CHAPTER NINE

DEREK

Today at school Alyssa was acting strange. Whenever I reached over to hold her hand, the look on her face was one that someone would have on if their great ancestors were offended. When I asked her what was wrong, she snapped at me. Oh, shit. What've I done to her? Was it something I said? Is she on her period or something? I was trying to get her out of her bad mood but it just didn't go away. To add to that, Myrah and North didn't sit with the group at lunch. They sat with Essence. Essence looked happy to have North around, hesitant for a moment when Myrah sat down, but the worried look disappeared as everyone started talking together. Laughing like best friends. Smiling.

"Aly, why isn't Myrah sitting near us?" I ask my girlfriend. She rolls her eyes and puts her fork down.

"If I knew, I'd ask if I can make her better." She squeaks. Her voice is high, but still has anger in it.

"Baby, are you doing okay? Did I say something wrong?" I ask her calmly.

"No." She snaps. I feel bad. Whatever I did to her, it isn't good.

"I love you." I whisper in her ear, reaching over to hug her. She pushes me away and crosses her arms. Tears well up in my eyes and I think of happy things to make them go away.

"I'll do anything for you Aly." I whimper. "Just tell me what I have to do and I'll do it."

"Leave me the fuck alone." Alyssa says, starting to cry. "You don't really love me and you know it. You just like my pictures."

"Aly!" I gasp. But maybe it was true. I needed to show her real love. All I really was loving and giving attention to were the pics she sent me. Alyssa's shoulders shook as she cried and all of the sudden Myrah was running over to her.

"What the hell did you do to her?" She spits.

"I don't know! She's been mad at me ever since this morning!" I stammer. Myrah's eyes might as well have been balls of fire.

"Again, I'm gonna say this. WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!" Myrah screams. The lunch monitor, Miss Jackson, runs over. She puts her hands on Myrah's shoulders and looks at me, then Alyssa.

"What happened here?" She says. Myrah begins throwing me under the bus.

"He does not love his girlfriend! I, however, think he should care about her more." Myrah begins strongly but ends weakly. My entire heart stops for a second.

"You guys are boyfriend and girlfriend?" Miss Jackson asks. Alyssa and I nod. "Well you start treating her like it." She spits and walks away. Myrah has sauntered off.

"Aly…" I start. Our friends begin to walk away from our lunch table, whispering and watching us as they walk away. She eats a forkful of macaroni and swallows.

"What do you want Derek?" She finally says.

"Could you please tell me what's wrong? I want to help you. Please Alyssa." I say calmly. Alyssa's face is slack. I reach over and brush away her blond hair from her face. She reaches over and grasps my hand and holds it to her heart.

"It's… Do ya really love me?" She asks me. I move in really close and hugged her. Alyssa's skin is freezing cold. Like a Manipulator's. Impossible. I'm pretty sure I'm the last one left in the U.S.

"I do baby." She smiles. She leans in and lightly places her lips on mine. We make out before we hear someone yell,

"Get a room, will ya?"