Why Were You Smiling That Day?
#1 of My Friend Demi
(I entered the school with a small smile on my face. If anybody actually cared to notice me, they would have found how out of character I was that day. I usually walked in a slump with my head held down, and I certainly would not have had a fucking smile on my face. I was considered an outcast to my peers, or as some people so kindly put it, a loser. It was my choice though; I decided long ago that I would not try to act like the rest of them. I have seen many of my childhood friends literally change over night. All of a sudden certain things weren't considered cool anymore. It was disturbing how quickly they found a "label" to put themselves in. They had to be apart of something in order to be considered something.
Even though I wasn't looking for a crowd to be apart of, I quickly found that I have been placed in one anyway by my peers. Again going back to that word, loser, I was in the crowd of losers and social misfits. Of course all of my childhood friends didn't want to be seen with someone from that crowd. Oh no, I wouldn't want to damage their reputation. I can't say it was a pleasant feeling to watch my friends drift away from me, almost like they had forgotten the past five or six years of being together. I am certain some of them regret it though, as I used to get a look of acknowledgement whenever they would pass by me in school. Sometimes a small guilty smile would sweep across their muzzles. I would look back and sometimes give a little nod of a hello, but on the inside I was saying "fuck off."
Anyway getting back to that day when I entered school with that smile. I do wish someone noticed, I was told I had a rather nice smile. Well I walked along the corridor of the Administration building and exited the large doors to the quad. I stopped and looked at the sight. A bunch of teens, an adult here and there, mingling in the heart of the school. My eyes gazed around the scenery, my smile growing bigger. I started walking again as the bell rang. I walked past my peers and held my head up for once. Wasn't too long before I entered my first period class, Pre-Algebra. I took my seat next to a cheerleader, who didn't seem to care that I was sitting next to her. Nor did she care to ever acknowledge me either. I am sure she would have liked to sit elsewhere, but the teacher had a seating chart. Before too long the class commenced and whatever goes on in Geometry class did and I paid attention as usual.
It was probably five or so minutes before the bell rang when I heard her voice. I casually ignored it at first, but then she spoke again. This time I heard my name. I looked at her, not at all looking surprised or anything. Though I was surprised, it was getting near the end of the school year and this is the first time she's ever talked to me. I didn't speak, but my expression let her know she had my attention. She smiled at me and said, "Sorry I know it might be silly of me to say this, but you've got a nice smile. I noticed it when you came in, you should do it more often." With that she giggled and went back to whatever it was she was doing before. I wanted to say thank you or something, but I don't think she expected a response. I stared at my paper for the remainder of the class.
The other periods came and went and it was now lunch time. I sat in the cafeteria, somewhere in the corner, alone as usual. I was quietly eating my lunch, trying not to look like I cared about the world. Though that girls words still flowed through my mind. It made me smile again. Then I heard that giggle again, but louder this time. I looked to my side and there she was dumping a bag in the trash can. Her friends all giggling beside her. She looked over at me and our eyes met. Of course as soon as they did I looked elsewhere, pretending I didn't see her. I went back to eating my lunch until I looked back in her direction a minute later. She was gone, but it's not like I was expecting her to still be there. I stuffed whatever was left of my lunch in my mouth and left the cafeteria. Looking at my watch I noticed there was still a good twenty minutes before lunch was over. I sighed a little and made my way towards the library. The library was a good place to go during times like these. Upon entering the library I heard that giggle again followed by a stern "Shh!"
I looked in the direction of the noise and saw the librarian carrying some books passing the table the cheerleader was sitting at, looking cross as always. The girl and her friends giggled quietly and continued talking about whatever it is girls like to talk about it. Gossip maybe? I took a seat at the farthest table and pulled out a book from my backpack. I silently began reading about the wonders of the world through the eyes of my father. I am still surprised his first and only published book didn't get the recognition it deserved. It was a beautiful peace of work, a tale about his trip around the world when he was in his late teens. My favorite chapter will always be the one where he met my mother during his travels through Asia. My mother then could hardly speak any English, but that didn't stop the two from falling madly in love. She still carries her accent, and I speak a little of her native tongue as well.
