I wake up to my two dogs – Princess and Gem- licking me. “Yuck” I mumble while pushing them off. As soon as they hop off my alarm rings. Yay, Wednesday, I think. I do my daily routine. Get up, shower, Make my bed and pack my backpack.

My parents have this psychotic delusion that if they drop me of early I might actually eat breakfast. However, I refuse to. I won’t, I am way to nauseous in the morning to even think about food. Instead I sit at a table and read “Refuge” By Alan Grate. About five minutes into my book I feel someone staring at me. I look up and smile.

“Hi”, I say, blushing a bit. “Hi”, Marcus replies, smiling. I toss my book into my backpack. I clasp my hands in front of me a bit anxious and smile. “So, how long have you been watching me read?” I ask him. “Oh well sadly only for about three minutes.” He replies, “I wish it was longer, you’re even more beautiful when you read.”

            I hold back a blush. “Thanks.” I say, “So are you ready for second period?” I ask him. “You know I hate English”, he says rolling his eyes. “Personally I prefer Science.” He continues. “Oh”, I say frowning a bit, “I despise Science I am absolute rubbish at it.” He laughs and I feel my stomach flutter a bit.

            This boy is absolutely amazing, I think to myself. He asks me where I used to live before I moved here. “Well,” I start, “I used to live in a small town near here, then I moved to Odessa, it’s about four hours from here. Now I’m here.
            “Damn,” He says, “It must’ve been hard moving so much.” I shrug. “Eh, it was. We are staying here for three years though” I tell him. “Really” He says in disbelief. “Yeah.” I tell him. “I am moving to Alaska for three years. After this year of course.”

            I feel my stomach knot. “Oh.” I say. I guess he recognizes my disappointment, so he says flustered, “Well, I- I uhm- well I am planning on staying in touch with my friend here of course.” He blushes a bit and recovers. He then smiles shyly.

            “Do you want my number?” I say it too abruptly, and hopeful. I panic and blush and put my hands underneath the table and pop my knuckles. I giggle nervously. He looks…Embarrassed dare I say? “No, I don’t have a phone.” He tells me. “Oh, so how do you plan to ‘stay in touch’ without one?” I ask him, genuinely curious. “Well,” he says, “I know you aren’t a fan of social media but, I have Instagram and if you ever want to chat text me on this.” He writes his account on a piece of paper. I take it and pocket it.

            “Oh” I tell him. I don’t have social media, like, any kind.” He looks at me kind of perplexed. “Well, you should get Instagram, it’s pretty cool.” He tells me. “Okay then I’ll think about it.” The bell rings.

            “We gotta get to class.” Marcus tells me picking up my backpack. I take it from him. “I know, tell the teacher I might be running late. I have to do something.” I tell him. “Yes ma’am. See you in first period.” He replies. I smile flirtatiously and wait for him to round the corner.

  As soon as he is out of sight, I take off running.