High school is the best form of mass information spreading. For example, when you fall down the steps, the whole school will know before you hit the bottom. So when someone's parent shows up dead, you're bound to hear about it.
His name was something unimportant. We all knew what he did to his son. It was obvious to everyone but the people who could've done something about it.
The only reason I know it happened is because his son is in my chemistry class. I don't remember his name. Ian something?
He walks into third period with confidence in his step. Not the way someone who's just lost a loving parent would appear. The second he sits down he's flooded by people giving their condolences. Something is so different about this kid. He usually sits there trying to make himself smaller, making as little noise as possible. Today he's sitting back in his chair with disdain.
"I'm so sorry for your loss." One spritely blonde says as she put her hand over her heart.
"I'm sure he loved you very much." He flinches slightly at that one.
"I can't imagine what you're going through, but I'm here for you," says someone who has definitely never spoken to him in his life.
I am the only one in this class who's actually sitting down in their seat not bothering this guy. Mostly because I don't know him and I don't feel bad for him. It's obvious he doesn't feel bad either.
By the time lunch comes around, one back corner table is surrounded by a mass of people. I can't see him sitting there behind the wall of people, but I can see Erica Reyes and the kid everyone calls Boyd angrily sulking in the corner. Erica keeps yelling at people who walk by her and touch her. We were almost friends once. We had gym together in sixth grade until she had one of her seizures and was pulled from the class. She doesn't seem to have a problem with that anymore, though.
I can't take it anymore. If that were me I'd be pissed. I can't even stand it when people apologize for my mom. Why apologize for something that isn't your fault? Before I know it I'm stomping over to the curly haired stranger.
I approach him with my cheeks burning and I can feel myself breathing heavy. He is so much more attractive up close. His face says he's uninterested in what I have to say. It's oddly cute. I'm completely dazed in how blue his eyes are. They're the type of blue that has stripes of darker and lighter shade and even some almost white.
He raises his eyebrows at me waiting for my consolation. "Congratulations." I blurt out.
It seems like everyone in the cafeteria turned towards me in the next instant audibly gasping together. Erica bursts into laughter and grabs onto Boyd's arm who doesn't have a frown on, so I assume that's his smile. The blue-eyed boy smiles for the first time. I give myself a reassuring nod and turn on my heels and leave the cafeteria.
What did I just do? What if he really liked his dad? I mean, I know he was cruel, but it was his dad. What if he loved him in his own way? No, he smiled. Maybe he thought I was insane.
"Y/N!" I hear Scott call from down the hallway. I stop but don't turn around. He runs up to me, eyes wide. "What did you say to Isaac Lahey?"
Oh, his name is Isaac. Well Ian is close. "I didn't know his name was Isaac," is all I say and move around him to leave. Allison comes up behind Scott.
"Wait," he barely touches my arm to stop me. "Are you friends with him?"
"What'd you say to him?" Allison asks again.
"Congrats," I respond abruptly. "And what does it matter?" I say to Scott.
"Don't talk to him." He orders.
"You don't get to tell me what to do."
"I'm serious, Y/N. He's not a good guy. Stay away from him."
"What if he's a good friend of mine?"
"You just said you didn't know what his name was." Allison interjects.
"I don't know him. I thought his name was Ian until just now."
"Ian." She repeats and giggles.
"Am I free to go, sir?" I mock. Scott turns to the side and I walk past him the way he does to me every morning. The gall to try to tell me who I can talk to when he doesn't even talk to me.
The next day in chemistry, Isaac- not Ian- and I make more eye contact than is considered socially acceptable. My neck flushes red and I am very aware of how I keep breathing in and out. I feel like I've just ran up a set of stairs. He's attractive, I won't lie. I know he's not looking at me because I'm attractive. We're on two different levels. He can go up to pretty much anyone and get what he wants. I have to wait until someone comes up to me and even then it's never to ask me out. He always looks mad to appear unapproachable so no one talks to him. That's working out real well for you, I think at him. I realize I've been staring at him thinking all of this. I cringe at myself as I put my head down. He was probably looking at you because you look like you're going to pass out, you idiot.
