FATE

11. Quiet Time

BROOKE

Happy, sweaty students rush down the hallway and out through the door. A boy hits me by the shoulder, rushing down the hallway without a word. I watch him disappear through the door and sigh. I'm just glad the day is over- it seemed busier than usual today.

As I walk, I glance around, scanning the faces of the students, hoping to see Jonah- alone this time hopefully. I saw him during lunch getting his food but he didn't sit in the cafeteria like the rest of us. He didn't notice me. If he did, I would have returned his hoodie and thanked him although I'm not complaining about not having a chance to.

The door opens as I push against it and the sudden change in lighting messes with my vision. I squint my eyes, walking toward the parking lot. I would have to take a bus or cab home since I'm going alone. I just hope I remember the address right.

Carmen is at the library alone today because I gave her an excuse about having something important to do at home but in truth, Blake had stumbled upon a bookshop on his way back from work yesterday and he came home with a novel for me. I spent practically all-night reading and had gotten addicted.

Mandy had disappeared right after class, leaving little or no information about where she was going. Carmen says she does that a lot.

The both of them had drilled me after the incident with blonde Cheryl in the hallway. I told them everything from the beginning when I first talked to Jonah in the library to when he offered me a flavored peace treaty that I couldn't say no to.

The Jonah who talked to me, rolled his eyes at my obnoxious jokes with a little smile on his face was so different from the rude, nonchalant boy I said hi to in the library. I can't help but smile. Mandy had said it was hardly Jonah's style to maintain conversations with people he didn't usually move with and I was 'lucky' because she had met a lot of girls, both seniors and juniors who wanted that.

I don't blame them.

"He has a girlfriend", I think to myself as I pause in the parking lot before thinking of where exactly I can get a bus home.

"Hey new kid!"

I frown. Is it so hard to learn my name?

I turn around to find a bored looking Hailee standing not too far away from me. She has a black beanie on her head and her hair falls in almost curly waves. Both her hands are hidden in the pockets of her brown coat. She walks towards me slowly, sneaking glances around as if someone might be watching her.

"Me?", I ask, hoping it's not.

Her eyes roam my body and she nods before taking another look around her as though she's scared to be seen talking to me.

"I don't believe we've been introduced properly", she stares at me and says.

I release the hem of my shirt. I didn't realize I had been playing with it. "Yeah, I'm Brooke", I raise my hand for a handshake.

She stares at my hanging hand and then at me, "don't do that"

"Okay...", I trail, dropping my hand and ignoring the slight embarrassment I feel.

"I'm Hailee. You and Jonah are friends, right?"

"Yeah...", I mutter, "I guess?"

"You guess?", she asks, her eyebrows creasing.

"We've only talked once or twice"

"Why?"

What?

"Why is he your friend?"

"Uhm, I don't know why people make friends but I guess Jonah's pretty cool"