Chapter Six:

It wasn't until later, much later, that Jamie told me what happened after Will woke up after my punch. She stayed as long as she could, trying to help, but when she realized he didn't need nor want help from her, she turned to leave.

"Hey, You!" he yelled out after she walked a few feet. She didn't know if he was talking to her or not, so she continued to walk. She did have a name, after all. Finally he managed to stand up, and, although he staggered, he chased after her.

"Hey you!" he repeated, and then he grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. Caught by surprise, Jamie gave him a shocked look, but it turned into a grimace when she saw the bruise on his face. Before she could say anything about it, however, he yelled at her once more. "You're that girl she hangs out with. Tell me, what the hll is going on with her?"

"What are you talking about?" Jamie asked kindly, even though he was yelling at her. He sighed angrily, and looked as if he was going to swear some more. He didn't, though- at least, not out loud.

"First of all, she ratted us out-"

"It was the right thing to do-"

"Then she starts mouthing off to me in the cafeteria-"

Jamie continued to interrupt him, but he didn't seem to be listening. "She looked a little upset…"

"Then he punches me…" he swore as he touched his bruise. "And she also… she…" he swore again, as if he couldn't get the words out. Jamie watched him struggle for a few minutes, and she was truly patient, but she turned and started to walk.

"Walk with me." she offered, and he obeyed. "Say what's on your mind."

"It may be easy for you, but it isn't for me… especially with all these people here, listening." he said, running his hand through his hair.

She smiled and laughed a little. "It doesn't look like anyone's listening."

It was true. Jamie had told me that everyone that surrounded him earlier were now going their separate ways, and didn't seem to care about the punch anymore. Will sighed again as they walked. "It's still not as easy… She just… well…"

Jamie sensed his nervousness. "It's all right," she said softly. "I won't laugh."

As Jamie explained it, it seemed as if Will was surprised by what she said. He stopped in his tracks and studied her, trying to figure out if he should trust her. "She… kissed me in the cafeteria."

Jamie did look surprised, but she didn't laugh. "She did? Why?"

"Well…" for the first time, Will looked embarrassed. I was even surprised by this when Jamie told me. "Me and my friends were… kind of… making fun of her…"

"I see…" Jamie frowned and started to walk, but she beckoned Will to follow her. He looked left and right, as if he was crossing the street, and then he followed. "She doesn't like how you make fun of her like that." she said.

Will shrugged. "It was just for fun. That's what guys like me do."

"It doesn't sound like fun to me." Jamie said, looking over at him.

He snorted. "You're not like me…"

They were silent for a few moments, until Jamie said, "She's a nice girl, and a good friend. She really likes you too," Will brought his hand up to his face and rubbed his eyes, as if he had a very painful headache. Jamie went on. "You should treat her better- no matter who you think you are."

"What am I supposed to do? We are totally different people… she's such a… a square."

"You could try to get to know her." she suggested with a smile.

"How the hll do I do that?"

Jamie ignored his language and said, "There's nothing wrong with saying hi."

Will snorted, but when Jamie looked over at him, she could tell he was thinking about it. She smiled and looked away, not caring if he saw or not. Jamie stopped in front of a house, and waited for him to say something. For a moment he actually looked uncomfortable. He finally shrugged and put his hands in his pockets.

"So… this is your house?" he asked.

"No," Jamie said with a small shake of her head. "It's Maria's." After that, she walked up the stairs to my door.

She still didn't tell me about this when I answered the door and let her in. My face was red, puffy, and wet, and I felt ashamed. She didn't seem to mind, though.

"Are you all right, Maria?" she asked. I rubbed my eyes and nodded. "Yes," I lied. "I'm fine."

"That was some damage you did." she said, but she didn't smile.

"Is he ok?" I asked hurriedly, but then I blushed. "I mean, did I hurt him?"

This time she smiled. "You hurt him, but he's all right- a little surprised…" she gave me one of those smiles that I didn't like- a mischievous one, like she knew something I didn't. "He wants to talk to you."

I was startled. I knew he didn't want to talk to me… he wanted to kill me. I shook my head. "I can't."

"Yes you can!" Jamie encouraged me. Tears started to form in my eyes, because I knew she had faith in me. She had faith in me, but I couldn't do it. I was too terrified of saying something stupid, or wrong, and getting humiliated again. It was always my fear. It was true that I could do almost nothing right.

"You can at least stay in the play."

"THE PLAY!" I had forgotten the play. She only smiled.

"I've seen your costume. You'll look beautiful." Again Jamie had that twinkle in her eye, but I had no clue what she was thinking.

I nodded, but I didn't believe it. I let out a sigh, but Jamie seemed to know what I was thinking. She went back to our discussion about Will. "Maybe if you talk to him…" she said, and then she shrugged. "You two will become friends."

"Yeah, sure." I said with a snort. How could I become friends with a bully? I froze at the thought. What if everyone would think I was a bully, now that I punched him? I tried to shake away the thought. "If we do become friends he'll… he'll…"

"Yes?" Jamie encouraged me to go on, but I didn't want to.

"He'll know I exist." I blushed shamefully. Even though I did like him, the thought that he'd notice me every single day scared me a little bit. I knew he did notice me now, but he didn't notice me. He noticed the person who ruined his Christmas gag.

"Well then," Jamie said with another smile. "Welcome to existence."