I mean, he practically asked me to go over there, even if he didn't say anything. Right? Or did he not do that on purpose? Are guys that manipulative? Did he know I would go sit next to him if he removed himself from the group?
I shrug inwardly and fall right into the trap, if it was a trap to begin with anyways. I plop down on the curb next to him, legs outstretched, water bottle in hand.
"Why are you such a loner?" I ask, trying to get a relaxed, joking mood going.
"I'm just tired," he answers, sounding a little tired, if thoughtful.
I proceed to ask him if it's because of school and the conversation gets going. We talk one-on-one for a little while before another friend of his (and mine, sorta) approaches.
All three of us talk, Nik and I looking up at Alper (the friend) from our post on the ground. It seems so easy, talking to him that is. So natural. I don't even have to try, he keeps it going.
I'm finally settling into this, nice and cozy, when the bell rings, crushing that feeling.
"Help me up," Nik demands of Alper. Alper reaches down with one arm and pulls him up.
I sit there and decide in the moment that I want him to do that same to me.
Nik looks down at me at the same time I look up at him. I flash him a smile and reach up, testing his response.
He reaches down and grasps my hand firmly, pulling me lightly to my feet before letting go. I forget what his expression was. I only remember his solid grasp on my hand.
I brushed my shorts off with a few pats and then walk with him to get our bags.
Alper and I exchange a few words about AP English (a class we share second period). I can tell Nik has no idea what to say as this conversation does not pertain to him in any way.
I start to pull away, glancing at Nik for some kind of sign that he'll say something.
"Umm, better get to class I guess." I start to step away.
"Yeah, that's true," Alper responds.
"Later," I say in a hushed voice, fast but loud enough to reach their ears.
"See ya," they both say.
We're supposed to reschedule. It was going to be today, Thursday, but I reminde him he had to get his wisdom teeth pulled. So, we have settled for some time next week.
I shrug inwardly and fall right into the trap, if it was a trap to begin with anyways. I plop down on the curb next to him, legs outstretched, water bottle in hand.
"Why are you such a loner?" I ask, trying to get a relaxed, joking mood going.
"I'm just tired," he answers, sounding a little tired, if thoughtful.
I proceed to ask him if it's because of school and the conversation gets going. We talk one-on-one for a little while before another friend of his (and mine, sorta) approaches.
All three of us talk, Nik and I looking up at Alper (the friend) from our post on the ground. It seems so easy, talking to him that is. So natural. I don't even have to try, he keeps it going.
I'm finally settling into this, nice and cozy, when the bell rings, crushing that feeling.
"Help me up," Nik demands of Alper. Alper reaches down with one arm and pulls him up.
I sit there and decide in the moment that I want him to do that same to me.
Nik looks down at me at the same time I look up at him. I flash him a smile and reach up, testing his response.
He reaches down and grasps my hand firmly, pulling me lightly to my feet before letting go. I forget what his expression was. I only remember his solid grasp on my hand.
I brushed my shorts off with a few pats and then walk with him to get our bags.
Alper and I exchange a few words about AP English (a class we share second period). I can tell Nik has no idea what to say as this conversation does not pertain to him in any way.
I start to pull away, glancing at Nik for some kind of sign that he'll say something.
"Umm, better get to class I guess." I start to step away.
"Yeah, that's true," Alper responds.
"Later," I say in a hushed voice, fast but loud enough to reach their ears.
"See ya," they both say.
We're supposed to reschedule. It was going to be today, Thursday, but I reminde him he had to get his wisdom teeth pulled. So, we have settled for some time next week.
