Not That Interested

My hands are cold even though the air in the library is hot and sticky. I can feel the heat that sticks my thighs to the wooden chair. I touch the hem of my jean shorts. "So Ava, we're still meeting up at your place after school right?," my friend, Paula asks, peeking up from her book to look at me. I glance at her. Her dark hair is a sharp contrast to her pale skin. She looks like what old poets wrote about. "Nah. I don't think so. I have this thing at my mom's house," I say, rolling my eyes. My parents are divorced. I live with my dad mostly but my mom loves to rub her new family in my face so I eat there sometimes. "But there's a party at Jordan's tonight", Paula says in a whiny voice. I sigh. "I know," I say, frowning. "But, hey,I can make up some excuse a few minutes into dinner and meet you there" Her blue eyes light up. "That would be amazing!! Just imagine if I get stuck with JJ all night," she says, rolling her eyes. JJ is our other friend. He's not as close knit and Paula and I are but that's not even the problem. He's practically in love with Paula and has been trying to get together with her for years! Valentine's day dinners, elaborate promposals and a self orchestrated birthday party are just a few things he has done to win her over. I laugh. "I haven't agreed to anything yet." "I know but you can't stop me from hoping" "I want to ask you something but please don't be mad," I say tentatively. She raises her perfect eyebrow. "Go on" "Why won't you date JJ? What's so wrong about being with him?" "Ava, look,I've known JJ since we were kids. I've had one of the best friendships I'll ever have in my life with him. Why would I ruin that?" "So you like him?" "It doesn't matter what I feel." I cough suggestively. "Or don't feel," she adds quickly, glaring at me. "I think you should give him a chance,P" "I don't care what you think," she says, slamming her fist on the table. The girls reading on the table next to ours look over. "Okay. I'm sorry for asking," I say quietly, returning to my book. But for my dark skin,my ears would've burned a bright red. "oh my God Ava I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry," she apologizes profusely. "It's fine, P. Really. I won't ask about him again. I promise" "I'm sorry," she says reaching over to touch my arm. "Me too". I touch her hand. The bell rings loudly. I hate the bell. I hate how it sounds like it's ringing right in my ear. "How convenient," Paula says, gathering her books. "What?" "The bell rings right after our lil' heart to heart" We laugh loudly as we walk of the library. I head to AP Literature and Paula goes the other way to Geometry. The class is cooler than the warm library when I walk in. I take my seat in my usual spot in the back and pull out my phone. I watch out of the corner of my eye for JJ. I scroll through i********: and then Twitter as Mr. Hemsworth tries to settle the class down. A long dark shadow casts across my table as I smell the husky scent of JJ. "Hey A", he says as he sits. He reaches over to touch my arm and my stomach tightens. His curly brown hair catches the light and gleams "Hey. How are you?" "Cool. Cool. How's P? Have you seen her?" My stomach unclenches instantly. I hate this. Why am I obsessing over someone who loves someone else? I have liked JJ since I saw him four years ago. I made the move on him, invited him into my circle with Paula just to get close to him. But he never noticed or if he did , he never showed it. I gave up years ago. "She's cool. We were in the together in the library just a while ago" He nods and taps his table. "Hey, please put in a good word," he says looking at me. I'm about to respond when Mr. Hemsworth finally shushes the class. .... I try to stay awake during the class and breathe a sigh of relief when it's finally over. I turn to pack my books and when I turn back, JJ is gone. He doesn't seem to pay much attention to me when Paula isn't around. I sit a while longer, going through my phone. I look up as Mr. Hemsworth calls Ruby, one of my shy classmates to him. "Ava, don't you have somewhere to be?", he asks. I pick up my things without answering and walk towards the door. I look back at Ruby on my way out. She looks scared but doesn't she look like that all the time? I walk out leaving the door slightly open. Then I stay back and listen in. Mr. Hemsworth talks about the book we're reading, Wuthering Heights and asks her for opinions. I listen for about a minute more and then just as I'm about to leave, I hear it. "Calm down Ruby. it'll only take a second", Mr Hemsworth's voice is slightly agitated. I look into the room. Ruby is standing right in front of him as he forces her hand down his pants. She tries to resist but he squeezes her hand tightly, definitely hurting her. I'm about to walk in when a voice startles me. "Hey Ava. What's up?" It's Anne, a friend from Chemistry. We didn't talk that much. I hear shuffling in the room and know immediately that Mr Hemsworth has stopped. "I'm good Anne. how are you?," I say, walking away from the door, urging her to follow me. "Good", she says, then starts rambling about an assignment I'm not interested in. I turn around to see Ruby come out, clutching her arm. I look away. Anna walks with me to my locker where Paula is waiting with JJ. I open my locker and rummage through while they talk. I'm closing my locker gently when I feel a hand caress my hair. I assume it's Paula but I'm surprised when I turn around. "Who the heck are you and how dare you touch my hair?" ....... Author's note: I know I just started so I don't expect too much. but if you've made it this far, you have brightened up my day. Please comment, follow and like♥️ My Netflix recommendation: Anne with an E. This series is flipping amazing. It got cancelled after just 3 seasons but you won't regret it. Warning though, the first episode may be a bit boring but once you get through it, you're definitely going to be hooked.