The bell finally rang and it was the end of school. Teenagers flooded the halls in a matter of seconds, yelling wildly over the rest of the crowd about their afternoon plans to their other friends. I always wait at least five minutes before leaving the class room to avoid the mad rush. I hadn’t seen Michael all day and was brooding about how Michael had lied to me earlier. I just can’t get over it. We are always honest with each other, well… at least I thought so.

I walked out of the classroom and into the hall way which was now vacant. Then I saw Michael waiting at my locker. Biting my lip, I walked over and didn’t look him in the eye or say anything to him. He leaned against the locker next to mine casually as I opened my own to retrieve my bag.

“Hey April, not still mad at me are you?”

I slammed my locker door and looked directly at him.

“No not at all. You only made me look like a complete idiot and probably think I’m crazy. He was there Michael! Staring right at me! I didn’t imagine it and I saw you talking to him!”

When he had nothing to say, I stormed down the hallway and out the front doors of the school.

The light from outside momentarily blinded me. When my vision returned, I looked towards the parking lot. There were only two cars there; mine, a purple Mitsubishi Colt and another car, a black Holden Cruze, towards the back of the parking lot. Leaning against the Holden was the same man from earlier that day. Cautiously, I made my way down the steps and to my car, keeping a close eye on him. He didn’t move and also kept his gaze on me. I fiddled with my car keys to unlock the door and slid in. Looking at my rear view mirror to find him, he was no longer there. I gripped the steering wheel. It’s okay April, he’s probably just gone to take a walk.

I put the keys in the ignition, then there was a tapping on the car window. I panicked and locked the door and there was a laugh from outside. I looked out the window and it was the man looking in threw the window at me with a warm smile.

“Hi there. Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I apologise for being rude earlier. My names Matthew Kyles.”

I smiled wearily and wound the window down.

“Uhh yea that was kind of rude.  And you didn’t scare me… I just saw a bee… Anyway nice to meet you, I’m April Longlea.”

I'm terrible at lying and I know it but I shook his hand anyway.

“I just started at this school today and I didn’t mean to stare at you, I’m just shy. I know it’s not an excuse but I hope you can forgive me.”

Wow, this guy is a complete gentleman….. And really cute. He actually reminds me a bit of Michael.  However, there was something different about Matthew. I fell like I should be close to him but something was just… wrong about him. And that scared me.

“Its fine, don’t worry about it. But I really have to be going now. See you around?”

I reached to put the car gear into reverse when he grabbed my hand, which only frightened me even more. He immediately released my hand when he noticed my expression.

“I’m sorry… umm… maybe we could hang out…?”

I chewed nervously at my lip and Matthew turned his head towards the front doors of the school. Looking too, I saw Michael standing there, watching and assessing us. Standing up, Matthew scowled momentarily and then formed a fake smile. He made an army salute towards Michael then bent down to my window again.

“See you around April Longlea.” Matthew then casually strolled back to his car and drove away.

I didn’t bother to offer Michael a ride. Both Matthew and Michael knew each other, but not in friendly terms, I could gather that much. I would have thought the conflict was funny in any other case, but given everything that’s happened today, it just wasn’t. The way they looked at each other was like they would happily murder the other without a second thought and that only makes me wonder more about what had happened between the two.

When I got home, after stopping at the general store for groceries, I kissed my mother on her forehead.

“How was your day sweetie?” she said while sipping a cup of tea, sitting at the kitchen bench.

“It was different” Exploring the cupboard I found a packet of Doritos. Score.

“Ahh, different in a good way or a bad way?”

I sat down next to her and nibbled on the cheesy goodness of the Dorito. “Sadly, a bad way mum.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I wondered for a moment about her question. I do want to talk about it, but I have no words to describe what exactly happened today. I still didn’t know the whole story about it, so I don’t think I can really tell her. 

So, instead of trying to explain things, I simply said, “It’ll be okay mum. Hopefully things will be better tomorrow.”