Leading Different Lives

I hate him. Everything about him, the quirky way he smiles, his too long sandy-brown hair, his puppy bown eyes that always seem like hes dreaming. He's annoying, he's rude he's..

My thoughts are interrupted suddenly by thuds of lockers shutting, and a "hello" causes me to turn around. "What do you want now, Derek?" I say, not in the mood for playful(only on HIS part) banter. "Sheesh, can't a guy just say hi without getting the third degree?" He asks, flipping his hair out of his eyes. "No, not when the greeting is coming from one so arrogant," I reply, pushing my way past him.

"Oh-ho, such big words for one so small." I smirk, trying to remember the last time I was called small. Im not obese, but Im definately not small.

"Look, I have to get to english. Can we keep this short?" I ask. "Fine, then we are already done." He smiles at me, then turns on his heel and walks away, while waving at another girl, who flashes him a flirty smile in return.

I don't understand why he still talks to me. We were friends a long time ago, when we weren't old enough to understand the social heirarchy that is high school, before I became interested in writing and before he was 5'9'' and played basketball. He doesn't have to "catch up with me" as I never speak, unless its an insult to his intelligence or something like that. WHY DO YOU KEEP TALKING TO ME?!!!!

I tell my brain to shut up, and continue walking down the hallway to english, where a world that I fit in easily is waiting. 

Mr. Walker, a short man with an even shorter temper, immediately pounces. " Lela, is that article on the new wellness policy complete?" "Yes, Mr. Walker" I say, digging in my bag to get it and hand it in. He looks it over with scrutinizing eyes, then grunts "good." Thats about as big a compliment as a person is going to get in Mr. Walker's AP english class, so I smile and walk to my seat, where my best friend Kaitlyn is apparently bursting to discuss something. "I saw Derek at your locker again. This is the third time this week!" she squeals, very excited for some reason. "And?" I say, already bored with the topic. 

"He likes you! DUH!" 

"Kaity, that's not even a possibility"

"Why not? you were friends when you were younger, werent you?"

"Yes..."

"So, there you go"

Kaity, you don't understand, because you, unlike me, have something to offer the opposite sex. You have long red hair, pretty brown eyes, a perfect smile. Therefore, you dont know the meaning of insecurity. Anyway, even if Derek DID like me(which he DOESN'T) I wouldn't be affected by it WHATSOEVER becasue I have nothing but contempt for him.So There.

But of course, instead of saying all this to her, I give her the old standby- "We have a pop quiz today"

"what?!" she instantly pulls out her gigantic binder, flips through her sad excuse for notes, and attempts to study. within seconds, the bell rings, and Mr. Walker says " Class, pull out your pocket dictionaries. This will be a vocabulary period today." I smirk, waiting for Kaity's glare, and I get it. "YOU LIAR" she whispers furiously, and I grin as I pull out my dictionary and put all thoughts of Derek away.