My entire body freezes, my heart sinks into my stomach. I don't know why this information is hurting me as much as it is. How could I have been so stupid? Obviously, he wouldn't wait for eight years! I'm so stupid. And here I was thinking his feeling guilty last night was him not wanting to ruin our damn friendship.
No wonder he didn't kiss me. Ugh, why didn't he just tell me? Spare me the goddamn humiliation and embarrassment? I must've looked and sounded like an idiot! My heart thrashes dangerously inside my ribcage, I'm afraid it's going to split apart. I'm going to fucking throw up.
"With who?" I manage to ask calmly.
"Isabella," Hana tells me as she points towards a crowd.
Eric is, in fact, standing with a girl. A tall slender girl with a sweet face and blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail.
"She's so nice and pretty! You'll love her!" Hana tells me.
A pang of jealousy stabs my wounded heart. I remain quiet, while low-key wanting to punch Hana in the throat for her utter aloofness and stupidity.
"You didn't know, did you?" Aya sympathizes.
I take in a deep breath and act as though I'm completely unaffected by this, "Nope."
Now all I feel is anger. I'm furious with him. Probably for the wrong reasons, but I'm mad. Why didn't he tell me he had a girlfriend? How long has this been going on for? UGH! ASSHOLE!
"Aww, babe..." Aya goes in for a hug and I immediately put my hand between us, shaking my head no. I hate affection.
"It's okay. You can be in a relationship with me!" Aya tells me.
I stammer a laugh. "Thanks, but I'll pass," I tell her.
My eyes make contact with a curly-haired guy standing in the hallway staring directly at me. I suddenly feel uncomfortable when he won't look away. "Um... Guys, who is that guy? Is he a friend of yours?" I whisper subtly to Aya and Hana.
Aya turns back not-so-subtly and grimaces as she turns back to me. "Ew. It's creepy Dan! Total weirdo, stay awaaaaay from him. I mean he's completely harmless, but he's a fucking weirdo," Aya warns.
I press my lips into a thin line, "Noted..."
Creepy Dan makes his way towards us and my body prepares for attack.
"Hello, girls!" he smiles goofily and I realize just how awkward and nerdy-looking he is.
"Who is this beautiful new bird?" he asks them without looking at me.
Um, is he talking about me? Am I the beautiful new bird? How flattering...
"No one says that, Dan. Stop being weird, this is—" Aya pauses. The bitch forgot my name again, didn't she?
"Uhh... Clemdwubdwuf something," she shrugs.
Hana rolls her eyes. "It's Clementine," she corrects her.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl!"
"Thanks..."
"Bye, Dan!" Aya tells him.
"Oh, no. I'm sent by the principle, I am supposed to give Clementine here a tour of the school!" he says in a chirpy voice.
My heart drops. Please God no.
"Okay, well have fun!" Aya tells me hurriedly, a look of amusement on her face.
"See you later, Clem," she says, then widens her eyes in surprise. "Oh my God! I got it right, right?"
I sigh and nod, she cheers for herself as Hana drags her off towards their lockers. My gaze falls back on Dan, who is looking at me with a more-than-creepy smile.
"Clementine... Clementine... Can I call you Clammy?"
"... No."
"Okay, we'll think of a cute nickname for us. Dementine?" he suggests.
I blink. "... So, how about that tour?"
"Right! How about we go for a coffee instead? Get to know each other?" he asks awkwardly.
Is this boy serious?
"Thanks, Dan... But I'd rather just get to class on time."
"Oh, yes! Of course. Hehehe, no problem..." he sort of sniffles a cry towards the end there.
"..."
"Maybe dinner then?" he bounces back.
"Would you mind showing me to the bathroom? I need to pee."
"Of course! Peeing is a natural part of life!"
Really? I had no idea!
___________________
I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My cheeks are flushed and my ears are as bright as an apple.
Why do I feel so betrayed? It's not like he asked me out or kissed me... But he didn't tell me, either. He's been flirting with me, right? There's no denying that. I mean there's always this thing between us, even if not spoken about, we both know it. Ugh.
Breathe, Minty... Breathe. Just... Talk to him about it. Yes, confront him. Maybe they're not serious. God, I hope they're not serious.
I sigh deeply and open the bathroom door to come face-to-face with a smiling Creepy Dan.
"Peed well?"
YOU ARE READING
Broken
Teen Fiction"Clementine..." his voice is gentle, as though he's reading my mind. He searches my eyes, concern seeps through his features. I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't like this display of affection. I can take care of myself, I don't need his or any...
