"Casey!" I turn slowly and see Booker standing behind me, breathing all heavy and leaning down on his knees.
"Sorry, I ran when I saw you." I stare at him in shock. I look at this familiar yet strange boy and wonder what would ever want to make him talk to me again. I figured he was just one of those friends that came into your life, stayed for a while, then left. He was still hard to get over though, I thought for sure we had gotten real close over the summer.
"Hello? Casey?" He waves his hand in front of my face, a little grin pasted on his lips.
"Yes. Im awake now Booker." I say, coming out of my trance. He puts his hands on his hips and smiles down at me.
"Good. Hey, I was hoping that you and I could catch up sometime at the cafe, since the station closed down." He says abruptly.
"What about Terri, I dont think she'd like that." Terri, being his super controling girlfriend that made him mean. Although right now hes not acting mean. He seems like good old booker again, all giddy and talkative.
"Terri will be okay." He pauses and looks down. "We just arent doing too well right now and I wanted to talk to you. Like the good old days."
"Book, you've been ignoring me and giving me dirty looks ever since school started."
"I know, I know. And I'm sorry, I just..." He trails off, looking at the ground again.
"You just what?" I ask, wondering why hes so far away from reality right now. He directs his attention to me again and as he explains he just missed talking to me, I look at his pupils, thinking he might just be high on something. It wouldnt suprise me considering the people he hangs around. The kids he hangs around are loners, but they arent the nice and quiet loners. They are the junkie loners. As he speaks about how hes just missed talking to me I wonder how he ever fell into their clique anyway. His eyes aren't dilated and they sure aren't bloodshot, so I guess hes just distracted.
His eyes always mesmerized me. I've never seen anyone with orange eyes like he has. They are beautiful, and they make me melt in my pants as he stares at me.
"Okay. Yeah, I get that, but i should probably get going, my bus is leaving in a second." I say, not wanting to miss the bus. Then I would have to walk home since mom cant pick me up, and Its supposed to rain on top of a very long walk.
"Oh. Okay. Are you up for hanging out sometime to talk? Its been a long time."
"Sure Booker." I say, sighing. Its great he wants to hang out and all, but its still scary to think he may have changed. And even though for the most part he acts like summer Booker, he dresses and looks like a different Booker. His casual short sleeve button ups with a white tee and kakhis are gone, now its dark holy jeans with a black long sleeve thermal. Its so different, but i guess that could just be the cold weather coming on. I turn, ready to leave and Booker brushes my shoulder with the tip of his finger.
"See you?" He smiles at me. My heart fluttered at the touch of his finger against my shoulder and I nod, despite still being weary of him.
"Yeah, I guess." I answer, walking off towards the bus lot.
What do you know I look all over for my bus and its not here. The sky has gotten significantly darker and it looks like rain is being pushed in by the strong winds. I go and sit on the curb right by the sign that says Sevierville County Highschool, with our mascot, Smokey Bear. I pull my backpack off and dig out my flip phone, calling my mom. As I dial her number I feel small rain drops start to hit my skin, and they slowly progress in size as my phone starts to ring.
"Hello?" My mom answers.
"Hey mom. How was your day?" I ask, trying to start on a good note.
"It was okay, how was yours?" She asks.
"Good, but I missed the bus." I say. The rain starts pouring above me and automatically my clothes and hair start to soak in the droplets of ice cold rainwater.
"Oh no. Honey, I can't pick you up."
"I know. And it's pouring down rain right now too." I say, standing and going under the canopy near the entrance of school. The rain doesn't reach me here, but water bounces up off the ground, wetting my ankles even more.
"Oh gosh. I'm sorry honey."
"Its fine, I'm under the roof right now anyway. I'll just wait til it stops til I can walk."
"I'm sorry. But Ally will be here soon and then I will have a lot more patients coming in."
"Its fine, don't feel too bad."
"Okay, bye honey, I love you." She says. I can hear in her voice that she feels pretty bad that I have to walk home when it's pouring outside.
"Alright. I love you too mom. Bye." I say and then flip my screen closed. I lean my head on my knees and sigh, waiting for the rain to calm a little and then I can walk.