Exuberance

A note slid across the desk to me, and I resisted the urge to rip it into shreds. Way too dramatic. Even for me. But this was the third note I was getting in the last five minutes. Pausing my doodling, I opened the folded note.

“Just look back at me. I promise I won’t disturb you again.”
Mentally groaning, I let out a long suffering sigh, and turned to look at the assailant and bane of my existence. He had his arms above him, curved to make a heart sign, with his heart-shaped lips pouted.

It was such an amusing sight, I broke character a bit and let out a chuckle. I recovered in time to give him a scathing look, but he had a satisfied grin on his face. He had gotten me, already.

“If I can just have your attention, Miss Bassey.” The teacher’s scolding voice was like ice water on my simmering flame. “I’m sure whatever Mr. Edward needs to say can wait till after my class?”

I gave the teacher an embarrassed smile and turned my rapidly reddening face (if my ebony dark skin was pale, that is) to my textbook.

The moment the bell rung, I practically skipped out of the class, but I guess the heavens didn’t have me in today’s favour books, because he caught me barely five seconds later.

“Where are you off to, Bolt?” He grinned at me. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to ditch me.”

I snorted. “Glad to see you’re capable of utilizing your brain for things other than childish antics.”

He let out a deep laugh, that I could only describe as sensuous. “Oh, Eddie.” I looked at him sharply when I noticed the sombre tone his voice took. “Why couldn’t we work things out?”

“We couldn’t work things out.... James,” I dragged his name like it was a slur “Because you’re a selfish person who doesn’t deserve a second of my time. Seconds which you’re currently wasting.” I made my way to leave but he held my arm.

“What about you?” he whispered. “Why don’t you ever communicate? You could have saved us if you just told me how you felt —.”

“Yeah,” I spat. “Blame me for your lack of foresight and poor decisions.”

He held my shoulders. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you said she’s into me.”

I went silent, arms folded as I remembered the events of three months ago. Events which could be described as the most painful of my life. At least as painful as a highschooler’s life could get when she found her boyfriend in a compromising position with the very girl she’d warned him about.

“What can I do to make it up to you? It’s clear you still like me.”

I glowered at him. “How painfully assumptive of you.”

He smiled and pulled gently at my hands. “Please, Eddie. Just give me a second chance.”

I yanked them away. “I don’t give second chances.” With that final note, I walked away, pausing at the door to see him still looking at me. “But maybe I could listen to what you have to say tomorrow?”

I ran out the door before I had the chance to see the beatific smile on his face fully form.

He was my soulmate, and our story was bound to end painfully, but I guess I could take my chances, couldn’t I?