Just another Tumor

Mall day #2

Samantha Type

    I find myself staring at Jayden, lost in his brown eyes that turn into a gold glint just as the sun catches them. He seems normal, maybe even in the jock category; although his muscles aren't as defined. He definitely plays some sort of sport. 

"Like what you see?" He smirks at me and I feel my cheeks turn a dark shade of rose. He chuckles as I look away.

"Do you play on any sports teams?" I don't dare to look at him again strictly out of fear of what his smirk does to me.

"Yeah, actually on the football team. What about you?" 

"I was in track at my old school. I haven't done any of it in while though."

"Are you any good at it?" Good at it. That would be an understatement. I loved track. The way the wind feel on my face when I do a sprint, it's nothing short of ecstasy. 

"Amazing, actually."

"Are you going to join it at this school? Our team is kind of shit." I catch him looking me up and down. As if I was a meal being served to him. I don't mind it. Keeps my mind off other thoughts.

"Thinking about it. But I don't want team mates that'll bring me down." I wink and he laughs. This is all simple. I could see myself doing this, normal everyday stuff. Going to school, making friends, actually hanging out with them. But I'm not simple. I wish it was. 

    We look around a few stores here and there. We go into the one he works at and fist bumps a guy that seems to be our age. The guy looks me up and down then whispers something into Jayden's ear. Jayden has a blank expression then turns to me. 

"This is my friend Tristen. Or you could call him asshole. Whichever you prefer." Tristen punches Jayden in the arm and laughs. He seems tense since what Tristen said. 

"I'm Samantha. Nice to meet you." I hold out my hand for him to shake and he hesitates before grabbing it.

"So you're Jayden's new thing I guess." I pull my hand back and look at Jayden who's staring at the floor. Tristen has a smirk across his face. "What happened to Lexi? You two seemed pretty enamored with each other last week." Jayden doesn't look up. 

"We're actually just friends." I say and feel like I should apologize as Jayden's eyes shoot up to mine with a hint of regret.

"WHOA!!! You're telling me, you have this gorgeous girl with you and you're only in the friend zone?" Tristen pushes Jayden in the shoulder. I instantly want to leave but Jayden drove me here. Despite living here for three months I still have no direction of where I am. 

"I can respect a girls wishes, unlike some people I know." Jayden says trying to make light of the situation and pushed Tristen a bit harder. As if there was some anger behind it.

"I listen! To her screams in bed!" Tristen bursts out laughing and I can't see these two being friends. Jayden is obviously more respectful than this guy here. Jayden laughs a bit and I can tell it's fake. He says something to Tristen in his ear and we walk out. I can feel Tristen's eyes on my back, burning a hole in me. 

    We walk around the downstairs of the mall in silence. Jayden walking with his hands in his pockets, head down. I'm not sure what to say about the interaction we just had with Tristen but I can tell Jayden is beating himself up about it. I ask if he wants to look at the makeup store or wait outside like most of the guys. He tells me that I can go look and he'll wait outside. I take my time looking at the new palettes and highlighters. Then I remembered my mom's credit card Merry Christmas to me! I get a couple things and head out. I see a girl talking to Jayden and her hand is on his chest. It doesn't bother me but he pushes it off when he see's me. I walk over to him and the girl.

"Hey, find something you like?" He points to my bag and I nod.

"Oh are you his cousin?" The girl looks me up and down. He hair is straight and flows well past her waist. She seems basic if I were to judge a book by it's cover. White shirt, black tights and white sneakers. SHe has a bunch of bags in her hands and a name brand purse.

"No, just a friend." He replies and smiles at me. 

"Samantha." I say and stick out my hand. She looks at it and makes a confused face. I slowly lower it and she continues to talk to Jayden. 

"You should come over some time. I missed you hanging out last night." Last night he was with me. I wonder if he was heading to her when he seen me on the road. 

"I gotta go. See you around." He motions his head to leave and we leave the girl. I wonder if that girl was Lexi. She seemed to know him well. We head to his car and I put my bag in the backseat so I won't have to hold it. He starts to drive around and I notice the clock says 1:30pm. 

"I should probably head home." I say, staring out the window. This day has been awkward, I'm not sure if this is what I want. I don't think I was made for the simple life. 

"I'm sorry about all that." He doesn't look at me when he talks.

"It's nothing." I say as he takes me home.