Time passes quickly when you’re lost in your mind and dealing with an elementary sister who loves to be up your ass. Finally, I had a moment to myself in days. But, instead of peace and quiet to work on this dumb math, I’m met with a message. Below her, when I messaged Robert three days ago, and Camille below him two days before that. 

Photo attached…

Miss me? 

No

I put my phone away and continued painting, Natalia grinning from across the table. 

    “What is it?” I snapped.

    “Oh…nothing…” she said, grinning down at her own painting, it was of a room by what I could tell, it seemed familiar. 

    “Jaylen,” Mrs. Hendreway called. 

    I glared at Natalia once more before walking over to Mrs. Hendreway trying to hang up some students' work. 

    “Having some trouble there?” I asked as I grabbed the stack from her hand. 

    “I’m afraid so, will you lend me a few feet?” 

    I smiled, “Of course.” 

    I put up the charcoal and watercolor drawings on the wall. Mrs. Hendreway talked about her next period the whole time. I can’t lie, I didn't hear a single thing she said, I was too busy in my own mind. I mean, I forgot to check the mail before school, what if it came? What if she was on her way right now? 

    “Are you alright Jaylen?”

    “Huh?” I looked down at her, “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I’m fine, just a little distracted today.”

    “Are you sure?” she grabbed my hand, “I haven’t seen that girl you used to always bring in here around lately. Is she okay?”

    I smiled, “Yeah, she's fine, don’t worry.” 

    She stared into my eyes as if she would find the answers there, “If you say so,” she squeezed my hand and smiled softly. 

    “Don’t worry, everythings fine,” I met her eyes, forcing a smile.

I sat in the library, listening to some NF Mansion. The door slammed, yelling echoing down the hall that had holes which met the stained and torn carpet.  No. Stop it. I tried to focus on the lyrics instead of her screams.

    “Broken legs but I chase perfection, these walls are my blank expression. 

My mind is home I'm trapped in and it's lonely inside this mansion” my voice was quiet, like the whispers I’d hear from my mom when my door was closed…

My foot tapped to the beat, my head moved along and I mouthed every word. Tranquility. A beautiful word to say. I’m humming to the next song when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and saw the books along the shelves. 

“What-” I muttered. I looked side to side and noticed the hand through the lower shelves. I pushed the books to the side and saw Camille’s face smiling back at me. 

“Hey there, you have a pretty voice,” her legs were curled up next to her, she was close enough I could smell her perfume. What was with girls and perfume? At least it wasn’t that try hard vanilla crap. 

“T-thanks.”

“What are you doing on the floor anyway?”

“What are you doing on the floor?”

“I asked around and found out you’d be here.”

I raised my eyebrow and smirked, “Who’d you ask?”

She rolled her eyes, “Students and the librarian, who is very sweet by the way.”

“You act like you’ve never been in here before,” I pulled away from her blue eyes and skipped to the next song, zoning back into the music.

She waved her hand at me, “Nevermind that, lunch is about to end.” 

“Yeah, so, why’d you try oh so hard to find me?”

“I was trying to see when you wanted to have coffee again.”

When did I? I didn’t even know why I said yes in the first place. I could probably get away with blowing her off right now. I looked back up at her, she puffed out her lips and put her hands together. 

“Are you begging?”

“Only if it’s working,” she smiled. 

“You’re pathetic,” I got up, wiping off my pants and grabbing my bag. I walked past her, putting my earbud back in even though she continued talking the whole time as we walked to fifth period. 

Once we’re in class she runs up to her boyfriend Luis. His black hair ruffled from basketball most likely, although he was still in his suit. I rolled my eyes, why someone would wear a suit everyday I had no idea. Mr. Preppy for Miss Perfect, what a good combo, I tried not to laugh. 

12:16 I’ll be seeing you tomorrow! Same spot!