JUST LISTEN—OWEN'S VIEW

Chapter 3

I grabbed her notes with one hand, reaching for her with the other. She grabbed my hand, and I helped her up. She stumbled.

"Whoa. Hold on. You better sit down." I helped her back a few steps, to the wall of the building. She slid down into a sitting position. I stood there, not sure what to do. Then I remembered the tissues in my bag. I dug around fro awhile, and finally found them, straightened them against my chest, and offered them to her.

"You can have the whole pack," I told her. "If you want."

"That's ok," she said back. Her voice was hoarse. "One is fine." I gave her the pack anyway, and she thanked me.

"No problem." And it wasn't. If anything, it was my pleasure. I didn't like to see her sick, but maybe now we could get to know each other.

"So, um." Smooth, Owen. Very smooth. "Are you okay?" She nodded and said something about how she just felt sick, she didn't know what happened. "I saw what happened," I blurted out before I could stop myself.

"Oh." She blushed. "Yeah. That was…pretty bad."

I shrugged. "Could have been worse."

"You think?"

"Sure. You could have punched her."

"Yeah. I guess you're right."

"Its good you didn't though. Wouldn't have been worth it." I should know.

"No?"

"No. Not even if it felt good at the time. Trust me." I hope she trusts me, I thought. I want her to.

"Her phone rang, and she pulled it out, glancing at the ID. She made a face and hesitated, debating, I think, whether she would pick it up. She answered.

"Hello?" I could hear someone, Annabel's mom, I guess, say "Hi, Honey!"

I couldn't hear anymore (and I didn't want to eavesdrop). Then Annabel said "So she's not coming to pick me up?" Annabel shook her head, and ran a hand through her hair. "Mom, it's just that it's kind of late and…Its fine. I'll get a ride."

I'd never seen her talk to anyone at school. I guessed she planned on walking. No, what was I thinking? I'd give her a ride.

I winced at the thought of her meeting Mallory. Oh well. Can't be avoided. And I did want to talk to her more.

I pulled out my iPod, and looked through it. "So you need a ride," I said, not looking at her, hoping she'd say yes.

"Oh, no. It's just my sister, she's being a pain." I think that was a yes. But she did say no…but she so obviously needed a ride. Because her sister was being a pain. Now where had I heard that before?

"Story of my life. Come on."