Letters to a Nobody

Chapter 3-Floor It!

I smiled at her. Clearly she was overjoyed and I was glad that I could at least help. The whole being shocked and surprised was kind of a fake, because I knew he would ask her out. After all, he did write me-err, I mean S-a letter, about Fay.  He was a nice guy behind his jock exterior, and wasn’t the type to act like a jerk because of his status. Just the way he wrote, I knew he probably faked the whole English assignment thing, because his writing was remarkable, and I knew he probably had a good grade in that class. The fact that he used a cute excuse like that made my heart swell with pride, Fay’s soon-to-be-boyfriend was perfect for her.

My thoughts were interrupted when Carter Woods waltzed into the cafeteria, scanning around the room. My heart began hammering in my chest. Yesterday, he was waiting right by the library wall where my letters would be dropped off, inside the brick wall. He’d been there, scanning around the empty library. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he was looking for me.

I gulped, as his eyes met mine for a brief second, but I turned away, unable to look into his beautiful grey orbs. It didn’t matter anyway. He wouldn’t suspect a low profile, nerd like me to be the oh-so-famous “S.”

He walked away from the lunch line, heading towards the table where all his friends sat. Looking closely, I just noticed his beautiful girlfriend, Lizzie, wasn’t there.

I remember receiving a letter from her. Though private, with secret names to cover their identity, all my years of being a quiet observer, I knew how some acted, and it was clearly visible through their writing. Lizzie was a fun loving girl, with a bright personality and an equally bright heart. Her writing itself was just as bubbly and sweet as Lizzie herself, and it was easily recognizable.

When I’d gotten her letter, I just assumed it would be another fight between the two. Their relationship was good, despite the few banters they experienced. But hey, didn’t all couples get into fights once in a while? Not that I knew, but the fights weren’t bad considering they got to make up afterwards in ANY way they wanted. I’d expected them to get over it, and be back to passionately making out by his mustang by the next morning.

Looking to my left, I noticed Fay staring at me with curious eyes.

“What?” I questioned her, lifting up an eyebrow at her curiosity.

“Why are you staring at Carter?”

“I’m not staring. He’s the one who’s looking around the cafeteria like he’s searching for someone,” I crossed my arms in front of me, resting them on the cafeteria table, “And besides, I don’t see Lizzie on his arm like usual. It’s kinda weird,”

“Yeah, what’s up with that? They’re usually joined at the hip. Guess it’s another fight,” she shrugged, lifting a lock of black hair and tucking it behind her ear.

“Forget that. Tell me more about this date….” Her cheeks turned crimson, and I couldn’t help but grin.

************

Walking down the sloping steps of the school, I trudged towards the parking lot, once again, in pursuit of where I parked my damn car.

Grumbling in frustration, I began walking up and down the aisles, looking for my old black Toyota. 

“Where the hell did I put it?!” I mumbled in defeat. My car was looking more and more like a needle in a haystack.

Turning around, I came face to face with Carter, looking above my head.

My heart beating at a hundred miles per hour, I sidestepped him quickly and quietly, hoping to avoid his gaze. Almost there! I chanted, as I walked towards the side and passed him by.

“Hey!” came a shout from behind. Shit.

I turned around slowly, ducking my eyes down towards the gravel pavement.

“You dropped this,” Carter handed me something. I grabbed it quickly, accidentally brushing my hand against his fingers. Tingles shot down to my stomach, but I ignored them and quickly stuffed the thing back into my bag.

“Thanks” I mumbled quickly, before turning around and speed walking away.

Oh god, that was a close one.

*********

Carter watched the girl hurriedly walk away before turning around.

Strange, he thought as he walked down towards his car.

He swiveled his head around to the area of the parking lot by the library, hoping to find someone exiting with possibly letters in her hand.

He sighed in frustration, as he saw teacher after teacher, student after student, leave, with nothing but books or briefcases in hand.

Slumping towards his car, he popped the lid of his Mustang open, grabbing his lacrosse gear.

As he walked towards the field, he couldn't stop thinking about the girl he’d run into.  As her fingers had brushed his, he felt an unfamiliar spark between their hands.

Sighing, he entered the field and began strapping on his gear.

When would he find this “S”? he thought dejectedly, as he pulled on his helmet.

The coach whistle blew, and all the other guys assembled onto the field. Carter grabbed his lacrosse stick and followed after them, thinking about the girl.

And that was when he remembered one critical detail. The item he’d picked up was what he’d been looking for: an envelope.

He whipped his head towards the parking lot in the distance, but all he could see was empty spots, and a defeated self.