F•R•I•E•N•D•S

F•I•F•T•E•E•N

Everly

My pulse quickens with every step I take that brings me closer to the group of boys loitering in the hall. The only thing I had to do was put one foot in front of the other, and walk directly pass them. No contact, no conversation.
It was an easy task yet, I can't seem to shake off the train of thought that speeds through my mind.

"There's seven of them, they can easily take you."

"Why are they looking at me like that?"

"What if they try something? Oh gosh what if they touch me?"

As I swipe at the stray drops of sweat dotting my forehead, I pull my phone from my pocket to pretend I'm busy while walking by. The worst part about being a girl is having to constantly live in fear of someone attacking you, for something you don't deserve.

I'm closer now, their conversation about convertibles becoming more audible. They haven't even looked my way, being so engulfed in frivolous chatter. I start to breathe more freely, hoping my thoughts were just as foolish as they sound. Maybe all guys really aren't out to get me.
I even dare to throw on a tiny smile, to show friendliness.

Just as I was passing the last person, he looks up, catching my eye. My heart leaps in my throat. My fear increases as the guy with peculiar orange hair taps his buddies and juts his chin my way.

Oh crap, my thoughts were right all along.

I almost trip over my feet at the rate I'm going, and hold back a scream as my face runs into a hard chest.

"Woah there, what's wrong?" The deep voice asks.

Looking into the hazel eyes of Ben, all my fear subsides; the calming effect his hands give off as they run up and down my arms put me at ease.

"Ben, I'm s-sorry; didn't mean to run into you."

He still looks at me, concern lacing his irises. His phone buzzes in his pocket and as he reaches for it, I take the chance to sneak a look behind me. The group of boys were gone, thank heavens.

"Yeah, I'll bring that as well. Be back soon," he ends the call. "So I have to snag something from you guys' room. Do you mind unlocking the door for me?"

Even though I was supposed to be meeting Ishika at the library, I turn around and walk with him back to the room. He didn't know it but, he helped me, so it was only right that I do this for him.

As I stand haphazardly by the door waiting, the memory of him catching me on the couch pops into my head. He had caught me in the most embarrassing act ever and I've been avoiding him since. Nevertheless, my ears and face flush like it was just moments ago. I needed to bring this up or I wasn't going to move on.

"So, uhm, the other day," I start.

"Yeah?" He answers from Kennedy's side of the room. He was looking through drawers, intent on finding whatever he needed.

"When I was on the, uh, couch and you.... you walked in?" I practically whisper the last part, doubting he heard.
I knew he did though, because his hands froze as he looked directly at me.

"Look, I know that was a private time I barged in on and you're probably embarrassed." My cheeks feel like they're on fire by this point, but I remain silent.

"You have nothing to feel embarrassed about. We're both adults and it happens; it's natural actually," he gives a smile to show his comfort about the whole thing.

"So you're not weirded out or anything?" My voice is small and child-like; I hate it.

"Girl bye! Weirded out about what?"

We laugh at his response as the tightness in my chest loosens gradually. When we're done, he nudged my shoulder with his.

"Come on, help me find this thing."

I smile, tucking a lock of hair behind an ear. "What're you looking for?"

"Kennedy's rice pad?"

For some reason, I laugh; and not a small one either. A full blown, stomach holding laugh bursts out of me. I can't remember the last time I had one of those.

"What's so funny?" He chuckles.

"You! You're so whipped."

He rolls his eyes, probably hearing these words before and continues his search. "I am not whipped. Her tummy hurts," he shrugs.

I shake my head at his obliviousness but decide to drop it. He's probably not sure of his feelings anyway. He thanks me for the help and we walk out the building together, parting ways once we reach the end of the block.

                               ***
The library was a sanctuary of sorts, with tall columns decorating every row of books. Stained glass were on all the windows on the second and third floors, but none on the ground floor. Instead of the usual tile flooring, carpet covered everywhere a person could walk, which silenced our footsteps.

I decide to walk around the ground floor, hoping I'd see her soon because I didn't want to look like a creep.
Several students studied at the wooden tables set up, but none resembled the brown-skinned, lanky girl I met at the food hall.

"She must be on the second," I whisper to myself.

I start to make my way to the elevator because stairs was the last thing I wanted to see.

"Psst," someone calls out.

The voice was loud enough for me to hear, yet when I turn around, no one's face stood out from the other.

I must be hearing things.

The sleek silver-grey doors glide open and I fall into its embrace like I would a hug.

"Everly!" The voice sounded annoyed.

Before I have the chance to shrug it off again, Ishika's face appears suddenly, one eyebrow raised into her hairline.

"Hey Ishika, didn't see you there," I stammer.

"I've been calling you since you walked in, what, are you deaf?" She jokes.

"Actually, I'm hard of hearing in one ear."

Her smile drops immediately as she gushes out apologies. It was funny the way she face-palmed herself in between each one.

"I'm joking! Relax," I giggle, hoping she'd find it just as funny as I did.

Luckily, she does and shoves me playfully with her shoulder.
"Come on, let's get out of here."

The night was eerily chilly as Ishika and I sat under a cloudless sky. It seemed as if the stars shone brighter while I gazed into each ball of gas. Crazy how those things are enormous in actual size.
We wander aimlessly around school talking about every tedious thing life threw at us. I told her about my parents; not sure why but it felt right. She knows how stand-offish Emily is with me, how I plan to get a job in my hometown just to stay and take care of my grandparents; I tell her everything.

The best part about it is that she isn't judgmental. She doesn't push alternatives on me; she just listens.

Finally we end up in front of the dorms. It was only ten o clock but we both decide to call it an early night. We step into the elevator as I watch her press the button for the fifth floor.

"I really hope you figure out the best thing for you; after all, it's your life. You need to start living it for yourself even if it may hurt the ones you love," Ishika says. The doors glide open and she steps off. "You know where to find me," she smiles before walking away and out of sight.

I was left speechless.