“What?” he asks with a bite to his tone.
“It’s fine, Ty. Thank you for stepping in, but I won’t let it get that far next time. There’s always some jock or cool kid that thinks he’s the king and untouchable. Now I know who it is.”
I’ve always known I was attractive. I was told enough by everyone around me how cute and pretty I was, but then I started middle school and the boys started going throughpuberty and their gaze told me everything I needed to know. Time and time again, I was leered at. Time and time again, I was catcalled. Time and time again, I was smacked on the ass and told I was hot.
People always say that being attractive is a good thing and while I agree, it’s also a curse.
It’s good for me because I’m able to be taken for older than I am and start working a job to save money. Bad because of shit like this.
“How many foster homes have you been through?” he asks and I stop, just as the bell rings.
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re right, it’s not. But I have a feeling you and I are going to be friends, so we might as well skip the awkward small talk about favorite colors and such.”
“Who says that’s awkward?” I quirk an eyebrow at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Okay fine. It’s awkward for me, but I’m an awkward person.”
“I can see that,” I tease. “Look, we’re already late for homeroom. Come on.”
“Do you…” he starts to ask, but trails off.
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to ditch and go draw or talk or something?” He looks nervous, like he’s worried I’ll blow him off or tell him to leave me alone.
“Sure,” I say with a smile, fiddling with the long sleeves of my black knit-sweater. “You have a place in mind?”
“I can think of a place,” he tells me with a reserved smile and an excited look in his eye.
“When I said we could go somewhere I didn’t think you were going to lead me into the woods. Are you going to kill me? Don’t toy with me, Ty, just do it.” I throw my hands out dramatically. He’s maybe five steps in front of me, trekking through the woods without a path.
I didn’t even think there werewoodsin Arizona. This must be some man-made forest.
“I’m not going to kill you.” Ty turns around, walking backwards and chuckling. Looking at me with a cocked eyebrow and narrowing his gaze. “Yet.”
Looking at me menacingly, I can see the same look that he gave Frank and his posse in his eye. For a split-second I’m actually worried, but then he breaks into an easy grin.
“Not funny.” I shove him as he laughs at my expense.
“A little funny.” He falls back and turns to walk beside me.
“How much farther?”
“We’re here,” he announces with a flourish and there’s a little clearing with a large boulder that would be perfect for laying across and letting the sun warm us. The sun filters through the trees, warming us up and shading everything perfectly. Ty walks forward, stepping into the small circle with his arms spread wide. “What do you think?”
“It’s cute,” I say, stepping into the light with him and taking the flat spot on top for my own. I climb up, laying on my belly and resting my head against the warm stone. “Oh, this is nice.”
“Scoot over at least,” Ty says with a smirk, moving me over with his hands.
“Ugh, I was comfortable.”
“Yeah, well, now you’re comfortable over there.” Ty pulls his backpack up and takes out his book and a pencil. “Did you finish Athena?”
“I did,” I say, shifting so I’m also sitting up, I peek over Ty’s shoulder as I watch him flip through his book. There are so many designs, sketches, works, that I’m almost tempted to grab the book and run off to be able to actually take my time and see all of them.
“Can I see?” he asks.
