Stuck in the middle
It’s morning time. Something like 7:30, 8 o’clock. I roll out of my bed, get dressed and stretch a little to hear my knees crack. That’s how I knew I was ready to go.
As I walk to school it’s drenched outside. It snowed last night but the heavy rain made it no better to walk in. Slipping and sliding down the hills in my Timberlands made it look like I was skiing.
As I enter the high school door, there’s a feeling of excitement, not from me but from my peers. Yes, I have snow all over my clothes, yes I’m extremely cold, but that’s not gonna stop me from being excited too.
Looking around to see what all the hype is about, I’m looking for my friend group but can’t find anyone.
Forgetting that I was completely anti-social and was a loner at the time, I tried to find some people to hang out with. For the day, I found a couple other athletes to chill out with.
Then it’s lunch time. I’m looking for people to sit with. I found this girl about 5 ‘2, with blue eyes and curly hair. I sit down next to her and I start to eat, but the silence is eating me more than I’m eating my food.
We both stare at each other. No contest. I ask for her name just to break the ice. Her name was whatever, because I forgot right after she told me, but as I made my move it felt like a wide open three pointer.
Unfortunately, I’m no shooter.
The “crowd” screamed airball.
Felt like I was kinda stuck in the middle. Not the best looking guy, but smart and funny. To bad I’m anti-social though.
So, I threw my food away and got ready for my last couple of classes.
Now its eighth period. Last class of the day. I wind down at my desk and try to focus on my work, but the same girl is sitting across the room. My heart dropped faster than a roller coaster at Six Flags when she caught me looking her way. I locked in on what the teacher was saying and wait- ed for the bell to ring.
Fighting the urge to walk home alone again, I pushed myself to walk with a few people, got hit with a snowball, but it’s all fun and games.
Going back and forth against these people, I just met made it even more fun. We rest for a little. I started making a snow angel and found myself floating towards the same girl again.
This time I tried to take things slowly, looking for the caution and yield signs. As we walk to the corner store, we get stuck at a crosswalk. The cars have the green light, but it feels like mine is still red.
I told her how I felt and she just looked at me, kinda confused, but I guess when you try to take it slow, things still get rushed. I was told we’d be better off as friends, but I’m not very good at keeping those.
SO VERY VERY STUCK IN THE MIDDLE!
-Malachi Smalls
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