The New Girl

I pulled my jumper on, avoiding making any eye contact with the mirror. I pulled the jumper down more before I opened the bathroom door. I took my make up bag and pajama's back to my bunk before sucking in a deep breath and entering the back room.

Joel had knocked on the door to let me know he was going to be in there and for me to join him when I was ready. I'd spent too much time in there, everyone must have thought I was taking a shit.

"Hey." I said quietly, rubbing my sore arm lightly as I stood awkwardly by the door. Joel looked up at me and away from the T.V. before smiling slightly and turning it off. I looked at the seat next to him awkwardly but decided standing close to the door would make it easier to leave.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked standing up and making his way over to me. I nodded without even putting a false smile on. Joel looked at me concerned.

"W-What was it you wanted to talk about?" I asked equally as quietly as before. Joel's face turned serious and he gestured for me to sit on the sofa. I quietly took a seat before looking at him awkwardly.

"I uh, just wanted to smooth things out..." He trailed off, scratching the back of his neck nervously. I sucked in a deep breath before speaking.

"I'm sorry," I began, fiddling with my fingers. "I'm just... Having a bad day." I explained. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just..." I trailed off, afraid of what I was going to say.

"It's just what?" He asked curiously. I shook my head, letting him know to drop it. He nodded his head slightly before reaching for his pocket. He pulled my phone up to me with a small smile.

I stretched my arm out to grab it but instead I was met with Joel's hand around my wrist. I gulped down the pain and tried to pull my arm away. Joel wasn't have any of it though. He pulled my sleeve up and looked at me.

"Let me go Joel." I mumbled, avoiding eye contact. He grabbed onto my hand tighter. "Joel, you're hurting me." I said quietly.

"Why did you do this?" He asked staring at my arm. I finally gained enough strength to pull it from his grasp. "Katie, why did you do this?" He asked once again.

"It's none of your business." I said keeping my voice as low as possible. Joel sighed.

"Is it 'cause we're going back to Tempe?" He asked catching me off guard. I shook my head. "Is it the people in Tempe?" He asked hopeful for an answer.

"I'm not going back to Tempe." I informed him sternly. Joel went silent for a moment.

"Where are you going then?" He asked finally. I shrugged.

"Home." I said, my voice almost a whisper. Joel sighed.

"What if you stayed with me for a while? You don't have to see John or anything."

"Who says this is all about John?" I asked frustrated that John continued to run my life, even when he wasn't with me. "Maybe I just don't like Tempe anymore," I ranted. "maybe I want to go back to where I used to live, where I was happy."

"Were you not happy in Tempe?" Joel asked curiously. I sighed.

"I was the happiest I've ever been." I said quietly.

"Then why don't you want to go back?"

"Because I'll never be that happy again." I said, spilling my emotions. Suddenly tears fell down my face then Joel's arms wrapped around my body. I mentally kicked myself for being so weak.

I wanted to stop the tears. To stop being so weak and pathetic, but I'd been holding it in for so long that it wouldn't stop. I sucked in a deep breath and nuzzled my head into the crook of Joel's neck. "He hates me." I whimpered.

"I'm sure he doesn't." He tried to calm me down.

"You didn't hear what he said to me." I said through heavier tears. Joel held onto me until the tear and sobbing stopped. "He doesn't want me back there." I said quietly in the silence.

"That shouldn't stop you going back." He told me quietly. I sniffled. Joel hugged me tighter and kissed my forehead.

"Thank you Joel." I mumbled, looking up at his face while his arms were still wrapped around me.

"No problem." He said with a small smile, looking down at me. I stared into his eyes.

"It's nice to know I still have friends." I said with a small smile. He frowned. "What?" I asked, drawing attention to his action.

"We're friends?" He inquired. I nodded suspiciously. "That's all?" I looked up at him weirdly.

"What are you getting at Joel?" I asked confused.

"What if..." He trailed off. "Never mind." I continued to stare up at him.

"Go on." I urged. Joel shuffled uncomfortably next to me.

"What if... We weren't... friends..?" He asked awkwardly.

"You.. Don't want to be friends anymore?" He shook his head, avoiding eye contact.

"I-I want us to be more." He said looking into my eyes. I gulped and looked up into his eyes.

"M-More than friends?"