I expected it and couldn't have planned it better. "Bye Darien." I traced a soft line along the side of his face with my fingers.
With that final slightly teasing remark and smile I walked right past him like nothing happened but just before walking out the door I turned around to where he was still standing, looked him up and down suggestively and gave him a wink.
I had walked just a few feet away and was just outside Macy's entrance when my cell phone rang.
"By now you should be near Macy's. That's a safe distance. Nice performance back there. I just have to give you your props for that. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"Raye hi!" I know this girl so well that she doesn't even feel the need to address herself when calling me.
"Hey girl. What the hell was that?"
"What was what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You and Darien! What else would I be talking about?"
"Oh you mean besides the little lunch incident?"
"Don't even go there."
"Then lets not even go there about Darien and I."
"Come on! Wait a second… Darien and I? Since when are you two even in that context?"
" Since never." I paused thoughtfully. "Since now. A lady never kisses and tells."
"Serena! Don't give me that!"
"Okay, okay. I was just flirting with him a little. That's all."
"You two would look very cute together. You know that right?"
"Hold up." I stopped dead in my tracks. "Please don't go there." I really don't want to throw up anytime soon."
"Whatever Serena. So tell me this. What was the point of that little scene you two just had?"
"Just putting a little flavor in the old routine."
"You are truly a piece of work."
"Takes one to know one dear. Hey, save me a slice of that pizza?"
She laughed and said "Sure. Only Darien and his fine self could get you to leave a meal."
"Hey you know I had to make a good exit."
"Uh huh. You sure did that. Girl you had him standing there in shock. It was as if he couldn't believe what just happened. You are going to have him so whipped and around your finger if you work this right."
"I know! Darien just annoys me so much that I just felt the sudden need to torture him." I smiled a special smile with that statement .
"Are you going to do this tomorrow too?"
"I wasn't planning to. It was mostly a spur of moment thing." I replied , "Do you think I should?"
"Yeah! I want to have a good laugh again. Besides this will be one step closer to the two of you finally going out."
"Raye I have no interest whatsoever in Darien. You know that!"
"Do I? You two sure don't act like it. Teasing is only flirtation for the two of you. I know that, you know that, he probably knows that, the whole world knows that even if you try to act like you don't."
"I really can't believe your audacity sometimes." I rolled my eyes and resumed walking. "Raye as much
fun as this has been I've got to get going. Talk to you later! Ciao!"
and with that I strode out the doors of the Mall and started walking toward the parking lot to drive home.
As I drove home I couldn't help thinking about what Raye had said. What if she was right? Damn she really would be one to rub it in my face if she were too. I couldn't possibly feel anything for Darien than resentment at his very existence on the planet. He just rubs me the wrong way…intentionally. He makes it a mission in life to make mine as uncomfortable as possible. So my reaction is to annoy him as well. So basically our whole relationship is annoying each other. Sometimes it's affection and harmless flirtation that we share but usually it's just the tiniest slice of pure hate and competivness that I feel for him. Which really makes it all the more interesting and ironic considering that I used to think he was cute. Not that he's stopped being cute, it's just that given his attitude I don't really see it as relevant anymore. Usually, anyway.
We met when I was fourteen years old and in a heinous mood because of a less then spectacular test grade. I was so upset that I threw it high in the air and then it hit him. Rather then be a gentleman and give me my paper that I obviously didn't want, he looked at it and teased me about my bad grade. I wish I could say that I never saw him again but alas it wasn't so.
During that year we met numerous times. Most were by literally running into each other. He would make rude remarks about almost everything about me and seemed to relish my reactions which were very predictable. He always caught me when I was my most vulnerable or upset and somehow almost always brought the worst out of me. Words seemed to slice into me, the way a sharp knife would because they were just that cruel, intentionally or not.
Some people may have thought that I was too sensitive and probably still do. Maybe I was and possibly still am but that's no excuse for treating someone you can't even call a friend in such a way. I didn't find him funny then and I sure as hell don't find him humorous now. Except now there's a little difference. It's called retaliation and full out flirtation. I make no apologies for being the kind of person that I am because that was how I was brought up to be.
When I was younger I used to allow people to walk all over me. Now that I'm older I've changed a lot and don't have the time or the patience to deal with that anymore. And as I become a older image of myself as I am today I realize that this change is for the better because it's made me a much stronger person on the inside. When I realize how much the times have changed for me I stop and think that it's almost ironic in a way. The world, it appears, is just filled with all the ironical elements of life.