A new friend (Tori)

Serenity Love:

I was sitting on the bench outside because my father needed my alcohol. As much as he hated looking at me, or just me in general, I had to come with him because he couldn't carry it all by himself. I watched as Markus, I boy in my math class, exitedthe store across the street. He had his arms full, but seemed to be hurt.

He cameover to the bench, and put his things on the ground next to me. He sat down and tried to make casual conversation. "Hi, uh, do we go to school together?" Unfortunately, he was very good at it, and I couldn't do much better. "Umm." I struggled. Talking to people wasn't a strong spot of mine, expecially if I didn't know them. "Yes, we have math together." He nods his head, and I look down at my thumbs, and begin to twidle them. I notice him touch his leg. Despite my lack of speaking skills, and not knowing this guy, I speak up because I hate seeing anyone in pain. "Are you okay?"

I nodded as he told me how he hurt his leg. It was a blatant lie. I knew as soon as he refused to make eye contact. But I wasn't going to call him out on it. I, myself, frequently lie about how I get my bruises. Subconsciously, I touched the one on my wrist and winced. "I'll be right back." I mumble and got up from the bench.

Raking through my pockets, I tried to ind the proper change I would need. I new all the prices of the medical supplies in the store. As I waltzed in, I went straight to the medical aisle. After a moment of browsing I found the pain medication I was looking for. If he didn't tell me what was really wrong with his leg, I can't do anything about it. But this will at least help. I grabbed a box of bandages as well, thinking about the alcohol my father was buying. I felt I was going to need them.

After emptying about all the money in my pocket I had, I returned to the bench, pleased to find Markus was still there. My subtle, quiet manner disappeared as I talked about the medical things I had just purchased. "Well, here." I said, removing the bottle from the bag and pushing two pills out. I handed them to him along with the bottle. "Two in the morning, two at night. It will help with the pain." I noticed something wrong with this picture. "Oh, dear. I forgot to get you something to help it go down. Can you dry swallow?"

At that moment my father exited the store, but he only had one bag. He looked at me and then at Markus, and then at the bag in my lap. I stop up quickly, dropping it.

"What do you think you're doing? Buying whatever you want? This is why we don't have money for anything! I could only afford to buy three bottles! That will last a day!" He was screaming in the middle of the street, but barely anyone was there to notice. I ran forward to retrieve the bag from his hands. He pulled back quickly and snarled. I stopped short, afraid he was going to strike again. But he wouldn't dare in public. "Forget it. I have no use for you right now. Be gone." With that he marched off.

I let out a slow breath of relief and stood in the same spot, quietly. Slowly, I turned and walked back over the the bench, picking up my bag as I sat down. I knew if I went home tonight I would surely get it. I couldn't stay at Clarisse's or Veronica's since they were a mess. I hadn't seen much of either of them since Rocko was picked for the Hunger Games.

I noticed my breathing was quickly paced and heavy. I tried to get myself to clam down. Turning to Markus, I felt the need to apologize. "Sorry." I whispered, and looked back into my lap.