Reed
"Yeah mom! I'll do my laundry after school!" I say as I'm about to leave.
For the new semester in high school.
I'm Reed, high school Freshman.
I've lived on the second floor of a building in an apartment complex as far as I can remember.
My best friend, Aaron, waits for me as I come out of the elevator.
He lives two buildings away, and waits for me everyday.
So, today is the beginning of a new semester, another chance to try to do something you couldn't do before.
As Aaron and I wait for the bus, I see Sarah Noles and another girl, talking, giggling and waiting for the school bus just near to where we are.
The other girl, I haven't seen her before.
Maybe, she's new.
She's beautiful.
Aaron caught me looking at her and said, "Dude, do you want flies to lay eggs in your mouth?"
And I shut my mouth.
Sarah and I go to the same school, but in different buses.
As I am two years older, I joined the bus available at that time and she joined a newer one.
Probably her new friend would like to stick with her.
I kept stealing glances at her. At one point, I think Sarah saw me.
Then, I caught her looking at me.
She has blue eyes, azure, like the sky before the sun begins to set.
"Paige, the bus is here." Sarah tells her and indeed, their bus has arrived.
So her name is Paige?
Huh..
Good.
Sarah Noles is a great girl, I grew up with her and we see each other as siblings.
But, I don't think I can treat Paige the same way.
The way her eyes enlarge curiously, makes me feel something in my heart.
As I wait for my bus to arrive, another girl from another school who lives in our apartment complex, Dora comes over to me and Aaron and say, "Hey Reed, it's my birthday today. Can I expect you?"
"Well, I promised Aaron that we'd go ride our bikes together." I reply.
And bless his soul, he goes along with my lie. That's what a true friend does.
"Yeah, I need to tell him all about the stuff I did over vacation." Aaron says coolly.
I see that Sarah and Paige's bus hasn't left yet.
And that Paige is eyeing me warily.
What did I do?
Wait, why am I worrying about what a complete stranger thinks about me?
"Reed, we gotta go." Aaron says as he nudges me, and we get into the bus, steering off opposite to where their bus is parked.
Maybe, I'll talk to her someday.