Since High School

" Ouch, Xavier, stop"

XAVIER

I watched her eat. she seemed pretty hungry, but I could also tell that she was trying to control it. I really wanted to apologise for knocking her down, but somehow,I couldn't bring myself to say it. once, our eyes met, but she put her head back down, refusing to raise it again.

And as if wanting to break the silence, she said Happy birthday xavier. " That's true. I had totally forgotten about my birthday. " Thank you," I responded with a smile. ", grrrr, grrrr' the bell rang, indicating the end of the break period. I have a class immediately after break, and Miss Diana definitely doesn't like late comers." Bye clare, bye anna," I said to the two ladies as I stood up. " Bye Xavier," I heard clare say before I walked out of the cafeteria. I checked my wristwatch and realised I had just two minutes to miss Diana's class.

ANNA

I was hungry. but I also knew how to control it. I felt his stare pierce through my forehead. It was totally uncomfortable. I raised my head to confirm my suspicions, and damn was I right. He was starting at me as though he could see right through me. Remembering that I hadn't properly wished him a proper happy birthday, I said " Happy birthday, Xavier " to him.

" Thank you," I heard him say. we dwelled I. silence once again until the school bell rang, indicating the end of break period. I had a free period after break, and so, I wasn't really in a hurry to get to class, but obviously he was. " Bye clare, bye anna," he said and stood up. " Bye Xavier" clare responded, and before I could respond. he was out of the cafeteria.I sighed as u relaxed into my seat.

XAVIER

ONE WEEK LATER

The rain drizzled mildly outside the window. It has been one week since my birthday, and I have been trying to talk to Anna all week, but it wasn't working. Even when we sat together with clare in the cafeteria, she avoids my gaze like its poisonous. or s, I think. For the past few days, I have been doing a lot of thinking h. Most of them centred her ,ANNA, I figured that I liked her way more than a friend should. But I didn't think she would ever feel the same.

I sighed and looked out of the windo. Even though it was raining, the view was very beautiful. My eyes kept scanning till it fell on a familiar figure. yes, you guessed right, there she was looking as beautiful as always but the problem was, she was walking towards the parking lot without an umbrella, not soo good.

ANNA

The rain finally stopped. It had been drizzling since morning, and I was tired of waiting for it to stop, I bent to pick up my bike. dad had gotten me a bike since he didn't think he could cope with picking me up from school. But hold on, my hands got wet, but I couldn't feel the rain on my head . I looked back in confusion, bit my head colidded with something hard. when I looked up,I saw the one boy I had tried so well to avoid this week; xavier Davies. ' Oh no, not him,' I thought. wait, thought?" Why not him?" he asked, confirming my thoughts. I had said that out loud again. I...I.. I.. It's not what I meant to say. I said, stuttering again. " Fine," he said, and even though I could not see him, I could feel him smirking lightly. " Why don't I take you home?, you do not plan on cycling in the rain, right? he added, and I had to replay his statement in my head to confirm if he was talking to me or not. I couldn't go with him, I had been avoiding him and I would be sooo dissapointed I. myself if I just jumped at the idea of him taking me home. " Hmm, don't worry, I will...." I began to say , but before I could finish my statement, he started dragging me towards a blue car that I hadn't noticed was there the whole time.

" Ouch, Xavier, stop," I screamed when I noticed that his grip was hurting my skin.

" Ouch."

XAVIER

" Ouch. Xavier stop","" Ouch! " she screamed again before I realised that I was hurting her. " Sorry," I muttered when I noticed that her wrist had gone sore. At this point, we were both wet because of the rain." I'm sorry," I added when it seemed she did not hear me the first time.

But I didn't expect what happened next. she suddenly looked at me and screamed." I don't need your help." I stood frozen on the spot as I watched her walk away from me, take her bike, and cycle away." What have I done?" I muttered to myself. I was confused. it had just been me trying to help, but I guess it was taken the wrong way. slowly, I walked towards my car, and once I was in it, I sped off.