"Oh no." I say as I watch the lacrosse boys run on the field. I didn't know Isaac was on the team. If he sees me he's going to think I'm stalking him.
"What?" Allison says as she sits down next to me like it's the most natural thing to do.
"Uh, nothing." I close my backpack, trying to not take up much of her space.
"It's gotta be something." She presses. She crosses her legs and pulls out her English notebook.
"What's going on?" Lydia Martin plops down on my other side. My eyes go wide and I sit up straight going stiff. Do they know it's me? Are they aware I'm here?
"Lydia, this is Y/N, Scott's sister." She introduces me as his sister even after he made the distinction. This sweet dark haired girl has made me feel more like family in less than three conversations than my own brother.
"I know." She says checking her lipstick in a compact mirror. "You have a higher math grade than I do." She sneered at me.
"So, what's wrong?" Allison doesn't forget. She seems like the person who when you get talked over acknowledges you and says 'keep going'. They both turn towards me locking me in between them.
"Uh, this guy I keep having awkward encounters with is on the team."
"Who?" They say unanimously, leaning in closer.
"Isaac Lahey."
"Who's that?" Lydia asks. I have never spoken to this girl. My nerves are electrified. I have no idea what's going on. They're just sitting with me.
"Number fourteen, right?" Allison answers.
"I think so. I'm not sure, they're in practice uniforms. I don't know if that makes a difference." What am I doing?
"This is boring, we should go do something instead of sit here. We have an hour before they're done." Lydia reaches across me to touch Allison's leg, "Let's go buy that homecoming dress."
"Okay." She puts her notebook away and the girls get up to walk down the bleachers.
"Are you coming?" Lydia asks me.
"Thanks, but I'm good. I have that math grade to keep up on." I finger-gun at them. Allison laughs and Lydia narrows her eyes on me.
"She didn't mean you had a choice." Allison explains.
"Oh..." I can't help but smile as I put my stuff away. I'm so excited I just shove everything in there, not putting papers in their right folders. If I go too slow they might change their mind.
When we get to the mall Lydia lights up. She half runs into every store and she's the one in heels. I feel so out of my comfort zone. The girls never leave me out though. They keep asking my opinions and throw dresses at me to try on. I explain I'm not going because it makes me uncomfortable.
Lydia opened her mouth to protest but Allison says, "That's okay, we'll just do something together after." They just assumed we're going to be hanging out after. They have accepted me so fast. I didn't even plan for this to happen.
"What's happening here?" I ask in the car on the way back.
"What do you mean?" Allison turns around to me. Lydia flicks her eyes to the rearview mirror.
"Like what are we doing here? Why are you guys hanging out with me?"
"We wanted to hang out?" She says like it's common sense.
"Lydia, I've never talked to you a day in my life, and now I'm riding in the back of your car from picking out homecoming dresses." I'm going to ruin this for myself. They're going to regret taking me.
"Allison talks about you and Scott all the time. I might as well have met you to see what all the hype was about."
"Y/N, you're our friend. So the mall isn't your scene, got it. Next time we'll do something you want to do." Allison offers.
"Wait, we're friends?" Both girls laugh at the joke I didn't know I made.
"Yes, oh my god." Allison turns around as we get to the school. Lacrosse practice seems to have ended early. Scott is leaning against my car. When he sees me get out of Lydia's car he does a double take.
"Hey, babe." Allison greets walking up to kiss him.
"Where have you guys been?"
"Mall." Lydia says across the passenger side out the window.
"Gotta go," Allison kisses him goodbye and hugs me. "See you tomorrow?" I look back at Scott who's not looking at her. She meant me. I quickly nod trying to blanket over my awkwardness. She gets in Lydia's car and they drive away.
"You're friends with Allison and Lydia now?" He asks pulling on the door handle repeatedly waiting for me to unlock it.
"I guess so." I smile the whole ride home.