¹⁰ ⁻ ˡᵒᵒᵏ.
"Every time I see you, it's like a breath of fresh air."
❀
I was awoken by a clothes being thrown in my face. I shot up, to see Joshua standing at the foot of the bed, already dressed and prepared for school. He gave me a smile, and pointed towards his bathroom. I looked at the clock on his nightstand, and sprang out of his bed, going into his bathroom. The clock had read seven thirty-five, and school started at eight, sharp. See, this is what not sleeping in my own bed gets me. Joshua had me up, almost until sunrise, because he was snoring. In his bathroom, I stripped down, laying my clothes out, and proceeded to get in the shower. I couldn't find any regular soap, so I was stuck using one of his several manly body washes. It didn't smell half bad, but I wouldn't smell like vanilla today. I'd be smelling like Attractive Musk. Once I finished my short shower, I brushed my teeth while pulling my clothes on.
Opening the door, Joshua stood there, holding my bag. He slipped it over my head, adjusting it on my shoulder. I checked to see if I had everything inside, and I did. I looked at the clock, and it read seven forty-five. Joshua and I raced down the stairs, and I grabbed a Pop Tart, not bothering to waste time to heat it up in the toaster. Mary was probably busy with getting the other kids ready for school, so we went ahead and left. The walk to school would probably make us late, so Joshua and I did what we always did when we were on the verge of being late; we ran. Unfortunately, I decided to wear boots today, so I had to hitch a ride on Joshua's back.
I didn't notice how fast of a runner he was, until now. He was almost like a cheetah, the buildings we passed by were almost blobs of color. My hair whipped around in the wind, Joshua keeping a tight hold under my thighs. Almost in a flash, we were at school, arriving mere seconds before the bell rang. Joshua kneeled down, and I climbed off his back, standing face to face - well, face to chest with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing up on my tip-toes to hug him.
"I'll see you in sixth period, alright?"
He nodded, and we departed our separate ways. I was concerned for Joshua, almost all the time. I mean, since he's schedule's been changed, he has no one in his classes to be comfortable with. I just don't want anyone to try to take advantage of him, since he gets so paranoid in situations where he has to speak, in front of people he barely knows. I know that no one would physically try to harm Joshua, but mentally, that was another thing. Sure, Joshua might be strong on the outside, but on the inside..I'm not so sure.
Walking towards my first class of the day, I heard someone call my name. I turned around, and wanted to just drop, right there. Rahiem. This boy could annoy the living daylights out of anyone. Now don't get me wrong, Rahiem was a nice person, he was also kind of cute. He had white, pearly teeth, and soft dimples in his cheeks, a combination that would make any girl swoon. Now that I think about it, I think he hangs around Josiah. Noticing that I had stopped moving, Rahiem hurried his pace, a smile on his face. "Hey, Monroe," he stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking at me.
"Yes, Rahiem?"
"You know, since we have Health together, mind if I walk you to class?"
I shrugged, and began walking again. I had no idea why Rahiem wanted to walk with me. We've never talked. We've have two classes together, and he's never talked to me before, why now? He wasn't even keeping up with me, so it was really no use of asking to walk me to class. Anyway, once I reached the class, I took my seat all the way in the back, and prepared myself for a boring lecture on the human body, and all it's functions.
I had managed to make it through four periods, my stomach grumbling throughout every block. The Pop Tart I had obviously wasn't enough, and now I was paying for it. Walking into the commons, I searched through my bag for two dollars to get my lunch. I shifted things around, pulling pens and pencils out, even notebooks. I cursed to myself, as I realized that I forgot my money at home. My stomach grumbled, and I sighed. I remembered the time when I forgot my money at home. I thought I was going to be alright, but about two blocks later, during transitioning, I had passed out.
Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I was greeted with a warm smile. Josiah stood in front of me, one of his hands tucked intot he pocket of his pants. They were kind of baggy, the seat of the pants having a paisley pattern. I noticed that he was wearing a nuscle shirt, and I raised my eyebrows. It wasn't hot enough to go without sleeves today, and I wondered how he wasn't the least bit cold. "Hi Josiah," I tried to muster a smile for him, but rumbling of my stomach left me unable to. He frowned, and took my hand. "I see that you don't have your snack today, so I'll buy you lunch," he grinned.
Like the first time, we skipped people in the line that were too busy talking to other people. Today's food smelled delicious. I decided to get a burger, and their good fries, once again. Josiah picked the same thing, and we walked out, to sit under my tree. I was surprised that the ground around the tree wasn't wet, but just incase, I sat on my bag. Digging in, Josiah watched me, a grin making it's way across his tan cheeks. "What?" I asked him, swallowing the food down.
He shook his head, "Who gave you that bag?"
I sensed a hint of..jealousy, maybe? But I shrugged it off. Maybe I was just hearing things. "Joshua, you know him, right?" I told him, placing a fry in my mouth. He nodded, "Yeah, it's cute, for you." I smiled at him, "Thanks, Josiah."
For the rest of our lunch period, Josiah and I talked about anything and everything. I found out that he had a passion for punk rock music, his favorite artists plastered around his room. He also likes to steer away from the crowd, being what he calls a "misfit". He said that he does art too, and that he would show me when I went over to his house. I didn't forget to him that Joshua had to tag along, and he didn't have a problem with it, surprisingly.
Lunch had ended, and Josiah and I dumped our things in the trash bin as we entered the school building. We walked together to class, and talked more about what we liked. We had so much in common, it was kind of like he was my other half. Talking to him was so easy..I didn't feel like I had to say anything to impress him. He was really sweet, and I was beginning to think that I had a new friend. But then I started to panic. I was going to his house later on. My heart began to race, and I bit down on my lip. What if he figured out that I was a Wilt? Maybe I was stressing too much over this..he's a nice person, maybe he wouldn't care if I was a Wilt?
But some of the nicest people don't accept everything that's thrown at them..
Joshua tapped my hand, looking at me. His eyebrow was raised, and I shook my head. "I'm fine," I told him, trying my best to pay attention to Mr. Barrow, who was going on and on about something that has to deal with Science. Looking across the class, most of them weren't even listening, the sound of Mr. Barrow's ever so boring voice sending them into a deep slumber. Even Josiah was asleep, his head leaned against the wall, his mouth slightly open. I sighed, rubbing my eyes. I didn't blame them for going to sleep, it was almost impossible to stay awake during his class. I often wondered if Mr. Barrow bore himself, maybe even making himself fall asleep? I yawned, beginning to doodle on the blank page of my notebook.
Before I knew it, class was over, and the students who were asleep woke almost on cue with the bell. Joshua and I headed to our last class of the day, and I had a bad feeling in my stomach. I was dreading the part of the day that normally made me happy. Maybe it was just nerves? Yeah, it was definitely nerves. I found myself glancing at the clock all throughout class, my whole body beginning to get hot. What if I messed up over at Josiah's? What if I messed up badly? So bad that he never wanted to see me again?
I sighed deeply, taking one of the question packets that were being passed around. I flipped through the booklet, my heart sinking to my stomach while I read over the questions. Some of these were personal..and made you have to think. I was going to have to lie on some of these questions, most definitely..
Most memorable thing about your parents?
How would you describe where you live, currently?
How do you think people see you?
I gulped, barely being able to pay attention during the rest of class over the sound of my heart pounding in my chest. I felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, and onto the desk, on display for everyone to see. I really wish that I was having an outer body experience, because when that bell rang, I think that I'm going to have a heart attack.
"Okay class, I'll see you tomorrow! Don't forget to work with your partner, hopefully some of you have made plans to meet up!"
Everyone began to leave class, and my eyes fell upon Josiah, who was placing his things in his bag.
I'm sorry that I'm going to have to lie to you, Josiah.