Free October Breezes by Maria Rachel Hooley

I saw him sitting with Bethany Fields in the courtyard. Devin straddled the concrete bench, and an open notebook lay between him and Bethany. Head down, he appeared to be reading. I cracked the door just enough to hear him reciting a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Devin, more than competent at oral reading, stumbled over the words. I started to go out, but seeing her lean toward him, grab his arm and laugh, I froze. Devin's laughter joined hers. I stepped back and let the door close as my books slipped from my grasp. Hearing the door catch, Devin looked up.
    His eyes met mine, and he looked away, a deep flush coloring his cheeks. He closed the notebook and turned his back to me.
    I stumbled backward, and my whole body trembled violently. I tried to blink away the tears, but they kept coming.
    Relieved at the empty halway, I leaned against the wal and cried, my whole body hurting as I'd never known possible. Above me red and white banners waved, swayed by the heater's gusts. I don’t know how long I remained there, only that a few moments later a familiar voice said, “Skye? You al right?” Kelin, wearing a black and red wind suit, stood next to the fountain, his finger stil resting on the button. When I didn't immediately speak, he lightly grasped my elbow.
    My hands flew to my face and brushed the tears away.
    “I’m fine.”

    “You don’t look fine. Did Becca say something else? Is that why you’re crying?”
    “No.”
    He slid his arm around me, his fingers gently squeezing my shoulder. “Anything I can do?” He peered intently at me, concern filing his blue eyes.
    “No,” I finaly said, pointing at the bathroom. “I need to go in there.”
    “I’l be here.” He leaned against the wal, crossing one ankle over the other and he shoved his hands into his pockets.
    I stood before the mirror and splashed cold water on my face. After patting my hair into place and washing my skin, my appearance seemed closer to normal as I re-emerged into the halway.
    “Want to get lunch?”
    I shrugged, dreading the thought of entering the lunch room where too many people would stare at me. “I’d rather hit the vending machines.” I puled two dolars from my pocket. “But don’t let me stop you from getting a burger.”
    He shook his head. “Maybe I’d rather just have chips and a soda with you than a burger and fries with Tyler. Let’s face it : while al the girls think he’s a razzle-dazzle man, you’re much more interesting.” He, too, reached into his pockets and puled out a few bils. Together, we waited to get a snack, then sat on the foyer's wooden benches to eat.
    “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked quietly as other students miled about us. Becca and another cheerleader floated past by and, Becca opened her mouth, but Kelin frowned, effectively silencing her. After that, they hurried past.
    “There’s no point.” I crumpled the empty bag and tossed it into the trash can. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that talking doesn’t make a difference.”
    After school I purposely waited, digging through my locker as though searching for something important. I arranged my books and threw away the trash littering the bottom. Every time I glimpsed someone passing, I turned, stil expecting Devin would show. I kept hoping, even after most of the students had gone.
    Maybe you should have gotten on the bus. He said he wasn’t going to give you a ride anymore. I shut my locker and resigned myself to a brisk walk. Sliding one arm into my jacket sleeve and then the other, I turned and ran into Kelin, my shoulder bumping his chest. The impact threw me backward, and he grabbed my forearm to steady me. Once sure of my balance, his grip eased.
    “Hey.”
    “Why are you stil here?” I zipped my coat.
    He shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you're okay. You were so upset at lunch, and I know you didn’t realy want to talk. I thought you might want some company.” He scanned the empty