| LEXI MICHAELSON |

Walking in to the university the next day, I was combing my hair back with my fingers as it was ruffle by the heavy wind today. But I was jolted when someone came behind me and called my name in my ear. The English book fell from my hand along with the coffee I was drinking, fell on the floor. And me? I was a shrieking mess. Few faces turned to look my way and I turned to look who was behind me.

"Blake! What the hell is wrong with you?!" I shouted.

He started laughing right after I shouted. I was pissed. Last night wasn't so good either. My parents were not home along with my aunt. My cousins just bullied me all night long until their and mine parents arrived.

"You're getting skinnier."

"Put some meat, stick figure."

"You don't look healthy. Eat some more."

"Where do you spend all your money off to? You don't eat, anyway."

Nothing seemed like anything as my bitch of a cousins described. But I was not sure about the skinny part. After all, being an ex-anorexic is not easy. You throw up after every meal, even if you had water. It's mind depressing.

Back to reality, I was red and mad and pissed at Blake who was just laughing at me while he pinched my cheek. Few faces in the hallway were laughing too as they got back to their work. I felt embarrassed. I couldn't help as my hand rose to hit Blake in the chest, but it was impossible because his chest was rock hard.

Few tears escaped my eyes as I sprinted to the girls washroom, crying. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked fine, except my eyes were red along with my nose.

I had been crying since last night. Because, I don't know. The verbal assault just hit me straight in my heart.

I can never look like those beautiful ladies.

The bathroom door opened and I quickly wiped my tears and washed my face. Madison was by my side, frowning.

"I didn't know you'd be frightened that way, or you'd be crying." She cooed. "Blake said he's sorry."

"I'm fine. I'm not crying about that." I walked away, to the door.

"Hey, have you been dieting? You look a little pale...?" She asked right away. Of course. She doesn't know about anything.

"Nah, I'm fine. Let's go." I opened the door and saw Blake leaning by the wall.

Noticing me, he quickly leaned towards me and looked at me. My eyes were down, so he couldn't look at my red eyes.
"What's wrong?" Were the first words escaped his lips.

"Nothing. I'm fine." I walked pass him but he grabbed me by my waist and turned me around.

"I'm sorry." He said, searching my face for any emotion but my head was down.

"It's okay." I mumbled. He grasped my chin and made my head to look up. Still, I was not meeting his eyes.

"Look at me."

I didn't respond. By now, Madison was standing at the door of the washroom and watching all of this.

"Please." Blake pleaded. I shook my head and tried to walk away again but he held me in place, tighter. "I'm not letting you go until you tell me what's bothering you."

"I don't want to tell you, Blake! Now shut up and leave me alone." I snapped at him. Immediately, his grip loosened, and I managed to walk away, to my first class of the day. Great. Now I'd have to act happy in front of Vincent.

After the class ended, I sighed out of frustration and walked out of class, avoiding Madison or Blake. Vincent tried to ask me what was wrong but I was too tired to speak, after all, I did not get any sleep last night. I just grabbed my things and walked to the cafeteria, bought a cup of coffee and sat on the bench in the corner. I was reading the notes I took in one of the classes and sipped my coffee until I felt a presence in front of me.

"Lexi, I'm sorry..." Blake said, looking at me.

"Its fine, I told you." I mumbled and got back to reading the notes, giving a vibe to not disturb me right now.

"I'm feeling bad about scaring you off and making you cry. And I'm really very sorry." I was about to tease him for bringing out his inner child but I stopped because the vibe was not just simply there.

I hummed and he started to speak again. A few minutes after listening him, I grew annoyed because I wanted some alone time which was not provided to me at home. So I snapped at him, once again.

"Blake please, I told you to leave me alone." I said, but regretted the moment when his face fell and I saw hurt flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it up.

"I was actually going to ask, if you'd like to go grab lunch with me, like right now?" He hesitantly asked, glancing at his watch.

"I'm sorry, but no." I sighed.

"Fine. Starve yourself." He was annoyed, too. But his statement got to me and tears welled up in my eyes.

I think those haunting days are coming back.

"Hey, I didn't mean to... Are you okay?" He cooed again, cradling my face in his arms.

"Leave me alone." I cried. He tried to protest but, "Leave me alone, Blake!" I yelled and few face turned my way but I didn't care at that moment.

"Okay, okay." He hurried out of the cafeteria like a scared puppy who was scolded by his owner.

After some time, I stopped myself from crying and wiped my tears. I needed to stop crying, what was wrong with me?

I remember when I used to starve myself, I wouldn't eat for weeks. I'd just drink water and throw up. My mom supported me, my sister, even my brother supported me even though I was fighting my inner demons which stopped me to eat and find everything gross. I finally conquered one day and that was the best day of my life when I ate my favourite food which was chicken sandwiches my mom made for me. I was so happy that I finally ate something.

"Um, y- you're Lexi?" A shaky voice asked me from above.

I looked up to see a guy with big, round glasses on his nose, brown chocolaty hair which were swept to the side, and his hands holding a book. "Yes, I am." I frowned.

"Um, B- Blake told- I mean, no one- like, as in, a guy..." He sighed loudly and closed his eyes, then he spoke quickly. "He told me not to speak his name but Blake told me to give you this. And told me to tell you that open the first page."

He handed me the book, which indeed was mine, and walked away.

"Hey what's your name?" I shouted at his back.

"It's Odin!" He shouted back, without stuttering.

I smiled and opened the first page of my English text book to find a page written with 'Read please' on it.

I shook my head and a chuckled escape my lips. Blake is someone who'd make me laugh even when I'm crying.

I like it.

I like him.

***