Life Afraid

Part Two

I bite my lip, almost hard enough that it bleeds through. I’ve known Special for almost a year, and not once has she asked to meet up. This could go horribly wrong. As far as she knows, I’m some shy, homeschooled girl. Not a guy she’s probably seen around the school! I like the friendship we have… this could ruin it entirely!

“I don’t know.” Is the only reply I can think of.

 “It’s okay if you don’t want to. Though… I could use a hug… *hint, hint, wink, wink*”

I growl at myself, “*Gives virtual hug* There, hug.”

“You know good and well that’s not what I meant!”

I smirk, “How am I supposed to tell when I can’t hear your tone of voice?”

Every time we end up having a conversation on that bully, I kind of feel a pang of guilt for the fact of me bullying Elisa. I let it off the next day, just for Special.

No One Special is typing…

Every time I read her name, I feel bad for her and Elisa… Special has ground a soft side to me.

* * * * * 

I get to school in the morning at the same time as Elisa. Her head is ducked, staring down at her phone with earbuds popping out of her ears. Normally, I get here before or after she does, never at the same time. Instead, I’m walking on the opposite wall of the hallway into the high school.

I silently beg that she doesn’t look up at me.

She looks up, eyes scanning everyone around her.

Screw begging.

When she spots me, she takes a breath and quickly looks forward. She touches something on her phone and puts it away, along with her earbuds. She continues straight, and as I watch her, I imagine Special, being all shy, searching a crowd for the girl she knows as Erika.

Elisa is walking toward me.

I silently panic, I remind myself not to say anything and smirk at her.

“Excuse me,” she says. I realize I was staring at my feet, and look up at her.

“Yeah, Lesba?” **** it, no!

She blushes, “It’s Lisa or Elisa.”

I shrug, “Whatever. What do you want?”

“I want you to stop being a bully!”

“I could be obnoxious, would that be better?”

“Yeah, actually…” She mutters.

Her pace slows and mine quickens. That’s it, enough is enough. I pull out my phone, sending something to Special.