Mistrust by Margaret McHeyzer Page B

saying.” I nod.
    “His attitude toward you sucks, Dakota.”
    “I don’t know what to say or do. He’s being a jerk.”
    “You say and do nothing. He doesn’t deserve you. You should be with someone who appreciates and respects you. And if you’re not ready to have sex, then he should accept how you’re feeling. Not go around telling all us of how you’re . . .” Reece stops talking, obviously he too started saying something I shouldn’t really know.
    “I’m what, Reece?”
    He looks away from me, and I feel like a knife has been plunged into my heart. “Nothing,” he says in a small voice. The knife gets twisted and I feel so sick at the thought of what reasons Levi might be giving about our break up. My heartbreak must be completely obvious to Reece, because his shoulders tense up and he takes a step closer to me. In an innocent move, he engulfs me in a hug. “I’m sorry, Dakota.”
    His warm embrace feels right. There’s nothing creepy or wrong about his arms around me. Considering everything I’ve been through, I’m surprised at myself for being able to accept his touch and not freak out.
    Reece lets go and takes a step back from us. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” He runs his hands through his sandy hair. His brown eyes find mine, and I can see the apology screaming at me.
    “It’s okay, don’t worry about it.” We continue toward the nurse’s office in an awkward silence. When we get there, the nurse takes my slip from the teacher, and sits me down while she reads the note.
    “I’ll go back to class,” Reece says in a strained and hesitant voice.
    “Yeah, okay. See you at lunch.”
    “Lunch . . . right. See ya.”
    I watch his retreating back leave the office, and suddenly loneliness overtakes me.
     

 
     
    Walking toward the cafeteria, I spot Mariah and Lindsey ahead of me. They haven’t noticed me yet and they appear to be oblivious to everyone around them. They’re talking, pointing, laughing and carrying on. I can’t help but wonder if this is how I come across too? Do I walk like them, with an air of superiority? Do I discreetly point at others and giggle behind my hand all the while saying mean and hurtful things?
    God, I hope not.
    When I get into the cafeteria, Jordan and Aaron are already sitting at our table. Lindsey and Mariah join them, quickly followed by me.
    “Hi everyone,” I say while sitting down on a spare chair.
    “Oh my God, I heard you passed out. Are you okay?” Jordan asks as she leans over the table to give my hand a light squeeze.
    “Yeah, I didn’t eat breakfast and I kind of just . . . well, you know.” This story is much easier to tell then the actual truth.
    “Hey, how are you feeling?” Reece folds his tall body into the seat next to mine.
    “Yeah, good. Just needed to eat. The nurse gave me some juice and a couple of cookies and I felt fine so she sent me back to class.”
    “But you’re okay, right?”
    There’s an unusual concern coming from Reece. It’s quite intense. I bring my arm up and lean my head down, essentially creating a barrier blocking out everyone else at the table. “I’m okay.” I take a deep breath and narrow my eyes in question. “Are you okay? You seem kinda weird.”
    “Yeah, I mean it’s nothing. Just making sure you’re okay and it wasn’t anything serious.”
    “Are you trying to say something, Reece?” I caught the tail end of some conversations behind me, and they seemed to be quite interested in why I’d passed out in English.
    “What are you doing here?” I hear Levi boom over everyone else at the table.
    Blinking a few times, and taking several deep breaths, I slowly turn to find Levi standing on the opposite side of the table, his hands on his hips leering down at me. “I’m talking to Reece, and if you don’t like it, you can leave,” spurts uncontrollably out of my mouth.
    “You don’t get it, do you, Dakota? This area . . .” He does a circular movement with his finger than