Broken Strings

Chapter 2

It's a particularly nice day. It's sunny with big fluffy clouds decorating the sky. I take a detour to the cafe cart that I rarely grace with my appearance. To my dismay, when I approach the smell of coffee, I spy Skunk and his posse. I try to ignore them and grab my Caramel Macchiato and run but they make it impossible.

"You think a lotta men cant handle the REGALNESS of a UP DO, right? Right?" a blond fellow mimics the popular youtube video. I forgot I even put my hair up.

I roll my eyes and try to depart before another one chimes in, "Florence, Florence. Don't be insecure, girl! Own that ponytail! Work that up-do!" I swear to God I would kill them if I had a weapon handy.

I decide to stand up for myself and spin around in the short line, "Can you not?" It wasn't a big scene, but it was enough to make them leave me alone for the moment. I grab my coffee and dash off to my next class.

On the path, I hear someone shouting "Hey!". I can only assume they were talking to someone around me so I continue walking leisurely. Pretty soon, the call chimes up again but very close to my ear. I turn around and see Skunk approaching my right side. He smiles as we catch each other's eye.

I turn back and refocus on walking and quickly respond, "What do you want?"

He races up beside and me and adopts my pace. "I just wanted to apologize, I know my friends kind of incite my inner-douche. I'm Michael," he offers.

"I would tell you my name but I think you already know it too well," I say with attitude. I can almost feel his ego being deflated. I sigh and try to be a little nicer. "I know what you mean though," he turns to me and his eyes lighten a little, "friends either incite the best or the worst in you. Friends who incite the latter aren't the kind of friends I like to associate myself with." He nods and moves his eyes to his feet. He never responds but keeps his stride in sync with mine. I giggle a little bit when our feet become coordinated. He smiles a very genuine smile. It's a very nice thing to see from a guy who gives such a terrible first impression. "You intrigue me, Michael," I mumble.

He responds, I'm surprised he even understood me, "and you, I, Florence." I sigh and let a moment pass before offering a reply.

"Why do you and your friends take such interest in me? I keep to myself, I don't bother you. Why can't you just leave me alone?" I ask earnestly.

Michael chuckles slightly, "You have no idea, do you? You're one of the most popular girls on campus." I scoff. "No, seriously, every guy on this campus idolizes you. They probably even masturbate to a picture of you." I let out a belly laugh and quickly cover my mouth.

"There's no way," I manage, "I don't even talk to any guys. I'm focusing on school. I read books, not go on dates." Michael nods slightly but continues without my words influencing his opinion on the matter, me.

"I can only speak for my social circle, but you being so reserved but at the same time so social, it honestly confuses guys to the point they ignore the fact that you are a real human being and just look at you as a pretty face," he finishes his sentence and I stop in the walkway. He stops and turns around to face me. I look directly into his eyes, and he looks into mine.

"That's exactly the reason I don't associate with guys anymore. They're complete dicks and you and your friends are no different and you just admitted that," he tries to interject but I keep ranting, "I am a real human being and just because I look like I'm supposed to be a cheerleader and go to fun keg parties on the weekend doesn't mean that's who I am. I don't enjoy being cat-called like the other girls on this campus. Want to get my attention? Want me to know who you are? Introduce yourself. It's relatively simple but guys like you can't get that through your thick cocky skulls." I let out a heavy breath and turn and walk the other way.

"Where are you going? Isn't your class this way?" Skunk calls after me.

"I'll take a detour," I call back.