The Next Day

Tuesday, April 2nd

The next day, I was horrified. I had to go to school without the comfort of Marcus. When I walk in the door, I see a familiar face who was apparently waiting on me because as soon as I walked in, he looks at me, puts his phone away, and walks towards me.

"Hello stranger!" He says, in his British accent, with a big sarcastic smile.

"Don't smile too big or you'll knock out your lip piercing."

"Still sassy?"

"I'll be sassy for as long as you're British."

Noah walks closer.

"What're you here for?" I ask.

"Well I'm no longer suspended, and Marcus wanted me to check on you. Apparently you're not very popular around these parts."

"Did he tell you why?" I ask.

"No. The idiot won't say anything about it."

If my mind had a face, it'd be smiling.

"Oh, well you've checked on me so goodbye." I say, attempting to walk away.

"Let me rephrase that sentence. Marcus wants me to guard you. Yes, guard."

"There is no way I'm letting you guard me." I say.

"Trust me sweetheart, I don't want to watch you anymore than you want to be watched."

"Then why do it?"

"He's paying me a price that I can't exactly argue with." He says, smiling.

I point to his lip.

"Watch the piercing." I say, walking away from him.

He laughs and catches up to me once I'm at my locker.

"Aren't you skipping class?" I ask him.

"One, the bell hasn't even rang. Two, we have the same schedule sweetie, and Three I've never been one to follow the rules." He says in a "matter of fact" tone.

I roll my eyes and act as if he's not even there.

During the day, stares were shot our way. It seems like ever since I started going here, Marcus has seemed to bring a lot of attention my way. Not to mention that blue eyed bitch. Maybe she has a crush on Noah too. Maybe she has a crush on everyone who's popular. I don't know. Hell, who am I to judge people? Im not the best person either.

Kayla meets Noah and doesn't like him because he doesn't like speaking and because he is just rude. He spoke my head off the whole day, but only with jokes and remarks that only someone with a smartass mouth like his would say. Kayla still hangs with me through the day, though. It's good to have friends but I kind of miss being alone. I definitely don't miss being lonely, but I definitely miss being alone. There is a difference. A major difference, actually.

To be lonely, means to feel sad, and to feel like no one around you cares about you, you have no one you can talk to, you spend your days in scary sorrow and silence that depresses you in a way that is haunting. Lonely is to be sad because one has no friends or company or without companions; solitary.

Alone on the other hand, just means to be by yourself. You are not necessarily sad about it. You go to use the restroom, you are alone. You go on a quiet walk early in the morning, you're alone. Being alone doesn't usually phase you, being lonely is a terrible feeling. Being alone just means having no one else present.

Being lonely means that you have no one present.

So loneliness is not a feeling I miss, but I do wish I could have some alone time. If we are being honest though, my mind would to too many different dimensions if I were left alone, so it's best that I have company. I just wish for quiet.

After school, me and Noah head outside and Marcus is there.

"Sup bro" Marcus says, nodding at Noah.

Noah responds with a small nod.

Marcus looks at me.

"How was your day?" Marcus asks, grabbing my hands.

I give him an awkward smile and respond.

"Good. Except for big mouth over here running his damn mouth all day."

Marcus laughs.

"I'm surprised he talked." Marcus says.

"Wow and here I was thinking y'all knew each other." I say.

"Trust me, Rose. The boy can party. The boy can talk shit. The boy can kick ass. The boy is also intimidating as hell, but he doesn't usually talk at school."

I look at Noah, who looks at me with the same emotionless expression he always has.

"What?" He asks.

I raise my hands in defense and turn to face Marcus.

"Ready to go?" Marcus asks.

"Go where?"

"Wherever you want." Marcus says.

"Home." I respond.

"Mi casa es su casa, mí amor." He says.

I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Is it fine if we go to my house, Rose?" He asks, smiling.

"Sure." I respond, returning the smile.

"Disgusting. Love." Noah says, rolling his eyes.

Marcus and I turn around to face Noah.

"You're still here?" Marcus asks.

"Not anymore." He says, turning to walk away.

He looks back.

"Bye stranger." He says to me, rolling his eyes.

I stick my middle finger up at him.

He turns back around, and Im pretty sure I hear him chuckle. I guess the emotionless boy does have emotions.

Also, opinions on Noah?

HE IS NOT A TIK TOK EBOY I GOT THE IDEA FOR HIS CHARACTER BEFORE ALL THAT STUFF STARTED. jeez.

Love you.

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