TWO YEARS AGO
I've always relied on my legs whenever I was in danger. Whether it be to run from an unfair fight, a tree falling, or even from security officers. I thought that my legs could get me out of every dire situation.
That is until I got older.
I came to learn that I couldn't always run away from my problems. However, that fact never stopped me from trying.
Homework, friends, first date, family...
Death...
I couldn't run away from them.
After my parents died, I decided that I wanted to get stronger as well. I couldn't act like a baby and run away from everything, so I decided to train myself by hitting the punching bag that my dad kept in his basement.
My first year of high school came and I was already outcasted by everyone. They all knew how much of a "delinquent" I was. This offended me. I did my school work. Helped out the teachers. Scored a top spot on the track team.
So what was I doing wrong?
I started to grow afraid of the stares that I was given. Some people tried fighting me and all I could do was push them or knock one of them out, then run away. They could never catch me, but I always cursed at myself for being so afraid of people.
"You shouldn't worry about what other people think." Mom would always say that.
But when it comes to people wanting to beat you up and laugh at you for it, then that should be reason enough for someone to run away...right?
I'm not a bad person, people are just making assumptions about me. I try to explain it to them, but they never listen. Always talking with their fists and profanity, rather than with there thoughts and feelings.
Fuck...this sucks. I hate this. What's wrong with wanting to have friends, even if you happen to look a little different. If it my hair? My eyes? Is it my posture?
"It's that creepy-ass smile you have on your face."
I heard a voice come from...above me?
"What the hell?!"
I looked up and my eyes widened when I saw a girl sitting on a tree branch above me.
She hopped down from the tree and landed with a "Hmph." Her long caramel hair was tied into a ponytail and fell down to her waist. Her eyes were diamond blue. Her makeup and small, cherry glossed lips, which looked soft to the touch, added many perks to her pretty face.
She wore a lavender-colored jacket along with a black shirt and dark colored jeans with a few rips on the knees.
"Don't you think you're being a little over-the-top with your appearance?" I said.
"At least it's better than a simple black hoodie with grey sweatpants." She said.
I always try and stay away from people, but I don't ever just let people make fun of me without talking back. I'm not the kind of guy that takes it lying down.
"I'd rather keep things simple," I said. "Putting in effort for something that doesn't even matter would be stupid."
I started walking away from her. I didn't want to be late because some girl who I've never met in my life wanted to criticize my appearance.
"Hey, you mind if I stick with you for a little while." the girl suddenly said.
"Why?" I asked without turning around.
"I've...got no one...to talk to..."
And so, that was how my life wet for the next month. She'd always be either sitting up on that same tree branch, or standing right next to it. I've started to notice that she only stood next to the tree whenever she was wearing a skirt. That made sense.
We'd barely talk to each other or even bat an eye at one another, so it was always incredibly awkward whenever we walked to school. We didn't talk to each other on weekends, so it made it feel like we were complete strangers who just happened to be walking next to each other.
For a month straight
ONE MONTH LATER
The same usual thing was happening. I started to get a little annoyed.
"Ok, stop right there." I said to the girl, even though she didn't even do anything.
"What?" she looked puzzled.
"We've been walking to school with each other for the past month, yet I don't know a damn thing about you. I don't know your age, your favorite food, your family, your likes, dislikes, your future plans. Hell, I don't even know your name! So why the hell are you following me?"
She didn't say anything for a long time. She just stood there with a hurting look on her face.
I knew that I probably hurt this girl's feelings, but I didn't care. She's probably just trying to make fun of me. She might've been taking photos of me and sending them to the internet. There probably tagged: "Walking with this freak" or "I feel so sorry for this nerd."
I started walking ahead of her...
"My name is Catherine," she said
I stopped and looked back at the girl. The expression on her face along with the tone of her voice completely changed. At first, she looked like your typical, narcissistic, stuck up bitch. But now, she looks kinda...cute.
"I'm 17 years old. I love gardening , reading, and watching anime. I hate people who stereotype and shut other people out because of their appearance. I live with a loving mother and father along with an older brother and a younger sister. And I want to be a florist when I'm older."
I felt that entire month of zero conversation smacking me dead in the face after hearing everything she just said.
I felt a blush creep on my face.
"Wh-WHAT ARE YOU BLUSHING FOR?!" the girl suddenly exclaimed.
"I CAN'T HELP IT," I shouted. "HOW COULD ANYBODY NOT BLUSH WHEN A PRETTY GIRL IS ACTING ALL CUTE IN FRONT OF THEM!!!"
"..."
She appeared to be taken aback by what I just said. I was confused since I thought that she got compliments like this all the time. Of course, that wasn't on my mind at the moment. So I just kept shouting the most embarrassing things. Things that I figured out just by looking at her.
"I'm not kidding! The way you dress would impress even the most sophisticated family! Judging by how big your backpack is, I'm assuming your incredibly smart too! You mentioned that you love to read right?! And from the bit of muscle that I can see on your arms and legs, you must definitely be some form of an athlete! You work so hard, yet you're handing out with a loser like me?! The reason that I'm so frustrated it because I don't get it! Why the hell are you wasting your perfection on someone like me?!"
...
That entire month of frustration that I had bottled up for her sake came pouring out. I felt disgusted and embarrassed, yet relieved. Such a strange feeling.
*drip*
The sound of a small drop of water hitting the sidewalk brought me back to my senses. I looked up and saw the girl, Catherine, crying streams of tears while she wore the most genuine smile that I've ever seen.
"...Finally...," she barely managed to muster out through her tears. "Someone...finally...acknowledged me..."
"..."
How could no one acknowledge a pretty girl like Catherine? She was the perfect girl in my eyes, yet she's telling me that no one ever even complimented her?
"I've never been able to make friends," she said after gaining back her composure. "I grew shy and distanced myself from people. I always tried my best to go over-the-top when it came to my abilities, but nobody would ever come up to me and talk. I grew a little introverted and just stayed away from large groups. I thought I would forever remain invisible. But after hearing what you said, I..."
She started crying again as she wore her genuine smile again.
"You actually looked at me! You even called me cute! I've never heard a stranger call me that before! It makes me so happy! Thank you!"
I was completely shocked.
All this girl wanted was a little attention from other people, but she was afraid to walk up to them because of her introverted personality.
Maybe she's not so far above my lever after all.
Suddenly, she walked closer to me.
"Hey, you want to know why I was so shy towards you?" Catherine asked.
"Wh-Why?" I stuttered.
"I've seen the way you look out the window every day. Of course, I'm not a stalker or anything, but I just couldn't help but stare at you as your stared out the window. I could see loneliness, as well as anger, sorrow, and fear. All those emotions warping you and turning you into an outcast. I know that pain. It was as if I was looking at a mirror, or maybe even seeing my other half."
Other...half.
"Which is why I just couldn't help myself." Catherine said with a little smile.
"Help yourself?" I repeated, a little dumbfounded.
"Ufufu...I just couldn't help but fall in love with you, Jaden!"