The Deal

Chapter 2 - Despicable, Me?

{You've made me acknowledge the devil in me - I hope to God I'm talkin' metaphorically

A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins}

Chapter Two - Despicable, Me?

 It was the day after I had received my sporting injury, and I wasn't in the mood to be hassled. Obviously, Lucy thought differently.

 "How's the ankle?" she asked, her lips twitching in a barely contained smile. I glanced over at her momentarily, before focusing my gaze back on the gum spattered concrete.

 "It's fine."

Lucy knew as well as I did that this was not my first sport sustained injury. My ankle was bad, but it came in second compared to the time I got knocked out cold by a rouge basketball. Especially since I hadn't even been playing basketball at the time.

 I zoned back into what Lucy was saying, and managed to catch the end of her sentence.

"... pretty attractive, but not really my type. A bit on the short side, I reckon."

"Pardon?"

Lucy sighed impatiently.

"I said, Pete was flirting with me last period, but I'm not sure if I want anything to come of it. As a friend maybe, yes, but that's it." She looked at me and raised her eyebrows, asking for my input. I thought for a second, before opening my mouth to reply.

"Honestly, I don't think it would work between you two. For one thing, there is the difference in height. Normally it wouldn't matter two flying tots that there's a bit of length variation, but in your case it would look like a giant taking her toddler for a walk. Also he's quite self-obsessed. If you went out on a date he'd probably just brag about himself the entire time."

Lucy nodded, her brow creasing as she thought over what I'd said. I looked away and across the shaded courtyard, glancing briefly at each person's face as they hurried by. I stumbled when, unbeknown to me, I met the sapphire eyes of a certain pupil.

Damon.

He was strolling along with his mates, looking as if he hadn't a care in the world while other students bustled past him,  making sure to keep their distance as they headed to their homeroom. We looked at each other for a moment, his steely gaze judging as my own eyes widened with apprehension. Then, when his cool gaze returned to my own, he nodded in acknowledgement.

I felt like my entire body froze (not including my brain) as he moved off. Was I supposed to feel privileged that he had taken notice of my existence?

Before I could think to much about it Lucy cleared her throat, bringing me back to the present as we rounded a corner.  I felt myself relax as we continued on, and I released a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding.

Once arriving at our classroom, we made a bid to sit near the door, only to be stopped by the appearance of our good friend Charlie.

"Hey Anna, Lucy!" He cried, overjoyed to see us like always. He pulled out Lucy's chair, before doing the same for me. I smiled up at him, any thoughts of Damon and his eyes vanishing. That's the great thing about Charlie; his mere presence enough to make any trouble disappear.

"Hey Charlie, how's it going?"

Charlie's eyes shinned as he clapped his hands together in happiness, a cheerful grin plastered on his dimpled face.

"Better now that you're here. I haven't seen you in forever!" He moaned the word forever, sounding accusing. But then he grinned. "How's Warren?"

Warren - my boyfriend.