Special
"She found your music?" Brady asked the next day at school.
I looked to the side. Besides my Grandfather, Brady was the only person I had willingly performed for.
"And that's not the worst part." I admitted. Sighing, I lowered my voice and guided us to the side and away from the crowd, "Just before Lela came over, she found this song I had been working on."
He shrugged, not understanding.
"It was about her, Brady." I explained, "I made this ridiculous song all about how much I love her. It was cheesy and stupid."
He chuckled, "You wrote a romantic song?"
I placed a hand over his mouth to stifle his cackling. Shooting a glare his way, I waited until he was done before removing my hand.
"You idiot."
"Sorry." He shrugged, "It's just weird imagining you write a love song."
"It is not a love song! I-It's just a song about my feelings for her in a passionate way."
"So... a love song?"
"Just shut up and get to class, idiot." I ordered, placing my hands on his back and pushing him forward. He complained the whole entire way, but I didn't care. I was going to whoop his ass when we got to class.
I shoved him down into a seat beside me, ducking my head as I felt Lela's eyes on me. My best friend noticed this and nudged my shoulder.
"Shut up." I whispered.
The teacher walked inside moments later and gave me a confused look, "Callie, what are you doing? You are supposed to be sitting with your partners."
I gulped, "Yeah, um, about that. I was thinking I could maybe work with Brady instead?"
"Why? Is there some sort of problem between you and Miss Gray?"
I shook my head, "No, no. Not exactly."
"Then what exactly is the issue here?"
"I just don't feel comfortable working with her anymore." I shrugged, earning a hurt look from Lela.
After a long silence, the teacher nodded. I looked to the side and met the hurt eyes of the raven-haired girl.
I bit my lip and averted my eyes. When the bell rang, I rushed straight out without a second thought. I heard the click-clacking of heels following me.
"Mack!" Lela called from behind.
I quickened my pace, doing my best to lose her. I ran behind a tree, praying that I'd finally lost her. But no such luck.
I sat down onto the ground, pulling my legs close to my chest. There was a flash of red, and then Lela was beside me.
"So... you don't want to be my partner anymore?"
I said nothing.
"Is this because of yesterday? Me snooping in your room?"
I shook my head.
"Then what is it? Did I do something wrong?"
I shook my head again.
"I don't understand then, if I didn't do anything than why did you ask our teacher?"
"It just wasn't working out." I finally responded, refusing to look at them.
"It just wasn't working out?" Lela mocked, "What does that mean?"
"It doesn't matter." Hitching up my backpack, I got up and began to walk away, only to be stopped by a confused and hurt Lela.
"I need you to tell me what's wrong."
"I told you it doesn't matter, now just let me leave, Lae."
"Not until you tell me the real reason you bailed on me!"
"I didn't bail on you, okay? Now just let me leave!"
"No! Tell me the truth, Mack!"
"Fine." I said, "You really want to know why I switched? Because every second I'm with you is amazing. I have had the hugest crush on you ever since middle school and ever since we became partners it has been hard to focus on anything but you." I shouted.
"Wait you're-"
"A lesbian. Yes."
Lela took a step back.
"See?" I continued, "I knew you'd look at me like that."
Tears clouded my eyes as I looked into her shocked face, "Are you happy now?" I growled, walking around her to catch up with Brady, who was walking just a few feet ahead. When he saw me crying, he dropped everything he was doing and ran over to check what was up, and I told him everything.
Brady pulled me into a tight hug and wiped away some of my tears. I turned my head to get one last look at Lela, but she had gone. And frankly, I wasn't all that surprised.
I bid my best friend goodbye and walked away in a direction that did not lead to my classroom. I fished inside my pocket, grabbed my car keys, then left.