Eyes that notice
1191 Words
The classroom felt smaller than usual.
Every laugh sounded louder, every whisper sharper, like they were all aimed at me.
Nicholas sat two rows ahead, too comfortable, too relaxed, his arm slung lazily around Paige's chair. She leaned into him on purpose, laughing just a little too hard, stealing glances in my direction like it was some kind of sport.
I kept my eyes on my desk.
Don’t react. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
But the room was closing in. The air felt thick, heavy with things I didn’t want to feel — anger, embarrassment. I remembered what Paige did to me at the cafeteria and I felt more angry, the sting of being replaced so publicly.
I was alone - I had to admit.
Then a chair scraped beside me.
I was the only one sitting alone, with an empty chair beside me.
I looked up, startled, and there he was.
Aaron.
He didn’t say anything at first. Just sat down like it was the most natural thing in the world, this was time we had same class. Like I wasn’t something people avoided.
'You don’t mind, right?' he asked casually.
I shrugged, my voice cool when I answered. 'It’s a free class.'
He smiled a little, unbothered. 'Fair enough.'
For a moment, silence stretched between us. My mind drifted back to the hallway, the locked door, the phone call I wasn’t supposed to hear. I wanted to ask about it, I needed to, but the words stuck. How do you ask someone about a secret without exposing yourself?
So I stayed distant.
Aaron noticed, but he didn’t push. Instead, he talked. About school. About how boring the lesson was. About how the cafeteria food somehow managed to taste worse every term.
Against my will, I replied. Short answers at first. Then longer ones - at least I wasn't alone, now I had someone to talk to.
By lunch, we were sitting together again- this time by choice.
I didn’t even realize I was smiling until he pointed it out.
'You look different when you’re not pretending to be okay,' he said, unwrapping his food.
My smile faded slightly. 'Is it that obvious?'
'Only to people who are paying attention.' he said with a comforting smile.
That should’ve scared me. Instead, it felt… nice.
When the final bell rang, I packed my bag slowly, walking towards the car park.
Aaron scared me a little as he drifted towards me. He came down from his car and walked towards me.
'I can bring you to school tomorrow,' he said easily. 'And take you home too, if you want.'
I hesitated. The lines were blur.
But for the first time in days, the thought of not being alone didn’t feel dangerous.
'Okay,' I said quietly.
'I will text you tonight, see you tomorrow'. Aaron smiled and drove off.
As I was about leaving the School, I caught Nicholas staring. Paige noticed too.
It felt nice. Whatever Aaron was doing to make me feel better - it was working.
About that call, someday, I'll find out.
My phone buzzed just as I was about to fall asleep.
A message from Aaron.
'Heyy, hope you got home safe'.
I smiled to myself before replying that I did, thanking him for today.
'I'm glad that you are feeling better', he replied.
Before I could put my phone down, another message came through.
'Don’t forget, I’ll pick you up tomorrow.'
I stared at the screen longer than I should have, my smile refusing to fade.
I woke up quite early the next day to prepare for school.
Aaron didn't make me wait, he arrived just in time to take me to school.
I was still in my room when I heard the door bell ring.
Tyler took the door.
I grumbled because I know he was gonna make a big deal out of this later on.
Tyler wasn't that type of brother that you could share your pains with. I couldn't even tell him about the humiliation that I went through at school. I had to face everything myself.
'Allison, someone is here to see you'. My brother screamed nonchalantly.
'I know, I'm coming', I sounded pissed as I headed down stairs.
I saw Aaron sitting on the couch trying so hard so his eyes would not meet with Tyler's who was staring at him in a weird manner.
Aaron turned as he heard my footsteps. From the way he sighed, I was sure he was happy as I had driven my brother's stare away from him.
'Good morning, I'm sure you are ready', Aaron gave a warm smile.
'Yes, I am', I said as I smiled then we headed outside the door.
The cafeteria felt cool and nice. I could say that I have never felt this inner peace at school.
I didn't had to keep in check if Nicholas was with another girl or if the whispers I was hearing didn't favour me.
Now, it was just me, I now had time to focus. I wasn't really leaving the life I wanted being the Queen of this nasty Parkview high.
Insecurity and my life problems made me think that if I didn't rule over them someday they will ride over me.
'Vanilla or strawberry?' I snapped out of my thoughts as Aaron asked the question. He held the two icecream of different flavours on his hand. Icecream was something I wanted right now. Something not as gross and tiring as the food the cafeteria served.
'Vanilla', I said. He handed over the vanilla icecream to me.
'Uhmm. By the way, how were you able to go outside the school building to get these ice creams',
I had to ask because we were not permitted to leave school till we are done for the day. Ice creams were sold at the next street after our school.
'I have my ways, I guessed you would have needed something chill, or you don't like it?' Aaron stared deep into my eyes as he asked the question.
' I do, thanks. I was just curious ', I immediately replied to him to avoid ruining the moment. Honestly, I liked the icecream.
We were in the middle of laughing when a voice cut through us.
'Well. This is… interesting.'
I turned to see who it was, behold it was Kiara. We used to bully a lot of people back then together but we stopped being close when I dated Nicholas, her ex, she suddenly turned into my enemy.
Her eyes were flicking between me and Aaron. The smile on her face wasn’t kind.
'So,'she said, folding her arms, 'are you two dating now?'
I felt Aaron glance at me.
What was up with her, why did she have to ruin this peaceful moment I was having.
I didn’t answer.
My grip tightened on the ice cream.
I realized that I hadn't really planned for this question. The students were surely gonna think and act stupid.
I looked at Aaron, then back at the people staring at me. I didn't like this dark and cold corner I was been placed.
- Writer
