Okay, look, dude. I'm not going to sit here and act like nothing's wrong. Something is actually wrong. Very wrong. By wrong, I mean other than Heidi McGallan trying to flirt with me and everyone else glued to their phone screens (that's normal). Today's off. Everything I worked so hard to build up is crashing. And I don't mean it in the same way everything crashed the night of The Collision. This is worse, in a way. On a much larger scale, at least (frustratingly so) according to my 'how-painful-will-my-death-be' scale. Right now, we're pushing a solid eight. Kira falls into step beside me, holding onto my arm like a little kid.
"Is it weird that I still hold onto you?"
"Very."
"Want me to let go?"
"No,"
I can feel her smiling without even looking. I glance over at her just for kicks. As I expected, she's smiling. The same way she was three years ago when I took her to go get her braces for the first time. She looks up to me in ways I don't know how to understand. Kira doesn't trust Dad and Stephanie to take care of her in the ways she needs to be cared for. Images of Stephanie towering over Kira flash through my mind.
Stephanie leaned close to Kira's face, sneering.
"I'm gonna marry your daddy."
Kira's expression turned from freaked out and confused to an unmistakable "what the hell!?" type of face. Stephanie snickered, and walked away.
"I'm sure you don't understand. I don't think that special ED class of yours has been working very well for you, has it?"
I couldn't handle it anymore. Instead of yelling or screaming, I swung. Stephanie stumbled backwards. You little shit! She screamed. A guilty pang of satisfaction spread in my chest. Sure, she was my dad's fiance, but she was also a royal piece of sh*t and a pedophile.
The sound of Kira calling my name pulls me out of memory lane.
"Yeah? Sorry," I say. Kira nudges me, pointing to Kayden Lore across the hallway laughing with his friends, obviously stoned, but still able to be alert and aware. I can feel my face growing hot as we inch closer. "You should say hi!" Kira offers. I glance at her behind her pink-rimmed glasses. "Never," I reply. Kayden would never be caught dead talking to me for three reasons; (1) I'm not a blonde haired white girl (2) I don't smoke (3) I'm not a "pass her to the team" girl. She rolls her eyes, as if knowing exactly what I'm thinking. "Just go say hi, don't be a chicken." She urges childishly. I sigh and keep my head down as we get less than a foot away.
"Hey," a voice says.
It's Kayden's. Now we're pushing a thirteen.
I try to pretend I didn't hear him, but Kira nudges me pointedly. "Dani, he's talking to you," she smiles. I try to tone down the serious glare I'm giving her since we have a present audience. Then I remembered to reply to Kayden. I turn my attention back to his perfectly messy hair, prominent canines, and dimples. Was he always this hot? God, Danielle. Keep it together.
"Hi," I say.
"What's your name?"
"Danielle,"
"Kayden,"
"Nice to meet you, Kayden,"
"Back at you. You busy?"
My heart races. Am I busy? Suddenly my brain decides to hurl cuss words around instead of answers. "Uh, um, I…" I look over at Kira, my expression screaming "HELP ME". Kira looks up at Kayden. He's easily a foot and a half taller than her. Meaning he's a foot and three inches taller than me. "She's not busy at all. In fact, she has no plans all week," she says. Damn it, Kira. Now it seems like I have no life. Instead of laughing or calling me a lowlife, he nods and smiles.
"You like sandwiches?" he asks randomly. I nod, wrinkling my eyebrows in confusion. "Yeah, why?" I ask. He shrugs, "My cousin just opened a new sandwich shop, we should go sometime," he says casually, leaning against the wall. I can't tell if it's because he's high and can't support his own weight, or if he's just doing the Hot Wall (I'll explain it later).
"Maybe I'll check it out this weekend," I say.
He nods, "So it's a date."
My heart races. "Uh… yeah?" Since when did I'll check it out ever mean it's a date?
Kira nudges me hard
I clear my throat. "Ahem. I mean yes," I say, awkwardly.
Kayden smiles. "Tonight, five thirty. Do you want me to pick you up?" he offers. I sharply inhale, much louder than I was hoping for. "Sure." I say, without thinking. He smiles, revealing those prominent canines, a defect I secretly love.
He smiles as the bell rings. "See you in Bio." he says, walking off. I look back at Kira. "I didn't think he knew we had the class together," I say. Kira smirks, "Hot guys can't ignore hot girls," she reasons. I nod. "Fair," I reply.
I head to my homeroom class and try my absolute hardest to keep the manic smile down. "We should go sometime". I don't know how I missed it. Probably because I was staring at his hands the whole time. Don't ask. Don't even. The teacher enters the room. I still haven't gotten used to having mostly male teachers. This one seems to think he's 'woke' or some sh*t because he's suddenly using very gen-z terms like "cap" and "dead*ss" and all that goofy sh*t. Adults acting like teenagers will forever be hilarious.
"Alright, welcome to your second semester as a senior, how's everyone feeling' today?" Mr. Bennett says, trying to sound like what old people call hip. A few laugh, others enjoy the energy. Teria speaks up, "Like I just got cheated on," she says. I can hear myself gasp before I realize I opened my mouth. Mr. Bennett raises his eyebrows. "You were dating Johnathan Runnels, right?" he asks. I cover my mouth. Mr. Bennett is easily the most protective teacher in the whole school. Cheat on his student? It's over. Get into a fight with one of his students? He'll meet you in the parking lot.
"Yeah, I was dating Johnathan," Teria says. Mr. Bennett nods slowly. "Okay. He's on my football team. I think he forgot I'm his coach," he muses. Bella Marino sighs, relieved. "Thank God for Mr. Bennett," she mumbles. Everyone nods in agreement. I look at Teria's bloodshot eyes. She's obviously been crying. Mr. Bennett turns towards me. "Danielle?" he asks. I look up, "Yeah?" I reply. "Your boyfriend is on my team, he has a game soon. I can get you in the front row, just let me know," he says. I try to tone down my smile. But boyfriend? Does everyone know he asked me out already? "Thanks." I say.