As far as everybody knew, Colin Halleck was your badboy next door. He believed in bloody fist fights, body shots off college girls, riding a dirty motorcycle, and getting called in by the principal so much he referred to Mrs. Blaustein as her first name, 'Karen'. Everyone spread rumors such as; he was involved in an underground gang, or he was a part of illegal drifting, or (my favorite one) he once threatened a freshman exchange student so much and he moved back to his home country, Serbia. However, none of those conspiracy theories were true. He was just a complex guy that has obedience and trust issues.
He waved me over behind the library, secluded from everyone else. I looked around one last time to make sure no one could see us. He was a nice..friend to have, and although we would never be seen outside talking or even breathing together, it was okay. As if someone like me would even ever be associated with his name. Plus, it was his request to keep our friendship a secret as he did not want to ruin his 'badboy' image.
Although I hated to admit it, it angered me greatly that I could not socialize with him openly. It is all because of my social latter and the fact that I wasn't pretty or smart or athletic enough. I'm deemed at the bottom of the food chain, where I was invisible to the rest of the student population.
Exactly like what my father said. Worthless.
And because of that and those thoughts, I hated myself even more.
"What's up, Tye?" he gestured me to sit next to him on the ledge. Tye was a nickname that thirteen year old, scrawny Colin had made up in seventh grade; when we first met. It was a combination of my first and last name, Lyla Tsai.
I sat next to him. "Hey Hali, and nothing much." Lies. But before he had a chance to respond, I said, "Did you happen to take me home last night?" getting straight to the point. I silently prayed he did.
His usual cold chocolate eyes were left unguarded towards me and his true, warm chocolate eyes surfaced. His eyes narrowed. "..No, why?"
Huh, so it wasn't Colin.. Then who could it be?
"Nothing," I gave him a fake smile. "You don't have to worry about it."
"Tye, you can't just ask me something so specific like that and just leave me hangin'," he whined.
I waved him off. "This does not concern you," I said. "It's just something doesn't add up.."
His eyes harden and he turned away, crossing his muscular arms. His leather jacket groaned in protest of the traction. "Fine than don't tell me."
Sometimes, he was a petty and immature idiot.
I sighed and got up. "Well if you're gonna be like this, than I'll get going then."
If I stayed and stared any longer into those chocolate brown eyes, I knew I was gonna leak my faucet and could not let that happen. Plus, lunch was about to start and I'm sure Merith was waiting for me to spill her beans.
So I turned, and did what I did best: walk away.
He didn't call after me and I didn't look back.
And just like that, I left a very confused and disappointed boy standing alone.
* * *
"--And so apparently, Johnny could not hold back his anger and slapped Beth in the face!" Merith rambled on. "I seriously can not believe..."
I drifted off and tuned out the rest of her story. Merith was like that, everyday she had a different gossip story to tell and couldn't wait to tell everyone about it. She was the girl you could count on to know everybody's business. It was her hobby to keep up with the school's drama. I had no idea how she could balance good grades and a social life. I couldn't even keep up with having decent grades, let alone a social life. I looked down and continued to pick on my salad.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" She snapped her fingers in front of me. My eyes snapped up and I let out a well-routine lie, "Yeah, of course." She smiled in satisfaction.
"Oh, by the way, why weren't you here on time today? You're, like, never late." She questioned, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Uh.." I trailed off nervously. I was thrown off by her sudden question directed towards me. Usually, our friendship only included her talking. I, on the other hand, usually stayed quiet and listened. "..I overslept." I decided to say. It wasn't a lie but it wasn't the truth either.
She narrowed her clear ocean eyes in suspicion, not believing me. After a moment, she lets it go. "Well, I guess I was a great friend for reminding you there was school," she says at last, settling on complimenting herself to boost her self esteem up.
I gave her a small smile. "I guess so."
Merith paused, her smile falling. "Isn't your dad, like, gonna freak out about that tardy?"
Merith knew my father and I argued quite a lot and has issues but she didn't know how deep the scar went.
Suddenly, as if her suspicion and our conversation died as quick as fashion trends, she squeaked. Bleached blonde hair flopping up and down, her hands and head shoke in excitement. Her eyes were cast behind me and they sparkled in awe. She found her next target to gossip about. "It's the Trio!" I followed her bright eyes and turned around.
Four boys walked through the cafeteria doors and all the female population laid their eyes on them. Half the female population in the cafeteria stopped or lowered their chatter as they watched them walk in feverishly. It was like one of those movies where they slowed time and everyone could absorb just how ridiculously good-looking all of them were.
Immediately, my eyes slide to the dark-haired beauty. He had hair as dark as charcoal and it was styled messily with loose curls close to his eyes. His skin looked porcelain and seemed undeniably smooth. He sported a black tee over a black satin bomber jacket. I could feel his overflowing aura from across the cafeteria. And I was sure the other percent of the female population felt it too. H was conversing with two other buddies who had similarly overflowing confidence. One had an overgrown, slick back hair and dazzling green eyes that complimented his dirty blonde hair. He wore a slightly large black floral shirt with dark wash jeans. His other buddy had honey blonde hair that parted to the side. The third guy had a large lock of curly coffee colored hair and oversized nerd glasses framed his face. He wore a denim button up shirt that brought out his eyes and did not seem anywhere as confident as his friends.
Wait..
My eyes moved to the dark-haired boy again.
That bomber jacket..
I crooked my head and frowned.
Why does it look so.. familiar? As if I've seen it before?
And then it hit me.
Flashbacks of that night came knocking down. Dad. Argument. Almost dying. Drunk. Vomit. Carried. No more buses. Someone's car. My room's side window. Home.
My eyes widen in realization.
So it was him?
The guy that had taken me home was him?
And did I seriously barf all over him?
I tried to hide my surprise and groaned inwardly. I continued to scrutinize his appearance.
He didn't look like someone who would help a stranger, much less taking some random girl home.
As if he felt my stare, his head turned and his eyes fell on me. His dark orbs bore into me, and I held my breath. Every though we were yards away, his intense eyes still were able to hold me captivate.
A side of his lips turn upward, flashing me the slightest of a smirk. Then he turned and the group resumed walking to the center of the cafeteria, where I assumed they sat.
Merith inhaled sharply, and I glanced over just as her loud scream came next, "DID I SERIOUSLY JUST SEE THE JUDAS CALLAHAN SMIRK AT YOU?!?"
* * *