Splinters: Part One

Part One | 9

...

At lunch, I sat at a small table across from Grady, who was practically scarfing down his food. Currently, Grady's enlightening me about his big sister who's apparently gorgeous. Then he asked me what happened to him and why he looked the way he looked. I didn't reply, unsure of what to say.

He told me that his sister was one of the most popular girls at Constance and was actually best friends with Collie's sister. I remembered Ursanne telling me the same information, actually. I tried not to blush when he mentioned Collie and since he didn't comment on my face, I assume my attempt worked.

"I heard my sister's name."

Grady's face paled at the sight of Collie. I watched him, and finally, he swallowed.

"Uh, I was just uh... saying how our sisters were friends... Hi."

Collie rolled her eyes at him and turned to me. "Can I talk to you?"

My eyes hardened and I looked away from her, beginning to eat my sandwich. From the corner of my vision, Collie looked like she was in pain. She leaned toward me. 

"Please, Brayden?"

"There's nothing to talk about."

"You don't think I deserve to know why you're ignoring me?"

I sighed and let my eyes fall on her again.

"Do I need to leave, or...?" Grady trailed off.

"No, you can stay." I said, just as Collie pleaded, "Yes."

Our gazes met and I shook my head.

Collie looked at Grady. "I would appreciate if you left... um..."

"Gra-"

I interrupted my friend by holding a hand up and moving my entire body towards Collie on the table seat.

"His name is Grady, Colleen,-" she winced as I spoke her full name. "-and he's staying."

Collie glanced at him and shrugged. "Fine. Why are you ignoring me?"

I didn't reply.

"I thought we were fine on Friday night. We didn't get angry with each other. What happened?"

Building up the courage, I said it. "Ursanne told me what you did."

Color drained from Collie's face, her mouth slightly agape. Her breathing sounded off as she struggled to find her words. "W-... She told you?"

"Everything. From you being jealous of her to exposing her diary to everyone. It's... I mean, it's wrong, Collie."

She honestly looked like she was about to cry, and I wanted to stop. I wanted to tell her that it was okay and that I wasn't mad and that the only reason why I was doing this was because I really had no other choice. It's not everyday a fifteen year old kid suddenly gets the best family ever to adopt him.

"The diary... D-did she say anything else?"

"Why would you do something like that?" It was a genuine question.

"It was- Brayden, I was stupid. I was young and dumb. Trust me, I'm not like that anymore."

I shook my head. "I don't believe you."

I did believe her though. I believed that she was different. She apologized to Ursanne, and she didn't do a thing to me that would hurt hers and my friendship. Collie looked as if she were close to tears, and that made me feel awful.

"Brayden, I'm sorry. I've told Ursanne I'm sorry. I was just..."

"A bitch?" Grady stepped in.

Collie's eyes snapped to Grady. Her mouth fell open and she almost looked like she was about to yell at him, but she closed her eyes for a long second. Opening them, she turned to me.

"Yeah."

Staring into her dark brown eyes, I sighed. "I don't think I can be friends with you, Collie."

Her shoulders slumped. Slowly, she nodded and got up, walking back to her table. Her best friend watched her as she resumed her seat next to her. Since our tables weren't far apart and her best friend hadn't bothered to whisper, I watched as she wrapped an arm around Collie and said, "You don't need him anyway, Collie. He's a nobody."

...

"So I saw you talking to Collie at lunch today." Ursanne said.

The bumpy bus ride home was a silent one, despite the many loud voices surrounding my sister and I. It was silent for a reason. I had known that she saw Collie and I and I knew she'd question me about the conversation, but I was too upset to think about it. In all honesty, I felt a little sad. I didn't like being rude to Collie and that's exactly what I was doing.

"Yeah?"

"Are you guys, like, friends?"

The question was uncomfortable for both me and Ursanne. I don't think either of us wanted to hear the answer. She probably thought I'd say yes, when really, I unfortunately have to say no.

"No."

Ursanne sighed. "Brayden..."

"I didn't really like her anyway," I laughed half-heartedly.

Ursanne was quiet for what seemed like the longest moment as she stared at me. "Yes you did."

I looked away, feeling sadness engulf me. The rest of the ride home was quiet and that's how I wanted it to be. I didn't want to talk about Collie. I didn't even want to think about her, because the more I did, the more I realized something.  I liked her. I've never had feelings towards anyone else the way I felt about Collie, and it was kind of scary. I could get over it though. I've gone my whole life by myself. I didn't need to get involved with someone, especially somebody like her.