WANTING YOU

Monday

Monday came almost immediately and the school was already buzzing about the escapade at the ice-cream pallor between Trent and Annalise.

Keri ran into me at my locker as I picked out my textbooks for my classes.

"Haven't you heard?" she asked as she bounces on the ball of her feet from excitement.

Sighing, I answered, "Yes, I've heard."

"Well, were you there, did you see what happened?" she asked another question.

"Yes, I was there. I saw," I answered.

"So then it's not just a rumor... Trent broke up with Annalise for real this time," Keri beamed.

"Oh, come on Keri. Trent and Annalise had been on and off for as long as we both can remember. When this blows over, they'll rekindle their ever-lasting flame. You of all people should know that. You keep tabs on their many break-ups and make-ups," I replied.

"But this seems different," Keri said.

"Why is this one any difference?" I asked.

"It's said that Trent is very upset. The girl Annalise attacked, Trent had known her almost all his life and now she wouldn't even talk to him because of Annalise," Keri explained as we headed off to English class.

~

At lunch time, the buzz grew more and more in the cafeteria. Annalise was surrounded and guarded by her cheerleading squad whilst Trent was across from with his football teammates.

Tension hung in the air and Annalise stole quick glances at Trent and looked defeated after every one.

A tiny part of me felt sorry for her. She appeared to be heartbroken and disconsolate.

Everyone watched in silence when she stood up and crossed the room to Trent's table. He stopped eating as he watched her approaching figure.

"We need to talk," she said to him.

"No. We don't. I have nothing to say to you."

"Trent, this cannot be the way we end things and part ways again."

"I think it's for the better. We cannot be doing this constant back and forth with each other. I'm at my wits end and I'm sure you are too. Aren't you tired?" he asked her. Annalise exhaled and she looked at Trent with tears in her eyes and when it slipped out, she turned on her heel and ran out of the cafeteria. Her squad went after her with concerns on their faces. Some of them eyeing Trent dangerously as they went after Annalise.

~

After lunch, I had a free period. I went to my locker again and retrieve a romance novel I was secretly reading, then I found a quiet spot to myself and sat down and indulged myself to the words on the pages.

"What are you reading?" someone asked and I almost leaped from my skin. I looked up from my book and Trent Ambrose was looking back at me.

"A book," I answered short.

"What's it about?"

"None of your business," I sassed and he chuckled. With hands in his front pockets, he stepped closer to where I was sitting until he was standing directly in my path. I felt concerned... in the most sexy way, and I hated the feeling that was beginning to form in the pit of my stomach. Butterflies.

He reached for the book and looked at the cover art. His eyes expressed surprise when he noticed it was a romance novel but without another word, he handed it back to me.

"What?" I asked him.

"Nothing," he shrugged.

"It's clear that you're thinking something," I debated.

"No, I think it's you who wants me to think something," he argued.

"Trent..."

"Astrid..."

"Wait, you know my name?"

"That I do, why so shell-shocked?"

"Because you usually call me names like 'Glasses Girl, Lady Urkel, One Hoodie, Nerd, Book Arms', etcetera," I informed.

"Oh, yeah. Well you're still all of those things," he said and my butterflies faded.

"Leave me alone, Trent. You're distracting my reading," I told him afterwards.

"Sorry, I was only trying to have a conversation."

"Why, don't you have a relationship to fix?" I asked him.

"Hey, my relationship is none of your business"

"It's everyone's business. The entire school is talking about what happened on Saturday."

"Don't you think I know that? I wish people would shut up about it already."

"Ha!"

"What's so funny?"

"You are."

"How am I funny to you?"

"You put your relationship out there for all to see, talk and judge, and when things become sour, you wish people would mind their own business. That is what's funny to me," I answered.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Trent asked, "Hold on, don't answer that. Of course you don't have a boyfriend."

"You wouldn't know."

"Who would date you... you're a mess."

"Why are you even talking to me if all you're going to do is insult me? You need to leave me alone, Trent. We're not friends and we're never going to be friends so stop trying to get into my head."

"Okay then," Trent said and walked away. I watched him walked away and contemplated on whether or not I should tell Keri about our conversation.

I decided I wasn't going to say a word to Keri. She was too keen for gossip and I didn't want her blowing this out of proportion into something that it clearly wasn't.

~

When my free period ended, I went to my next class with mixed emotions. I couldn't help but feel happy that Trent Ambrose found me and talked to me, although he insulted me in the process.

"Like why me?" I asked myself, "He could literally talk to anyone in this entire building but why he decided to talk to me of all people?"

I sat down at a blank canvas for Art class as the others filed into the room.

"Okay class, today you'll be your own instructor, your own thoughts and ideas. Use this thirty minutes to express your creativity on the canvas in front of you. Bring it to life," Mrs. Holloway instructed and we began our work.

A knock came to the door.

"Mrs. Holloway?"

"Yes?"

"I'm.."

"You're late," she snapped at him, "And your coach would hear of this. Take a seat, Mr. Ambrose."

At the mention of his name, I halted my painting. There was only one free seat available and it was next to me.

My heart raced in my chest as he made his way over and sat next to me with a playful smile.

"We meet again," he said in a whisper.

"Unfortunately," I responded.

"Ssshhh!" Mrs. Holloway shushed loudly at her desk.

"What are we doing?" Trent asked.

"You should have been on time," I answered.

"Astrid..."

"You're to do whatever you wish to do. Use your imagination. Let it run wild," I told him and he nodded in understanding.

I continued my painting and was only adding the finishing touches when the bell rung.

"Time's up," Mrs. Holloway said, "Ensure that your signatures are written on your paintings," she advised. She looked at several works and wore a smile then she matched over to Trent before he could have escaped.

"Ah, Mr.Ambrose, you're a hidden gem," she complimented as she caught his painting. I eyed his painting also and indeed, it was impressive.

"It really tells a story," Trent said to her.

"Care to explain?" Mrs.Holloway asked.

"No," Trent answered. He took his art supplies and walked out of the classroom, leaving Mrs. Holloway and I in confusion as we both eyed his mysterious painting. It was telling a story but I couldn't understand it, and I wanted to.