Magnificent Love

Chapter 5 - To Tell, or to Not Tell

The rest of my morning classes went by in a flash. Next thing I knew lunch time rolled around.

I was standing in line waiting for my turn in line when I heard someone say my name. I turned around trying to find whoever it was but every one was looking away having their own conversations.

Confused I slowly turned back around and grabbed my tray. The lunch lady plopped a pile of spaghetti sauce on my tray and yelled "NEXT"

I grabbed some fruit and an orange juice and walked to my table. I normally sit with Travis but as I looked around he was no where to be seen. So here I am, sitting alone. Days like today make me wish I had some girl friends.

I slumped over the table and put my head in my hand. I didn't really feel like eating so I slid my tray away from me. I sighed in frustration at how bad today has been. I layed my head down on the table and closed my eyes, I put my ear buds in and blasted my music, hoping to get a few minutes of relaxation.

Just as I was beginning to feel myself relax someone tapped on my shoulder. I swear I jumped 10 feet.

I turned around and saw Dean Mills smiling his brilliant smile at me. I couldn't help but smile back at him. He sat down across from me and said "is it alright for me to sit here?"

"I uh, yeah, sure, yeah." I mentally slapped myself for stuttering in front of him. He smiled again and looked down at my tray with not a single bite taken out of it.

"Not hungry?" He asked

"No I just don't feel like eating I suppose." I said defensively. I felt myself turn red and I started to get angry with myself. Why couldn't I just talk to him like normal. Why can't things be normal, why can't I be sitting here talking to Travis and laughing like I've done everyday since the 8th freaking grade.

"Whoa, I was just making sure you weren't like sick or something, I didn't mean to anger you Callie"

I sighed in frustration because once again I'm messing everything up. "Look, today's just not a good day. I'm really sorry for snapping."

He looked into my eyes as if he was trying to read my thoughts before saying, "I can leave if you'd like..?"

"No, I could use a friend, mine obviously isn't sitting with me today."

"Travis?" Dean questioned

"I mean, yeah. It's a long story." I said quietly. I looked down at my hands and realized I had been picking off my nail polish

Dean glanced at the clock and said "well, we have a half an hour before lunch is over, tell me about it"

I looked down at my hands again debating on whether or not I should tell Dean. I mean I just now started talking to him, I barely know him and how do I know he won't turn out to be a jerk? I wasn't sure whether to tell him or not so I stayed silent.

"If..if you're not comfortable telling me then you don't have to.." he said shyly.

I decided I'd tell him a little bit, "No, I just...I've liked him for awhile but he's my best friend and I told him and now he won't talk to me." I blurted. I immediately regretted saying anything, especially when he didn't reply right away. He just stared at me...and stared...and stared. Until finally he said, "You like Travis?" He looked angry and hurt and upset.

I didn't know what to do or say so I got up and ran to the bathroom.