As I read through my favorite chapter for the millionth time, there was a tap on my shoulder. I looked over it and saw the smile of a beautiful girl. For some reason I didn't recognize her at first, but I soon realized who it was. It was the cheerleader and she seemed to be interested in the book I was reading. "Is the author of that book really your father?" She asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice. Why would she be nervous speaking to me? I smiled and told her it was and she immediately sat in the seat next to me. From there on we talked about my father's book until the bell rang. Even then though she walked with me to my next class as we held our discussion. It seemed odd that she'd be talking to me so much; I even thought she might have been on a bet or something. Though I wasn't afraid to see how long this would last. I look forward to speaking to her even more in the future if at all possible.)
Demi blushed slightly as the female squirrel closed the book in her paws and giggled softly. She lied down on the bed and held the book to her bosom staring at the ceiling silently. Her sapphire eyes sparkled from the light of the ceiling fan, her auburn hair cascading from her head smoothly onto the bed sheets. Demi smiled and looked at her, she looked so tranquil. She must have been in deep thought and not wanting to disturb he let her stay silent for as long as she wanted. With a happy exhale she looked over at her partner and smiled lovingly.
"It's adorable how you keep a journal you know. Of course I am honored that you let me read your first entry about me. I am amazed that you even remembered everything I said to you." She said, holding the journal to her chest still. "I didn't even notice the date!" She exclaimed and opened to the page again, "It had to have been about a year ago no?" She looked at the top corner and found the date, which happened to almost a year ago. "Oh my, how time has flown it doesn't take a break for no one."
Demi smiled and lied next to her now, brushing his paw through her hair.
"Seemed like a while ago to me. Who knew a loner like me would end up with a girl like you?" The red panda smiled as he kissed her lips. She moaned softly through the kiss turning to her side to wrap her arms around him. They stood like that for a while, locked in their deep kiss wrapped in a warm embrace. A while after the kiss ended, though they would kept it forever if they could. The squirrel licked Demi's cheek as they continued to hug.
"I wish you would try to make more friends, I don't like seeing you alone at school. Also when can we stop hiding our love? I understand your reason and all, but I am not ashamed to be with you. Who gives a fuck what the kids at school think, let them see it as odd. A popular girl can fall in love with a loner, as you call yourself, can't she?" She held his face in her paws, looking at him intently. He looked away from her for a brief moment and sighed.
"D'arcy, I just don't want people talking shit about you just because you are going out with me. I know how teenagers can be, they are some of the most ruthless people on the planet. A popular girl can fall in love with a loser, but a popular crowd can't accept one of their own dating from outside the pack." Demi replied earnestly, his paws still brushing through her hair. D'arcy frowned and sighed softly, murring at his paws brushing her hair.
"I'll admit I will get a lot of heat from the people I hang out with. I just wish they weren't so shallow. They are my friends and I enjoy hanging out with them, but ignoring you hurts too much. If letting them know you're my boyfriend makes them not want to hang out with me then so be it. I can't say it wont hurt, cause it will. If they're really my friends they'll be accepting, though I know that wont be many of them. It's not like I can't make new friends, be they popular or not. We can make new friends together, wouldn't you like to do that?" She smiled warmly kissing him on the cheek devotedly. Demi smiled back and looked into her eyes, knowing she really would choose him over her friends.
"If that will make you happy, then I guess we can be open about our relationship. I am sorry that I wanted to keep it a secret in the first place, it was a bad choice in my part. It's just that I had nothing to loose with our relationship, but you had all your friends. I was scared that they'd talk shit, like I mentioned before, but I know you can take care of yourself. You're a strong woman, and I love you so much."
D'arcy laughed happily and kissed him again, her eyes welling a little. She really did love him and would stay with him forever no matter what anyone thought. As they kissed she opened her eyes slowly and thought about something. Demi sensed something and opened his eyes too.
"Mmm something the matter babe?" He asked curiously. She smiled coyly and tilted her head cutely before speaking.
"I don't know why I never thought to ask before, but it has been on my mind a lot lately." She giggled softly and kissed him on the lips for a moment before speaking again.
"Why were you smiling that day?"