Say Anything

It was finally after school, and I was excited to see that it was going to be the weekend, yet somewhat sad that that would mean I wouldn’t get anymore letters from MM until Monday. I walked slowly to my locker, knowing that there wasn’t going to be a baby blue envelope there. I opened it and threw in my science book and closed it.

“Hey, you.” I heard someone say behind me. I turned around and saw Alex standing there with his arms crossed in front of his chest in a cocky manner.

I just rolled my eyes and made my way to the front of the school, but he continued to follow me.

“Aw, is little Baylin mad at me?” He asked and threw his arm over my shoulders. I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled it off and continued walking. “Are you back to the ‘girl who never talks’ mode?” He asked and once again threw his arms around my neck.

“Stop!” I yelled and pushed his arms off of me again. By now we were attracting some students, who were glancing over at us suspiciously, probably wondering why ‘that one weird girl is talking to Alex Carson’.

Alex just looked at everyone and gave them a lopsided grin, which made a couple girls look at him flirtingly. He just smiled again and soon enough everyone was off on their own ways.

“Come on, Baylin. You can’t say that I’m not attractive. We both know that I am.” He said haughtily which just made me grunt in annoyance.

“Stop flattering yourself.” I mumbled and tried to continue to walk until he grabbed my wrist firmly to spin me around.

He really needs to stop doing that.

“Dude, let her go!” I heard Derek say while talking over to us. “Seriously, what is with you and bugging the crap out of her?”

“Excuse me?” Alex asked at Derek angrily while yanking my wrist from his grasp. They were both face to face now, and I personally thought it was kind of funny how two boys were fighting over me. Well not necessarily over me, but I guess the situation revolved around me. Stuff like this just never happens.

“You heard what I said.” Derek replied. “Will you just cool it?”

Alex glared at his friend but then dropped his shoulders in defeat.

“Fine.” He replied and stepped closer to me. I held my breath, not really knowing what to expect. He leaned in close to my ear and rested his cheek against the side of my head. “No girl turns me down. And trust me, sooner or later, I’ll have you.” He whispered. I shivered at his venomous tone as he nodded to Derek and walked away.

“You okay?” Derek asked and tried to step closer to me. I stepped back and looked down at my feet.

“I’m fine.” I muttered.

“Stop saying that you’re fine when we both know you aren’t.” He remarked. He then grabbed my shoulders and made me look up to make me eye contact with him. I weirdly felt tears form up in the corners of my eyes but I pushed them back violently. “I’ll make sure he stays away from you, alright? He just likes messing around with people; it’s kind of his thing.” He stated. I just nodded and stared into his deep brown eyes, and then did something I never thought I’d do. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly, and he immediately embraced me back. “Baylin,
I really am sorry.” He said while resting his chin on the top of my head. He has always been a lot taller than me.

I quickly stepped back once I realized what I was doing and began to walk away, but he quickly ran up to me and made me face him.

"Please can we just talk?" He asked, well more like pleaded.

"I really don't want to." I muttered. I really didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want to hear his lame excuses for being like he was for the past 3 ½ years, I just didn’t want to hear his bull crap.

Derek stopped and looked at me inquisitively but then narrowed his eyes. “Alright.” He stated sadly. “I just want to say I’m sorry for everything.”

I just looked at him and shook my head from side to side desolately. “I really wish that was enough, Derek.” I stated.

Before he could say anything else, I turned on my heel and walked away from Derek, and my past, but knowing deep down inside that it would just end up catching up with me later.

-x-

I walked through a park close to the school to head back to my house. It was a longer way and I knew I would be back later than I was supposed to, but I didn’t care. The Alex and Derek run-in was already going to make me late anyways, might as well make it later. It is a Friday after all. Might as well make the best of it by sitting in a park all by myself.

Dang. I’m cool.

I continued to walk and the thoughts about Alex and Derek once again entered my mind. There was just something about Alex that made my stomach feel sick. It seemed like he had this power over Derek, to the point where Derek could only defend me every once in a while (which I think is incredibly stupid by the way) and not all the time. I just feel like there’s something more to their friendship than they’re both leading on.

I sighed, tugged my jacket closer to my body and headed over to a swing-set. I sat down on a swing and saw a group of kids running around playing tag in the field in front of it. That’s how my life used to be. I used to be shy, but when I was playing with Derek, it was like it all went away. When we were young, we would run around this park all the time with other kids in the neighborhood, even Alex, and play games.

It’s crazy how kids aren’t the least judgmental. As long as you’re capable of friendship, you were considered a friend to them. There were no stereotypes, nor were there much controversy, maybe a little squabble here and there, but they’d get over it once the next game to play came around.

I missed being a kid.

“Mind if I join you?” I heard a voice say behind me. I looked up to see that Ryan guy who I bumped into in the hall the other day. I raised my eyebrows at him questioningly. “No I’m not a stalker. I just usually go to this park after school and you happened to be here today.” He said, reading my mind. I tilted my mouth to the side and nodded towards the swing, indicating that I didn’t mind him sitting there. “You don’t talk much do you?” He asked and sat down at the swing, he began pushing himself slowly, while tracing his feet in the sand.

“More of a thinker, I guess.” I stated while looking down at my shoes.

“That’s cool.” He replied and stopped on his swing. “Watch this.” He said and suddenly began swinging his feet back and forth until he was high in the air. I felt the bars holding our two swings up wobble back and forth and then all of a sudden I saw a flying figure in the air which landed with a thump about ten feet in front of me. I immediately rushed to Ryan’s body which was now sprawled on the ground and knelt down by his side.

“Holy shit, are you okay!?” I asked and helped him sit up. He just looked at me and laughed, his green eyes lighting up with excitement.

“I was supposed to land on my feet, not my back.” He stated and I laughed a little.

“She laughs!’ He said incredulously which made me laugh harder. “Well, I’m glad you get kicks at my expense.” He stated. I just scrunched up my mouth and let out a small laugh again.

“I tried.” I remarked, indicating to the fact that I was trying not to laugh. He just smiled while I reached out my hand to help him up.

“You’re different than I thought you’d be.” He said as we walked back to the swings.

“You thought I’d be a certain way?” I asked while raising an eyebrow.

“Well, it’s not like I watch you 24/7 and make up indications onto who you are or anything.” He remarked. “I’ve just seen you around and you seemed kind of like a stone woman. No emotions.” He added.

I just shrugged and held on to the swing handles. “I guess you shouldn’t make judgments on people before you know them.” I replied and he smiled in response.

“I guess you’re right.” He replied.

“Well,” I said while getting off of the swing. “I better be going. I guess I’ll probably bump into you another time?” Ryan just laughed and nodded. “Good.” I stated. “I’ll see you later.”

I grabbed my backpack and walked away from the playground with a smile on my face.

Now I have Avery as a friend, and potentially this Ryan kid. Things were looking up.

I don't need Derek.