"Where am I from?" He asks, a bit nervous.
I nod my head. He sounds nervous. I hope I didn't make him uncomfortable.
My heart aches at the thought.
"Well, it's a little complicated... but long story short, I'm from West of here."
"You're with that new group of students right? Are you all from the west?" I ask, curious and invested in him.
He smiles. "Yeah, uh, we all sort of knew each other out there."
"Why'd you all move here? This area isn't exactly known for attracting newcomers," I joke. I'm spitting questions at him rapid fire, but I can't help it; I have to know him.
"There was a pretty big flood where we're from, but a few of us have relatives down here who offered us a space to reside in until we get resettled. We couldn't really say no, given our situation," he laughs, tossing his gaze to the side before once again locking his eyes with mine.
His voice is hesitant, yet his words sound scripted. I don't quite believe what he told me, but he changes the subject before I can pry anymore.
"Are you from around here?"
"Not really," I say with a smile. "I live farther out than most students, more towards Falling Waters."
"Hey, that's near where we are!" He says, enthusiasm and curiosity in his voice.
It pleases me that he is so interested.
"Oh, no way!" I say, leaning closer towards him before catching myself and drawing back again.
He quickly closes the space I had just left empty.
"I, um, have to take the bus since... since it's so far and... gas would cost too much," I say, breathless.
He smirks. "Oh? That sounds like a hassle for you, Lanie. The bus can't be nice." His voice is soft and sweet as he speaks to me. I can't stop my heart from fluttering.
At that moment the bell rings, and our teacher stands from his desk to begin the lesson. Naturally shy in class, I turn straight in my seat away from Bennett and open my notebook for class. My anxiety typically overrides most of my emotions.
But, just like at my locker, it's almost impossible to focus. His presence is so intoxicating...
And I can't help but feel like he's staring at me.
Out of the corner of my eye I see that he is still turned towards me and leaning forward, just how I left him. Was it rude to turn away when class began? I feel a bit bad now. I hope I didn't hurt him.
Instead of taking notes, I doodle nonsense on my paper and try to make it look like I'm paying attention. As much as I would hate to get called out in class by the teacher, turning to face Bennett would probably be even more awkward.
Although a bit embarrassed, I can't help but relish in his attention.
He is so handsome, and so far he has been kind and friendly to me. His presence itself is so calming.
And that feeling I had when he first walked in the room... like water connected my heart to his... All I know is I need to be near him.
With how much my mind swirls full, the class goes by quicker than expected and luckily I don't get called on randomly in class.
It is only with the ring of the bell that I summon up the courage to look back at Bennett directly. He's still positioned just as he was the last time I checked on him, leaning close to me and eager to finish our conversation.
Before I can utter a word, Bennett finally speaks up as he moves out of his chair.
"It was wonderful to meet you, Lanie. Let's see each other again soon." He holds out his hand and I stare at it for a second before taking it. He helps me out of my desk and places my few belongings gently in my arms. His hand trails across my arm as he moves back. He smiles at me in goodbye and leaves the classroom, walking with ease and grace.
I'm still staring at the door after he leaves.
A distant voice seeps into my ears as the seconds pass.
"...e... Le... Lnie... Lanie!"
I turn around, shocked. "What!" I gasp.
"That guy was so cool!" Jeanette shouts. We are alone in the classroom now. Everyone's left for their next classes.
"Yeah..." I agree, my mind still a little fuzzy after what has happened.
"He was staring at you the entire class, you know," she remarks.
"I know," I say, quickly walking away from my spot in class and out to the hallway.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Jeanette calls.
I peek outside the classroom door into the hallway. Where did he go? He moves so fast.
"What class does he have next?" I ask Jeanette as she catches up with me.
"How am I supposed to know?" she responds with a huff.
"I need to go find him." I turn away from her and walk out into the corridor.
"What!"
I know I'm not thinking logically right now, but I don't care. Nothing else matters to me right now. Nothing but him. I'm utterly consumed with the thought of him. I can't help it, and I don't know why.
"Lanie! Snap out of it!" She pulls me to the side of the hallway and places her free hand on my shoulder, trying to keep me from leaving again. "We can always find him another time. He was super friendly with you and even said he wants to see you again! We can look for him after school instead. It might be weird to see him again so soon..."
I think over Jeanette's words for a couple seconds before agreeing with her. "You're right," I say. "I don't know what's wrong with me," I whisper.
"Love will make you do crazy things," she says with a sly smile.
I hit her playfully on the shoulder. "Love! As if!" I laugh. But, deep inside, I feel as though she might be right. I can't let her know that though; she'll think I'm more nuts than I'm already acting.
She laughs with me. "We gotta get going if we want to be on time for our next classes."
"Oh shoot, you're right. Okay, I'll see you later. Try not to die in physics!" I smile.
"Ughh," she sulks, walking painfully slow away from me.
I need to stay focused. I don't understand why I feel this way about Bennett or why I act this way about him, but I need to stay on track with my own life. I almost missed my class to go find him. I can't sacrifice my life for this random guy I just so happen to find incredibly, unbelievably, unhealthily attractive.
But I feel as though that's going to be easier said than done.
***
"How about I drive you home?" A familiar voice speaks from behind me. A pleasurable shiver travels down my body before I shut my locker and turn to face him.
"Yes," I answer Bennett without thinking. I shake my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts. He is so beautiful. "Um, sorry. Why? We've just met and that is such a kind offer." The final bell rings after my sentence, signaling the end of school.
He smiles. "I have a feeling we're going to be close friends. I figured I'd skip all the introductions and small talk and jump right to the friendship."
I can't stop myself from staring at his lips. "Well, what if I like small talk?" I retort. My gaze jumps up to his eyes and my heart flutters. I was quick to accept his offer, but now I feel a little self conscious... and for some reason a bit playful.
"Hmm... I don't think you do."
He's right.
"But even if you do, we have time for that too on the ride," he leans in closer to me as he lowers his voice. "But only if you'd like."
I take a couple seconds to think about it, but I already know my answer. My heart pounds in excitement.
"Okay. I'd like that."
----
Hi!
Sorry this one was a little short! I hope to have the next one up soon. I've been struggling with my mental health which has made it hard to do the things I love, like writing.
Thank you for reading if you are still here; it means the absolute world to me.
Love,
rosesred