Derbyball

Reason.

As soon as I hear the bell that signals the end of the school day, I'm darting between my classmates and through the halls. Behind me, I hear a brief, high pitched snicker that I know for a fact is directed at my back, but I refuse to give the offender the satisfaction of knowing that it got my attention whatsoever.

I travel in the direction of my locker. After all, that's the place that Henry and I figured we'd meet up for the rest of the school year. Even though I won't be staying with him past the day when my family comes home, Henry insists that we still meet up and hang out. He doesn't want me to get distant again.

I don't want him to get distant, either. He's too good for that.

When I get to my locker, Henry's already there. My locker is already open, and as he sees me, he breaks out into a smile. I slow down as I get closer to him, feeling better than moments ago.

"How was your day? Did you pass your french test?" I ask, a smile emerging on my face as well.

"Ouais, ma cherie," he murmurs boyishly, fake french accent and all. A dimple forms on his cheek and his grey eyes get brighter, drier. I find myself searching them for the meaning to his words because, although I've taken french, I hardly remember half the things I learned.

"Was that a yes?" I ask, feeling dumb.

"Yeah, and my day was okay, but it just got better. Anyway, how were your last classes?" He asks, suddenly taking my heavy books from my arms and placing them on the middle shelf of my locker.

I shrug my shoulders. "See?" I poke his arm. "Told you you'd pass your test. And my classes were better than I expected. Way better than how people acted yesterday," I admit, handing him my backpack.

It's true. Yesterday, before the drama broke out in the cafeteria, I was given the evil eye, ignored by almost everyone. They thought I did something wrong to get kicked from the team, when in all reality, it was just that I didn't go to enough games. When people found that out, most figured that they should be kind to me, show some respect, while others just didn't say or do anything at all.

It wasn't too long ago that these people at school appreciated my effort on the team, praised my performance and thrive. Now, it's almost as if that never existed. All I'd meant to the team, flushed down the drain.

It's funny how quickly people can change their perspectives on other people. How quickly a person can become gullible to anything he or she is led to believe. It's frustrating, because most of the time, no one truly knows who or what to believe from the start when it comes to rumors and gossip. It's all just a bunch of bull, which causes a lot of people to want to believe whatever their friends or family believe.

I'm guilty of it, but that doesn't mean I don't hate it.

While he holds my bag by it's handles, I unzip the largest pocket and take out my physiology book. I thrust my arms up and push my book all the way to the highest shelf. After shutting my locker, I reach to grab my bookbag from Henry, but he shakes his head. I sigh, biting back a smile, and try to snatch it from him again.

I miss almost completely. My fingers graze the side.

He laughs. "Too slow."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, come on. Do you want me to tackle you to this floor?"

He mimics me by rolling his eyes in the most exaggerated fashion. I can't hold the smile back anymore and let it reveal my teeth.

"Henry!"

"Fine, here," he says humorously. I take my bag from his hands and slip it on. I let go a relaxed breath, seeing that the bag isn't as heavy anymore.